In our house, we are all about traditions when it comes to the holiday season.
Being a blended family, nationality-wise, we have over the years cultivated traditions that are a bit Norwegian, a bit Irish, and 100 percent ours.
We religiously watch The Late Late Toy Show together. It really feels like the start of Christmas – even to me, despite having never spent a single Christmas in Ireland until I was almost 30. We celebrate St. Lucia Day with homemade ‘Lussekatt’ buns on December 13th. We decorate IKEA gingerbread houses. We have DIY advent calendars that have a mini present every day. We open some presents on Christmas Eve (but Santa comes for Christmas morning) and our festive fare is always a delicious mix of traditional food from both countries.
One tradition that also stands strong in our house is our new Christmas Eve pyjamas. They – this is very important – have to come from Dunnes Stores, and more specifically, the Leigh Tucker Willow range.
I have just picked up this year’s sets – marking the 5th year we have got our pjs from her range of whimsical and very festive prints. When you see just how adorable (and affordable) these Irish-designed pjs are, you’ll be wanting to start your very own pyjama tradition too.
1. Winter Wonderland Pure Cotton Pyjamas
These cosy pure cotton Christmas pyjamas are slim style, with snug, ribbed cuffs on the legs and sleeves. They range from sizes 1-2 up to 33-34. The colourful festive pattern includes the Irish language greeting, ‘Nollaig Shona Dhuit’.
€12
2. Sleigh Bells Ivy Pure Cotton Pyjamas
These two-piece cotton Christmas pyjamas feature a reindeer pattern with striped sleeves on top, and presents and candy canes on red bottoms. The Sleigh Bells Star Pure version a different top in the same red pattern as the bottoms.
€12
3. Oh Dear Joy Pure Cotton Pyjamas
I love this clean and cosy, simple black and white design, which can be worn by both boys and girls alike.
€12
4. Rooftop Robin Pure Cotton Pyjamas
The Rooftop Robin set features a reindeer print top and icy-blue bottoms. There is also a unisex Rooftop North Pure onesie available in the same lighter blue fabric as these bottoms.
€12-€15
5. Candyland Holly Pure Cotton Onesie
This cosy, pure cotton Christmas onsie buttons down the front and features an ‘Oiche Mhaith’ / ‘Good Night’ motif on the back. Perfect for winter snugness.
€12-€15
6. Enchanted Faith Pure Cotton Pyjamas
These soft cotton pyjamas, with ruffled collar, remind us of Christmases of old. There’s a babygro version available for seriously cute twinning with a younger sibling.
€12
7. Oh Dear Snow Pure Cotton Onesie
How cute are these onsies with buttons down the front and a cheeky motif on the back? They will be loved by both boys and girls alike.
€15