Christmastime joys and traditions with Longford's Anne-Marie Tomchak

Christmastime is always a busy period for Anne-Marie Tomchak. Having held senior roles in iconic media brands like BBC, Mashable and Vogue for topics such as fashion, news and technology, she reflected on her experiences with the festive season both in Ireland and living in London since 2010. She came to chat about her favourite memories and traditions.

Growing up in Longford town, she spoke fondly of how she lived just off Battery Road called Demesne, and how it felt like a different time. When she was 10-to-11 years-old, before she went to secondary school, Anne-Marie moved to Drumlish, close to where her uncle, Declan Nerney, lives. She attended Melview National School, which she called an idyllic location at the time, and later joined Meán Scoil Mhuire in Longford town. Both schools fostered her love of books, maths and STEM subjects, having had plenty of female teacher role models. 

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As a child, Anne-Marie had plenty of magic throughout the Christmas season, one of the most memorable being back when she lived in Demesne. With her twin sister and brother, she recalled the enjoyment leading up to the big day:

“I was about seven. I couldn’t get to sleep. I was a twin. We were up chatting, but we knew we needed to get to sleep. Santa brought bicycles and we couldn’t figure out how they came down the chimney. They were these mountain bikes in luminous yellow and orange! Those are what stand out,” she said with a smile. 

“There was loads of music over the years in my uncle, Declan Nerney’s, house growing up. I trained in violin. He has a song called ‘Christmas Hooley’. It’s all Christmas when you hear that song. We would’ve been in a household where he’d pick up the guitar and start singing. My cousin, Una, is a singer-songwriter. Whenever the cousins come together, there is lots of music in our household.”

With her favourite Christmas films being National Lampoon Christmas Vacation and Love Actually (the latter resonating with her as her husband worked in 10 Downing Street), Anne-Marie said that they get her into the Christmas spirit:

“Love Actually is a fun film. It’s gone out of favour because it hasn’t aged well, but the songs and the elements that are really fun. My husband used to work in 10 Downing Street. I went there with my twin sister for a little tour. Of course, when we were walking down the staircase, we were shimmering to the music from Love Actually. There are real life reasons why I love that film. I’ve a personal connection to that building.”

For Anne-Marie, Christmas decorations should go up after Halloween, and she has found that Christmas advertisements are getting earlier every year. However, making exceptions for late November is applicable in her household. With a husband from America, Thanksgiving is also a special occasion for her family, as it has all the elements of Christmas without the pressure of buying presents. 

She points out the beauty of Thanksgiving for this very reason. It thrives off the idea that gratitude is powerful, and how that brings a sense of wellbeing. Therefore, there are exceptions to Christmas decorations going up to mark this special occasion. 

“Late November, early December,” she emphasised. “Definitely not up nearer to Christmas so I can enjoy it as long as I can.” 

When asked about her favourite tree aesthetic, Anne-Marie reflected on the differences between a real or a fake tree. Being into sustainability and circular living, she pondered on the pros and cons of both, mulling over which one benefitted the environment more. From the reusability of the fake for every year to the renting of the living tree so nothing is discarded, she weighed up her personal preference. 

“It’d be interesting to break down which one is better. There is something about the real tree; the smell of the pine needles–it’s worth vacuuming the pine needles months afterwards! I love the candles to make the house smell festive. Thanksgiving and Christmas are big in my household.”

Yet, it is not the decorations that begin Christmas for Anne-Marie. Going to Dublin to hear her sister in the Park Singers, an award-winning choir with a documentary, begins her December spirit. With it, there is also a little family tradition to build up the mood.  

“We have a Secret Santa in our family. The Park Singers are one of the oldest choirs in Ireland. It’s been at amazing venues like Christ Church Cathedral. You go to the concert and that’s the start of December. We get together for my twin’s concert, early to mid-December. Christmas starts when we go to that concert. We then go to my sister’s home, have champagne and exchange gifts. It sets the tone. It brings you to another place. There’s something about the harmonies, acoustics and arrangements that is so beautiful and festive. That’s a tradition that we do. It’s nice, a little unusual and to support my sister.” 

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In East London, one of the traditions is a sing-song in the local Castle Pub. 

“My mum, dad, sister and nephew came to stay before the pandemic and we took them to a sing-song. It was absolutely brilliant. As you know, Walthamstowl, is the Home of East 17. It feels particularly proper with East 17, singing their Christmas number one.”

From her favourite food being the various potatoes (especially roasts!) whenever there is Christmas dinner, to the joys of her children participating in the Kris Kringle, and visiting her sister-in-law to get the nephews and nieces together, Anne-Marie’s Christmas traditions have always been about family no matter whether she is in Ireland or England. 

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As for any changes or new traditions, Anne-Marie immediately thought about an iconic family recipe which has been made previously but not for Christmas: 

“We have lots of different desserts. My mother-in-law makes a beautiful cheesecake and I try to make it for birthday occasions. We never do it for Christmas so maybe we’ll start doing that.”