Irish Christmas Traditions

I was reading a book on Christmas traditions in other countries. We have our traditions which are really different to habits in the other part of the world.I have to say that I exceptionally adore the Swedish traditions mostly St Lucia's day. I'd love to know if that is still a living tradition and be part of it once.Actually I could lose my heart to try all the different christmases.Regrettably there was no mention of Ireland in the book. I needed to make some research to find some past traditions. Here they are:

Ireland, like most countries, has a number of Christmas traditions that are all of its own. Many of these customs have their root in the time when the Gaelic culture and religion of the country were being supressed and it is perhaps because of that they have survived into modern times.

THE CANDLE IN THE WINDOW

The placing of a lighted candle in the window of a house on Christmas eve is still practised today. It has a number of purposes but primarily it was an symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph as they travelled looking for shelter.

The candle also indicated a safe place for priests to perform mass as, during Penal Times this was not allowed.

A further element of the tradition is that the candle should be lit by the youngest member of the household and only be extinguished by a girl bearing the name 'Mary'.

THE LADEN TABLE

After evening meal on Christmas eve the kitchen table was again set and on it were placed a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a large lit candle. The door to the house was left unlatched so that Mary and Joseph, or any wandering traveller, could avail of the welcome.

THE WREN BOY PROCESSION

During Penal Times there was once a plot in a vilage against the local soldiers. They were surrounded and were about to be ambushed when a group of wrens pecked on their drums and awakened the soldiers. The plot failed and the wren became known as 'The Devil's bird'.

On St. Stephens day a procession takes place where a pole with a holly bush is carried from house to house and families dress up in old clothes and with blackened faces. In olden times an actual wren would be killed and placed on top of the pole.

This custom has to a large degree disappeared but the tradition of visiting from house to house on St. Stephens Day has survived and is very much part of Christmas.

DECORATIONS:

The placing of a ring of Holly on doors originated in Ireland as Holly was one of the main plants that flourished at Christmas time and which gave the poor ample means with which to decorate their dwellings.

All decorations are traditionally taken down on Little Christmas (January 6th.) and it is considered to be bad luck to take them down beforehand.

TRADITIONAL GAELIC SALUTATION

The Gaelic greeting for 'Merry Christmas' is:
'Nollaig Shona Duit'
......which is pronounced as 'null-ig hun-a dit'.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Irish Christmas Traditions - An article provided by The Information about Ireland Site.

Winter Privacy

"There is a privacy about it which no other season gives you.... In spring, summer and fall people sort of have an open season on each other; only in the winter, in the country, can you have longer, quiet stretches when you can savor belonging to yourself." ~Ruth Stout

                               http://littleemmaenglishhome.blogspot.com/

Flower Shop

Just a quickie on my favorit flower shop.Love the color scheme and the small objects especially the toads and the owls.

Card Making

I apologise for the lack of posts this week but I was not feeling well. I am much better now but this short break set me back a lot on my projects.This time of year there is always something to do and as Christmas approaches it gets busier every day.

At least the cards are done. We make our cards by hand every year with my brother.He is disabled and spends most of his time at home, but this gives him a lot to do.He is very artistic and does lovely cards.We have spent some fabulous afternoons getting busy and creative. Now I have to find some nice meaningful message for the cards and write all 40 of them. When I write my cards I always think of what people will think, feel when they read it. I can only hope that they will enjoy the words. I would love to send some of our cards to people I don't know. Once I saw this film where a small community sent christmas letters to anonymous soldiers in Afganistan. I found the idea really thoughtful especialy that they are so far from their family and home they can use all the support. Anyway if anyone has some suggestion on the topic, just drop me a comment.

Hope that it was a good week for you all. Here are some pictures of our card making.Not many days to go now so enjoy the time left till christmas.Hopefully we will be super-dooper busy in the weekend.

Christmas Cards

Quickie post today as I am supa behind! This is the first year I feel the pain to have made grandiose plans to be prepared, I hope it all will not fall through.The card making is really slow. We have to make 40 cards altogother.Luckily my brother  loves to help, and enjoys stamping and sticking bits.I just want to say a big thanks to M for the papers she got me last year!!!!! We love to use them for the cards.

I plan to make some small candy boxes for friends which we share on christmas day in the church. I have not decided as yet what I fill the boxes with. I found too many good recipes.This is one of them:

White Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Ingredients:

• 2 bags Wilton's White Candy Melts (14 oz each) or other white chocolate (I prefer Wilton's because it melts, cools, and tastes fabulously, and is easily available at Michael's in the baking section)
  
• 1/2 tsp Wilton's Pure Peppermint Oil (OIL not extract, and be sure to get the real stuff not artificial flavor - also at Michael's or baking supply/gourmet stores)
  
• 9-12 candy canes, crushed (I put them in a Ziploc and hammer them into 1/4 inch pieces)
  
• parchment paper
  
• large cookie sheet (around 11x13) with a lip

Directions:
1. Bring water to a boil in a pan, then turn to low. Put the candy in a separate metal bowl and melt the candies over the pan of boiling water. Be sure no water gets into the chocolate. Wilton's candy melts very fast, so keep an eye on it.
2. Stir in the peppermint oil.
3. Using a spatula, spread the candy on parchment paper that has been placed in a cookie sheet until it  fills the cookie sheet but do not go too thin - I maybe leave an inch or so around the edges.
4. Place crushed candy canes on top of the melted chocolate. Refrigerate until cool, then break apart with a butter knife (it will break very easily when cool). Store in an airtight container.

(recipe source:papermonkey)

Christmas Wish List

Howdy,

After a long long long day here I am again. The best part of the day was talking with my gran. We talk about how things were in the old times.I actually have to say most of the time she talks and I only listen.Today we talked about old christmases with sleighrides in the orchard and ice-skating on the river near the village.The thousand lights on the trees in the church and the nativity scene we so admired as children.However that is all gone now but it is still good to remember especially with gran.When we were small with my brother we had all our list figured out by the begining of December for the Baby Jesus (in Hungary he brings the presents on hte 24th Dec).I'd like to share my list for this year I hope you find some things you might like to add to your own wish list.I'd also love to hear what you are wishing for.
One of my favorite gifts to receive is books.Here are the two books I would most love to get.

Venezia: Food and Dreams

French Country Style at Home

Furniture and accessories:

ÅRSTID lamp from IKEA

SNÖVITA ornaments from IKEA

And a big aid in creating:
Singer sewing machine

I would be delighted to  receive any of these on Christmas eve. I'd love to know what's on other people's wish list so please share!