Not everybody will be tucking into a traditional turkey and ham dinner or swapping gifts by the Christmas tree this year.
On The Pat Kenny Show today, Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden found a range of alternative ways to enjoy the holidays.
Environmentalist and podcaster Ceara Carney said she has had enough of giving billionaires her “hard-earned euros”.
She plans on going a different route this year in sourcing gifts for loved ones.
“Christmas is still a nice opportunity to let the people who I care about know that I care about them,” said Ms Carney.
“I’m doing it in a way that’s kind to the planet, so everything I buy is second hand or I might try make things.
“These kinds of things really help me change this capitalist Christmas to mean something more to me, and to reflect my own values, while still having a good time.”
Hanukah
Yoga teacher Aviya Mendelson will be celebrating Hanukah in Dublin over the holidays.
“Christmas for us is Hanukah and we celebrate it by lighting candles,” she said.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I loved this holiday because we’re lighting the menorah (a nine-branched candle) and we’re singing and dancing around it.
“We eat donuts - fried potatoes that are a little bit different - and a lot of oily food during Hanukah.”
Ms Mendelson added that it’s very important for her daughter to understand both Jewish and Christian traditions around Christmas.
Travelling abroad
Click&Go Travel CEO Paul Hackett said many Irish people decide to travel abroad as a way to deal with personal troubles over Christmas.
“Ireland is great at Christmas time but if you’re not feeling great or if it’s the case of bad memories, travelling is an option,” he said.
“Some people are travelling away from home following a bereavement or it could be a divorce. That empty seat at a table becomes very pronounced at Christmas time.
“People are making very conscious and well-informed decisions to not be at home for that period and to go somewhere different where memories and pain may not be as pronounced.”
Mr Hackett said most people tend to jet off to locations where the sun is still shining this time of the year, including Florida, Dubai and the Canary Islands.
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