Is it really Christmas in your house if you haven't done one of these things...

Let's face it, there are some things we do during the festive season that define what it means to live in Ireland at Christmastime. From last-minute Penneys shopping to glasses of Baileys and digging around in the Celebrations box for Malteser chocolates, we argue that it's not really Christmas in Ireland until...

There's at least one tub of chocolates in the house.

Celebrations, Roses, Quality Street, Heroes — let's not talk about which tub reigns supreme because just like the Lyon's/Barry's debacle, that craic could divide a nation. Fact is, tubs of chocolates are Irish-household must-haves at Christmastime. Bonus points if you've got Tayto multipacks stashed under the kitchen dresser and a tin of Jacobs biscuits too (not the sewing kit variety, mind).

You've picked up a copy of the RTE Christmas Guide.

The RTE Christmas Guide is the holy book of festive entertainment and there's hardly a coffee table in Ireland without one on Christmas Day.

You've done your Penneys Christmas shop.

New Penneys socks for the men in your life

Nothing says it's Christmas in Ireland like a stressful, last-minute trip to Penneys. After you've waded through a sea of shoppers, accidentally stepped on a couple of fallen garments, and almost tripped over a rogue pair of boots in the shoe section, you might be lucky enough to pick up a nice woolly jumper for Dad, new socks and jocks for the lads, and some fancy wrapping paper.

You've heard Fairytale of New York on the radio.

Granted, every retail store in the country has been playing Christmas songs on repeat since December 1st, but you know that moment when you're leaving the car park or heading home from work, and the piano intro for Fairytale of New York starts playing over the radio...love it or hate it, it's Christmas now folks!

You've said Happy Christmas to the postman/delivery person.

Once you've answered the door in your slippers and signed for that last bit of post before the break, we guarantee there's no better way to get yourself into a festive mood than to shout 'Happy Christmas' from your doorstep as your delivery person/postman makes their way back to their van. Like, is it really Christmas in your house if you haven't uttered that phrase to more than one stranger/acquaintance/neighbour?

Someone's on about Sally O'Brien and the way she might look at ya.

Every holiday season, fond memories resurface of the woman who captured the hearts of (several generations of) men up and down the country. Arguably one of the most iconic Irish Christmas ads of all time.

You've spent ages in a queue down the butchers.

All worth it for that Christmas ham though 

There's nothing quite like those late December queues down at the local butcher. Standing on the frosty pavement outside the shop, coat zipped up, hat pulled down, agreeing with your fellow locals that yes, it's absolutely baltic - you'll either be singing carols or channelling your inner grinch by the time you haul the ham and turkey back to the car. 

You've poured yourself a glass of Baileys

Christmas Eve, fire's on, tree's twinkling - you're probably cracking open a new bottle of Baileys and putting your feet up before the morning madness. Baileys is one of those winter-warming drinks that's synonymous with Christmas in Ireland. But whether you're pouring yourself a glass of cream liqueur, whiskey, hot chocolate, or simply a nice cup of tea, one thing's certain - after all those mad Penneys trips, queues for the shops, and winter commutes, you've more than earned it!