Lucy Kennedy has said Christmas in her Dublin house is always manic with her three children, just like most households in Ireland.
The TV and radio presenter and author got a break from cooking this year though as she and her husband Richie and their trio, Jack, Holly and Jess, celebrated Christmas Day at her sister's house nearby.
Read more: Lucy Kennedy explains why she never returned to The Six O’Clock Show after welcoming daughter Jess
Read more: Lucy Kennedy on what makes her marriage to Richie work, how they met and life at home in Dublin
Lucy told RSVP Live: "Christmas is manic in our house because we have children.
"There is always a fight coming down the stairs over who can open their stocking first and who will help Riley open hers. It is exactly like every other household in Ireland.
"I pray that they stay in bed until 7am. As I try to make a cup of tea, everyone is chattering while they open their stocking."
She said: "Then there is the chill out stage where everyone plays with what they have before we have a nice brekkie, usually a fry up."
Lucy and her family had the best of both worlds this year, enjoying Christmas near their Dublin home without the hassle of cooking and cleaning.
She said: "Last year we celebrated Christmas at our house, but this year it’s in my sister Anna’s house with her family.
"They only live up the road, so we can walk up to them and walk home again.
"It is a lot more work when you are hosting, so it is nice to swap it every second year. We like to take it in turns."
Lucy has some touching festive traditions she has carried since her childhood.
She said: "Santa still fills my stocking from when I was a little girl. My mum was a dress designer, she is retired.
"When we were little she made us these huge big red stockings. She did the same for all of her grandchildren. I love seeing them using the same stockings that I used when I was growing up.
"We all have our names on them and we lay them out on the couch. I have always tried to keep that tradition going.
The Virgin Media star added: "I always make smoked salmon and brown bread, that’s another tradition I love.
"And then we phone my sister, who lives in America."
English (US) ·