Many Christmas Traditions Can Be Traced Back to Celtic Roots

Decorations

Holly is one of the main plants that flourish during the winter season. It is believed to bring happiness and eternal life. You can find it anywhere, which means there’s more than enough for families to fashion fresh holly into a ring and place it on the front door like a wreath. When picking holly, look for well-colored leaves with ripe berries. Holly is sensitive, so avoid exposing it to direct heat from the sunlight.

Ivy often accompanies holly in Irish Christmas decoration. While holly was considered a masculine plant, ivy was its feminine counterpart, and together they represented balance in the household. Sprigs of both were woven into garlands and placed above doorways and mantels. The evergreen nature of both plants carried a reassuring message during the darkest weeks of the year: life endures, even in winter.

Celtic Starlight Snowflake Pendant in Gold — a Celtic snowflake design handcrafted in 14K gold.

There’s always a big debate about when to put up or take down Christmas decorations. According to Celtic traditions, the official date to take down all Christmas decorations is January 6th. What happens if you decide to start cleaning early? It’s considered bad luck to take decorations down earlier.

The Candle in the Window

On Christmas Eve, families place a lit candle in the window. The reason has to do with the story of Mary and Joseph and when they had to search for lodging right before Jesus’s birth. The candle is supposed to represent a beacon that signified a safe place for Mary and Joseph to rest. It was also a common sign for priests to know they were welcome.

The tradition carried additional meaning during the Penal Laws in Ireland, when Catholic worship was suppressed. A candle in the window told traveling priests that mass could be celebrated safely inside. If questioned by authorities, families could simply say the candle was lit for the Holy Family. In this way, an act of faith became an act of quiet resistance.

The Celtic Christmas Tree Pendant — Celtic knotwork meets the Christmas tree tradition.

After attending Catholic mass on Christmas Eve, families will typically return home. Sometimes, they’ll open one special gift the night before, like a handcrafted Celtic necklace, if they can’t wait until the next morning.

The Laden Table

We can thank St. Patrick for bringing Christianity and Christmas to Ireland back in the 4th century. Once families have had the evening meal, it’s time for "The Laden Table," another tradition to prepare the home for Mary and Joseph. Families typically reset the table with special objects, each with their own significance.

The table is set with a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk, and a large candle. The door is left unlatched as a sign of welcome. The bread represents hospitality, the milk nourishment, and the candle a guiding light. Like the candle in the window, the Laden Table transforms a simple domestic act into something sacred: a household making room for the unexpected visitor, just as the inn should have made room in Bethlehem.

Happy Holidays

Did any of these traditions sound familiar? If not, this year is an excellent time to start making new memories. Shopping for gifts like a handcrafted Celtic cross is so easy. In fact, you don’t even have to leave the couch!

Cheryl’s Snowflake Pendant — a handcrafted holiday keepsake in sterling silver.

You can have Celtic Christmas jewelry delivered directly to a special someone. If you have family members scattered across the country, a piece of Celtic jewelry carries the warmth of heritage and tradition no matter how far it travels. Schedule a video call to say "hello" face to face, and if your family spans different time zones, coordinate a time that works for everyone. Your family can all gather virtually to light the candle in the window on Christmas Eve!

Whether you celebrate with a house full of family or connect across the miles, these Celtic traditions offer something deeper than decoration or custom. They are ways of making the season feel rooted, of drawing a line from the present moment back through generations of families who lit the same candles, set the same tables, and gathered the same greenery to honor the turning of the year.

From our family here at Walker Metalsmiths, we’d like to wish you a "Happy Holidays!" Make sure to check back in shortly for more fun facts about Celtic traditions and modern handmade jewelry.

About the Author

Stephen Walker has been handcrafting Celtic jewelry in Andover, NY since 1984. The Walker family celebrates many of the Irish traditions described in this article, bringing the same spirit of heritage and craftsmanship to their Celtic Christmas jewelry.

Learn more about Stephen & Susan Walker →