15 'cracker' Christmas traditions families in Northern Ireland will remember
There’s really no place like home during the Christmas season.
The countdown is on until the kitchen cupboards are filled with fabulous food, the tree shines bright in the living room and our nearest and dearest return home.
There’s a special atmosphere that builds throughout December here in Northern Ireland, in anticipation for the big day on the 25th – preparation can start as early as November.
Do you and your family have any special memories or traditions at Christmas?
Take a look at some of the nostalgic Christmas highlights, many of us still celebrate today 👇
Christmas Cupboard
It was and still is one of the biggest temptations over the holidays - to stay away from the precious Christmas cupboard. It's where 'mammy's' store all the goodies in the run up to the big day, we're talking tubs of Twiglets, mince pies, Pringles, nuts and so much more! Don't even dare thinking about opening anything before Christmas Eve, they have a sixth sense about that sort of thing!
Cringe-worthy Nativity plays
We all know the scene in Love Actually, with the octopus and the lobster 🤣Your primary school Nativity play was either your time to shine on stage, or one of your most embarrassing memories. It's just as painful an experience to perform as it is to watch...but it's tradition!
Fighting over who gets to put the angel on the top of the tree
After the struggle of getting the decorations out of the loft, unravelling the badly wrapped lights from last year and evenly spacing them on to the tree, there's always an argument over who gets to finish it all off. It doesn't help when that one sibling, can remember who put the angle or star on top last time.
Toy Shopping
This was a genius move by parents – let's give the kids an Argos catalogue and a sharpie, and let them go wild. From life-size dolls to Hot Wheel tracks, this was the 90s version of scrolling through Instagram. Instead of likes, you would get paper cuts, totally worth it though.
Meeting Santa
Anyone else have vivid memories of a rather large, bearded man in a red suit sitting on a throne in the middle of a snowy grotto in your local shopping centre? This was your one and only chance to meet with the big man to discuss your ultimate present wish list and to check if you're on the naughty or nice list.
The Tayto/Christmas Sandwich
Just when you thought the Christmas feast was over, your mum or granny brings out a platter of festive leftover sandwiches. What makes this even more special, is the signature NI Tayto crisps crumbled into the turkey, stuffing and cranberry filling. Don't knock it until you try it!
Festive Pints
As people start to travel home for their holidays, it's usually a time to catch up with old friends you might not have seen since the year before. There's no better way to reconnect, than over a pint of the black stuff or bottle of mulled wine.
Midnight Mass/ Candlelight services
This is a huge social gathering where family, friends and neighbours who you may not have seen all year come together and celebrate Christmas. Many churches offer atmospheric services, filled with carols and candles.
Christmas Markets
Many towns and cities across Northern Ireland now boast their very own Yuletide Market. Street stalls laden with festive food and drink, crafts and local produce, it's one of the most 'christmassy' things to do this time of year.
Horse Races on Boxing Day
Another of the local holiday traditions that's pretty unique here is the Boxing Day horse races. It's a fun way to stretch your legs after a day of feasting before, and to catch up with more friends and family.
Christmas Swim
Christmas day swims take place all over NI on Christmas morning but probably most famously at the Helen's Bay and Portrush Harbour. Thousands take to the sands to race into the chilly sea wearing just their bathing suits and santa hats. This is certainly not for the faint hearted but is a proven Christmas eve hangover cure. Many take the plunge as part of a charity fundraiser.
Boxes of biscuits and chocolates
At Christmas, every household will have at least one box of 'good' biscuits! These tend to sit in the Christmas cupboard for weeks, just to be brought out on special guest occasions. You can't beat a tin of Quality Street or All Butter Shortbread with a cuppa! The decorative festive tins won't go to waste, they'll be reused throughout the year too.
A trip to the Panto
It doesn't matter if it's a local theatre group or the annual Grand Opera House event in Belfast, it just wouldn't be Christmas without a trip to the Panto. Oh yes it would, oh no it wouldn't! For those that don't know, a Pantomime is a kind of musical comedy based on fairy tale stories, filled with local comedy and charm.
Battle for the TV remote
With an abundance of Christmas specials and Harry Potter re-runs on the TV, we're usually spoilt for choice this time of year. The hardest part is fitting everything in, thank god for the record button nowadays.
Washing-Up
You can just picture it, everyone stuffed with turkey and trifle, dosing off in front of the fire watching the Christmas special of Coronation Street, and Mum asks 'Who is helping with the dishes." After such a feast, it feels like almost every pot and pan in the house needs cleaned!
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