Plural of hansel; multiple inaugural gifts given to bless or consecrate new things, or instances of this gift-giving tradition.
Plural form of 'hansel,' from Old Norse 'handsal.' The singular tradition of giving one hansel gift expanded to the plural in writing about the broader custom.
At New Year in Scotland and Northern England, people would give hansels to servants, friends, and family—it wasn't just one gift but often a whole series of small gifts meant to bring luck to the new year!
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