Keep your Northern Ireland Christmas traditions alive… abroad

Did you open all your Santa gifts in the morning, or wait until after Christmas dinner?

Stay in your matching pyjamas all day, or get dressed up to the nines?

Have a substantial breakfast, or get stuck in with the Bucks Fizz and whatever sweets were in your stocking?

Christmas looks different for everyone…

…but for our friends living abroad it’s especially different.

Because what do you mean I won’t be waking up in my childhood bed and heading downstairs with my siblings to see what the big man brought me?

Worry not. 

We’re here to show you that you can still bring a touch of a Northern Irish Christmas to wherever you are in the world.

It might just take some extra effort, creativity… and a wee bit of Christmas magic.

Watch your favourite Christmas movies

Ever watched Elf when the sun is streaming down outside?

Can’t say we have either.

But that’s the reality for many of our diaspora who are spending Christmas abroad this year.

You might be sweating through December or cosying up somewhere snowy, but nothing will have you feeling more festive than the Christmas movies of your childhood.

And chances are you’ll strongly relate to Buddy’s plight in Elf this year, doing his best to turn the big city into the Christmas he knows and loves.

Do you know what the Number 1 watched film in Northern Ireland in 2024 was?

The Grinch!

We think it’s that comforting dose of sarcasm mixed with Christmas cheer that has us all going back for more.

All we know is, in the time of streaming services it’s super easy to cosy up with a hot chocolate and get transported back to the Christmases of your childhood.

And if you’re looking for Christmas movies to help you feel closer to home, well we’ve already got a whole blog about locally-made Northern Irish movies you have to watch.

Start your own Christmas cupboard

Every house in Northern Ireland has one.

Where all your favourite festive treats are stockpiled juuust out of reach ahead of the big day.

But the beauty of being away is… you can eat whatever you like, whenever you like.

And did you know there are entire online stores dedicated to delivering Irish and British goodies abroad?

We’re talking Tayto (both kinds).

Cadbury chocolate that actually tastes like Cadbury.

And all the tea bags you can choose from.

If you’re in Canada, try A Bit of Home, our Australian diaspora should look into The Irish Butcher or pay an in-person visit to your nearest Woolworths, or if you’re in the US try Food Ireland.

We unfortunately can’t find one that stocks Shloer… but maybe if you wish hard enough?

Plan a traditional Christmas dinner

Time to channel your inner Northern Irish mammy.

Gather your friends, fellow diaspora or other stray Christmas-loving expats you’ve collected along the way and come together to make your very own Christmas dinner.

All you need is turkey, stuffing, roasties… and hopefully someone who knows what they’re doing.

Will it taste the same as home? Probably not.

But will it still hit the spot? 100%.

Add in some cheesy Christmas cracker jokes and a box of After Eights, and you’re all set.

If you’re not ready for the big undertaking of cooking it yourself then you can check your local Irish pubs, plenty of them do turkey and ham spreads over the festive season.

You’ll probably also find some seasoned expats hosting group dinners, if you know where to look. 

(Hint: look here. Or join Facebook groups of whatever location you’re in and have a nosey for expat Christmas events on there!)

Do something for your family back home

Being away at Christmas can be tough… but especially for notorious homebirds like us Northern Irish.

Can’t afford the plane ticket home or feeling a touch of traveller’s guilt?

Try doing something special for your nearest and dearest from afar.

It can help you feel included, even when you’re not actually there.

Like setting your alarm on Christmas Day to give them a FaceTime when you know they’ll be waking up (and missing you the most).

Or sending them a gift full of all the wonderful things you’re discovering in your new home (believe it or not, some people actually love Hershey’s chocolate).

Christmas care packages from home

On the flipside… any chance of getting one back?

Whether it’s your first Christmas abroad or your tenth, a box with all the comforts of home will help ease you into your expat-style Christmas.

We’re talking a box stuffed with all your favourite snacks that you can’t get anywhere but here.

Nostalgic scented candles, Christmas tree ornaments you handmade as a child, a photo album of all your Christmases past… a video of you playing shepherd #2 in your P4 nativity?

Whatever you can think of, get them to throw them all in there!

We know that all the little things we take for granted living at home become the big things when you’re away at this time of year.

But getting some delivered to your door might help make the separation a wee bit easier.

Funnily enough, we have a blog on this too if you need some inspiration: 10 Christmas gift ideas for sharing the Northern Irish love worldwide | NI Connections

Embrace new traditions

Yes, it’s a different kind of Christmas... but it’s still Christmas!

And when else would you get the chance to witness the sea of red bikinis barbequing on the beach in Sydney?

Or experience the winter-wonderland-esque landscapes that is the Canadian winter?

Or see first-hand the streets in the US decked out with festive lights that put every Christmas movie to shame?

So, make the most of Christmas in a new place.

Embrace what it has to offer. 

You can feel at home and miss home at the same time.

And while you’re having the time of your life, spare a thought for us with our cold-water dips in the Irish sea, wind that would freeze your wee toes off and getting soaked to the bone queuing for Dutch pancakes at Belfast’s Christmas market.

Your Northern Ireland Christmas will always be here waiting for you ❤️

Well that’s it, another Christmas upon us and another year nearly over!

Let us know where in the world you’re spending the holiday season and what you’re doing to make it feel more like Christmas at home. 

We hope it’s as magical as the Christmases you’ve spent here.

And from all of us here at NI Connections… have a very Merry Christmas!