The January diet may be underway, but the fun isn’t over yet.

Women’s Little Christmas; Nollaig na mBan; just another Saturday; call it what you like, but January 6th is the perfect excuse for a right old knees-up with the girls.

Traditionally a day when the poor, exhausted mammies of Ireland were permitted to cast off their aprons and eat a currant bun with the other women of the parish while the men looked after the children, Women’s Little Christmas is still cheerfully observed in many households, although it’s now a much less stereotypical affair.

According to UCC historian Alan Titley, the custom began when women would raise turkeys to sell to neighbours before Christmas. The resulting cash would have been spent on the family, but any leftover money was a treat for the woman of the house, come January.

Here are some ideas if you’re planning on splashing your turkey raisin’ cash this weekend…

1. LUNCH AND YOGA IN WEST CORK

Cork Simon Women’s Little Christmas Lunch will take place at The Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery on Saturday, January 6th. There’ll be a jazzy G&T reception followed by a four-course dinner with wine. Funnyman Colm O’Regan will MC, with music from Ciara O’Driscoll and friends and a host of inspiring after-dinner speakers, including nutritionist Alison Kingston, yoga guru Jess Hatchett and stylist Joolie Collier.
Tickets (€55) are on sale here, from Options Boutique, Clonakilty and from the Celtic Ross Hotel, Rosscarbery.

2. GINTASTIC FUN AT THE ORIEL

Ballincollig’s Oriel House Hotel is holding a ‘Gintastic Evening’ that we already like the sound of. The €35 ticket price includes a gin cocktail on arrival and a three-course meal, during which there’ll be a chance to win some fabulous spot prizes. Dancing in the Oriel Bar & Bistro will follow and if you fancy staying over, The Oriel is doing a special offer of B&B for two people sharing for a bargain €99. Book your places here.

3. ABBAESQUE AT CYPRUS AVENUE

Don’t even pretend that you wouldn’t be the first on the dance floor, belting out Mamma Mia and Fernando as if your life depended on it. ABBAesque are undoubtedly one of Ireland’s number one tribute shows – they perform in excess of 250 sell-out concerts each year. They’ve even appeared on The Late Late Show like, so you know they mean business and this year they’re spending Womens Little Christmas in Cork!

Tickets for ABBAesque’s Womens Little Christmas show at Cyprus Avenue (8pm, Saturday, January 6th) are €16.50 here.

4. COCKTAILS AT MONK

Guests at Cork’s newest cocktail bar MONK (it’s at the Franciscan Well Brewery & Brewpub on the North Mall) will learn all about the 700 years of history behind the venue before a taste of what makes it so famous; the booze. A €40 tickets nabs you a three-course cocktail menu, a wine and cheese welcome and a chance to be among the first to try Pompeii Pizzas Pinchos! To book email franciscanwellbrewery@gmail.com.

5. AFTERNOON TEA AT THE CORK INTERNATIONAL HOTEL

There’s a day of fashion, glamour and pampering planned at the Women’s Little Christmas Afternoon Tea and Fashion Showcase in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research. The event will take place on Saturday, January 6th at The Cork International Hotel, with MC Sandra Murphy getting the party started and demos by hair celeb Sabrina Hill (aka SuperStyle Sabby to her thousands of fans) and make-up artist Erin Kelleher. Once everyone’s had their fill of dainty sandwiches and sumptuous cakes and scones, there’ll be a fashion show and a performance by music duo Velvet. Tickets are €40 and are available from Breakthrough’s website.