Manx Christmas Traditions

With Christmas now only 20 days away, party season is well underway, as are many Manx Christmas traditions.

Everyone does things a wee bit differently, and my Christmas traditions will no doubt vary greatly to yours.

For me Christmas started on November 3 when I set the task of watching Harry Potter on a Sunday evening and the Deathly Hallows part two would fall on the last Sunday before Christmas.

I also like to take a trip to Andreas Christmas Trees and select an utter work of art two weeks before the big day.

Most importantly, I like to organise the twelve pubs of Christmas and drink my sorrows along the quay on December 23.

Then pick up the pint glass at Vagabonds Rugby Club for the annual Paul Clelland Memorial match against the Young Farmers on Boxing Day.

For you it may be putting the Christmas tree back in the loft on boxing day morning.

Christmas Traditions

Panic shop down strand street on Christmas Eve – this is my absolute go to tradition.

I like to make a day of it, and wander into multiple local coffee shops – starting at Spill the Beans.

Then I’d make my way to Strand Street, stress shop the first half, before stopping for some cake in The Windsor Coffee Co.

Proceed to more stress shopping before finally having to stop for something stronger at Sir Norman’s.

However, if you are a more organised person you may look to take advantage of the late night shopping.

Late night shopping in Douglas is on a Thursday night and most shops are open until 8pm.

Also don’t forget that parking is free at the Bottleneck and Shaws Brow on Thursday evenings from 5pm to 10pm and weekends.

Traditionalists

For traditionalists, Hunt the Wren is an absolute must.

“Hunt the Wren” dates back to beyond written records and is still celebrated in communities around the Island.

The St Stephen’s Day custom, marked on December 26, involves groups of people dancing with a decorated wren pole.

The dance is accompanied by a song telling the tale of the “king of all birds”.

Believed to have originated from sacrificial practices, the feathers of the bird were thought to ward off evil in the year to come.

New Years Day

Christmas and New Years pretty much moulds into one, so we shall also claim New Year celebrations as part of the Christmas traditions.

Others decide to opt for the ever popular New Years Day dip on a number of beaches around the island.

Whilst others may sack off the dip and go for a fell run in St John’s at 1pm.

And the horsey population head to the New Years Day hunt which starts at the Horse and Plough.

If you have any other Christmas traditions that you like to partake in, please let us know at newsdesk@manx.news