Every house in Waterford has its own traditions, from the date you put up the Christmas tree to the food you leave out for Santa.
Christmas dinner is a big deal too. Turkey and ham is generally the centre piece but many households opt for different dishes; nut roast is popular with vegetarians, and Mushroom Wellington is among the choices for a vegan meal on December 25th. And Turkey didn't always take centre stage either; goose was in fact the bird of choice in relatively recent times.
Old tradition of setting the table after Christmas dinner
After the big Christmas dinner, it was once custom in Ireland to re-set the table once the fancy stuff was eaten, to place some bread, milk and a candle on the cloth. This was so that if Mary and Joseph, or anyone else in need or rest passed by, there was a welcome for them in the house.
Candle in the window
Lighting a candle for religious occasions is still a popular tradition in Ireland. In fact it was very much revived during the early stages of the Pandemic, to honour health care workers and those who had sadly died. However, there was a time in Ireland when almost every household lit the candle in the window on Christmas Eve. Again, this was to welcome Mary and Joseph and let them know there was 'Room at the Inn.'
Little Christmas or Nollaig na mBan
This falls on the 6th of January (the Feast of the Epiphany), and marks the official end of the Christmas season. It was traditionally when the men of the house take over for the day, allowing the women to have a rest. This is also the day on which all the Christmas decorations are removed, a sad day for many, especially children.
Midnight Mass
Still a tradition, but perhaps not as common because masses are less frequent. Midnight mass is as Irish as it gets. As the years went by and the pubs got busier on Christmas Eve, priests starting saying these masses earlier and earlier to stop, ahem, drunken singing in the pub. So while not always held at 12am, midnight mass is still a thing.
