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WIN: We'll send the ultimate Irish Christmas care package to your mate abroad

We’re making this December very special for five people who won’t make it home.

Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland Laura Hutton / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

CHRISTMAS IS ALL about spending time with your closest friends and family. But we all know people living abroad who can’t make it home to Ireland this December.

So we want to create a very special occasion for someone you love who’s spending it elsewhere – whether they’re in Australia or Argentina, Dubai or Dubrovnik.

I genuinely miss the Irish banter around Christmas. Even with people in shops or on the bus. There is just such a lovely vibe. And having my friends close by. And the obvious: McCambridge’s, Kerrygold, real milk, normal crisps, chicken fillet rolls
- SarahJane, 26, living in Australia

We have five care packages worth €100 each – stuffed with all the essentials for an Irish Christmas – to give away. And we’ll send them anywhere in the world, with a personalised message from you.

How to enter? Simply email christmascomp@thejournal.ie to nominate a friend, relative or any loved one and tell us why you think they deserve a Christmas care package!

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We’ll choose five of the most deserving entries and give them an Irish Christmas to remember.

I miss the food and films. I’m a big fan of mince pies (which aren’t so available here) and reruns of films like Home Alone, It’s a Wonderful Life and Muppets Christmas Carol. The classics
- Megan, 27, living in Sweden

So get emailing! The closing date for entries is November 22.

Plus let us know the essentials that make a true Irish Christmas in the comments below – and who knows, we might even add them to the care package!

The small print: The closing date is Tuesday, November 22 2016. Each prize consists of a Christmas hamper worth €100, sent anywhere in the world at the discretion of An Post. The winners will be selected by the editorial team. We won’t use your email address to contact you unless you win. Winners who do not respond to communication within 24 hours may forfeit the prize. Full terms and conditions here.

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17 Comments
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    Mute Tom Kennedy
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    Nov 15th 2016, 7:44 AM

    The five essential ingredients for Christmas: 1. family 2. Pyjama day, 3. Open fire, 4. Christmas movies, 5. Family walk.

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    Mute Brianog2
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    Nov 15th 2016, 8:57 AM

    Making Christmas happy for others and then going home to make it extra special for your own family

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    Mute Finn Burke
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    Nov 15th 2016, 12:18 PM

    Family, friends, food, films, fun and chocolate!!

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    Mute Denise Geoghegan
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    Nov 15th 2016, 11:46 AM

    Christmas Essentials are Baileys for the coffee, king crisps, 7up, Miracle on 34th street DVD, and comfy pj’s for after dinner !

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    Mute Jane Malone
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    Nov 15th 2016, 9:45 PM

    Fry up, family, turkey lunch, selection box and Christmas movie

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    Mute Chris Ó Cinnseallaigh
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    Nov 15th 2016, 10:54 PM

    It’s all about the mince pies. I once wasted 5 out of 6 mince pies that I decided to share with my colleagues over here. They kinda nibbled at them and only half finished them. As a result I’m now super picky about sharing mince pies! Apart from that Christmas is about family, squeezing your way down Grafton Street on Christmas Eve, having your Penneys bag fall apart in the rain while you wait for your bus home, having a nice cup of tea with your family, turkey and ham, gravy and Quality Street (Not all at the same time). I’m in France this year, I’ve lived here for a few years but this’ll be my first Christmas abroad! Sucks to be me!

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    Mute Jackie Linnane
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    Nov 15th 2016, 9:44 PM

    Taytos, mince pies, Baileys – enjoyed in front of a roaring fire watching a Christmas movie :-)

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    Mute Arien
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    Nov 15th 2016, 7:12 PM

    I hear “care package” and I think two things a) god bless America and b) band aids, savlon, optrex & alcohol wipes. Happy Christmas!

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    Mute Keith Fay
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    Nov 15th 2016, 7:12 PM

    Essential things for Christmas. No. 1 – Alcohol. Thank you.

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    Mute MK
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    Nov 16th 2016, 12:59 AM

    I’ve entered to nominate my brother who lives in Melbourne – his nickname is Santie so a Christmas prize would be perfect for him

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    Mute Kwal
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    Nov 16th 2016, 9:57 AM

    For me, Christmas essentials that you can’t get abroad are proper Irish sausages, stuffing, bread sauce, Quality Street and Christmas crackers! I can’t make it home this year unfortunately and those are the things I will miss (second to family of course)!

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    Mute Margaret Mcgarry
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    Nov 16th 2016, 7:02 PM

    So once there’s sprouts, ham, candles, wine and did I say wine that’s it .

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    Mute Declan Flynn
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    Nov 22nd 2016, 4:52 PM

    Have to have a bag of Tayto, a glass of club orange and a cadbury selection box at hand for the present opening on Christmas morning. I’ve done that since I was a little kid and I plan to keep on doing it forever.

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    Mute Carmel English
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    Nov 16th 2016, 4:13 PM

    The open fire blazing as the wind howls outside, the fabulous smells of dinner cooking, the christmas music blaring, Mum and Dad dancing around the floor to us children laughing, playing board games with Mum and Dad.

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    Mute Mary B Gallagher
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    Nov 16th 2016, 4:57 AM

    Most important 5 things are family, Irish bacon, sausage, Kerry gold butter & Barry tea!!

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    Mute Anita Galligan
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    Nov 16th 2016, 5:39 AM

    I’m trying to enter your Christmas comp but it’s telling me that your email address is invalid

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    Mute Jim Brady
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    Nov 16th 2016, 7:12 AM

    My email address is invalid?

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