Brainstorm | Opinion, Analysis, Reports, Features

'This is a time that those who are grieving dread, as they are forcibly corralled into that brightly lit tunnel that is the modern Christmas season'. Photo: Rolling News

How the Wexford Carol gave me respite and solace at Christmas

Christmas carols like the Wexford Carol can be a conduit for joy and celebration in the darkest of times

Christmas • 12 Dec 24

Home for the Christmas with James Stewart, Donna Reed and Karolyn Grimes

Why It's A Wonderful Life is still a winner today

Frank Capra's masterpiece remains a Christmas classic because the film still speaks to many to us at this time of year

Film • 11 Dec 24

It's important to remember that Christmas get-togethers with your colleagues are still work events. Photo: Getty Images

Know your rights so things don't go wrong at your office Xmas do

Most office parties go off without a hitch, but it's worth knowing what to do if things don't quite go to plan at your work event

Christmas • 10 Dec 24

An Margadh Mór – in the local town was considered a big day where rural people sold hens, eggs, geese, turkeys and so on. Photo: RTÉ Stills Department

Do you know these 7 great Irish Christmas traditions?

From the Christmas box to An Margadh Mór, here are some memorable Irish Christmas traditions from years past

History • 09 Dec 24

A snowy O'Connell's pub in Skryne, Co Meath as featured in one iconic Christmas ad.

Do you recognise these 3 iconic Irish Christmas ads?

'We think about things like compelling storylines and emotional appeal at Christmas'

Christmas • 06 Dec 24

"I believe that telling your child that Santa really exists is unethical." Photo: Getty Images

Why you shouldn't fib to your kids about Santa Claus

A couple of fascinating studies have quizzed children about when they found out about Santa - here's what we can learn

Christmas • 05 Dec 24

'You don't want to be the one who gets blamed for ruining Christmas this year.' Photo: Getty Images

How to survive Christmas with your family and in-laws

Christmas is the ultimate pressure cooker for families, couples and individuals with so much stress to have a picture-perfect season

Christmas • 04 Dec 24

The man on the right is responsible for 13% of Spotify's most popular Christmas songs. The man on the left is a national treasure.

Is there a recipe for the perfect Christmas song?

The science behind Christmas songs involves nostalgia, neural pathways, sleigh bells and, yes, Michael Bublé.

Christmas • 03 Dec 24

"The particular type of nostalgia around Christmas films is often about holding on to those positive memories from the past and then passing them on to our children" Photo: File

Why do we love Christmas films so much?

Love them, hate them (or love to hate them), there are many reasons why we seek out formulaic and cheesy Christmas films

Christmas • 04 Dec 24

"As a kid, I imagined there were hundreds of cards in the house by last post on Christmas Eve." Photo: Getty Images

The unique traditions of sending Christmas cards in Ireland

In 1980s Ireland, the festive season was heralded by the daily arrival of Christmas cards, not decorations

Christmas • 02 Dec 24

Why we feel Christmas comes around more quickly every year

Time speeds up as we get older which may be why 77% of us think Christmas seems to arrive more rapidly each year

Christmas • 28 Nov 24

Is it plausible that sending Christmas cards could be considered more than just the exchange of pleasantries and good wishes over the festive season? Photo: Getty Images

Is sending Christmas cards good for your mental health?

New research has investigated if sending Christmas cards can tell us something about the mental health of the sender

Christmas • 28 Nov 24

In 1948, Aer Lingus began offering a service by which turkeys sent by Irish families were flown to Britain in the week before Christmas in special cargo flights. Photo: Getty Images

When Irish turkeys were posted in droves to Britain for Christmas

From 1948 a special scheme delivered thousands of Christmas turkeys from Irish families to relatives in Britain

History • 28 Nov 24

The Pogues' festive hit drew on the name of an earlier play and novel by Irish-American writer, J.P. Donleavy. Photo: Getty Images

The story behind The Pogues' beloved 'Fairytale of New York'

The Pogues' Christmas classic owes its iconic name to the work of Irish-American writer J.P. Donleavy.

Christmas • 30 Nov 24

"Fighting against the prohibition of Christmas was a political act". Image: David Teniers II's Twelfth-night (The King Drinks)

The year Christmas was banned in Ireland and Britain

Christmas was cancelled in 1647, but people fed up with restrictions and financial difficulties ignored the rules

History • 28 Nov 24

The ruined monastery of Clonmacnoise, where many medieval Irish kings went to get away from it all over the Christmas. Photo: Three Lions/Getty Images

What was Christmas like in Medieval Ireland?

Christmas may not have been a big deal in Medieval Ireland, but it was a special time all the same marked by feasting, rest and some parties

Christmas • 20 Dec 23

Why Ireland goes mad for turkey at Christmas

It's time for the birds hatched at Easter to become the stars of the show on the Christmas dinner table

Farming • 15 Dec 23

The Thin Man: 'if you consider yourself in a sexy, sophisticated relationship, and intend to spend Christmas in a mildly alcoholic haze, this is the film for you.' Photo: Getty Images

Forget It's A Wonderful Life & try 5 alternative Christmas films

If you're sick and tired of the same old Christmas films, here are 5 alternative films to go with the mince pies

Christmas • 13 Dec 23

Even matching jumpers can't fix some rows. Photo: ViDI Studio / Shutterstock

How to deal with rows, fights and difficult people at Christmas

This time of year can be a minefield of uncomfortable moments, disagreement and outright conflict

Christmas • 13 Dec 23

A study found that 5 to 10% of new cases of holiday heart syndrome were caused by excess alcohol consumption. Photo: nelen/Shutterstock

How Christmas binge drinking can cause heart problems

'Holiday heart syndrome' is a condition where the heart beats abnormally and the risk is 1.5 times higher in binge drinkers

Health • 21 Dec 22

'There are things you can do to manage your experience if you plan to spend time by yourself over the Christmas'. Photo: Stock-Asso/Shutterstock

6 ways to reduce loneliness this Christmas

Christmas isn't always the most wonderful time of the year so here are some tips from a psychologist on how to cope

Christmas • 20 Dec 22

Can you get some overskud and pyt in the local chop?

How to deal with Christmas stress Danish style

What we can learn from the Danes about having the importance of overskud and pyt

Christmas • 15 Dec 22

Scientist Justus von Liebig most visible contribution to Christmas may well be hanging on your Christmas tree Photo: Getty Images

The science and history of Christmas baubles

Were it not for German scientist Justus von Liebig, Christmas might look, and taste, quite different

Christmas • 05 Dec 22

Simply having a.... Photo: Undrey/Shutterstock

4 tips to prevent your Xmas party becoming a superspreader event

Some ways to avoid an outbreak of Covid and flu at your Christmas do, including why karaoke is on the naughty list

Christmas • 30 Nov 22

Of course, it's a Christmas movie: Bruce Willis in Die Hard

9 reasons why Die Hard really is a Christmas movie

Does Bruce Willis at large in Nakatomi Plaza count as a Christmas classic? Of course it does

Christmas • 29 Nov 22