Hojyyeva Gulshen, Gurbanova Aiyaly, Biderkesen Sezer CHRISTMAS IN IRELAND

Christmas in Ireland In Ireland, people celebrate Christmas in much the same way as people in the the USA, but they also have many of their own Christmas traditions and customs.USA Christmas for Irish people, who are Catholics, lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of Epiphany on January 6th, which some Irish people call 'Little Christmas'. Epiphany isn't now widely celebrated in Ireland.Epiphany There is an old tradition that in some Irish houses (although now not many), people put a tall, thick candle on the sill of the largest window after sunset on Christmas Eve. The candle is left to burn all night and represents a welcoming light for Mary and Joseph.

Christmas Traditions In Ireland Irish Christmas traditions usually begin on the first or second weekend of December with many families starting their own preparation for the festivities. Each family will have their own Christmas traditions but a lot of popular practices still remain today. Traditions during Christmas in Ireland have been passed down through family generations but a more modern approach to the celebrations like the 12 Pubs of Christmas have gained popularity over the past few years. the 12 Pubs of Christmas

Christmas traditions celebrated in Ireland There are various ways the Irish celebrate Christmas but for most its about spending time with loved ones, gift giving, and enjoying good food such as traditional Christmas mince pies. traditional Christmas mince pies Most villages, towns and cities decorate the streets with holy symbols, lights and a large Christmas trees, usually located in the heart of the community. Churches build cribs to display the birth of Jesus and the arrival of the 3 Kings which is usually placed in front of the Church property.

Christmas decorations in the Irish home Most, if not all, Irish families decorate their homes with lights, tinsel and baubles. A Christmas tree is usually erected in the family home on the first day of the holy advent calendar. The tree will be beautifully decorated with an angel on top, presents will lay underneath as seen with many family homes around the world. In Old Ireland, so to speak, holly and ivy was used to decorate the Irish home before the Christmas tree was introduced. It was believed the more berries on the holly would mean better luck in the new year and today many families still tend to hang holly in their homes although the Christmas tree remains the main centre piece. A large candle is placed in the front window of the family home, to symbolize guidance for Mary & Joseph before the birth of Christ. The symbolic candle is explained to the children but they are also told the candle helps Santa find his way to their home. Many homes will place Christmas ornaments on the fireplace and tables so they are on display. Such ornaments consist of angels, elves, snowflakes, Santas and anything else that would represent Christmas. There is no special reason behind the display of Christmas ornaments, only that it helps with the atmosphere of such a special holiday.

Presents on Christmas morning Probably the best time during Christmas for the kids is the morning, when they are allowed to open their new presents that arrived from Santa. It also seems to a big competition for Irish children to see who can wake up the earliest to see what gifts Santa has left under the Christmas tree.

The Irish Christmas dinner The feast of Christmas is celebrated in Ireland with a large meal fit for a king. It is the biggest meal cooked in a family house-hold out of all meals through-out the year. Preparations for Christmas dinner usually start on Christmas Eve with the slow cooking of the turkey and preparation of the vegetables and any other goodies that may come with the large feast. An Irish Christmas dinner may consist of turkey, ham, chicken, stuffing, potatoes, Brussels sprouts, vegetables and a brave attempt at a Christmas Pudding or even homemade Christmas mince pies. Christmas Pudding homemade Christmas mince pies In more modern times Children are given chocolate as a treat after their Christmas dinner that is called a Selection Box, a selection of Chocolate bars. Families are strict that everyone must eat their Christmas dinner before receiving their selection box with each member of the family sitting in front of the Television to watch some of the finest Christmas movies such as Darby OGill and the Little People, The Quiet Man, or even Its a Wonderful Life.

Merry Chrismas the end