The Epiphany is perhaps an under-celebrated feast in Britain, in comparison with other countries. Often it represents only the Twelfth Night, the day when trees and decorations must come down (if they are even still up), and when feasting halts with the end of the holidays and a return to work.

Yet even in Ireland it is a feast sometimes known as the “Women’s Christmas”, a day when husbands do the cooking; while in Spain, Italy and other countries it is the day when children receive the majority of their presents.