Celebrating Three Kings Day

By Josie Hamor, Franziska Shelton and Kelly Ellis Radahd

Celebrating Three Kings Day
Three Kings Day or Epiphany is the celebration of the
coming of the magi and marks the end of the Twelve
Holy Nights. Three Kings Day is celebrated by many
countries and cultures in many different ways, from
gift giving, feasts, special cakes, Church services, song
and prayer. For many Three Kings Day or Epiphany
marks a ceremonial end to the festive season.

In our family Three Kings Day is a time for games and

fun as we joyfully farewell the Christmas season and
look ahead to the year to come. The three Kings arrive
at our nativity scene after their long journey around
the room. We make a special morning tea, decorating
our table with a golden cloth and lanterns and we bake
a special King Cake with a hidden fève (small charm)
inside. The person who finds the fève in their slice
becomes King for the Day- wearing the golden crown
they can choose what they’d like us to do that day and
what we will eat for dinner. My girls find these simple,
sweet traditions so very exciting and magical. The
following guide is full of inspiration for celebrating a
simple yet meaningful Waldorf-inspired Three Kings
Day with your family. We hope you enjoy it and feel
inspired to bake, create and celebrate with us!
O’ Come Let Us Adore Him
Window Transparency

By Kelly Ellis-Radahd
@thewaywewaldorf
 Window transparencies are so beautiful and always manage to bring magic and
wonder into our home, this transparency I designed for the Epiphany, I wanted to
capture the simple beauty of the and the significance of the day, three kings from
far away kneeling under the heavens at the light of the world. Display in a window
or in front of a light source for the best effect.

What you will need-

Black Card
Templates from this pack
Kite paper in Dark Blue, Light Blue, Purple, Brown, Yellow, Green, White and
Skin tone
A craft knife and cutting mat
Glue-stick
Pencil

Method-
Print the frame onto black card and then use your craft knife and cutting mat to
cut away the blank areas. Trace around the outer edge of this frame onto white kite
paper and then set aside.

Trace the pieces for the transparency onto the corresponding coloured kite paper
and cut out. Trace the star (f) where you would like it to be on the blue sky (a) and
cut it away from the blue sky.

Assemble all your pieces in alphabetical order on top of your white kite paper, use
glue to secure them making sure they are in the right place holding the frame on
top every now and then.

Once done, stick the frame on top of the whole piece and then display.
Three Lanterns for Three Kings Day

By Josie Hamor
@onwillowsbend
 The Brightest Star Lantern

What you will need-

A large, clean glass jar
White tissue paper
Lemon yellow kite paper
Craft glue
A glue stick
A ruler and scissors
A paint brush or glue brush

What to do-
Begin by preparing the jar for the lantern. Place a small amount of craft glue in a
pot and dilute with a few drops of cold water. Take a sheet of tissue paper and tear
into small pieces. Spread a small amount of glue on the jar and stick the torn
tissue paper to the jar, overlapping the edges. Cover the whole jar from base to
rim. Allow the glue to dry and then cover any spots you may have missed. You may
like to add a second layer of tissue paper.

To make the star cut eight pieces of lemon yellow kite paper measuring 2”x1”
Begin by folding one of the rectangles in half vertically, unfold. Fold the four
corners in towards the central fold line, use a small amount of glue to secure the
corners in place. Next, fold two of the corners into the central fold line again to
create a sharp star point at one end, glue in place. Repeat eight times until all the
star points are folded.

To assemble the star overlap the wider points, so that the diagonal edge of one
point is in line with the central fold of the next point. Use a small amount of glue
to to stick the points together. Glue the star to your dry lantern jar using a glue
stick.

Now your lantern is finished. Place a tea light in a lid from a smaller jar and place
both in the bottom of your jar lantern.
 Golden Crown Lantern

What you will need-

A clean glass jar (I used a short, wide mouth jar,
but you can adapt the pattern for any jar size)
A small piece of golden yellow felt
Felt scraps in various colours
Embroidery scissors and sewing needs
Coordinating embroidery thread

What to do-
Begin by printing the small crown pattern labelled “doll crown 2”. Cut out the
paper pattern and test the size of it against the size of the jar you are using by
looping it around the base. If it isn’t long enough add additional length with an
extra strip of felt at one end. Pin the crown pattern to your felt and carefully cut
around it, alternatively draw around the pattern piece on the back of your felt
using a chalk pencil and cut out carefully. Next, turn your crown front over and
draw alternating circles and triangles below each crown point using a chalk pencil.
Cut out the shapes, leaving jewel shaped holes in your crown top.

Next, cut pieces of coloured felt slightly larger than the jewel holes and lay them
over the holes on the back of your crown. Pin in place. Turn your crown over and
working from the front sew the jewels in place around the perimeter of the cut out
holes using a whip stitch or running stitch. You may also like to add embroidery
detail on or around the jewels using a back stitch. Wrap your crown around the
base of your jar and adjust to size by overlapping the ends. Pin in place and
remove from jar, then sew the crown together using a whip stitch or blanket
stitch. Place your finished crown on your jar.

Now your lantern is finished. Place a tea light in a lid from a smaller jar and place
both in the bottom of your jar lantern.
 Three Kings Silhouette Lantern

What you will need-

A clean glass jam jar
Purple tissue paper
A piece of black card
Craft glue
Small, sharp scissors
A stapler and staples

What to do-
Begin by preparing the jar for the lantern. Place a small amount of craft glue in a
pot and dilute with a few drops of cold water. Take a sheet of tissue paper and tear
into small pieces. Spread a small amount of glue on the jar and stick the torn
tissue paper to the jar, overlapping the edges. Cover the whole jar from base to
rim. Allow the glue to dry and then cover any spots you may have missed. You may
like to add a second layer of tissue paper.

To make the silhouette print the paper pattern and draw around it with a white
pencil onto the back of a piece of black card, extend the ends to fit your jar if need
be. Cut out carefully with small sharp scissors. Test the size of the silhouette
against your jar by looping it around and overlapping the ends until it fits. Staple
in place and trim any excess cardboard from the ends. Use a little glue around the
base of the silhouette to secure.

Now your lantern is finished. Place a tea light in a lid from a smaller jar and place
both in the bottom of your jar lantern.
 A Trio of Stars

By Kelly Ellis-Radahd
@thewaywewaldorf
 Epiphany stars are a wonderful way to reflect not only on the light of Christ as he is
revealed to the wider world, but also on the greatness of creation, of the heavens
and our own place amongst the stars of the universe. The very fact a star led three
curious and scientific minds to the crib of he who would be the eternal king I have
always thought says a lot about the beauty and yet humble nature of the Epiphany.

These stars can be as simple and as complex as you like. I have included a pattern
for a few different versions to try, they make wonderful decorations or gift tags,
larger versions look beautiful as a year round display in a frame.

What you will need-

Watercolour paper and paints
Pencil
Compass
Scissors
Gold threads or assorted ribbons
Washi Tape
Star Guides (in this pack)

Method-
Draw a circle any size you like on a piece of paper, take your watercolour paints and
paint the circle in a range of blue hues, you can do this on wet paper or dry, why not
extend the activity and just paint with blue in wet on wet technique? Leave to dry
and then repeat on the other side of the paper then leave to dry.

Once dry cut out your circles and then mark 8ths or 12ths around the circumference
of your circle , snip into your circle a little bit to create a notch at these points, this
is where your thread will sit to stop it coming loose .

Tape the end of your thread or ribbon at the centre back point and use the number
guides to wrap your thread from one point to the next in numerical order, always
wrapping over and then under to the next point work your way around the star
until the end then secure your excess thread at the back.

If you wish pierce a hole into your decoration and hang with thread! Enjoy the
magic!
An Origami Crown for a King

By Franziska Shelton
@my_seasonal_treasury
Materials:
· Two 12 x 12 inch sheets of golden construction paper
· One sheet of blue kite paper
· Sharp scissors
· School glue
· Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:
1. Obtain a 12 x 12 inch sheet of golden specialty paper. My example has a subtle
flower imprint, but any type of foldable, golden paper will do.
2. Fold the large sheet along its horizontal and vertical axes until you see four smaller
squares emerge. Use scissors to cut along the folded lines. You should be left with 4
small squares.
3. Use one of the four small squares to create the first point for your crown.
4. Fold the small square along its diagonal axis to form a small triangle.
5. Open up your most recent fold. You should be able to clearly see a fold along the
diagonal of the square.
6. Fold the left and the right corners of the square inward to create a shape like an
inverted kite.
7. Fold the bottom corner upwards to create an isoceles triangle.
8. Fold the upper corner of the bottom fold downward to meet the bottom edge of
the isoceles triangle.
9. Now, fold the bottom portion of the triangle upwards to create a boat like shape.
10. Depending on your child's age/ head size, repeat this process until you have
created 5-7 points (My daughter, Emma, is still little, so creating 5 points was enough
for my example).
11. Use sharp scissors to cut moon shapes into each of the points. Be sure to place your
moons towards the upper halves of each point. I hand-cut the moons without a
stencil, but you can, of course, create a stencil for yourself before cutting out the
moons.
12. Cut a sheet of blue kite paper into small ovals. Insert the kite paper into the space
between the two major folds of each point.
13. Add a drop of school glue to each side of the moon to ensure that it is securely
fastened.
14. Combine the points of the crown by inserting the overlapping sides into the little
crease created between the bottom folds. Add a drop of hot glue to each insertion to
make sure that the crown stays in place.
15. Finish by touching up loose edges and imperfect folds.
A Felt Crown for a King

By Josie Hamor
@onwillowsbend
What you will need-
An A4 size sheet of felt in golden yellow
An additional A4 size felt sheet for backing the crown (optional)
Small pieces of colourful felt for jewels
Embroidery floss in coordinating colours
Fabric or embroidery scissors
A sewing needle and pins
A measuring tape
A printed copy of the crown pattern pieces

Begin by printing the crown, jewel and reverse appliqué cut out patterns. Cut out the paper
patterns, pin the crown and jewel patterns to your felt and carefully cut around them.
Alternatively draw around the pattern pieces on the back of your felt using a chalk pencil and
cut out carefully. Next, turn your crown front over and position the appliqué cut out patterns
on each point, drawing around the pattern piece. Cut out the pattern shapes, leaving jewel
shaped holes in your crown tops.

Next, take your jewel felt backing pieces and lay them over the holes on the back of your
crown. Pin in place. Turn your crown over and working from the front sew the jewels in place
around the perimeter of the cut out holes using a whip stitch or running stitch. You may also
like to add embroidery detail on or around the jewels using a back stitch.

When your crown front is finished you can add the optional backing or move on to attaching
the band. If you’d like to add the backing pin the crown front to the backing felt making sure
there is a 1/4” border around the bottom and top of the crown. Sew the crown top to the
backing felt along the top and bottom as pictured, leaving the two short edges open to attach
the band. Cut the backing felt around the crown leaving a 1/4” border top and bottom.

Finally, add your felt band. To make sure the crown fits snugly on your child’s head, measure
around their head to determine how long the band should be. Take their head measurement
and add it to the length of the crown and then add an additional 2”.

If you added a backing to your crown slide one end of the band 1” inside the two layers
between the crown front and backing, sew in place through all three layers. Repeat for the
other end of the band to finish your crown. If you opted not to add a backing, turn the crown
over and pin one end of the band to one end of the crown, overlapping by 1”. Sew in place
through both layers of felt, then repeat for the other end of the band to finish your crown.
Three Kings Day Crown Cookies

By Josie Hamor
@onwillowsbend
Ingredients-
2 cups plain flour
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
150g (2/3 cup) butter, softened
¾ cup soft brown sugar
2 tbsp cold water
A printed copy of the crown cookie paper pattern
8-10 clear boiled sweets in various colours
Small cookie cutters or a metal straw

Method-Measure the flour, ginger and cinnamon into a large bowl. Cut the
butter into cubes and add the butter to the flour. Using your fingertips rub
butter into flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Add the sugar
and stir well to combine. Add the cold water and use a metal butter knife to
incorporate the water through the mixture. Place the knife aside and use your
hands to press the mixture together to form a rough dough. Turn the dough
onto a floured surface and knead briefly until smooth. Roll out the dough
using a floured rolling pin.

Place the crown patterns on top of the dough and cut around them using the
point of a sharp knife. Cut out jewel shapes using small cookie cutters or the
end of a metal straw. Place the crowns on the baking tray and use your
fingertips to press the edges of the dough to neaten them. Use the blunt tip of
a butter knife to create line details in the crown cookies. Place the boiled
sweets in a zip lock bag and bash them with a rolling pin to crush them. Fill the
centre of each jewel shape with coloured crushed sweets. Bake the cookies in a
pre-heated oven at 170C/325F for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. The
sweets will melt and spread as the cookies bake. Cool cookies on the tray for 5
minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
GaletteDes Rois

By Josie Hamor
@onwillowsbend
 Galette des Rois is one of many traditional desserts or pastries made to celebrate
Three Kings Day across Europe. In France you can buy a galette des rois at a
patisserie along with a golden paper crown in the days leading up to Epiphany.
Inside the galette there will be hidden a small fève- a tiny figurine, dried bean or a
whole almond. The person who receives the slice with the fève inside becomes the
King for the day. Making puff pastry from scratch is time consuming, so I make
our galette using a “rough puff pastry” which is quicker and easier and almost as
good! You can also use store bought sheets of puff pastry if you prefer.

Ingredients-
(Makes 1 large galette)

Rough Puff Pastry-

600g plain flour
2 tbsp caster sugar
A pinch of salt
300g cold butter, cubed
3/4 cup ice water

Almond Filling-
130g softened butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 and 1/4 cup almond meal
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract

A large dinner plate

A razor blade or sharp knife
1 egg for decorating
Begin by making the almond filling . Beat the butter and sugar with electric beaters
until light and fluffy. Next beat in the eggs, almond meal and extracts. Cover the
bowl and place in the fridge whilst you prepare your pastry

To make the pastry measure the flour into a large bowl, cut the butter into cubes
and add the butter to the flour, use your hands to toss the butter in the flour to coat.
Pour the iced water into the butter and flour mixture in small increments (you may
not need it all) stirring with your hands until the mixture comes together into a very
rough dough. Begin to press and knead gently to bring the mixture together, with
large chunks of butter encased in a flour paste.

Turn the dough out onto a well floured surface. Flour your rolling pin and roll the
dough out into a rough rectangle shape approx 1” thick. Fold the rectangle into
thirds, turn the dough a quarter turn, then roll out again. Repeat this folding,
turning and rolling process eight times, continuing to flour your surface and rolling
pin as you work. You will be creating thin layers of butter in your pastry as you fold
and roll.

When your rough puff pastry dough is smooth and workable divide in two and roll
out in a rough circle shape to approx 1/4” thick. Place your dinner plate on top of the
pastry and use a knife to cut around it to make a large circle. Repeat for the second
half of the pastry. Line a large flat circular baking tray with parchment and place
one of the pastry circles on the tray. Spread your filling evenly across the circle,
leaving a 1/2” border around the edge. Press your chosen fève into the filling. Brush
the border of the base pastry circle with beaten egg and gently place your top circle
on top of the filling. Seal the edges by pressing your second and third fingers on one
hand into the edge of the top circle and use the back of a butter knife to press back
in between your two fingers to create a frill. Continue around the outside of the
galette to make a frilled edge.

Finally take your razor blade or sharp knife and score a design on the top of your
galette. Make sure not to cut too deeply as you don’t want to cut all the way through
the pastry. Make shallow, yet firm cuts in Star and leaf shapes, which will open up
when the galette is baked. Finally, brush the surface of the galette with beaten egg
and place in a pre-heated oven at 180C for 35 minutes until golden brown. Cool for
10 minutes on the baking tray before sliding onto a wire rack to cool completely. Top
with a Three Kings Day crown to serve.