Irish Christmas
was used as a memory aid. The gifts listed in the song are hidden references to Catholic dogma.
Lighting Candles:
Candles are placed in windows to light the way for travelers on Christmas Eve. Today people use electric candles
for safety reasons. The "light in the window" welcomes family and friends coming home for Christmas, but it also
symbolizes the welcome for the Holy Family. Every window in the house is garlanded with lights.
The Christmas Tree
The tree is decorated with tinsel and baubles and lights and gifts are put underneath. The gifts are opened on
Christmas morning, not before!
Here is a nice collection of Christmas ornaments and decorations from Ireland.
Gift Giving:
Presents are a big thing in Ireland. One need only visit the cousins to find that nearly anything that is admired is
offered. The usual politeness must be abandoned. It's acceptable to tell another that a scarf, for example, suits them,
but to admire it outright is akin to asking for it. Beware.
annaabi.ee 
