An Irish Christmas

Although Christmas in Ireland resembles that in England or the United States, there are some traditional differences. In the past, December 8th has been viewed as the start of the Christmas season, and many put up their decorations on that day. Like in many other countries, the Christmas tree is an important part of decorating. Even graves may be decorated with wreaths of holly and ivy. This is also a big shopping day. 

In Ireland, people usually attend church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Almost everyone gets off work by noon on Christmas Eve and some even a few days earlier. Christianity has long been an important part of their history, and manger scenes are common during the holiday. It's tradition to place a single, chunky candle in the largest window after sundown on Christmas Eve to symbolize welcoming Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. On Christmas Day, some charities raise money from people jumping in the cold ocean for a Christmas Day swim.

The traditional Christmas dinner includes foods like turkey or goose and ham, roast potatoes, and a variety of other vegetables. In the Cork area, spiced roast beef might be substituted. There's round cake with caraway seeds, Christmas pudding, Christmas cake, and mince pies. If some of these aren't rich enough for desserts,  a brandy or brandy and butter sauce might be added. And, of course with the Irish, there's always jokes and laughter and fun. Celebrating often continues until Epiphany on January 6, the traditional time for putting everything away.

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