Sleds and shovels will be employed across parts of the country this week, with Met Éireann predicting snowfalls of up to a foot deep in places.
While today will be cold and mainly dry, by tomorrow areas of Munster and possibly south Leinster are expected to be hit by snow showers due to a band of high pressure that has settled over the country.
And the good news for children in affected areas is that the snow is set to lie, so sledding, sliding and snowball-throwing may continue for a couple of days.
Mr Gerry Fleming of Met Éireann said snowfalls had become more usual at this time of year, with milder weather now a feature around Christmas time.
"It has been the trend over the last few years that the weather up to and over Christmas has been quite mild," he said. "Then it gets colder in the new year, with the worst winter weather and snowfalls occurring as late as March in recent years."
The snow - enough in certain places to make a large snowman, according to Mr Fleming - is expected to remain on the ground for a time before turning to slush as the area of high pressure strengthens and comes back over the country again.
No further snowfalls are forecast for the latter half of the week, which is expected to be cold and dry.
Most parts of the country will be chilly today but should also remain dry.
By tomorrow, when the snow comes, temperatures will be higher than in recent days, ranging from around -1 degree to -4 degrees, but it is likely to feel colder as an east wind whips through the country. The wind is also likely to create snow drifts. Due to overnight frosts and the threat of black ice, motorists are warned to be sensitive to the hazardous driving conditions.
Mr Conor Faughnan of AA Roadwatch said drivers should remember two things during the snowy weather.
"The first is to slow down as car braking distances extend in these conditions, and the second is to leave as much distance as possible between yourself and the car in front," he said.
Black ice can be detected by a reduction in road noise, he added.