Traditional Gifts for an Irish Housewarming
The Irish are known for their generous hospitality, good food and drink, and their love of music and dancing. Many of them hold fast to customs and traditions, so when considering giving an Irish friend a housewarming gift, first understand a bit about their traditions and their values.
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Music
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In the northern part of Ireland, the people often express their Ulster-Scots culture through music and dancing. They enjoy playing the Lambeg drum, fiddles, fifes, flutes and guitars. It is a familiar tradition for families and friends to gather on weekends at private homes or in pubs as they dance to the jamming of musical instruments.
The instruments may be a bit costly for a housewarming gift, but the perfect less expensive gift could be a music video or a CD of a popular Irish or Celtic singing groups.
Poetry
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Many Irish have an intriguing respect for poetry. In fact, in many pubs in Ireland, people gather to listen to someone recite or read poetry written by famous poets. Their selections vary from silly humor verses to romantic ballads to serious life issues. Regardless of what poem is being shared, it's paying homage to the people of their homeland that pleases them.
A thoughtful housewarming gift could be a wall plaque with a friendly Irish poem engraved in it, or a book of poems written by a famous Irish poet such as James Joyce, Patrick Kavanagh or Katherine Tynan.
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Irish Folklore
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Many Irish are passionate about their own history and enjoy reading books on true historical events and issues that concern them today. They are also known for their infatuation of mythological adventures and fairy and folk tales about Irish peasantry and Celtic heroes.
Another meaningful housewarming gift could be a novel or collection of stories that appeals to their spiritual legendary appetite, such as "The Banshee of the Mac Carthys" by T. Crofton Croker or "A Legend of Knockmany" by William Carleton.
Blessings
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There are many poetic blessings that have become very popular through the years. Regardless of how many blessings an Irish home already has, there's always room for one more.
A plaque that recites a blessing is a heartfelt gift that will please almost any Irish friend, and one popular one that has found its way into many different homes, says, "May peace and plenty be the first to lift the latch to your door, and happiness be guided to your home by the candle of Christmas."
Desserts
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A delicious Irish cake Desserts are a food item that most Irish can't resist. They are known for their whiskey cakes and Irish crème coffee.
Two of their famous dessert recipes are The Irish Jig Dessert, which is a whipped cream pudding loaded with crushed macaroons and doused with Irish whiskey. The other entrée is Irish Whiskey Pie, which is a graham cracker-based pastry filled with whipped cream and shaved chocolate, and gelatin made with whiskey.
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- Photo Credit leprechaun playing an accordion image by Maria Bell from Fotolia.com delicious dessert image by sumos from Fotolia.com
