This post on the Amish & Old Christmas was originally published in 2011. If you missed it the first time, here’s another look at the story behind this tradition, observed today in Amish communities. Today, January 6th, is the Epiphany. Â It is also known as “Old Christmas”. Â From the Pinecraft Pauper: January 6th is still widely observed as a holiday by many plain folks, who…
In anticipation of February 14th, I passed this question along to John Stoltzfus: Do Amish people do anything for Valentine’s Day?  What are some ways they observe the day?   John’s response hints at differing attitudes about Valentine’s.  The usual caveat about Amish being different in different places applies: Valentine’s Day is a special day for our family, however in the last 10 years even the…
Wishing a joyful Christmas season to you and your family. Â No new posts for the next couple of days, but in the meantime here are some links to Amish Christmas articles from this site and others: USA Today article looking at Christmas in the Clare, Michigan Amish community. Â ‘”We have the quiet way of honoring Jesus coming,” said Simon Miller, of Clare. “Nothing to be…
The short answer is yes. I’m sending out my Christmas cards this week, and will include a number to Amish friends across the country. Amish don’t do Santa, so I try to choose “neutral” ones, though have sent some with a Christmas tree before. You can see Christmas cards displayed in Amish homes. One family I regularly visit hangs them from a string, which is…
Today, January 6th, some Amish observe Old Christmas. Â From a previous post, on the change to the Gregorian calendar in 1582: As the years went on, time due to the miscalculation in the previous Julian calendar accumulated. Â This meant countries who adopted it later had to make a change of more days. Â When Britain (and the American colonies) adopted the calendar in 1752, it was…
Do Amish take Labor Day off? Some do, others don’t.  If you’re Amish and work for someone, it would depend on your employer.  Amish schedules typically differ from English ones, taking into account more religious holidays. From What holidays do Amish celebrate?: Amish appreciate working for Amish employers, who follow the same holiday schedule and may grant employees time off for weddings.  In Amish Enterprise, Kraybill…
Independence Day celebrations will be happening across the country today.  Do Amish take part? A few years back I wrote a short piece on Amish and July 4th, and on “Plain patriotism”.  As you’d expect, Amish observance of the holiday varies. On a related note, each year Topeka, Indiana holds a buggy pull race following the the town’s 4th of July parade.  By the videos posted…
A few thoughts that have been on tap lately: This blog needs a tagline. Â Previously, the description which appeared below the big Amish America title in the upper left was: “Plain Insights and Observations from Pennsylvania to Oregon“. Â For a couple of reasons, one of which is length, I’ve abandoned that one and am searching for something new. Â It should capture what the site is…
Do Amish celebrate Halloween? While Amish do grow a lot of the pumpkins that become the Jack-o-Lanterns adorning homes across the nation today, the Amish themselves do not have a tradition of carving or displaying their own. The most you might see are some uncarved pumpkins and gourds festively arranged at some homes (though I suppose that could just as easily fall under the category…
Judging by my email inbox and the lack of traffic on the roads, today, Easter Monday, is a day off for a number of us. Amish Religious Holidays What holidays do Amish observe? And how does that affect the work schedule? In Amish Enterprise, Donald Kraybill and Steven Nolt write that in Lancaster County, “Church members faithfully recognize Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, And Christmas. …