Got Some Irish in Your Blood? Learn Some Irish Christmas Traditions and Celebrate

Irish Christmas traditions

The Irish celebrate Christmas from Christmas Eve to Epiphany on January 6th. Epiphany, 'Little Christmas', and the holiday season focus more on reverence than holiday fun and parties.

A beautiful traditional Irish Christmas is that of the 'Candle in the Window'. This tradition started in penal times when worship wasn't allowed. Families place a lighted candle in their window to let the priests know it was safe to perform mass in their home. Today this tradition continues but is also a symbol of letting Mary and Joseph know there is room for them.

One Irish Christmas tradition I feel sure you won't want to begin is that of whitewashing your entire home, inside and out, to purify it for the coming of the Christ Child. This tradition involved the women washing all the walls of every building on the farm, inside and out, and the men following behind whitewashing them. I personally prefer a nice, peaceful Christmas Eve candlelight service.

Cakes and puddings

A yummy tradition to start would be that of an Irish seed cake and puddings. Irish women bake a seed cake for each person in the family and also prepare three puddings. Puddings celebrate Epiphany, New Year's Day and Twelfth Night. Look up some traditional Irish puddings before the holidays begin and start this yummy tradition.

A tradition that wouldn't be too safe to practice today is that of the 'laden table.' This tradition is especially nice as it signifies welcoming travelers or those in need of food into your home. After the traditional Irish Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve, the table is cleared and set again with a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door is unlocked and travelers are welcomed to come in and eat.

Holiday decor

Holly is one of the main plants that are 'blooming' at Christmas time. They make good use of this beautiful plant by placing holly wreaths on their doors and decorating their homes throughout. The homes stay decorated until January 6th, known as 'Little Christmas'. The Irish consider it bad luck to take down the decorations before this date.

There are many beautiful Irish traditions. Start by adding one or two to your family holiday and bring back memories of your ancestors and Irish Christmas traditions.