How many have you ticked off the list?
There's a lot of arguments for when exactly the Christmas season begins in Ireland...
There's those who roll with the calendar changing to December 1st.
Those who say it's when the Late Late Toy show kicks off...
And grinches who just flat out ignore every piece of tinsel until December 24th.
But we think we've come up with 10 surefire ways you can know for sure that Christmas festivities have kicked off in Ireland.
1. The lights are up in your local town
They may not actually be turned on just yet but they're up and they're raring to go.
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2. That Elf on the Shelf is back
That mischievous little elf is back in your house and he's up to all sorts of divilment!
Image via Pixabay.com3. You've bought your festive jammies in Penneys
Penneys is back open this week and where did we all flock to? The PJs section, of course! If you've bought a new set of jammies during the month of December then congratulations, you're in Christmas mode. Bonus points if your entire family or house has bought matching ones.
Image via Pexels.com4. You're having more mulled wine nights
You've found yourself turning to your housemates or your other half saying, "will we make a bitta mulled wine?". You're dead right. Tis the season!
Image via Pexels.com5. Every time you see a kid you ask them about Santa
"Have you written your letter to Santy yet?" You can't not ask them.
Image via Pixabay.com6. Mam is stockpiling the chocolate tins
Roses, Quality Street, Celebrations or Roses. We won't start the debate about which is superior (Heroes, obvs). One thing we can agree on though - when Mam has a few of the tins ready to go, the Christmas countdown is on.
7. Someone has bought a Poinsettia plant
Also dubbed the 'Christmas plant', you've definitely seen one of these striking red plants in your local supermarket or garden centre. It's only a matter of time before you lob one in your basket and have it sitting pretty in the home.
Image via Pixabay.com8. You're adding more Baileys and hot whiskeys to your diet
Find yourself substituting your evening cuppa with a hot one or a Baileys hot chocolate? Yep, you've activated Christmas mode.
Image via Pexels.com9. You've replaced your scented candles with festive ones
Every other time of the year, the house is filled with vanilla, citrusy or even rose scents. Come December, they're all horsed into storage in favour of candles with smells like cinnamon, spiced orange and pine tree.
Image via Pexels.com10. Santa's been mentioned on the RTÉ News
And this one has already been ticked off. Santa's been confirmed as an essential worker and can travel into Ireland for his essential work next month. Merry Christmas!
Minister Simon Coveney has told the Dáil that Santa Claus is an essential worker and will not be subject to Covid-19 travel restrictions when he arrives in Ireland next month ?? | https://t.co/MElk3qkdy9 pic.twitter.com/mP8WrAwWHG
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) November 26, 2020
