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Ah, Christmas...

The lights, the craic, the food. It really is one of the best times of the year. While we are busy stressing about getting the shopping done and the food ready in time, it's easy to forget that it's not the big things that make Christmas, it's all the little things. The traditions, the annual meet-ups and the festive surprises. Here is our list of the 8 things that make Christmas special. All your school friends being back together again You haven't seen them in a whole year but once you get back together again it's like you've never been apart. Christmas is the one time of year when your friends from London, Oz, and pretty much everywhere else come home to see you (or you know their families). Seeing the Guinness ad for the first time Forget about the Coke one, the Guinness ad has a special place in all Irish people's hearts. You know the one... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVudFaYSjq0 The last minute Christmas Eve dash to the shops Because you forgot the cranberry sauce (again!) this year. There is always one thing you forget to buy each year meaning you'll have to face the mad Christmas Eve shopping chaos. The one good thing is that you will bump into all your mum's friends, your best pal from primary school and your neighbour while you're out. Getting the dinner plate with the least veg Okay, you can lie to yourself all you want and pretend you love your brussels sprouts but let's face it, Christmas is all about the turkey, the roasties, and the stuffing. Everything else is just taking up space. Finding your favourite Quality Street at the bottom of the tin Cha-ching! Just when you thought it was all over and there were no green triangles left, you spy the final one at the bottom of the tin. It's a Christmas miracle! Watching the Father Ted Christmas special Sure, it wouldn't be Christmas Day without it. It's the one thing the whole family will agree to watch and actually sit in peace for once. The smell of a real Christmas tree Nothing beats it. There is just something about having a real tree. Yes, the needles  are a pain, but that smell...there's nothing like it. Waking up without a hangover on St. Stephen's Day Hallelujah! There is a God. You might have gone a bit heavy the night before, but thanks to the copious amounts of turkey you ate as 'soakage', you amazingly feel totally fine. Here's to round two. This article is brought to you by Liffey Valley Shopping Centre. The Liffey Valley Shopping Centre has got everything you need for stress-free Christmas shopping this year. With free parking, late night shopping. and lots of great offers you will be spoilt for choice. Make the most of the little things with Liffey Valley this year.