Christmas in Ireland

 

1.      Our "American" tradition of putting a holly wreath on the door for Christmas actually came from the Irish.

2.      Christmas in Ireland is the largest celebration on the calendar in Ireland and lasts from 24 December to 6 January, although many may view 8 December as being the start of the season; the schools are closed on that day, making it a traditional Christmas shopping time.

3.      Almost the entire workforce is finished by lunchtime on Christmas Eve, or often a few days beforehand. Christmas Day and St. Stephen's Day are public holidays, and many people do not return to work until after New Year's Day.

4.      Santa Claus, often known in Ireland simply as Santy or Daidí na Nollag in Irish, brings presents to children in Ireland, which are opened on Christmas morning.

5.      It is traditional to leave a mince pie and a bottle or a glass of Guinness for Santa Claus along with a carrot for Rudolph on Christmas Eve.

Chocolate Trifle

Ingredients
Chocolate Cake
Chocolate Pudding Mix (the type you have to cook; try to find the bittersweet dark chocolate if you can)
1 cup flavored syrup (can be found in the coffee section of most supermarkets)

1 to 2 cans whipped cream
Slivered almonds and bittersweet chocolate swirls for garnish.

Method
Either bake or buy a two-layer chocolate cake. If you can get dark or bittersweet, all the better.
Break up the cake into bite size pieces and place one layer in the bottom of a glass trifle dish.
Make the pudding and chill until firm.
Spoon half the pudding onto the cake. Pour 1/2 cup of flavored syrup onto the pudding.
Squirt on whipped cream to cover and sprinkle with almonds and chocolate swirls. Repeat.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.