Something extra before the Doom

[ace99]

Yeah, part of the Santa story here in the U.S. is that if you're naughty, you'll get a lump of coal instead of presents in your stocking.

Oh wow! Does coal mean something different in the US, then?

In the UK, a lump of coal, in certain parts, is given as a token at New Year. At midnight on New Year's Eve. In exchange for a kiss, naturally.

In Austria, or is it Germany? One of those places you get switches in addition to coal and then a demon comes and whips you if you're a girl.

Edit: Krampus, it's Austria.

 

[Arakhor]

An odd thing with a death association is red and white flowers together, like a barber's pole. Florists should know that one intimately, but I went to an "event" several years ago and they had the "death flowers" out.

 

[Peck of Arabia]

An odd thing with a death association is red and white flowers together, like a barber's pole. Florists should know that one intimately, but I went to an "event" several years ago and they had the "death flowers" out.

I really like the idea of language of flowers, certain flowers, in certain colours meaning certain things, the idea of being able to convey a message though flowers and have the other person understand sounds really pleasant. Pity it's evidently dying out even among florists. I'd be in favour of trying to bring it back (starting with educating myself, of course)


I also like this idea as if December 21st is the end of the world as a means of forcing myself to do stuff I've been putting off for ages. Nothing specific yet, but I've got a month to go- I'll see what I come up with.

 

[Borachio]

What does anything matter, if it's all going to end?

I must take my library books back, though.

Aren't white lilies a symbol for funerals? I forget.