“Midnight Mass” – 5 Things That Always Happen In An Irish Home At Christmas

It’s the most wonderful time of the year… despite the vast majority of Irish households following a familiar pattern every single Christmas. Midnight mass is one of those joyous festive traditions born out of Christmas chaos. Here are five Christmas rituals that every Irish family will find familiar.   The Annual Family Outing Christmas is a family occasion and Christmas Eve mass is a time to show the neighbours you still all get on, (even if it just for one hour a year). Get the good coats ready, folks.   Epic Sandwiches If you're from a really organised Irish household (if there even is such a thing), the ham is boiled on Christmas Eve and after returning from midnight mass sandwiches are made to beat the ban.   Santa Claus Is A Hungry Man Leaving out a treat for Santa is a must-do in every Irish household. An alcoholic beverage (or two) for Santa, because driving a sleigh sober is ridiculous in that cold weather.   The Christmas Argument   A good ol' row with the family at Christmas is just as much of a tradition as the turkey dinner with all the trimmings. It would be nice to think that for one day out of the year could remain argument free but every Irish family has a festive tiff.   Watching Christmas Movies When the family have agreed on a channel (remote wars happen more frequently around this time of year) everyone joins in with a bit of movie commentary. "This is my favourite bit..." "Shhh, turn it up."