Wassail
Wassail is a contraction of the old English toast "Waes Hael!" meaning "be of good health!" It was a Saxon custom that, at the start of each year, the lord of the manor would shout "waes hael!" and the assembled crowd would reply "drinc hael!" meaning "drink and be healthy!"
It is also associated with the (first pagan and later, Christian) ritual of assuring a good apple crop and the Epiphany, and 12th Night.
Wassail door to door is the most well known form. Groups of people either bearing wassail or begging for it go from door to door singing and reveling. This was often a way of helping the poor without placing them in the category or "daily beggers". As time went on, the tradition was carried on by people going door to door bearing good wishes and people in the houses would give them drink and a light snack and they believed in return they would receive good favor in the year to come.
JOIN US SATURDAY FOR OUR HOLIDAY WASSAIL WITH A TWIST. SPECIALS THROUGHOUT THE STORE BUT HERE'S THE TWIST. ENTERTAIN US WITH A SONG, A STORY, ETC AND RECEIVE 20%,30%, OR 40% OFF ONE REGULAR PRICED ITEM.
