The top ten Irish Christmas traditions that make the season - PHOTOS

The Irish flock to church, shop, and make merry

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Get your Irish on this Christmas and go for a dip in the sea before dinner

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Christmas decorations in Ireland traditionally was just a wreath of holly on the front door of the house. However National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” seems to have been a blue print for many Irish household as they are  lit up like Rockefeller Center.

Also traditionally, decorations would go up on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and come down on Little Christmas January 6. However, this year I spotted full Christmas decorations on some houses in the first week of November. What can we say? The Irish love Christmas.

9. The shopaholics lament

Most stores are closed Christmas and Stephen’s Day but a brand new tradition sees more and more stores now opening after Christmas Day. This year because of the recession and dreadful weather it seems certain that more and more stores will take part.

10. Women’s Christmas / Nollaig na mBean

January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany, is traditionally the Irish finish celebrating Christmas. It is also known as Nollaigh na mBean in Irish (Women’s Christmas).

Tradition has it that women get the day off and the men of the house get to do the housework, cooking and take down the Christmas decorations. Women meet up have a day out and treat themselves.

PHOTOS - Christmas traditions in Ireland

Originally published in 2010.

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