Families across the country are facing into a Christmas like never before – and it seems getting back to basics is the order of the day, with households looking forward to a festive period full of all the traditions.
We're all looking forward to having family around – subject to Covid-19 restrictions – and waking up on Christmas morning to tear the wrapping off presents from loved ones, with a new report showing Ireland's households are most excited about the small rituals that make the season so special.
And more than one in ten adults are already listening to Christmas tunes to help them get into the festive spirit despite Covid-19 uncertainty, according to a survey by Tesco Ireland.
Nearly half of adults across Ireland reported that Christmas dinner – complete with all the trimmings – is their favourite tradition of the year.
The report also found that households all over the country are hopeful of having a traditional Christmas experience, with the time-worn customs and quirks of the holiday period still a crucial part of the fun for thousands of families.
More than half of us plan to put up our Christmas decorations at the start of December, so you can expect to see houses lit up by fairy lights and baubles early on in the month of merriment.
And in a further sign of our excitement for the big day, just 4% of shoppers will wait until Christmas week to stock up on goodies and presents.
The research has shone a light on the things we value about Christmas, and it's clear that the essentials – turkey for dinner, Home Alone and festive jumpers – are still crucial to the whole enterprise.
But we're moving with the times, too – just 17% of households will put up a real tree this year, with 65% plumping for an artificial one.
When it comes to the dinner, turkey is the resounding Christmas winner: 31% of people said it was their favourite part of the magic meal.
And in a cinematic ceremony as old as time, 51% of us have admitted that settling down on the couch for a Christmas movie is our top tradition.
Home Alone is the most popular festive film, followed by Elf.
So while we're all dealing with doubt as a result of the pandemic, the omens are good that Ireland's families will make the best of it this Christmas.
