The time between Christmas and Epiphany on January 6 has many names - it is often referred to as the "Rauhnächte" or the time "between the years", and in the Anglo-Saxon-speaking world there is talk of the "twelve nights". Actually hardly comprehensible with a modern calendar that ends on December 31 and opens a new chapter on January 1.
The Rauhnächte offer not only an occasion to celebrate and get together with family and friends, but also space for reflection and organization. The two weeks of leisurely idleness can be spent within one's own four walls - but there are also numerous events for all tastes outside. This includes concerts and cultural events as well as the end of Christmas markets and, of course, cracking New Year's Eve celebrations.
Image: When you no longer know what day it is - the Rauhnächte are here.
Everything in order
Striving minds use the former Rauhnächte for a bit of self-organization - which also goes hand in hand with the end of the year in other cultures. Where once the paperwork of the old year was sorted and filed away, today it is enough to tidy up the e-mail inbox and perhaps bring one's own backup copies up to date.
Image: At least since Marie Condo, we like mucking out a little bit more.
Make plans
The end of the year is also a time to look back - what made the old year, which goals were achieved, which were not? What has become better? What should be on the agenda for the new year? Better than New Year's resolutions are plans that build on the results of the year now ending - they also have more chance of successful implementation. So, in short, the Rauhnächte can be easily summed up: After the show is before the show!
