Christmas traditions people from Connacht treasure most

A new study from An Post has provided insights into Christmas traditions, shopping habits and people’s continued love of sending Christmas cards this year. The survey found that the Christmas meal is the most important family tradition and spending time together over the festive season.

The survey also shows the magic of Christmas and love of traditions is well and truly alive, with 54% of people choosing to display cards on their fireplace, 23% opting to place them in their hallway and 13% hanging them off their tree.

Another interesting finding centres around Secret Santa, otherwise known as Kris Kindle, with 24% of people from Connacht doing Kris Kindle with friends and family this year.

An Post carried out the study as part of its ‘Send Love’ campaign, which aims to encourage people to take a moment to connect with each other through writing and posting cards to loved ones.

Other interesting findings centre around the Christmas dinner table and 52% of people said that, as per tradition, they would be hosting a sumptuous feast in their own homes. When asked what element of the Christmas meal is an absolute must-have, 73% said roast potatoes and 70% replied stuffing, with 67% opting for turkey and 65% of people opting for gravy. When it came to the great brussels sprouts debate, 24% of people from Connacht say sprouts are a must.

Christmas pyjamas are also proving a must - the research also reveals 41% of women hope to wind down over the festive break by buying and wearing new sleepwear.

Findings around plans for Santa’s visit were also uncovered - 58% of people plan on leaving a glass of milk out for the man in red, whilst 56% say they will provide carrots for his hard-working reindeers. Also, 48% stated they will include some biscuits (and splash out on the good ones!) with 31% maintaining mince pies are the order of the day.

The 2025 research reveals many people remain torn between Christmas tree toppers. Interestingly, 56% of people’s festive ferns are topped by a star this year with 45% of people aged 65 plus opting to grace branches with an angel.

Festive music and which songs embody the Christmas season are also under the spotlight - 37% of all adults say The Pogues ‘Fairytale of New York’ is their ultimate festive hit with 13% of respondents opting for Mariah Carey ‘All I Want for Christmas’, and 10% saying ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham is a must.

Speaking about these findings, Julie Gill, An Post Marketing Director said: “Christmas reminds us that traditions aren’t just things we do—they’re the moments we look forward to all year. They turn ordinary days into magic, just like the moments when you send and receive a Christmas card this year.

“With more than 3 million cards and 500,000 parcels being delivered in Ireland every day until Christmas Eve, An Post reminds everyone, everywhere, about the importance of both parcels and cards sending love over this festive season”, she added.

Christmas cards for Europe must be posted by Thursday, December 18, and it is December 21 for Northern Ireland, and December 22 for the Republic of Ireland.