We know, we know, Christmas is a time of joy and love, but it is also a time of FOOD. All the food.

After all, what would an Irish Yuletide celebration be without a massive tub of Roses, a half-eaten selection box and all the USA biscuits you can eat?

Here are just nine of the 'delicacies' we couldn't live without during the festive season…

1. Afternoon Tea and USA biscuits
An absolute festive staple. But is there anything worse than being trolled by your mam when she uses the empty tin to store Christmas decorations in?

 

2. Cadbury Roses
Prepare for some heated discussions about whether the Coffee Escape REALLY belongs in the Roses collection or not.

 

3. A selection box
Just for kids? Stop your nonsense and pass us that Curly Wurly.

 

4. Baileys
Save your G&Ts tonic for January – once Christmas hits it's pretty much obligatory to have a cheeky Baileys or five on every night out. 

 

5. The melon boat
The standard Irish Mammy "fancy" Christmas starter. What's that? A glacé cherry? Notions.

 

6. Sherry trifle
Your Nana is duty bound to make at least one of these throughout the Christmas season. Laced with alcohol, of course.

 

7. The Christmas yule log
Basically a chocolate Swiss Roll with the addition of some icing sugar for snow and some plastic holly leaves.  

 

8. Turkey and ham sandwiches
Forget Christmas dinner, the sandwich you make that evening while watching your new box set is the TRUE taste of Christmas. 

 

9. Fizzy orange
What better thing to wash down that sandwich with than some ice cold Finches or Club Orange? Hello, Christmas.