The Day After the Colonial Ball & a Birthday Surprise!

In Colonial America many did not celebrate Christmas with lavish festivities. Until 1753 with the Gregorian calendar change, the New Year was not celebrated until March. There were no balls that dropped, nor balls to dance at until dawn. So inquiring minds may want to know what great celebration took place during the Christmastide season in colonial times.

 

Christmastide takes place from Christmas Day until twelve days following, called the feast of Epiphany or Three Kings Day. It is the day following Twelfth Night, when many colonials attended grand balls, the highlight of the season.
 
Today, January 6th, is that very day, time to remove your wreaths from the front door and be sure that your Christmas decorations come down and are stored away until next year. It also happens to be the day following Colonial Quills/CACW founder Carrie Fancett Pagels birthday. So, I thought we might ask her, if she were attending a Birthday Gala in her honor on Twelfth Night in the 18th century, what would she have worn to the ball? What might you have worn?

Please include your answers, and include links to a colonial costume (from Pinterest or on elsewhere on the internet) in your comments. Who is attending the ball? Characters from a favorite colonial story you've read or written? We'd love to know!  Be sure to have some cake and extend your birthday tidings to Carrie!