Here in the Her.ie office, we have a lot of love for Christmas. We happen to think Christmas Eve is one of the best days of year and although the excitement of Santa is long gone, there’s still a lot to get happy about. Here are just a few of the traditions we love about the night before the big day. Driving home for Christmas Maybe you won't be driving, maybe you have to take a plane/train/bus but the destination is still the same. There really is no place like home when it comes to Christmas and there’s no feeling quite like returning home to your family for the festive season. This applies to everyone, whether you’re living in a different county or country. Christmas Mass There’s something really lovely about Christmas services, the church is decorated, people are in good form and if you’re lucky there might be a hilarious Nativity play going on at your local mass. It’s pretty impossible keep a straight face when Mary and Joseph mix up their lines, again. Sit back with an Irish coffee/ Brandy & Baileys/ Hot Chocolate Whatever your tipple, relaxing with a festive drink on Christmas Eve is one of our favourite traditions. A warm fire, Christmas tree complete with presents and obviously, an obligatory festive film on the telly. Present swapping The tradition of exchanging presents is different in every home. Some families swap gifts on Christmas Eve, others wait until Christmas morning, some divide presents between the two nights and others don’t have a choice as children wake their parents in the early hours. Whatever way your loved ones do it, you can be sure that it’s a tradition you wouldn't change. The night before Christmas Some people head to the local pub for a festive drink, others stay home watching Christmas TV or if you can get enough people on board, playing board games. This involves all of the craic, you’re guaranteed to have one super competitive person, one who just wants to get it over and done with and one who’s determined to rig the whole thing. Sit back and let the fireworks begin… Sampling the ham If you’re lucky, the ham will be ready when you get home after mass. Is there anything better than a slice of Christmas ham, real butter and fresh bread?! The only problem is persuading your mother that you need to have more and there will be enough left for everyone else. There’s always one! Maybe it’s because of the board game, or perhaps someone forgot to do the “one thing they were asked to”. There might be a shouting fit and a few choice words but the good news is it’s over as quick as it started because no one wants to be in bad form for long at Christmas. “But I can’t sleep…” There’s something about Christmas Eve that makes everything that little bit more magical. It’s nothing compared to Santa memories when you literally couldn’t sleep for fear you’d miss anything but it still remains a special time. Maybe we’re the only big kids out there but we always find it hard to sleep on the night before Christmas.