Emer & Sarah’s Survival Guide to Christmas
Emer Mclysaght and Sarah Breen completed their fifth and final book in the phenomenal bestselling Aisling series in 2023. Here, the authors tell Janice Butler how they plan to survive the hectic Christmas season
When thinking about who would be best to give their top survival tips for Christmas with a bit of humour, we thought no one would do it better than the women who have won the hearts of the nation with their creation of the Aisling character and novels.
e series came to an end this year, with their nal o ering, Aisling Ever A er, ending on a high. e pair, who have been friends for 20 years, have o en been praised for tackling big social issues in their books, having experienced a lot themselves. Here, Emer and Sarah take some time out of their busy lives to share their insights into navigating what can be a busy, emotional but fun time of the year.
Does the Christmas season ll you with joy or dread or both?
Emer: A mixture of both, to be honest. ere’s a lot of pressure and expectations and even sadness, but at the same time I’ve always loved that very particular feeling that comes with the smells and sounds of Christmas. I think the best thing to do is to look a er your own needs and expectations as well as other people’s. e joy should de nitely outweigh the dread. You’ll give yourself an ulcer otherwise!
What do you do when you get the hardest person to buy for in the secret Santa?
Sarah: I actually have personal experience with this conundrum. Some men are hard to buy for but this person is particularly impossible. When you can’t think of anything they might want, because they want for nothing, I usually go for something they need. A practical present means di erent things to di erent people, but nobody has ever received a nice pair of socks and hasn’t been glad to nd them in the drawer come January. Secret Santa, if you’re reading this, I like cashmere!
How to cope if you’ve made a show of yourself at the work Christmas party?
Emer: Ah look, nothing is ever as bad as it seems. If you feel like you’ve done the dog on it, just laugh it o with your colleagues as soon as possible and don’t get sucked into the shame spiral. It serves absolutely nobody. If all else fails, heat some sh in the o ce microwave and frame somebody else. De ect, de ect, de ect.
Family time can be intense at Christmas – how do you manage the madness?
Sarah: I’m not afraid to say no occasionally. I’m an only child and grew up spending a lot of time alone. I adore solitude and my social battery gets easily drained over Christmas with all the rushing around and parties and family obligations. Last year, I made a very spontaneous decision to skip the Stephen’s Day festivities and stayed at home on my own instead. I watched Motherland in front of the
re with a hot port. It felt like a holiday.
Christmas can be an emotional time – how to keep the emotions in check or is it better just to have a good cry and watch e
Holiday?
Emer: Always have the cry, but don’t keep it in until Christmas Day and have it spill out over the turkey and ham. I think it’s worth staying in touch with how you’re feeling in the weeks leading up to Christmas and letting yourself feel sad or angry or frustrated. I always have a good cry when I watch e Family Stone. Make sure you take some time for yourself on the big day too.
Flipping the Monopoly board – have you done it, and do you think board games should be banned at Christmas?
Sarah: I’ve never ipped the board myself but I’ve gleefully watched it happen. I think a bit of competition is healthy when you’re playing board games. I’ll even tolerate cheating if it’s done right. I never win though, because I’m useless at strategy. Monopoly is a classic but Avocado Smash is a new one we’re currently enjoying. It involves a lot of shouting and is perfect for the whole family.
at week between Christmas and New Year – how do you spend that time?
Emer: I once heard those days between Christmas and New Year described as “the longest Sunday”, which is pretty apt. I’ve also heard it described as the “gusset of Christmas”, which is quite the image. I’m actually going to New York for Christmas this year so won’t be short of things to do, but games nights with friends, cinema trips and entire days in your PJS are always winners. Shout out to everyone who has to work on those days too. at’s always a stinger.
Advice for the single gal who is asked by family all Christmas if she’s still single?
Sarah: Tell them you’re having the time of your life dating, thanks very much. If Auntie Sheila wants more information, don’t be afraid to go into detail about all the fancy restaurants you’ve been to recently. en ask her when was the last time Uncle Seamus took her out for dinner.
What advice would you give your younger self about surviving Christmas?
Emer: I used to have to work a lot over Christmas and it would really get me down, so I’d tell my younger self that it won’t always be like that. Oh, and I’d tell nine-year-old me not to get attached to a very expensive go-kart on e Late Late Toy Show. It’s highly unlikely that Santa will bring it.
What would Aisling’s top Christmas survival tip be?
Sarah: It’s never too early for a little drop of Bailey’s.
Aisling Ever After by Emer Mclysaght and Sarah Breen (Gill Books) is in bookshops now