If you had any doubt that it was Christmas, you will be reassured after spotting these ten things that can be found in many Irish houses.
Many things remind us of the festive season in Ireland. One such category is those certain things that we will spot around the house when this time of year approaches.
Some of these have been traditions passed down through the generations, and others have been adapted in recent years.
But, let us see how many you have in your house this year with our top things you’ll find in an Irish house at Christmas list.
10. Christmas jumpers – the best Christmas outfit
One of the things you’ll find in an Irish house at Christmas is definitely a Christmas jumper, which can be used for the infamous 12 pubs of Christmas or saved for Christmas Day.
Either way, we Irish love our Christmas jumpers, and we will try our best to wear them as much as is accepted over the festive period.
9. Advent wreath – traditions passed down
Traditions in Ireland come alive at this time of year, and one, in particular, we all know from our families, our time in school, or our relatives who love this part of Christmas.
This is the advent wreath. The wreath is prepared with twisted greenery and four candles, each of which is lit at the beginning of each of the four weeks leading up to Christmas week.
8. A candle in the window – a Christmas Eve sign
This tradition goes back years, and it was generally lit by the youngest child and placed in the window on Christmas Eve to welcome people in need of shelter, specifically Mary and Joseph.
7. Boxes of crisps – the season of eating
Yes, In Ireland, at Christmas, it is all about food. Thus, one of the ten things you’ll find in an Irish house at Christmas has to be a box of crisps.
We are not talking about a normal multipack; we are talking about an actual box, which generally appears around the festive season, so we can bulk buy our favourites, especially King and Tayto.
6. Selection boxes – our Christmas treats
One of the best things about Christmas is eating copious amounts of food, especially chocolate. So, one of the things you’ll find in an Irish house at Christmas is a selection box or several.
These are such a treat for us this time of year, so why not go all out?
5. Baileys Irish Cream – our favourite holiday addition
Christmas is the time of year when the Irish replace milk for Baileys, yes, really!
Baileys goes in coffee, hot chocolate, and desserts, so of course, we stock up on our beloved Irish cream while we can.
4. Christmas decorations – when it officially becomes Christmas
Ireland is a predominantly Christian country, which means that we have been celebrating the festive season with decorations for a very long time.
So, it is rare to find a house in Ireland without a Christmas tree or a single decoration. The tradition is to set up the tree and accompanying decorations on 8 December.
3. Nativity scene – a Christian tradition
Considering Irish people just love to decorate, it is not uncommon to find a house or a garden with a nativity scene set up.
These can range from miniature to large, depending on preference. Still, one of the best traditions in Ireland is to drive around admiring all the decorated houses.
By doing this, you will spot some awesome nativity cribs.
2. Tins of sweets – the best accompaniment to a cuppa
Any Irish person or anyone who has celebrated Christmas with an Irish family will definitely know about the tins of sweets, such as Quality Street, Roses, Celebrations, and Heroes, to name but a few.
We literally stock up on these at Christmas as if the world is ending. Post-Christmas, these tins often become sewing kit storage boxes.
1. Christmas stockings – a stocking for everyone
Christmas stockings are a big tradition in Ireland. Whether you have kids or pets, a stocking will always be hanging on the fireplace for Santa to drop some presents into on Christmas morning.
Generally, the stocking is filled with small gadgets and treats, while the bigger presents remain under the tree.
So, how many of these ten things you’ll find in an Irish house at Christmas do you have this festive season?