Caroling tradition runs deep in the fabric of our culture. Some of the traditions that make it a warm event don’t have to be lost to any random newcomers to this whimsical good natured activity. Here is a tradition or two that will help make the Yule tide gay. That is holiday speak for ensuring that everyone has a fun experience.

All Spice is a key ingredient to wassail. In many hearts and minds it wouldn’t be Christmas without it.

As far as caroling; a warm punch bowl or pot of wassail that has been brought to a simmer and left to continue to warm is paramount to the experience.

While caroler are meeting in the kitchen of living room of a friend before heading out, wassail is usually served with pride.

All spice (one table spoon of less), lemon, lime, and orange wheels float about in a gallon of apple cider with a bunch of whole cloves. Add a quart of orange juice, a quart of unsweetened pineapple juice, a cup of fresh squeezed lemon juice, a cup of sugar, and several cinnamon sticks. See wassail crock pot punch recipe on cooks.com.

In many places such as PI Philippine Islands; carolers will sing or perform dances in the cities. This is very much like trick or treating. Some are done by city folk, some by rural folk, and some done by real rural folk. From the real rural folks the dances maybe cool and done half or pretty much innocently.

Here in the United States where caroling is sadly almost a dead tradition: The idea of being prepared for carolers is almost unheard of anymore. But if your hosting some friends, or a choir group that’s decided to head out singing: Then a warm batch of wassail before and after the caroling effort will warm their systems, and as is tradition, make the season right!