It’s everyone’s favourite time of the year! 

School’s out and work gives us a real break. Christmas is always busy for us here at Rí na Mara. Whether we’re out exhibiting at the Galway Christmas market or the National craft fair we are always on our toes. Like you, we look forward to cozying up with our loved ones, as we savour winter. 

As tradition will have it, there is always something fun planned for those merry days of December, those jolly days leading to Christmas.

From the rather basic stuff like; watching It’s a Wonderful Life to the more creative stuff like making Christmas cards and tree decorations. If you’re reading this you probably have your own Christmas traditions, or at least a Christmas bucket list you’re already halfway through!

That being said: here’s a list of fun things to do this Christmas suggested by the Rí na Mara team.

1. Cozy up with the family for some quality time

I love to cozy up with the family for some quality time. Be it the warmth of being around family, or the actual warmth of a fire. Sitting around and having a chat is always a subtle but important way of starting the season.

You could plan the Christmas menu, work and holiday schedule, organize family kris kindle or gift-giving.

The Christmas menu doesn’t change hugely year on year but the help does, my sons are brilliant at imagining some distractions to miss the cooking and cleaning. They never miss the food though!

2. Play board games and read your favourite Christmas Stories

It wouldn’t be Christmas without playing a game (or several) with your family.  Our favourites are Charades, Five-second Rule, Trivial Pursuit, or Cluedo, it really shows who the competitive person is in the family and you’re guaranteed hours of fun.

For younger children it’s a lovely tradition to read them some Christmas books in December like: A Visit from Saint Nicholas or The Snowman and maybe dress up in your Christmas jumpers and take a nice family photo to send to friends and family. Great for relatives to keep and see how you’re all doing. 

3. Try a winter morning skincare routine

Remember! Your morning routine is worth the effort. With all the fun activities lined up, and the cooking and baking sprinkled in between. That big breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but your skin is the largest organ in the body.

Starting with cleansing your face of impurities with the micellar water, follow with Rí na mara facial serum, and face cream. If you’ve had a late night and have tired, puffy eyes, step it up with some Rí na mara overemphasize.

So how do we do this?

Step one: Apply Ri na mara cleansing water onto a cotton pad and hold against your skin, then gently wipe away, no need to rub or rinse.

Step two: Apply Eye cream to skin around eyes morning and evening after cleansing, and gently smooth. Avoid pulling on the skin under your eyes

Step three: After cleansing, apply Facial serum to your face and neck, massage gently.

Step four: Apply Rí na mara Face cream to your face, neck and décolletage.  Sweep up along your jaw, out from the nose, and outward across the forehead.

 4. Watch a Christmas movie

Watch a classic Christmas movie at home. You can’t beat a good ol’ Christmas movie from the comfort of your own sofa. Turn it into a family weekend ritual during December and give everyone a chance to pick a festive film to watch. The only prep work you’ll need to do is make a hot chocolate, grab some sweet treats from a selection box and pick a spot on the sofa. Depending on who is there, children, grandparents, movie buffs etc. You want to choose the perfect film.

We suggest beginning with the classics; Home Alone, Elf, It’s a Wonderful Life, Muppets Christmas Carol. However, If you’re tired of seeing these here are a few little-known honourable mentions: 

The Polar Express (2004) Arthur Christmas (2011), Klaus (2019), Jingle Jangle (2020), and maybe the not so little-known: Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993).

5. Soak in a night time dried seaweed bath

Enjoy a little ” Me time” this holiday season and soak in a dried seaweed bath. As much as the holidays are a fun and festive time of the year, they can be equally chaotic so take some time out and remember! Your night-time routine is also worth the effort. A dried seaweed bath should do the trick. 

Our wild organic Fucus Serratus Seaweed is hand-harvested and air-dried off the West Coast of Ireland. Seaweed Baths have been used for generations for health and healing the skin and body. Plan your spa night with scented candles, and run a hot bath, immersing yourself in this relaxing, mineral-rich seaweed soak, and just feel the tension disappear. 

Top it off with our detoxifying, gentle exfoliating face mask to achieve glowing skin over Christmas. We couldn’t overemphasise the benefits of seaweed, and with nutrients that revitalise your skin, we could all use a little more of that this season.

6. Go for a short walk

Go for a walk and relax and recharge in nature. Another great activity, on your own or with all the family is a good long walk in the fresh air, just be sure to bring a raincoat and adequate clothing, also check the forecast in case of dreaded storms. Some of my favourite spots include; Spiddal Prom, Salthill Prom, Barna Woods, Diamond Hill in Connemara national park.

When you return, have some nourishing soup! Edible seaweed can be added to it for taste and added nutrients.

7. Go for a swim on Christmas day

Spiddal Christmas Day Swim (2020)

Lastly, some cold water therapy: a swim on the 25th of December. Might seem crazy but lots of people do it. Every year my sons meet up with their friends and swim in Spiddal beach, hail, rain or snow no matter what the weather is like. 

Up and down the country there are organised charity swims

like COPE Galway’s quick dips in Salthill from 20th – 26th December, to fundraise and support people across their services. So if you’re brave enough, check out what’s happening in your area, it’s fun and a great way to raise much needed funds.

So that’s it from us. A summary of our idea of a fun Christmas break. Did we mention anything you already do? Did we miss a few that should’ve made this list? You can let us know in person! We’re still at the Galway Christmas Market till the 22nd of December, so come down and have a chat. Maybe buy a Hamper to go with your Christmas tree. 

Seasons Greetings everyone, hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.