Christmas is done and dusted for one more year but New Year’s festivities are still on the horizon, leaving us all living in a sort of limbo of leftovers and lounging.
For some, it’s the best bit of the festive season but what is this odd in-between period actually called? There’s no name set in stone for this time between festive cheer and the reality of our standard day to day routines.
However, ‘Crimbo Limbo’ has caught on while ‘Twixmas’ is the marginally more official term coined for the span between December 27 and December 30.
The run up to Christmas Day can be somewhat chaotic; many people are hustling for weeks or even months, purchasing and wrapping gifts, dressing the house in its festive finest, and stockpiling treats for December 25, before the whirlwind comes to a pause.
Traditionally a Christian calendar staple, this one-day wonder is now embraced by billions across the globe, transcending religious backgrounds, and prompting many to lavish attention on celebrating with their nearest and dearest.
Though now it’s all over, many of us find ourselves floating through an ambiguous stretch where the days all blur together until New Year’s Eve helps to snap us back to reality. It’s easy to see why this period is still so beloved though – business hours can remain somewhat unpredictable, our screens stay tuned to Christmas films, and leftovers dominate our diets.
Often dubbed ‘Twixmas’, the term cleverly melds ‘betwixt’, an archaic term meaning ‘between’, with ‘Christmas’ to coin an effective portmanteau which best sums up this week. It seems popular on social media, too.
One TikTok creator shared a soothing video, captioned: “Twixmas, my favourite time of year. When the cookies overfloweth and the PJs stay on around the clock.” In the footage, she shares snapshots of warm lights still twinkling on a tree, a hot chocolate being poured into a glass mug, and the blinds being drawn to shut away the outside world.
People shared their thoughts beneath the video. One person simply said: “beautiful”, while another agreed: “This is such a vibe.” A third simply commented: “This is so sweet,” and someone else said: “Who knew Twixmas was a term lol.”
On Reddit, people were also keen to discuss the official name for this in-between period – with many lauding it for its lack of societal norms and rules. One person penned: “It’s now the weird time between Christmas & New Year where anything goes: Slices of cold meat for breakfast? Sure! Box of chocolates for lunch? Why not! Liquid dinner? Of course! And leftovers in sandwiches.”
One person replied: “Also this is the only time of year where I legitimately lose track of what day it is.” Another said: “Yep it’s Crimbo Limbo. For brekkie I had four blinis, olives, ham and some Twiglets. Now I’m eating Ferrero Rocher.” While someone else summed up: “It’s called Twixmas because it’s betwixt Christmas and New Year.”
‘Twixmas’ is a perfect time for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas Day. Let us know how you’re spending this time in the comments section below…
