A Very Irish Christmas

Chapter 1

ONE

NEW YORK

Things I Love About Christmas

The lights and decorations – in gardens, on the streets, through people’s windows. Classy or corny, I love them all. They make me feel like a kid again.

The music – little bit of Bublé, little bit of Bing Crosby – I’m not fussy. Listening to Christmas music while you wrap your gifts? Best thing ever.

The food – especially the cakes and the cookies, the smells of sugar and spice and gingerbread and cinnamon. Yum.

Seeing my nephews on Christmas Eve, when they’re so excited it feels like they might actually explode.

Watching my wedding video, which was taken on a sensational snowy day in winter wonderland New York.

Things I Hate About Christmas

Shopping – it makes me feel like I’m a character in The Hunger Games . Not Katniss, just one of those really scared ones who die early because they couldn’t use a crossbow.

Being cooped up with my family and feeling like a failure compared to everyone else. Depressing but true.

Feeling even sadder than usual about all God’s creatures who might be lonely or neglected – stray dogs, the elderly, people without homes or loved ones. It all feels worse at Christmas, doesn’t it? Then I feel horribly guilty about even having a family, and not appreciating what I’ve got.

Eggnog. Just no.

Watching my wedding video, which was taken on a sensational snowy day in winter wonderland New York.