A very family christmas

HOME LIFE:Some traditions are handed down from generation to generation, some are brand new – ALANNA GALLAGHERasks six families how they celebrate Christmas

FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

Christmas is a completely different world for Russian economist Dr Constantin Gurdgiev, his American wife Jennifer Hord, head of digital at Windmill Lane, and their two children Lucca (five) and Gabby (one).

“In the Soviet Union we didn’t officially have Christmas,” Gurdgiev says. “Growing up, Grandfather Frost dressed like Santa Claus and he has a helper called Snegurochka, who is also known as the snow maiden. He dropped our presents into the snow outside. We didn’t leave anything out for him or the reindeer – in the climate it would have frozen solid.

“Christmas Eve, however, was and is a huge family get-together. Russians celebrate it with a very big meal that lasts the whole night long. It would include pelmeni, a Russian style tortellini hand-made and filled with meat and spices. We also served a fish version. The whole day before Christmas Eve was spent rolling them, covering them and leaving them out overnight to freeze. We didn’t have big refrigerators. Pickled vegetables, especially cucumbers and mushrooms, were served as hor d’oeuvres.

“As a child I would always go ice skating. While it was -20 outside it would feel still and sunny. I want to teach the kids how to skate. Christmas is a time for family and close friends. It’s about reconnections and a sense of the spirituality of the season is also important. I want the kids to experience and participate in the Russian church Christmas service. It can last four or five hours and can include singers from the Bolshoi Theatre.”

Hord also grew up in the snow, in Michigan in the US. “We used to leave out egg nog with a nip of whiskey for Santa. My mother is Italian and she used to make these meltaway cookies that were like eating air. They came with a dusting of sugar. Santa usually got one of those too. I’ve tried to replicate the recipe but can’t.

“My mom was a Montessori teacher and as a child we made all our own Christmas decorations. We built gingerbread houses too, a tradition I’m trying to carry on. I, however, bought my gingerbread house kit in Fallon Byrne. Our son Lucca had a blast building it, but no architect would approve of the design.

“My mom hand-made our Christmas stockings. They had intricate felt cut-outs and were adorned with rhinestones. I still have mine and will be hanging it up this evening, along with the kids’ non-home-made versions.

“This year we’re in Dubai for Christmas. Santa will get something to drink and we’re going to try to source a carrot for Rudolph. Lucca has already drawn Santa a map so he can find him later tonight.”

CROONER CHRISTMAS

Producer AnneMarie Naughton, her husband, psychotherapist Richard Boyle, and their three children, Billy (four), Sammy (three) and Georgia May (one), will have a crooner Christmas.

Naughton grew up in a big old house in Dalkey where there were eight kids. “We gave out our presents on Christmas Eve. Everyone – extended family and friends – would gather in the good room and give out their presents in order of age, starting with the eldest. We used to leave carrots, fruit cake and a bottle of Guinness out for Santa.”

Boyle used to leave Santa a glass of milk as well as Fig Rolls and digestives. “We always had a carol session in the sittingroom. Both my parents play piano. All hyped up on Club Orange and Coca Cola, we would sing from a musical hymn book. My mother’s friend Naomi Maybury had a fabulous voice and she and her late husband Ken used to join in. O Holy Night remains a favourite.”

Boyle used to sing in a group called the Christmas Crooners and can usually be persuaded to sing Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, while wearing “a dodgy Christmas tie that I got back in the early 1990s”. It plays Jingle Bells.

“On Christmas Eve we play with the kids and hang up their stockings and put out mince pies for Santa and yet another carrot for Rudolph,” says Naughton.

The spiritual aspect of Christmas is also important, she says. “You do hear some very inspiring stories, like one homeless man Richard counselled at Dublin Aids Alliance who, on Christmas Eve, would take the money that he had and go to Argos to buy the heaviest sleeping bags he could afford, to distribute them to other people on the streets as a gift. Acts like that make you appreciate what you’ve got and to look out for people who are lonely this Christmas.”

RAT PACK NIGHT IN

Growing up, Santa got a slice of cake or pudding and a glass of milk in broadcaster Tom Dunne’s house. “Tonight my daughters Eva (five) and Skye (three) will leave out the same snacks for Santa. They’re both mad about music so they’ll be playing the Specks, a virtual band that play nursery rhymes set to traditional Irish music. I play Rat Pack versions of Christmas songs because they’re absolutely sensational. But Phil Spector’s Christmas album is the best Christmas album of all time.

“We still have a routine on Christmas Eve. The girls have tea and hang up their Christmas stockings. I just bought them new traditional styles and then they put on their jim jams and are up the stairs by 8pm.

“With the girls tucked in, that’s when my wife Audrey and I start to wrap our presents and hang up our stockings. We tend to stay in, light a fire and open a bottle of wine. Audrey cooks.”

COUNTDOWN TO DECEMBER 25TH

“As a child, Christmas Eve was a huge deal in our house,” says RTÉ presenter Keelin Shanley. The festivities began at 6pm. “Before that we spent the day cleaning, and getting everything ready in a sort of countdown to Christmas. At 6pm we’d put the baby in the crib, light a candle and, when we were very young, we sang carols. Then we’d open the Christmas cake, tuck into the mince pies and smoked salmon and watch Christmas telly.

“I’m the eldest of five. When we finally went to bed we would concoct elaborate ways to stay up late to try and catch Santa. Muireann and Eoin, the next two in line, and I would set up shifts to stay awake. Muireann always fell asleep.

“After university I lived in Italy in the early 1990s. As an emigrant, Christmas Eve in Dublin became a big deal. It was a time when everyone was home. Going into town on Christmas Eve was just a fantastic way to meet up with people.

“Now with the kids, Lucy (five) and Ben (three), we still go into town, usually to the Stag’s Head to meet up with other friends who have children. Then when we get home we get together with our neighbours who have young children and let the kids get all revved up. Lucy and Ben have been obsessed with Santa since mid-November. Lucy wants a life-sized electronic horse that eats carrots. Santa has already written back to say unfortunately it isn’t possible.”

FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Andrew Kavanagh, of Kavaleer Productions is the man behind Abadas, an RTÉ and Cbeebies favourite. He, his wife Celine and their son, Jules (two), will be staying put this December 24th.

Celine grew up in the southwest of France, at the foot of the Pyrenees. “We always celebrated Christmas Eve with a big dinner. We’d have soup followed by foie gras, then turkey stuffed with chestnuts and a chocolate log cake for dessert.

“We used to go chop our tree ourselves, put on our wellies, go into the woods with our mother and bring back a tree that was 15 or 16 feet high. In France we would leave our shoes under the tree. Santa would leave your presents beside your shoes. This year, Jules will be leaving his shoes under the tree. “

Andrew grew up in Walkinstown in Dublin. “My family used to hold a party on Christmas Eve. My aunts and uncles would take it in turn to host it. If it was in ours the place would be heaving with relatives. I remember tins of USA biscuits and selection boxes. I’m the youngest in my family and was usually dispatched to bed around 9pm having left carrots out for the reindeer.”