AMANDA BRUNKER
Journalist and author, pictured with her mother, Elizabeth Mallon, and her sons, Setanta, left, and Edward, right
Because I've got smallies, we're in the process of creating our own little rituals at Christmas. We're getting used to Santa coming to the house and remembering to leave out milk and cookies — that sort of thing.
Christmas is the one day where I can get everyone together. The two grannies help us out so much during the year that it's my day to spoil them, so both families come to us and I make special food like lobster mash and stuff. My mother and my mother-in-law, Mrs McLaughlin, are my angels all year long, so it's nice to be able to pay them back.
It's just our little family until 2pm and we all sit around in our matching onesies, enjoying being together, and I'll do a little prepping for the dinner. Because so much of the year is spent juggling things, it's nice to have a day like that. It's all really about hanging out, getting down on the floor, playing with the Lego. It's easy and casual.
As far as presents go, I'm one of those people who stocks up all year round. My husband and myself usually spend Christmas Eve together and buy each other our presents then.
Saying all that, Christmas can be a weird time for people. It can be a sad time. My brother died at Christmas, so it's always a bittersweet time. At the Christmas dinner we always acknowledge the people who are no longer with us. ‘Christmas with Amanda Brunker & The Blue Haven Company’ cook book contains recipes from the award-winning chefs in the Blue Haven Hotel in Kinsale, Co Cork, and culinary tips from Amanda Brunker, see www.bluehavenstore.com Shot at 37 Dawson St, D2, tel: (01) 902-2908, or see www.37dawsonstreet.ie. Restaurant open Monday to Saturday from 5pm