You don’t have to be in Ireland to have an Irish Christmas
Being away from home at Christmas can dampen the spirit of even the most seasoned emigrant. If the thought of being without Tayto sandwiches, Fairytale of New York on repeat, and the warmth of an open fire makes you emotional, fear not. You can still have yourself a merry Irish Christmas, regardless of where you are in the world.
Here are seven ways to bring a bit of home to wherever you hang your Santa hat.
1. Start with the Late Late Toy Show
It’s not Christmas until you’ve bawled at a small child playing the tin whistle or awkwardly meeting their hero on the Toy Show. Even if you have to watch it at 6am local time, throw on your Christmas pyjamas, make a mug of hot chocolate, and let Patrick Kielty and his band of adorable elves transport you to your childhood living room for a few hours.
2. Recreate the Christmas Eve Local atmosphere
Every Irish person knows December 24th in your hometown is the best chance you have of meeting everyone from your class at school for “one quick pint”. Abroad, gather your new crew, find an Irish pub (or the closest thing to one), and toast to home.
3. Get Irish Grub (or fake it)
Can’t get your hands on Denny rashers or Barry’s Tea? No problem. This is the time to get creative. Find the nearest international food shop, barter for a tin of Roses, and if you must, fry up local bacon and the closest thing you can find to brown sauce. Bonus points if you manage to bake some mince pies without setting off the smoke alarm.
4. Bring the Mammy Energy
Channel your inner Irish mammy by overfeeding everyone in sight. No one leaves your house without a plate of leftovers or a cup of tea. Optional: Throw in a few passive-aggressive comments about the last time they called home or their life choices in general.
5. Blast the Irish Tunes
From The Pogues to The Coronas, stick on a Christmas playlist that’ll make you homesick and happy all at once. Add in a few rebel songs for good measure – nothing says festive like a maudlin rendition of “Grace” halfway through dinner.
6. Send Nollaig na mBan Cards
Revive the tradition of Women’s Little Christmas with a cheeky postcard or voice note on January 6th to remind your pals to pamper the women in their lives for their hard work over the last month.
7. Abair as Gaeilge
Do your best to use as much of the Irish language as you can over the festive season. If you’re not sure where to start, ‘Nollaig Shona Duit’ (Merry Christmas to you) is a good one to have ready. Click here to find a few more ways to bring in the cúpla focail to your festivities.
Christmas isn’t about where you are, but who you’re with and the craic you have with them. So raise your glass, give a hearty “Sláinte”, and let the Irish Christmas spirit follow you wherever you go.
