The big suitcase is nearly packed with everything you need to bring home for Christmas, the hopes are high for getting new socks and some going out outfits and you’re definitely wrecked from college at this stage.

Yes, it’s nearly time to go home to the family for Christmas.

They say it’s the most wonderful time of the year. But that’s until the board games come out on Christmas Eve and there’s still that unbearable tension come dinner time on Christmas Day.

Going home for a long period of time after spending so long away from your family and friends can be different. Even though you’ve only been away for a few months, a lot could have changed. You might have become distant with friends, you might be more stressed or you could even have outgrown your hometown.

Enjoy yourself

Some of us may have exams in January, but it’s important to take a break and enjoy the Christmas holidays. Take Christmas Eve until St. Stephen’s Day off and catch up with all your friends and relatives that you haven’t seen in months.

It’s great to catch up and find out about what everyone else has been up to in that period. Perhaps go to mass (!), or for a pint with your family on Christmas Eve, because it’s probably been a while since the whole family was together.

And if '12 pubs' is a thing in your area, make sure to do it. (I encourage many pints of water to actually remember who you were talking to.) Even though it might be overcrowded and you may get asked many questions about college, it’s important not to be grouchy because it’s now rare enough that you see these people.

Study for exams

You don’t want to leave all the pressure of studying until January, so make a study timetable and abide by it. Even if it’s only 3 to 5 hours a day, it does make a big difference.

If you write out notes during your time at home, all you have to do is go mad with the highlighter in the library come January.

And if you’re a neat freak like me, ask Santy for some new stationery to get you in the study mood – nothing beats fancy post-its and a few gel pens to get you motivated.

Remember to help mammy out

It’s important to help your Mam at Christmas time, because – realistically – Dad doesn’t have a notion of what’s going on. His name is signed on the presents but he definitely doesn’t have a clue what he contributed towards.

So ask if any presents need to be wrapped, or if there is any help needed with the Christmas dinner. It could be a fun bonding experience with family members rather than a chore. And if you help out, things will get done a lot quicker, so there’s more time to spend playing the new Nintendo Switch or chasing Nannie around the house with a Nerf gun (not really).

Put them One4all vouchers to good use

Anybody else get One4all vouchers for Christmas and instantly spend them in the St Stephen’s Day sale?

Well, now there’s no pressure to spend them so quickly because my fabulous Cavan/Monaghan TD has successfully worked towards expanding the expiry date to five years from the issue of the gift card.

You could be wise and use it for your next big college grocery shop or maybe keep it for a rainy day when the SUSI grant is running low and you’re in desperate need of a new pair of shoes.

Definitely steal a box of chocolates to bring back

Heroes, Celebrations, Roses or if you come from a fancy family, a box of Ferrero Rocher – the list goes on.

I’m sure Mammy won’t miss one of the hundred boxes of chocolates that will enter the house this Christmas. Or another way of helping get rid of them is just rewrapping them and giving them to anyone who calls to the house. (Celebrations for the cousins you aren’t fond of, for example.)

New Year's resolutions

How do you enter a new decade a better person? There are simple ways to improve your lifestyle such as exercising more, eating healthily, attempting to stop cursing, giving more compliments and being nice, and – if you think you can do it – Dry January. You’ll save loads of money by giving up the drink for a month, and a toxic cleanse might be a good shout after the madness of Christmas.

What's On This Month:

Dublin Wild Lights

Not only are the Wild Lights back again this year, but it’s also half-price entry into the zoo to see the animals until the end of the year. Student tickets are only €16. No matter what age you are, you should definitely check this out!

Christmas Markets

Get your mulled wine and decorations at the stalls this season! A perfect place for quirky/ last-minute stocking fillers.

There are markets at Dublin Castle, St Stephen’s Green, Clontarf Castle Hotel, Farmleigh House and there’s a sustainable Christmas Market in Ballybough. More details can be found here.

Ice Skating

For anyone who wants a bruised bum for Christmas, there’s ice skating in many corners of Dublin in places like Dundrum, Blanchardstown and Swords. The booking fees are from €15, but it’s great craic and it’ll get you in the Christmas spirit.

Christmas Films

Frozen 2 and Last Christmas starring Emilia Clarke are now in cinemas, but if it’s too chilly for you to go out into that Baltic weather, Netflix has a series of Christmas releases like Holiday Rush, The Knight Before Christmas, Let it Snow, Elliot The Littlest Reindeer and many more.

They mightn’t be the best films, but they’re definitely cheesy enough to play in the background while you go on social media on your phone.

Winter Funderland

Funderland is at the RDS from 26 December until 12 January. It’s an annual amusement park with loads of rides which are fun for all the family (or a date, if you’re lucky enough).