Our Christmas Day Traditions in Northern Ireland

Following on from our Christmas Eve traditions …. here is a traditional Christmas in our house.

The alloted time for our 8 year old to come in and wake us up was 7am, but as he was sick in the night with a high temperature and we saw him at 4am, 5am and 6am ….. we were relieved no-one woke until 8am.

This was the scene by the fireplace first thing … before the distributing and unwrapping of gifts began.

Some of our family our more camera shy than others – just to point out I DO have more than one child!

We visit our neighbours mid-morning for a while, swapping tales of how early we were woken, who is coming for dinner and how big a turkey we have ordered.

My parents arrived about 1-ish …. more present swapping (and a photo or two)

Dinner was served about 2.30pm

The full menu:

No starter (no room!)

Roast turkey and ham
Stuffing
Mashed Potato
Cocktail Sausages
Roasted carrots and parsnips (glazed with honey)
Sprouts (of course!)
Gravy
Cranberry sauce

I really enjoy cooking the Christmas dinner – my mum provides the delicious ham (as per Delia Smith’s recipe) and the Christmas pudding. My husband and dad do all the washing up. It is a good combination of team work!

After a short break….. pudding followed

Traditional Christmas pudding (set alight with brandy) and served with brandy custard
or
Pavolva (this year with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries) (made by our 13 year old)

Later …. much later ….. there was coffee/tea and mini mince pies and peppermint bark.

The kids other grandfather (my father-in-law) also called in late in the afternoon, but seemed to miss being in any photos. Here is a photo of my parents and my daughters though.

Everyone left by about 6pm, and after a final clear up of the kitchen and fitting the leftovers into the fridge, we collapse in front of the fire. Looking forward to watching the Downton Abbey Christmas Special later this evening ….. the perfect end to a lovely relaxed Christmas Day.

How do you spend your Christmas Day? I would love to know.

Merry Christmas, wherever you are celebrating it.