Burns Night

by jeanne from wonderdiva



When all the Christmas decorations are taken down at my house, this little cutie takes her place on the mantle:

No, she's not Irish, she's Scottish, wearing her tartans and holding her bouquet of heather and thistles. 

Do you need a reason to throw a party at the end of January?  Be like the Scots and throw a Burns Night dinner.

Vintage Scotland penannular, from anothertimeantiques

January 25 is the birthday of Robert Burns, the legendary Scottish poet, and people worldwide gather to celebrate Burns and all things uniquely Scottish.  If everyone is Irish on St. Patrick's Day, then everyone should be Scottish on Burns Night.  It is also a superb excuse to start shopping for the incredibly fun and colorful vintage items that evoke Scotland.

Skotch Jug thermos from VintageJunkInMyTrunk

If you were do it up the traditional way, you'd have some haggis handy to parade in on a platter while bagpipes play, and then someone would read Burns' poem "Address to a Haggis."  If you're not that much of a purist (frankly, I would prefer not to be in the same room as a steaming haggis,) think about some smoked salmon with "neeps, tatties and nips" -- mashed turnips, mashed potatoes and a nip or two (or three... or four...) of whiskey. 

Drummond tartan outfits from Alex Sandras

Designated drivers and non-drinkers can stay awake for the fun while drinking strong  Scottish tea with cream and sugar.

Harris tweed tea cozy from chameleonCMC

And even if your post-dinner entertainment is watching reruns of Burn Notice rather than reading Robert Burns -- but remember, Bruce Campbell is in Burn Notice --throwing a party for a Burns Night supper still a great way to spend a January evening.   Alba gu brath!

Scottish clan badge from SterlingDelights