Fabulous festive season at the salon – Hair To Go with Margaret Doherty
The festive season has well and truly started at the salon, and honestly, I don’t know whether to laugh, cry, or permanently attach a Santa hat to my head at this point.
One day you’re minding your own business, making a cup of tea, and the next you’re knee-deep in Christmas appointments, elbowing your way past Christmas decorations at reception, and wondering who put Mariah Carey on repeat at 9am.
December in a salon… It’s a different world.
Christmas parties are now in full, chaotic swing, and I’m only just recovering from our staff night out. If you’ve never been out with a team of hairdressers at this time of year, it should honestly come with terms and conditions.
We start like the three wise women, dolled up and full of good intentions. Two hours later, Lashes is hanging on for dear life, someone is declaring undying love to the whole group, and I'm waking up the next morning confused about why my eyelash is in my coat pocket. But sure, that’s the spirit of Christmas for you.
The build-up is the best bit. The salon has this buzz that only happens in December. Clients come in with tins of sweets, boxes of chocolates, biscuits, and the odd festive candle that gets opened and passed round like it’s holy water.
Every conversation is about nights out, outfits, office dos, secret Santas, or the annual panic of ‘I hope I don’t end up on the dance floor too early.’
There’s also the classic who swear they’re ‘staying sensible this year,’ which usually means they’ll be spotted at half two in the morning with tinsel in their hair and mascara down their face.
And then… the weans. Good luck to every parent in Derry right now. They’re already hyper and it’s only the start of December.
Mine are bouncing off every wall in the house, asking every ten minutes when the elves are coming back. And every ten minutes I tell them the same thing: “The elves aren’t ready yet, they’re still in training.”
Training for what? I haven’t a clue. But I’m putting off the chaos for as long as possible because once those wee menaces arrive, the whole house turns into a crime scene.
Last year’s flour explosion still gives me flashbacks. There I was the next morning cleaning up the mess that I made with the flour ( blaming the elves) asking myself deep life questions.
But for all the madness, there’s something magical about this season in the salon. The laughs are louder. The clients are giddier. The team is buzzing. There’s a sense of togetherness you don’t get any other time of year.
December reminds you how lucky you are to work with people who graft hard, support each other, and bring joy to every client who walks in. It’s hilarious, emotional, and brilliant all at once.
So here’s to another December filled with glitter, last-minute blowdries, questionable party shoes, elves we regret buying, and pure festive chaos.
The Christmas Season has officially begun, and truth be told, I wouldn’t change a single thing.