Caristia
The Caristia was a holiday celebrated on 22nd February to honor family bonds and foster reconciliation. It was a time for families to gather, share a meal, and offer sacrifices to the Lares, the household gods.
Date: 22nd February
Deity: Lares
Observances: Sacrifices to the Lares, gift giving, family meals
It followed the Parentalia, a nine-day period of mourning for ancestors. While the Parentalia focused on honoring the dead, the Caristia celebrated the living and the continuity of the family line.
The Caristia was a day of celebration and generosity, where families would gather for a festive meal and exchange gifts. This was a time to set aside disagreements and strengthen family ties. Bread, wine, and sportulae, small gifts or tokens of appreciation, were often distributed. The poet Martial wrote about the challenges of gift-giving during the Caristia, noting that he had chosen not to give gifts to his relatives to avoid offending others who might expect a gift from him.
Digital Maps of the Ancient World 