Nothing says Christmas like the soft thud of bottoms hitting the synthetic surface of a skating rink.
Seasonal elevator music and Scrooge-like sprinklings of real snow over fake ice only complete the yuletide picture. At least that is what the organisers of Ice@Irish Financial Services Centre in Dublin would have us believe.
Still, falling down was part of the attraction for children yesterday despite recent criticism aired on the Marian Finucane radio show that the place had not lived up to expectations since it opened last Friday.
On holidays from Glasgow, William Colquhoun (11) found it hard to stay up for even a few seconds. "I am really sore, especially my knees," said William. "But it is absolutely brilliant. Great fun."
It was impossible to find anyone with a bad thing to say about the place yesterday. Some adults, however, have been less than complimentary about the skating rink, billed by young entrepreneur Hugh O'Morain as a winter wonderland with a laser show, Christmas trees, Santa Clause and a slew of themed restaurants and bars.
The real thing is a marquee festooned with banners of the sponsor over a rectangular ice rink, a sad-looking coffee hut and restaurants with glum lunchers staring out through unfestive windows.
Mr O'Morain (22) admitted to having experienced teething problems and said that all nearby outlets - which have nothing to do with the rink - will be decorated by close of business today. But one restaurateur said they might get round to putting up their Christmas decorations "some time next week".
The laser show is underwhelming. Santa's grotto is in a toy shop beside the rink. A trained skater said the synthetic surface made it impossible to do his twirly tricks and wished good luck to the rest of us amateurs.
Mr O'Morain is adamant that what sets his facility apart from, say, the real ice rink at Smithfield due to open next week, is the multi-layered Christmas experience included in the entrance fee.
However, the delights that are free to ice skaters are also free to anyone who happens to mosey down to the concrete ghost-town that is the IFSC at night.
The restaurants and cafes are there. The bars are there. The less than spectacular laser show is there. The tallest Christmas tree in Ireland behind the rink, looking a little measly in the lights and decorations department, can be marvelled at by anyone whether they pay for "ice" skating or not.
But the punters are rolling up - , 6,000 so far according to Mr O'Morain. They are paying the €9.50 for adults and €7.50 for children.
Two students from DCU described the facilities as "excellent", sliding around the rink like professionals even as children dropped like melting icicles all around them.
One visitor though, an experienced skater since the age of four, said it was "impossible" to skate on the surface. "I complained to them, they told me I didn't have the right technique," she said. Even still, there's no sign that those seeking festive fun plan to give the cold shoulder to ice@IFSC.