12th night traditions

Since I first discovered the 12th Night tradition in Toulouse a couple of decades ago, I try never to miss it. January 6 is special.

Step 1 is to go to a bakery and buy a 12th Night cake. The bestest are the Frangipane. Baked inside is a small ceramic figurine that could be anything. I've seen virgins, Tintin, flowers, etc. The baker adds a paper crown.

Step 2 is to gather people around a table with the cake cut into equal pieces. Champagne is optional. Hot chocolate is a good alternative.

Step 3: The youngest person sits under the table. A person above touches a piece and the person under the table names the recipient.

The person who gets the figurine gets to wear the crown.

This year we brought the cake to a dinner party with two other couples. Rick as the youngest got to name who received each piece, but we let him sit at the table. 

One of the guests accused Rick of fixing the deal, since he was the one with the figurine, this year, a miniature radio. Maybe he should have been sitting under the table.