Irish Independent All Wrapped Up Gift Guide 2022

3 Tech it out! Some of the best tech gifts to add to your Santa letter 4 Make him feel special this Christmas The top gifts for guys 6 Find the perfect present for her Whether it’s for mam, a friend, sister, grandmother or yourself, Clodagh Dooley shares some stunning gift ideas 8 Dear Santa… What the little ones are dreaming about this Christmas 10 Give the gift of beauty Beauty writer Clodagh Dooley recommends some top gifts that are perfect for the beauty obsessives in your life 12 Secret Santa Gift ideas for the person who has everything & Stocking fillers under €25 14 Fit-mas time! Top fitness gift ideas that will impress your most active friends or family members 15 Have yourself a sustainable Christmas Eco-friendly, Irish-made presents for conscious giving this year 16 The Christmas spirit! Gifts for those who enjoy a tasty tipple! 17 Story night Book editor Shauna McCrudden chooses the best titles that will thrill the book lovers in your life this Christmas 18 Give back this Christmas Give a Christmas gift that makes a real difference

✱Memories made sweet!

Those with a sweet tooth will adore Sugar Plum Sweetery based in Mullingar. The company, set up by husband-and-wife team Denise Buckley and David Quirke, has a range of beautifully packaged (and delicious) chocolate and sweet gifts. All of their chocolate is made by their talented Chocolatiers in their Chocolate Factory (like a real-life Willy Wonka!). You can buy a variety of individual gifts, but for Christmas, there are also hampers. And all can be ordered online and delivered nationwide.

We love this Curated Collection hamper, which includes a greeting card with the saying ‘May your day be filled with magic’, their bestselling Pick & Mix Bag, Roasted Hazelnut Slab, Salted Caramel Bar, Sprinkles & Vanilla Cake Bar, Large Bon Bon Sweet Tub and more.

Sugar Plum Sweetery Curated Collection Hamper, €75, available in-store and at sugarplumsweetery.ie

✱Cosy Christmas

Making beautiful throws since 1953, McNutt of Donegal also has the best gift packaging of any item you will see! This Desert Sunset Throw combines rich shades of pink and orange, and feels so soft and comfy. Just what’s needed for curling up on the couch this winter.

Handmade in Donegal using 90pc Merino Lambswool and 10pc Cashmere, it’s the perfect gift to keep your loved one warm.

Desert Sunset Throw, €160 (including free delivery nationwide), available at mcnuttofdonegal.com

Handcrafted with love

✱

Editor: Clodagh Dooley

Deputy Editor: Shauna McCrudden

Advertising: Terri Byrne, tbyrne@mediahuis.ie

Design: Susan McClean, Mediahuis Ireland Design Studio

Repro: Mediahuis Ireland, Independent House, 27-32, Talbot Street, Dublin 1.

The content of this magazine is sponsored

CarveOn makes gorgeous handcrafted leather pieces, which are beautifully packaged. They also offer a unique engraving option where you can personalise the gift, so it is oneof-a-kind at no extra cost! They have really useful leather items like luggage travel tags (€35), scorecard holders (€62), wallets from €32, and many more gift sets. Our favourite was their

A5 leather-bound notebook and pen (€95) which will really make an impact on the person receiving it when it is personalised just for them. It’s an impressive piece. These items also seem to get better with age due to the high quality of the Italian leather used. There are many colour options and styles too.

A5 Leather Bound Notebook and Pen, €95, available at carveon.com

Good hair day!

Who needs to visit the hairdresser when you have the LanaiBLO! Get your own salon blow-dry finish at home with the LanaiBLO, founded by Irish entrepreneur Katie-Jane Goldin. The hairdryer brings high performance with its 2,400-watt motor, innovative technology, variable speed and temperature heat settings that cater to all hair types. It provides a fast-drying experience. And with the festive season in mind, the company has added new additions in the form of the new limited edition Midnight Purple and Emerald Green, bringing LanaiBLO’s offering to 12 gorgeous

LanaiBLO Midnight Purple and Emerald Green dryers start at €104.99, with the rest of the range starting from €99.99, available at lanaiblo.com

take on the Newsboy cap. You can get it in tweed for the colder months or Irish linen if you like something lighter. They really do have a great creative selection of styles and and colours, and the hat comes in lovely packaging. They also have unisex designs and sizes. If you are looking for something of high quality that is long-lasting, then Hanna Hats have a great selection of gift ideas.

JP Cap, €80, available at hannahats.com

✱Hats off!

Hanna Hats have been producing hats in Donegal since 1924. With each purchase, you are getting a piece of Irish heritage and the quality is obvious due to the handcrafting process. We liked the JP cap, which is their

✱Glowing skin

Irish make-up brand, Sculpted by Aimee, has a range of great gift options this festive season, which are ideal for gifting to friends or siblings. You can’t go wrong with the ‘Hydrate and Glow’ set, which includes three skin essentials for every skin type: Fresh Faced (100ml), a gentle makeup remover, their bestselling HydraGlo Hydrating Serum (30ml), and Beauty Base Rose Golden Mini SPF30. All exclusive sets are available online and in Sculpted’s flagship store on Grafton Street. Hydrate and Glow set, €38, available at sculptedbyaimee.com, in Sculpted on Grafton Street and also at Boots, Dunnes Stores and pharmacies nationwide

With new devices appearing almost daily, it can be hard for Santa to know exactly what to deliver. To make it easier for him, we have listed some of the best tech gifts, so you can write your letters as soon as possible

✱Phone home

The OPPO Find X5 Pro is a true flagship phone. It is packed with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage and has an incredible screen quality, with over one billion colours on-screen.

It’s probably the most performance-stacked phone on the market. And visually, it’s stunning too! The phone offers a Hasselblad-powered camera experience, with 4k video and outstanding picture quality, even in dark settings. The ceramic body means the phone feels super premium and special. It would make the perfect gift for someone looking for a major upgrade this Christmas.

OPPO Find X5 Pro, €1,299, available at phone shops nationwide including Currys

Tech it out!

for turn-by-turn directions on your wrist. You can even accept calls and talk into the watch!

It’s sleek, yet packs so much tech into it. Their Pixel 7 is probably the phone that gives the most bang for your buck on the market. The camera is exceptional and so is the speed of Google’s very own Tensor G2 processor which makes switching between tasks lightning quick. And crucially, it looks beautiful too, so it’s perfect to give as a gift.

All products are available at Currys and the Google Store, store.google.com

✱Sweet tooth

✱Music to your ears

✱

Let there be light!

Northern Irish company See.Sense have just released their ICON 3 lights. Their rear light has 350 lumens of brightness and can last for up to 15 hours on one USB-C charge. Combine that brightness with the 270 degrees of visibility and you can guarantee yourself the best chance of being seen on the roads. They also do lots of other bike light options that are packed with technology and make a great gift for anyone cycling on any road.

See.Sense ICON 3 Rear Light, £100/approx 116, available at See.Sense.cc

✱Blockbuster entertainment

The Sony BRAVIA A95K Series Smart TV is the ultimate premium gift to impress. The revolutionary Cognitive Processor XR™ reproduces content the way humans see and hear for an incredibly lifelike experience. It understands how the human eye focuses, cross-analysing images to give real-life depth, extraordinary contrast, and beautifully vivid colours. It has the best quality picture to watch the best movies this Christmas!

BRAVIA A95K Series, from €2,999, available at sony.ie and tech stores nationwide

✱All-in-one

Google has really focused on product development in the past few years and the results are there for all to see. Their brand-new Google Pixel Watch (from €379) and Google Pixel 7 phone (from €649) are raising the bar even further in their respective markets.

The Pixel Watch is cuttingedge when it comes to wearables. It integrates perfectly with Fitbit and all your Google apps like Maps

If you want to satisfy that sweet tooth this Christmas, then the Quest 2-1 Popcorn and Crepe Maker is ideal. This pan comes with the accessories you need to make professional yummy pancakes, popcorn and even omelettes if you like. Complete with a popcorn lid that doubles as a bowl, two measuring cups and a wooden pancake spreader for thin French-style crepes.

The electric pan is amazing and can also be used to cook eggs, omelettes, flatbreads, and many other foods! Have a yummy Christmas!

Quest 2-1 Popcorn and Crepe maker, €30, available at gadgetman.ie

Get the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 earbuds for the audiophile in your life. They will be able to hear the difference as they get the best audio experience on the market. Adaptive noise cancellation blocks out disturbances when they are focusing or listening to their favourite tracks. The three microphones are excellent for voice calls too. With the smart charging case, you get up to 28 hours of listening time in one charge and they are really comfortable for long calls or listening sessions.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3, €249.90, available at Sennheiser.ie

✱Runaround town

Fitbit products make brilliant gifts for people who are looking to kick-start their fitness journey. On all their devices, you get the step and sleep tracking that has helped so many people, but on their high-end new smartwatches, they go to the next level. The new Sense 2 (€300) is absolutely packed with technology including ECG, stress tracker and much more.

Their Versa 4 (€230) looks just as aesthetically pleasing and is packed with features such as wellness reports and great battery life with almost one week of use without charging. If you want a slightly smaller device, then look at the Inspire 3 tracker (€99) which is a very affordable choice that gives you everything you need to get started.

Fitbit is raising the bar and if you have one of their older devices, now is the time to

Available in stores nationwide and online at fitbit.com

✱Fresh taste

Larq have brought technology to the water market using UV lights to make your water better. For home use, their Pitcher PureVis (from €138) combines the use of UV and a plant-based filter to give the best-tasting water right when you need it. And yes, you can taste the difference! They also have some great gift ideas like their PureVis bottle (from €109) and their Filter bottle (from €48), offering pure drinking water options for people on the go. All products available at livelarq.com

✱

Calling Alexa

Designed with music in mind, the Amazon Echo Studio brings out the best in every song.

Five speakers generate room-filling sound with powerful bass.

Dolby Atmos adds space, clarity, and depth for a virtual surround sound experience. Play your favourite music using just your voice through Amazon Music, Spotify, TuneIn and other popular streaming services. And with Alexa voice assistant built-in, all you need to do is ask – request playlists, add reminders, set alarms, check the weather, traffic, and news, ask for cinema times, sports scores, and much more!

AMAZON Echo Studio Smart Speaker with Alexa, €229, available at Currys

✱Stay in style

STANCE socks and pants offer really good quality gift ideas for the man in your life. Their Standard Boxer Brief and their Icon Crew Sock 3-Pack will have you sorted for the next few months, and both are of much better quality than other brands at the same price. They also have loads of colourful and stylish options, so feel free to get funky!

Standard Boxer Brief, €25, and Icon Crew Sock 3-Pack, €30, available at stance.com

Make him feel special this Christmas

The top gifts for guys

✱

In your pocket

Hunterson Magic Wallets are available in a choice of bright colours and a Pineapple skin vegan version. These slimline wallets neatly organise your notes and even have pull tab versions for speedy access to your cards. Holds up to eight cards: two card slots at the back, two at the front and four inside.

Hunterson Magic Wallets, from €32, available at shop.designist.ie

✱Console yourself

✱Spin me right round

The

HX-TTP200WDA-GB

will bring you that nostalgic sound of old vinyl you’ve been missing so much. Built-in speakers make this turntable a very handy compact choice. It’s complemented by its classic, minimal wooden design that will not disappoint any living space.

So why not bring out the full collection! The three-speed options let you play singles, LPs or old pre-50s pieces, so you’re sorted with all your vinyl.

Sound HX-TTP200WDA-GB Belt Drive Turntable, €99.99, available at Currys

Workout in confidence

✱

New Balance have been making cool and functional sports clothing for over 100 years. They are always on trend and make perfect gifts. Their Heatloft Full Zip is a stylish jacket that can equally be used for sports and heading down the pub. Match it with their New Balance Athletics Quilted Fleece Pant, which are super comfortable and really well fitted, but also have some nice touches of style about them. They are 100pc cotton too, so are really durable.

New Balance Heatloft Full Zip, €100, and Athletics Quilted Fleece Pant, €75, widely available in stores nationwide and at newbalance.ie

✱Fresh breath

You need a nice smile when you show up to all those Christmas parties and what better way to achieve it than with the Oral-B Pro 3 electric toothbrush? It helps you brush like your dentist always recommends, with the two-minute professional timer, and it notifies you every 30 seconds to change the area you are brushing. The toothbrush also helps you protect your delicate gums with the 360° gum pressure control technology that reduces brushing speed and alerts you to be gentler if you brush too hard. Oral-B Pro 3 is the musthave brush!

Oral-B Pro 3 3000 - Electric Toothbrush, from €55, available at Dunnes Stores, Tesco, Boots, and local pharmacies

✱

The best a man can get

The much-hyped razor from Gillette Labs sees the first-ever razor with a built-in exfoliation bar to combine shaving and exfoliation in one effortless stroke. This is the last razor guys need to buy, upgrading their shave to look and feel their best. The Gillette Labs razor makes for the perfect gift this Christmas, ideal for your dad, partner, brother, best friend, or you!

Gillette Labs range, from €27.99, available at Gillette. co.uk as well as in store and online at all major retailers

Just a little dab

✱

Inhale the scent of victory with Invictus, the masculine perfume by Paco Rabanne. The woody, fresh men’s fragrance set offers a wild freshness and subtle heat, creating an aromatic blend of scents perfect for Christmas. Invictus is Latin for invincible, representing power, dynamism, and energy. And that’s exactly how your guy will be left feeling with this powerful scent.

Paco Rabanne Invictus Men (50ml) 3 Piece Set, €77, available at Lloyds Pharmacy and local pharmacies nationwide

✱

Wrapped up this Christmas

Get wrapped up and ready with insulated jackets from Regatta Great Outdoors. Waterrepellent, insulated and on-trend, the Farren will keep you toasty throughout the season. This jacket keeps out the chill with the featherfree insulation and the heavyweight fill creates a stylish padded design.

Perfect for your weekend adventures, including those festive family walks.

Farren, €112, available at Regatta Great Outdoors stores nationwide and at regatta.ie

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II is one of the best multiplayer online shooting games ever made. This year, its offline campaign mode is just as good. The next-gen graphics are so realistic and really show off the modern console’s abilities. It’s brilliantly addictive! Rated PEGI 18.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare II, from €69.99, available at game stores nationwide

For the modern man

✱

Made with the modern man in mind, Walker & Hunt is an Irish company founded by Luke Dully which strives to create an atelier that represents the spirit of sophisticated style with a preppycasual spin. Walker & Hunt is proving very popular with men around Ireland today, and their knitwear is currently a bestseller. We love this 100pc highquality cotton Bottle Green 1/4 zip knitted jumper, with a rib-knit collar and cuffs and and sleek Walker & Hunt embroidered logo. Perfect for day or night wear.

The company also has incredible leather Weekender bags (€149.95), and have now added matching washbags (€49) to the mix, which are available in both black (pictured above) and brown. Both look very classic and modern, and paired with a Walker & Hunt knit jumper, the man in your life will be very stylish, when heading on a weekend away!

Hunter Green Knitted 1/4 Zip, €79.95, and Iveragh Large Wash Bag, €49, available at walkerandhunt.com

Jam Sound

Belt Drive Turntable

✱Light up someone’s world

Looking for a meaningful gift? Little Light has beautiful pieces of jewellery that represent a feeling or moment in your life. Céilí Flood was inspired to launch the company after the tragic loss of her sister Fiona’s husband, Keith. Each piece acts as a beacon of hope for those that need it, letting them know they’re not alone. This delicate 14ct gold-plated, pearl necklace is titled ‘Resilient’ and comes with a thoughtful message for the owner, as like the other necklaces, which include ‘Sparkle’, ‘Go-Getter’ and ‘Grief’.

Little Light necklace, €59, available at littlelight.ie

✱Insulated jackets from Regatta

Great Outdoors

Waterproof, insulated and on-trend, the Romine will protect you from rainfall and keep you fresh with Regatta’s breathable technology. With Thermoguard insulation, the cold won’t get a look in – perfect for festive family adventures. For effortless style, turn up the cuffs to reveal a luxury faux fur trim.

Romine Jacket, sell price €75 (RRP €150), shop the full range of insulated jackets at Regatta Great Outdoors stores nationwide and at Regatta.ie

✱Festive-inspired accessories

An eye-catching addition to any Christmas outfit is this elegant, blue bag with diamanté bow detailing from the Paula Echevarria x Primark collaboration. It adds a pop of colour to any full black or white outfit, and a pair of heels in the same colour completes the look.

Paula Echevarria x Primark Bag with Bow Top Handle, €11, and Embellished Bow Detail Court Heel, €21, available at Penneys nationwide

Find the perfect present for her

✱Goal-setting

This Christmas, Irish wellness company, The Head Plan, has a range of beautiful personal development and wellness products that aim to help people transform their lives. Check out The Head Plan Agenda, an all-in-one organisation and productivity companion. Available in nude, tan and black, the vegan leather Agenda is presented in a gift box and comes with five weeks’ worth of the signature Head Plan Productivity and Wellness Journal pages, 26 tick-box list pages, 26 lined notes pages and weekly schedule spreads. Refill packs are available. Time to be empowered and get organised!

The Head Plan Agenda, €60, available at theheadplan.com

✱Make-up must-haves

SOSU by SJ has grown and grown over the years, and their gift sets prove really popular with make-up aficionados each Christmas.

For your tanning needs, there’s the three-piece Dripping Gold Gift of Gold Luxury set (€34.95). Dripping Gold tan has always been one of my favourite tanning products, and this set contains one Velvet Tanning Mitt, one Tanning Mousse (Dark) and one Wonder Water Watermelon (Medium-Dark) which can be spritzed onto your face. The tan is enriched with Vitamin A and E, Hyaluronic Acid

✱Smart layering

You really can’t go wrong with a dressy coat, not just to help tackle Ireland’s cold winter, but for any social gatherings over Christmas. This light brown, belted Vero Moda coat, which is available on the iClothing website, has a neat fit and will go with pretty much everything. A classic for the season that’s in it.

Edna Long Brown

Belted Coat in Light Brown, €79.99, available at iclothing.com

gift ideas

✱Eyes on the prize!

Take your eyes to the next level with the Bperfect ‘Hypnoteyes’ gift set. I love eyeshadows with brown tones, and this gift set contains an amazing Muted Palette which is made up of wearable nudes and neutrals, complimented by muted colour hues. It also has three brushes, an Inked Black Matte Liquid Liner, Lashout Black Mascara, Perfect Prime Eyeshadow Base and Universal Lashes. Truly everything you need to create the perfect eye make-up look!

BPerfect Hypnoteyes set, €44.95, available at bperfectcosmetics.com and stockists nationwide, including Lloyds Pharmacy

✱Tailored skincare

It can be hard to choose a skincare gift for people as everyone’s preference is personal. Casmara has created a special gift set incorporating its bestselling Rose D-Tox Super Concentrate (RRP €50) paired with a choice of five moisturisers, so you can select the one that best suits the recipient’s skin type.

Rose D-Tox Super Concentrate is an ultraeffective serum, containing an innovative combination of detoxifying and anti-ageing ingredients that purify and energise the cells. It is especially recommended for dull, stressed skin. Then, choose from moisturisers such as Casmara Age Defence for all skin types (including delicate, reactive and blemished skin) and Casmara Sensations Hydro-Nutri revitalising, nourishing and anti-ageing cream.

Casmara gift set, from €38-€58 depending on the chosen moisturiser, available at casmara.ie and edenbeautygroup.com

✱Luxurious silk

and natural extracts of Goji Berry and Chamomile, and will leave you looking like you’ve just stepped off a plane from the Canaries!

Another lovely set is ‘The Ultimate Brow Collection’ (RRP €29.95). I adore a big, fluffy brow and this has you covered for perfect brows. It includes new and exclusive Four-Pan Eyebrow and Eyebrow Palette with Brow Brush and Mini Tweezers, Under Brow Highlighter and Brow Glue. Also

check out the ‘Dual-Ended Luxury Brush Collection’ (€24.95), which features four premium synthetic fibre brushes, including two face brushes and two eye brushes, presented in a rich navy, velvet brush case. Finally, to top off any make-up look, add a bit of lippie! SOSU’s ‘Kisses and Lashes’ (€14.95) set is available in either Peach Lust (a gold shimmer lipgloss) or Ruby Glaze (a pink shimmer lip gloss), and luxury synthetic lashes. Available at sosubysj.com

The Ethical Silk Co. is another Irish company making world-class products. Their pyjamas, robes, sleeping sets and loungewear make for fab gifts for a loved one. Their Mulberry Silk Camisole and Shorts set is printed by hand using blockprinting. The silk feels so soft, you just want to keep it on all day. The company has an ethical and eco-friendly outlook in everything it does, so deserves support. Plus, the products really look and feel great. Their Silk Pillow Cases are a fantastic gift also. It’s nice to give something that will get almost daily use and will stand the test of time too.

Mulberry Silk Camisole and Shorts set, €120, and Silk Pillow Cases, from €55, available at theethicalsilkco.com

Whether it’s for mam, a friend, sister, grandmother or yourself, Clodagh Dooley shares some stunning

Game on!

Console games are popular gifts every year. Here are some of the best games out now:

✱ FIFA 23 – FIFA just keeps on delivering the goods. EA’s Hyper Motion 2 technology makes each game feel and look like the real thing. Parents who grew up playing the original game almost 30 years ago can now play with their kids on Christmas Day and relive their youth! It makes for a great gift this Christmas and beyond.

✱All LE-GOing well

LEGO always has great items for gifts each Christmas. Kai’s Fire Dragon Evo (€30) is a dragon from the Ninjago series which has wings that can grow and expand. It means you can have great battles and fun on Christmas morning with this 200+ piece set.

For the bigger kids (and plenty of adults!) The Rolling Stones 2000-piece set (€150) is an iconic bit of LEGO art. It’s very eyecatching and you can also hang it on your wall afterwards.

Available at LEGO.com and most toy stores

✱Clucking brilliant

There’s nothing that brings a family together during the festive season more than a family game!

This fun and frantic family game for the entire family takes 10 seconds to learn… but we guarantee you’ll be flipping and sticking for hours.

It’s like bottle flipping, but better as you’re flipping chickens and throwing hot dogs into the air. Just turn over a card and flip your character into the air. Nail the landing and you’ll be one step closer to victory. Play with just two players or with a whole group for a big showdown. Guaranteed lots of laughs.

Chicken vs Hotdog: The Ultimate Challenge Party Game, €29.95, available at cogsthebrainshop.ie and specialist toy shops

Dear Santa…

What the little ones are dreaming about this Christmas

✱ PGA 2K23 – By far the best golf game on the market. 2K games have dramatically improved the whole package in the last two years since their last release and the online course options give you such a variety of gameplay with your friends. It really feels and looks like real golf, plus the addition of Tiger Woods makes it even better!

✱Barbie’s back!

Barbie Cutie Reveal Fantasy Series dolls offer the cutest unboxing experience with 10 surprises, including a posable Barbie Reveal doll! When you unbox the package, you’ll find a soft, plush unicorn friend and four surprise bags filled with shimmery clothes, accessories, and a mini pet unicorn. Remove the rainbow unicorn costume to find a beautiful Barbie doll with long hair and twinkle-shine details. It’s a doll that will last for years.

Barbie Cutie Reveal Doll, €39.99, available at smythstoys.com

✱Little Angel

Irish company Little AngelRose specialises in rattan toys and furniture for dolls, and boho nursery décor and now presents an heirloom quality Christmas collection that is a balm to the soul. This collection helps to make children with extra needs feel like they belong, and helps abled children to see beyond disability.

Some special gifts for Christmas include Baba Bear Dolls Highchair (€95.95), The Iris Doll Bed (€89.95), the Wicker Bear Wall Basket (€34.95), the Lila Doll Rattan Changing Table (€134.95), or the Willow Doll Rattan Wardrobe (€129.95). These gifts are timeless and can be handed down from generation to generation. All available from littleangelrose.com

✱Irish style Carrolls

Irish Gifts has lots of beautiful traditional Aran products for adults and children alike. If you’re looking for a nice way to show off your baby’s Irish connection, the Baby Shepley

Woollen Booties (€20) are just the thing! Made from 100pc quality wool, these booties are comfortable and super cute! Or how about the sweet Baby Shepley Button Down Cardigan (€55)? Made right here in Ireland by Aran Woollen Mills, the cardigan and booties are soft, durable, and comfortable. Designed with traditional Aran knitting patterns, they really are quintessentially Irish. You can be sure these are high-quality and will last for years!

Available at carrollsirishgifts.com

✱Sing-along

A new Irish product for 2022, Mo Chuid Amhráin Nollag (My Christmas Songs) is available for kids and adults to have a sing-along with. The Christmas Edition of this beautiful board book, illustrated by Tatyana Feeney, includes five traditional Irish Christmas songs that come to life with the push of a button. Songs include: Bualadh bos, Trí rí ag leanúint, I leataobh i mainséar, An Drumadóirín, and An Oíche úd i mBeithil. Songs are brought to life with beautiful bright Christmas pastel images on each page.

Mo Chuid Amhráin Nollag, €15.95, available at cogsthebrainshop.ie

✱The great escape

The fun Christmas Children’s Escape Room Game is perfect for kids aged 6-9. There are six puzzles to solve which will come together to create a passcode to reveal your secret message. Each item in the puzzle represents a different challenge – some

are maths-based, others logic – but all are designed to test different skills and be plenty of fun along the way!

Christmas Children’s Escape Room Game –Elf HQ, €11.50, available at shop.designist.ie

✱

Smash, bash, and crash!

Wreck the truck and the competition with the WWE Wrekkin’ Rampage Rig! Kids can drive down to the ring with this detailed WWE vehicle. This semi can be smashed, bashed, and crashed again and again with eleven ‘breakable’ parts.

Have the figures climb the ladder for the WWE Championship held inside the extended Wrekkin Ball and have fun smashing.

Collectors in the WWE Universe can display their favourite figure on the WWE Wrekkin’ Rampage Rig for authentic displays. Suitable for 6+.

WWE Wrekkin’ Rampage Rig Vehicle Playset, €59.99, available at smythstoys.com

✱Deep cleansing

Sometimes I feel that when I’m removing my make-up at the end of the day, there’s still pesky residue that gets hidden in my pores. That’s why I enjoy going for an occasional facial, as my skin feels squeaky clean afterwards! However, now, I can experience spa-like rejuvenation from my home with So[Me]Care’s innovative cleansing device, which combines sonic deep cleansing technology with restorative 55°C heat therapy.

So[Me]Care’s antibacterial silicone touchpoints massage the skin, gently pulling excess oil, make-up and dirt away from deep inside pores. And the 55°C thermal therapy treatment increases your skin’s permeability, allowing cleansers, serums and moisturisers to sink deeply into your pores, increasing their efficacy. To cleanse, all you need to do is apply the skincare product of your choice to the device’s brush head, turn on the cleansing option, and glide over the face. Compact, travel-friendly and available in pink, green, or grey, So[Me]Care is suitable for all skin types and is 100pc waterproof.

So[Me]Care, €129, available at all Fifth Avenue Salons, at somecare.ie and 5thavenue.ie/beauty-shop/

Give the gift of beauty

✱Winter hydration

Pestle & Mortar is one of my favourite skincare brands, and when I tried out their new gift sets, ‘The Daily Routine’ and ‘The Nimbu Body Polishing Kit’, they didn’t disappoint! The Daily Routine is a collection of four products that contain ingredients to strengthen the skin barrier, calm inflammation, hydrate the skin, and protect against environmental stressors. These are Renew Illuminating Gel Cleanser (50g), Balance Fine-Misting Facial Spritz (30ml), Pure Hyaluronic Serum (30ml) and Hydrate Lightweight Moisturiser (30ml). My face always feels so soft after using these. I also love using The Nimbu Body Polishing Kit on the rest of my body, as my skin feels quite dehydrated during winter. The set contains Nimbu Body Scrub, which cleanses and repairs dry and rough skin and its Nimbu Body Butter, which is enriched with shea, avocado, and turmeric to intensely hydrate skin. Both sets are also stunningly packaged.

58,

Body Polishing Kit

pestleandmortar.com

energy, the immune system, heart and brain. With the inclusion of Beauty Complex, it also contains specific nutrients to support the skin, hair and nails. All the ingredients to help you to look and feel your very best!

Revive Active Wellness Kit, €49.95, available at ie.reviveactive.com

✱Time to shine

Not only will the Voduz gift sets provide you with essential tools to achieve super sleek hair, but the gorgeous purple packaging is also very sleek, making a luxurious gift option this Christmas. The All Stars Essential Brush Collection (RRP €44.95) includes an all-rounder, compact brush, texture comb, and paddle brush to help you – or your giftee – achieve salon-grade styles in a flash. The Supernova Illuminating Hair Kit (RRP €39.95) includes the Voduz Illuminating Shampoo, Illuminating Conditioner, and the Velvet Crown Thermal Conditioning Spray. And for personal at-home indulgence, the Twilight Self-Care Pamper Set (RRP €47.95) includes a Refresh Lavender Spray, a Slumber Satin Sleep Set in purple, and Pure Silk Hair and Body Oil. Divine!

Voduz gift sets, available at voduzhair.com and in stockists nationwide

✱True to form

I adore the luxe packaging of True Beauty by one of Ireland’s most beloved make-up artists, Aideen Kate. There are a range of luxury gift sets to choose from, but a great stocking filler is the two-piece ‘True of a Kind – Sacred’ set. The High Pigment Lip Crème has a nude tone, so will suit everyone, and it offers a streak-free, velvety finish. Also in the set are True Beauty false lashes, ideal for the party season.

True of a Kind – Sacred set, €24.99, available in McCauley’s Pharmacies nationwide and at truebeautybyak.com

✱Classic red Add a festive feel to your make-up look with this rich red lipstick from KASH Beauty, a company owned by Ireland’s most-followed make-up artist, Keilidh Cashell.

✱Revive yourself!

Revive Active’s Starter Kit contains three powerful super supplements – Revive Active, Mastermind and Beauty Complex – in seven-day boxes, which will give your body a healthy boost. This unique combination of supplements provides a blend of ingredients scientifically formulated to contribute to

The KASH Lip and Lash Gift Set features the new ‘Temptation Lipstick’ — a strong, vibrant red shade, perfect for the festive season, as well as KASH’s faux-mink Charm Lash. The set is also available in ‘nude’, containing KASH’s most-loved Icon Lipstick and the faux-mink Adore Half Lash.

KASH Beauty Lip and Lash Gift Set, €19.95, available at Brown Thomas and Arnotts, as well as online at KASHBeauty.com

✱Radiant skin

I’ve heard such great things about the Skin Formulas range and having tried it, I can attest to its high quality. Having dry skin, I decided to try the Trio set (€99), which is suitable for normal to dry skin. The products left my skin feeling smoother and looking radiant. The set contains three skincare staples to achieve hydrated, firmer skin – Oil and Milk Cleanser (100ml), award-winning Hydra Serum (50ml) and the award-winning Day Cream SPF 50 (50ml). For a gift option under €50, there’s also the Daily Duo (€39) set. This includes a luxurious 100pc bamboo Cleansing Mitt and ultra-hydrating Daily Foaming Cleanser, to deeply cleanse the skin and exfoliate.

Skin Formulas Trio, €99, and Daily Duo, €39, available at skinformulas.ie

✱Get a golden glow

Iconic Bronze’s new ‘Naughty Is The New Nice’ Christmas Gift Set is a must-have for anyone tan and beauty-obsessed. It includes seven full-size products: Iconic Bronze Dark Luxury Tanning Mousse for a golden glow, Medium Matte Luxury Instant Tan for a quick and easy tanning top-up, Self-Tan Eraser Foaming Cleanser, a Luxury Velvet Tanning Mitt, Come Hither Lashes, Miami Matte Bronzer and Shine On Lip Gloss. With all of the must-have products for prep, tanning, and maintaining your glow, the Naughty Is The New Nice Gift Set has you covered!

Iconic Bronze Naughty Is The New Nice, €39.99 (worth €76.96), available from Boots stores nationwide and boots.ie for a limited time only

✱Glam nights

Treat the make-up fanatic (or yourself!) to a MRS Glam gift set. MRS Glam is owned by famed artist Michelle Regazzoli Stone and there’s no doubt you’ll look and feel glam after using the products! The Magic Touch Gift Set has all you need to achieve a stylish make-up look for any upcoming parties. It features six brand new products – the Magic Touch Palette, Sunset Glow Cream Contour, Blush and Highlight Sticks, the Glorious Glide Liquid Liner Pen and Lash Extravaganza Mascara.

MRS Glam Magic Touch Gift Set, €44.95 (worth €103.70), available at mrsglam. com, bperfectcosmetics.com and stockists nationwide

From skincare and haircare to make-up, beauty writer Clodagh Dooley recommends some top gifts that are perfect for the beauty obsessives in your life

Secret Santa

Gift ideas for the person who has everything

✱Suite dreams

The award-winning 4-Star Kelly’s Resort Hotel has a gift for everyone this Christmas. A Kelly’s Gift Voucher is a beautiful present for someone dear to you. And the good news is, their vouchers do not expire!

The monetary value on each voucher can be used in any of their outlets including SeaSpa, La Marine, Beaches Restaurant, and The Sea Rooms, or they can be used on a relaxing break at Kelly’s Resort Hotel. Enjoy a two-day weekend break (Dinner, B&B) for €435 per person. Or enjoy a SeaSpa Pure Indulgence package with a facial, massage, and twocourse lunch for €185. Situated alongside Rosslare’s five-mile beach, Kelly’s is the perfect location, whether you want to be active or simply relax, they have you covered. They also have a wide selection of customised ESPA and Caudalie gift sets. Let them help you choose the ideal gift!

Call today at (053) 9132114 or buy online at kellys.ie

✱Retro nostalgia

Be transported back in time, as you add some instant retro style to any room in your house with this rainbow lava lamp. Well-suited to a bedroom, living space or office area, the 40cm lava lamp with rainbow finish provides a mesmerising glow.

The Rainbow Lava Lamp, €25, available at gadgetman.ie

✱Crystal clear

Criostal na Rinne are a family-run Waterford company who have been making the most stunning crystal pieces since 1987. If you are looking to give a gift that could potentially be passed down through generations, then quality glass and

crystalware have stood the test of time.

For the whiskey drinker in your life, their tumbler range is stunning. Their Cló Tumbler 2 design is a real favourite. The weight and quality of the crystal are immediately felt, and it really sparkles when used. Drinks seem to taste better in it! They also have an extensive range of styles to suit any drinker, whether they drink gin, wine, or champagne. It’s not often you get to hold an Irish-made product and it feels truly world-class.

Cló Tumbler 2, €90, available at criostal.com

✱A bit of a stretch

A perfect gift for the Yogi in your life is a new yoga mat! HOLDEReight is an Irish company who are bringing beautiful design and incredible functionality to the yoga market. Their Velvet Touch Mat (4mm) has a towelling effect on its top layer which makes it really comfortable and cosy, whilst also giving a really good grip and sweat absorption for those tough sessions.

Their mats are made from 100pc biodegradable rubber, and their hand-drawn designs are a real conversation starter. They also make an Ultimate Grip Mat for those who love a strong grip when in poses. Either mat will really raise your enjoyment level when practising. They also come in multiple designs which will suit any taste.

Velvet Touch Mat 4mm, €89, and Ultimate Grip Mat, €99, available at holdereight.com

✱A present from home

Have a friend who lives abroad and can’t make it home this Christmas? The annual Christmas Paddy Box is bursting with quintessentially Irish

Enjoy a visit to

Estate staples like Tayto crisps, Barry’s Tea and Cadbury chocolate. In less than five minutes (four steps), you simply click your preferred box, type your personal message and your box will be sent at super speed anywhere across the globe. You can also check out The Paddy Box’s pop-up shop in Arnotts this year to view its extensive themed boxes. The Paddy Box, €59.95, available at thepaddybox.com

✱Luxury cashmere

One of Ireland’s oldest cashmere stores Monaghan’s Cashmere, situated on South Anne Street Dublin, has stocked the highest quality cashmere for over 60 years! The familyrun store has a huge selection of accessories this Christmas perfect for those who appreciate Irish-bought luxury pieces. Whether you are looking for a cashmere scarf in a variety of colours for dad, a stole for mum, a cashmere throw for the interior-lover or a cashmere hot water bottle for the friend who has everything, Monaghan’s Cashmere has something for you. Cashmere Hot Water Bottle €150, available at monaghanscashmere.ie

✱

Un-fore-gettable

The Aidhm K Series putter comes from master Irish clubmaker Peter Doyle. The first thing you notice is the visibly improved roll-on putts, due to the patented 4CORE Vibration Absorption Core Technology in the putter. When comparing it to other famous brands, you can see this isn’t mass-produced and on short and long putts the ball just rolls more consistently with the most forgiving face. Visually, it’s beautiful too and feels super premium. Recommended to anyone who wants to see their

putting game improve. Get lots of envious looks with such a high-end product in your bag! It would make a fantastic gift, lasting many years.

Aidhm K Series, €399, available at feelthegreen.ie

✱Treat yourself!

Promising an indulgent experience, a Johnstown Estate gift voucher unlocks endless possibilities at the luxury country hideaway. Treat someone special to Afternoon Tea in The Atrium, the promise of a luxurious overnight stay, a fine dining experience at Fire & Salt, or a signature treatment in The Spa.

Unsure what your loved one would prefer? Why not select a monetary gift voucher that allows them the freedom to choose and enjoy their very own Johnstown Estate experience? Whatever you choose, make sure a Johnstown Estate gift voucher is under the tree this Christmas.

Johnstown

Estate Gift Vouchers

available at thejohnstownestate.com/ gift-vouchers

✱The perfect match

Some people have no luck in the love department, especially in rural Ireland! The new book Courting: Tractor Dates, Macra Babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland by Liadán Hynes shares a variety of honest and touching stories of trying to meet The One in a rural setting. Liadán Hynes travels from family farms to tiny islands, village pubs to remote communities, to sit down with childhood sweethearts, long-lost loves, and singles, ever hopefuls and lonely hearts, as they navigate this quest through tractor dates, Macra, dating apps and more. Revealing the importance of community, diversity and, above all, hope and resilience, Courting is an insightful and unique window into dating in rural Ireland today.

Courting: Tractor Dates, Macra Babies and Swiping Right in Rural Ireland by Liadán Hynes, €13.99, available at bookstores nationwide

Johnstown

Enjoy a visit to Johnstown Estate

✱Turn around Why not create audio heaven with this entry-level/first Turntable & Speakers bundle? Ideal for teenagers’ bedrooms!

This bundle pairs an Audio Technica AT-LP60X with a pair of Pioneer DM40 Active Speakers. The AT-LP60X is a fully automatic belt-drive stereo turntable with LP-to-Digital Recording, 33 1/3 and 45 RPM selectable speeds, built-in switchable phono pre-amplifier, an aluminium platter, with an ATN3600L stylus.

Pioneers DM40 are compact desktop speakers that have been designed using professional speaker technology. Expect a smooth bass response, a wide sweet spot enabled by DECO technology, clear audio quality and rich bass sound all at the same time.

Bundle H Starter 1 Bundle - Audio Technica AT-LP60X & Pioneer DM40 Speakers, €300, available at towerrecords.ie

5 stocking fillers under €25

✱Have a luxury Christmas

This holiday season, press pause and celebrate life with a beautifully gift-wrapped Origami gift set from Rituals, a perfect gift for any friend or family member including bath, body, and home products for every budget.

Try out the Ritual of Mehr Gift Set. Indulge in the mood-boosting, energising scent of Cedar Wood and Sweet Orange from the Ritual of Mehr. The set contains Foaming Shower Gel, Scented Candle, Body Cream and Shower Oil. The Sakura, Jing, Karma, Homme, Ayurveda, and Hammam small and large gift sets are also available.

The Rituals Christmas Gift Sets, from €22.90, available at rituals.com, Rituals stores and selected department stores

✱Gingerbread of life

Give the tastiest gift with the Natural Bakery’s Gingerbread House kit. The kit comes with all the necessary pieces to create a very special house AND keeps children occupied for a few hours! Decorate it with sugar icing, smarties, jellies, and little figurines – kids and grown-ups will love them. They also have plenty of sweet boxes, gingerbread men, and Christmas goodies to keep everyone with a smile on their face over the festive period!

Gingerbread House kit, €35, available at thenaturalbakery.ie

✱Wrap up

With the colder months now upon us, it’s time to get out those scarves and gloves and wrap up warm. But you need to do it in style. The Merino Luxury Wool Scarf in Classic Carmel Tartan is from a vibrant and stylish collection that provides a beautiful mix of colours, and patterns and is incredibly soft to the touch. Made from 100pc Fine Merino Brushed Wool. They also have a fine collection of cashmere throws for a cosy home.

Merino Luxury Wool Scarf in Classic Carmel Tartan, €50.36, available at johnhanly.com

✱Fresher feet

OOFOS make the most comfortable shoes! Their Oofoam technology absorbs 37pc more impact than other footwear and you really feel the difference. If you are looking for something really comfortable with good support for walking around the house or work, then once you try their Oocloog, you will never want to wear anything else.

Not only will your feet feel better, but your legs also feel fresher at the end of the day. If a clog style isn’t for you, they also make the Ooahh Sport Slide in men’s and women’s sizes and a variety of colours. It is a great upgrade to other slides on the market and looks ooahh so stylish!

Ooahh Sport Slide, €70, OOFOS.ie

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Smell ‘soul’ good Childvision, the National Education Centre for Blind Children and Coolmine Therapeutic Community, lovingly handcraft the Soap with Soul range. These are people with disabilities and those recovering from addiction. This employment offers a practical approach to how to address issues of inclusivity. From Garden Mint to Wild Irish Rose, the soaps smell ‘soul’ good!

Soaps with Soul by WeMakeGood, €3.25 each, available at shop.designist.ie

✱Sleep tight

Did somebody say The Grinch pyjamas? Name a better way to kickstart the festive season, we’ll wait! Available for men and women, these colourful and joyful (unlike the Grinch), pyjama sets will have you and your family carrying the festive feeling around the house this season. Fashioned with long sleeves, the Grinch’s signature design to the front and striped trousers, the fam jam sets are a lovely way to bond with those closest to your heart, paw friends included!

The Grinch Pyjamas, €14, available at Penneys nationwide

✱

Christmas Doors by Gerald’s Gems

Gerald, 19, from Clontarf, is a young entrepreneur who makes Christmas Doors with his grandad Dessie. Gerald has Down Syndrome and his motto is “I can, I will, watch me”. He donates €1 of every sale to Down Syndrome Ireland and the Irish Design Shop will be matching his donation to DSI. There are three colour options, and they are perfect for your tree this festive season.

Christmas Doors, €12 each, available at irishdesignshop.com

✱Daily essentials

The perfect addition to your daily routine, the You Go Girl! set by GLOV includes an On The Go Hydro Cleanser – a make-up removing glove made with patented original fiber. All you need is some H20 and you’re ready to wash the day away. Expel excess moisture from the hair after a shower or exercising using the Eco Friendly Sports Hair Wrap. This exceptional hair wrap reduces your drying time by 50pc without using any heat. Now that’s how you do healthy tresses!

GLOV You Go Girl! set, €23.90 (worth €35.85), available at TRNDBTY.com and select stockists nationwide

Put a sock in it

Waterford business Polly and Andy has launched its latest additions.

The sock range, which is popular for its antibacterial, breathable and moisture-wicking properties, thanks to their unique bamboo fibres, is now available in Leinster, Munster, Connacht, and Ulster stripes.

Can’t decide on which team to represent? Wear the tri-colour with pride with its retro Ireland striped socks!

Available in sizes for Baby (0-1 years) for €7, Junior (Age 3-12) for €8 and Adults (UK 6-13) for €9, Polly and Andy have got something special for everyone this year.

Polly and Andy Rugby Striped Socks available at pollyandandy.com

✱On the run!

‘On’ running products are popping up everywhere. Once an up-and-coming challenger, they are now on the feet of runners and walkers of all types and abilities. Their Cloudflyer Waterproof shoe (€190) is perfect for those wet, dirty runs where you wonder how long your feet will stay dry. They truly keep the water out even when running on the worst of days. Their new Cloudgo runner (€150) is made with speed and comfort in mind. The comfort is obvious once you put them on, with a really cushioned build with great stability. The added speedboard in the sole adds the speed element and you do feel pushed along with them on. Personal bests are right around the corner!

If you are looking for some apparel to match your trainers, their Active Pants (€150) are the ultimate in versatility. They work equally well for exercising as for going to work or even lounging around the house. On makes most of their products in men’s and women’s styles. Available at On-running.com

✱Powerful fits

Irish premium athleisure and sports apparel brand

POWERCUT® has plenty of fitness clothing options that are both trendy and of high quality. Whether you’re hitting the gym, doing yoga, out running or simply walking, the product is designed to deliver functionality and superb fit. Their COMPRESS

PowerMesh Leggings and PowerMesh Sports Bra in black, feature a stylish lightning bolt print.

COMPRESS is engineered with an innovative PowerMesh waistband for maximum hold, security and shape, which sculpts your natural curves and smooths the contours of the body. Wear as a set with the matching sports bra – the perfect fit!

POWERCUT® COMPRESS

PowerMesh Leggings, € and PowerMesh Sports Bra, €38, available at powercutclothing.com and also in select Dunnes Stores locations

Fit-mas time!

Ciaran O Conluain shares some top fitness gift ideas that will impress your most active friends or family members

✱Golfing apparel

The golfer in your life probably doesn’t have the perfect winter look sorted, so we are here to help. Glenmuir and Sunderland of Scotland are the byword for top golfing apparel. Start with the s.Zermatt padded jacket (€117). It’s designed so you have extra warmth through your centre and still have full movement and feeling in your arms. The materials mean it’s breathable too, so you don’t overheat. For really cold days, add their g.Bute gilet (€117) which is light but gives supreme warmth through your chest blocking out those cold breezes. Most of their items are excellent for repelling rain, but their full wet gear range is certainly the best in the world to keep you dry during heavy showers. If you want some additional protection, their s.Wide Brim waterproof hat 39) is a perfect stocking filler. All available at Glenmuir.com.

Practice makes perfect

If you are looking to improve your golf game, then here are some wonderful gift ideas that will definitely help. The Shotscope Pro LX+ (€399) gives a laser-guided distance to any target and locks in on the pin quickly, so no more guesswork is needed when choosing a club to use. The accompanying H4 unit gives you the best shot at tracking stats on the market. Both are so easy to use and every golfer can benefit from the insights they will gain. Scores will come down after a few rounds of data and you can analyse your game on their free app and know exactly where you are losing shots and

what you need to improve on. If you are looking for gifts that will help make these improvements, then check out Pure2Improve who make high-quality sporting products. Their Swing Speed Trainer with added weights (total €90) helps increase your swing speed and thus increase distance. You can get a serious workout from using it regularly. Their Tempo Trainer (€56) will help improve your takeaway and overall swing plane whilst also giving you a great workout and a perfect warm-up. Both of these can improve the fundamentals of your golf swing and there are many videos online that guide you to make the most of both products. Combine with their Putting Mirror (€25) and your whole game will improve. Visit shotscope.com or pure2improve. com to learn more about their items. They are also available in good local golf retailers.

✱Gifts for sea swimmers

Seaweed & Saltwater is a lifestyle brand celebrating the best of the Beara Peninsula. The company has a range of ‘Beara-ssentials’ gift boxes, such as their Daily Dipper set (€115) which includes two Falcon enamel mugs, one Stainless King flask for tea after the swim, and one McNutt linen tote.

Daily Dipper set (€115), available at seaweedandsaltwater.com

✱Warming up Zerofit are Japanese-designed products based in Antrim. Their Heatrub Ultimate Base Layer (€65) has been tested as five times warmer than competitors and you will really notice the difference. It’s light, and nicely fitted and the ‘heat thread’ lining makes you feel really warm even in sub-zero conditions. This means you need to wear fewer layers which is really beneficial no matter what activity you are doing.

If you are a warm-blooded person and don’t need as much heat retention, then their Heatrub Move (€47) is perfect for you. It’s twice as warm as competitors and perfect for really active sports. The quality and fit of the products are excellent and you will struggle to wear another baselayer once you have tried them. Their products are unisex and come in multiple sizes and colours. If you want a free thermal bobble hat worth €25 with any baselayer, then use code FREEHAT100. All available at zerofit.co.uk

✱Hiking essentials

Ecco are known for making really comfortable shoes and their new Biom 2.1 X Country M is a good gift idea for someone who likes to go off-road and knows they can deal with any terrain or weather. Their sole is designed to be super grippy on all of your adventures and their GORE-Tex membrane keeps you 100pc dry. They come in 4 colours and have a really cool style about them like most Ecco outdoor walking and hiking products nowadays. Definitely worth checking out.

Biom 2.1 X Country M, €140, available at ie.ecco.com

Zerofit

Have yourself a sustainable Christmas

presents

✱

✱Watch this space!

Irish company CRANN designs makes products that are 100pc made from recycled and sustainable materials. Their ‘Saoi’ watch, which is made from recycled sandalwood, is very popular – a sustainable and stylish gift option for the man in your life! CRANN has also partnered with the Native Woodland Trust and Jigsaw and donates a percentage of every purchase.

Saoi watch, €99, available at crann.co and various stockists nationwide

who plant native Irish trees.

Turf | Cedarwood and Vanilla Fragranced Candle (500ml), €37.50, available at thehomemoment.com

✱For the pooch!

✱Green reading

In the ‘Christmas Book, Johnny Magory Oíche Nollag Adventure’, join the adventures of Johnny, Lily-May and Ruairi, as they help Santy on Christmas Eve when poor Donner catches the flu. The Johnny Magory kids’ books are 100pc biodegradable.

handloomed throws to thoughtful gift sets, as well as the brand’s signature products – Turkish pestemals. The lightweight cotton towels, priced from €39, use 100pc Turkish cotton, natural bamboo fibres and the highest quality dye, not only look elegant, but they have more benefits than regular terry towels. These include being super soft and kind to sensitive skin. And unlike regular towels, they actually become softer overtime.

✱On home turf

Hand-poured

in

Dublin, The Home Moment’s soy candles are both sustainable and luxurious, with an emphasis on wellness and self-care. You’ll feel right at home with their ‘Turf’ candle, reminiscent of a turf fire, with the rich and comforting earthy aroma of soft precious cedarwood, and patchouli infused with spices, amber, rose, vetiver, vanilla, and moss. You can buy candles separately, between €20-€37-50, or as part of a gift set (€69.95), with €1 from every purchase going to the charity Hometree,

Treat your dog to this nutritious and tasty Christmas Gift Box from Kerry-based dog nutrition brand Blue Pet Co. The box includes a taster pack of each of the brand’s bestselling GoShine Chews, to help support skin and coat condition, GoActive Chews, for improved mobility, joint and muscle health, and GoSmile Sticks for healthy teeth and gums. The Blue Pet Co range is enriched with highly nutritious marine extracts sustainably sourced from indigenous Irish seaweeds, and the box comes in fully recyclable pouches and an outer gift box.

Christmas Gift Box, €9.75, available at bluepetco.com

Johnny Magory Oíche Nollag Adventure, €9.99, available at johnnymagory.com

✱Sustainable sleepwear

Luxury, sustainable Irish sleepwear brand Zzzana has a range of trendy sleepwear from eye-masks to robes. Their products are made from 100pc organic bamboo, and have a range of properties that help support a good night’s sleep. Zzzana’s eyemasks and hair scrunchies are the perfect stocking filler, and come in a selection of playful prints. Scrunchies, €8 each, and eye-masks, €20 each, available at zzzana.com

The Soft Cotton Shop is committed to upholding the traditional hand-loomed craft and supporting the master craftspeople of the Anatolian region of Turkey. In line with its ethos of supporting small businesses, the company has also collaborated with some small Irish brands to create a range of thoughtful Christmas gift sets. Their gor geous Sleep Well Gift Set, for example, contains a Bliss Pestemal Towel, HERB Dublin Lavender and Rosemary Bath Salts, a HERB Dublin Lavender and Rosemary Tinned Candle and a HERB Dublin Relax and Sleep Pillow Mist. Sleep Well Gift Set, €70, available at thesoftcottonshop.com

Eco-friendly, Irish-made

for conscious giving this year

Traditional towels Founded by Galway native Jo Altinkulp, The Soft Cotton Shop specialises in a carefully curated collection of textiles from

The Christmas spirit!

✱Wine and dine!

Michelle Lawlor has over 20 years’ expe rience in the wine industry and is the founder of Ireland’s favourite online wine shop, The Nude Wine Co. Speaking about what wines she would personally recommend having at the dinner table this Christmas, Michelle says, “Every year the National Off-Licence Association holds a competition to establish which are the best wines available in Ireland. These wines are judged by a blind tasting and showcase great value for money and excep tional quality.

“The Best White Wine in Ireland 2022 was awarded to Lolo Albarino (€16) from Spain. A great alternative for the Sauvignon drinker, it is packed with citrus fruits, peaches and apricots.

“The Best Red Wine Ireland went to Vega Rioja Crianza (€15.95) and is a Rioja lover’s dream, full-bodied and dry with spicy notes and red fruit flavours.”

Gifts for those who enjoy a tasty tipple!

✱The PerfectDraft Get the ultimate in-home beer experience with the PerfectDraft machine provided by Laois-based business, The Beer Gals Ireland. A pull on the tap, and you’ll have a glass of beer just the way the brewer intended: cold, crisp and brewery-fresh. There are two PerfectDraft machines, the original and the new Perfect Draft Pro. Both are easy to use (just click in a six-litre keg, cool and pour – no need for CO2), easy to clean and keep the beer fresh for 30 days. Additional features on the new PerfectDraft Pro include variable temperature control, app connectivity and quick cooling. More than 50 beers are now available, includ ing Stella Artois, Budweiser, Leffe, Tiny Rebel, Thornbridge and Hoegaarden.

PerfectDraft Beer Dispenser, €310, and PerfectDraft Pro, €420, available at thebeergals.com and delivered nationwide in 24 hours

For the whiskey lovers

If whiskey is your signature drink, you’ll like these gifts

Both wines are available individually or as a gift pair (€31.95) and can be ordered at the nudewineco.ie. Rioja is also available to buy in a fabulous hamper (pictured above), which also contains a delicious premium Spanish pate using the finest Iberian pork, La Chinata Reganas crackers and Lily O’Brien’s Choco lates. The Nude Wine Co offers nationwide delivery.

‘Award-Winning Rioja Hamper’, €30, avail able at thenudewineco.ie

✱Muckross Wild Irish Gin

The award-winning Muckross Wild Irish Gin has launched luxurious gift sets that are ideal for the gin lover in your life. Inspired by the native botanicals of Ireland’s oldest National Park in Muckross, Killarney, this pre mium Irish craft gin is exceptionally smooth and elegant, with an unmistakable wild side. The beautifully designed gift set includes one bottle of Muckross Wild Irish Gin (70cl) and two stemless elegant Copa de Balón glasses. Muckross Wild Irish Gin Gift Pack, €65, available in selected stockists or at muckrossirishgin.com

✱Legendary Silkie Irish Whiskey Silkie Irish Whiskey gift packs, from €52, make a legendary gift! Silkie is from Sliabh Liag distillers who really know how to make quality products. Expect a warm and slightly smoky finish, with a touch of sweetness. Just what you want on a winter’s night. Available in either 70cl or 75cl bottles, each giftpack includes a leather carrying pouch and four premium stainless-steel cups etched with the Silkie mermaid.

Silkie Irish Whiskey gift pack €52, available at shop.sliabhliagdistillers. com and in selected retailers while stocks last

✱Proclamation Irish Whiskey

Proclamation is a triple distilled blend of Irish whiskeys commemorating the people behind the birth of the Irish proc lamation. It has a dis tinctive warm taste due to the ageing in bourbon barrels. It’s available in a gift set which contains two whiskey tumblers.

✱

Christmas Nights Box Shells Cafe in Strandhill, Sligo have just launched a spe cial Christmas box for those festive evenings at home or a beautiful gift to send far and wide. Each lux ury Christmas Nights Box contains two bottles of chosen bottle wine – all Shells’ wines come from boutique vineyards and are 100pc natural and biodynamic. The box also includes four luxury mince pies, two Christmas brownies and two hand-poured tapered dinner candles. Christmas Nights Box, €65, available at shellscafe.com

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Lyre’s Classico – Non-Alcoholic

Whether you are the designated driver, a moderate drinker or simply don’t want to worry about the morning after, Lyre’s Classico is the perfect solution for those who wish to celebrate in style this party season. The non-al coholic beverage mimics an Italian Sparkling and if you want to make your bottle extra special, then pop by Brown Thomas on Grafton Street, Dublin to taste a sample and have your bottle personally calligraphed. Lyre’s can be purchased in its very own gift box.

Lyre’s Classico, €14, available in Brown Thomas Grafton Street

Proclamation Blended Irish Whiskey Tumbler Gift Set, €35 RRP, available in Supervalu and independent retailers nationwide

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Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin has fast become one of the world’s favourite drinks (their new California Orange Citrus gin flavour is a must-try!). The Leitrim-based distillery also creates a stunning whiskey and their Single Pot Still was voted in the top 20 in the world by Whiskey Advocate. It would be hard to disagree.

Drumshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whiskey, €60 RRP, available at thesheddistillery.com and stores nation wide

✱Dingle Whiskey

Dingle Distillery are famous for their gin, but have also been making world-class whiskeys. They release different batches to suit every taste and they are really making a name for themselves. Try their new Single Malt which comprises malt whiskey that has been matured in ex-Bourbon, and PX sherry casks. 39pc Bourbon, 61pc PX Sherry. Or, for gin fanatics, get their Original Irish Gin in a limited edition gift box (€38). Everyone would be happy to receive something from Dingle this Christmas.

Dingle Single Malt, €55, available at shop.dingledistillery.ie

MEMOIR

✱Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing by

Matthew Perry, €16.99

The beloved Friends star Matthew Perry has given a raw behind-the-scenes look at the hit sitcom, his life, and a frank discussion of his battle with addiction.

Story night

This candid, funny, and revelatory memoir delivers a powerful message of hope and persistence. At times harrowing, the actor is so self-aware that not only does it offers a look at life in the fast lane, it also extends a hand of help to those facing addiction.

Lessons

✱

from the

HISTORY

✱When I Was Your Age: Ireland’s Grandparents Share Memories And Wisdom by Valerie Cox, €15.99

From the author of 2019’s Growing Up With Ireland and last year’s Independence Memories, Valerie Cox’s new book will explore what life was like for Ireland’s grandparents when they were young. What has changed for the better? What values would a grandparent wish to hand down? As a grandmother herself, Cox relates to fellow grandparents, creating an unforgettable trip down memory lane.

as much mystery as ever!

The Thursday Murder Club gang are back to investigate a decade-old cold case which leads them to a local news legend and a murder with no body and no answers. Packed with Osman’s trademark warm wit, the new cosy murder mystery is just as thrilling as the first two, with loveable characters you will want to call friends.

by growing some of their own food. Now, creator

Michael Kelly asks you to join the food revolution with this beautifully illustrated diary of his year in the vegetable patch.

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The Passenger and Stella Maris by Cormac McCarthy, €14.99 each Regarded as one of the greatest living US writers, Cormac McCarthy has not published a novel since the Pulitzer Prize-winning post-apocalyptic The Road in 2006. Now 16 years later, McCarthy is finally back with not one, but two books!

Book one is The Passenger, a thriller which centres on Bobby, a salvage diver working on the Gulf Coast in 1980, who explores the wreckage of a sunken jet. But he discovers that the black box, the pilot’s bag and one of the dead passengers are all missing. Stella Maris, a prequel to The Passenger of sorts, marks the first time McCarthy has focused on a female protagonist. This book follows Bobby’s sister Alicia who is a maths prodigy whose hallucinations appear as characters, with their own distinct voices. As stand-alone books, they are thrilling, but as a two-part collection, they are simply unputdownable!

FOOD AND GARDENING

Month-by-month you will learn how to create a space that gives you fresh, wholesome fruit and veg.

Kelly’s down-to-earth expert advice will guide you whether you are a complete beginner or a more experienced grower, and regardless of the amount of space you have. And each month, there are delicious recipes so that you can feast on the results of your work!

CHILDREN

✱The Friendship Fairies Go to Sea by Lucy Kennedy, €13.99

Irish radio and television presenter Lucy Kennedy is back with her fourth book in The Friendship Fairies series. Perfect for readers from 6+, the Friendship Fairies - sisters Emme, Holly and Jess – are just like regular girls, always messing and having fun. But they’re also fairies!

✱

bench

by Gillian Hussey, €16.99

Long before her retirement, Judge Gillian Hussey had been conferred with the status of ‘legend of the bench’. After dealing with some of the most notorious criminals in Ireland, including the Kinahans, the Cahills, ‘The Monk’ and John Gilligan, this book gives a wonderful insight into the complex demands and balances that confronted her day in, and day out.

As one of Ireland’s first female judges, this is the story of a trailblazing woman revealing the inner workings of Ireland’s criminal courts. But also changes in Irish society and some timeless truths learned from almost 20 years on the bench. Hussey’s sharp sense of humour makes this an easy, yet insightful memoir of a strict but compassionate and empathetic judge.

✱

The

Rory’s

Through schooldays, dating, jiving, childrearing, working life, holidays, fashions, taboos and dramas, memories and surprising reminiscences are shared of a pre-digital age. This beautiful book is like a time capsule for the future.

POETRY

The GIY Diaries: A Year of Growing and Cooking by Michael Kelly, €21.99 Founded in 2008, GIY (Grow It Yourself) supports people around the world to live healthier, happier, and more sustainable lives

Their mum works as a spy and this time she’s taking the Friendship Fairies along with her to crack a case, on a little island off Connemara! Can Emme, Holly and Jess help their mum solve the mystery? With lots of friendship, fun and, of course, magic, the story is not only enjoyable, but the illustrations throughout by Phillip Cullen make the story enter a whole new world of imagination.

Books available at all good bookstores nationwide

Stories

Lockdown Lookback by Rory O’Connor, €12.99

Stand-up comedian Rory O’Connor, famous for the successful Facebook page Rory’s Stories, has decided to tell us all about his life in lockdown. From dodgy home haircuts and TikTok dance crazes to banana-bread baking and supermarket antics, even when stuck inside, Rory somehow found plenty of opportunities to keep everyone laughing.

If you want a good laugh about a serious subject, this book is for you! Filled with Rory’s trademark banter and observational gems, this hilarious lockdown lookback brings you back to a time that will never be forgotten.

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Poems For When You Can’t Find The Words, a collection from Irish Hospice Foundation, €16.99

This book of poetry has been collected from the Irish Hospice Foundation, which compassionately provides end-of-life and bereavement care.

Created in conjunction with Poetry Ireland, it includes comforting poems from Seamus Heaney, Brendan Kennelly, Emily Dickinson, and Paul Durcan, plus new commissions. This collection provides the gift of words at a time when words can be hard to find and is designed to speak to the fears and concerns that illness and approaching death awaken.

Whether you or a loved one are facing the end of life, or if you’re grieving the loss of someone close, you will find solace and refuge in this beautiful poetry collection. The book is robust enough to last and portable enough so that you can bring it anywhere you need it.

FICTION

The Bullet that Missed by Richard Osman, €14.99

✱

TV presenter Richard Osman’s first two novels, The Thursday Murder Club and The Man Who Died Twice were multi-million-copy recordbreaking bestsellers around the world. The Bullet that Missed is the third book in the series and is filled with just

Book editor Shauna McCrudden chooses the best titles that will thrill the book lovers in your life this Christmas

✱St Francis Hospice Dublin

St Francis Hospice Dublin has a range of gifts, stocking stuffers, decorations, and cards available in their online shop.

Every purchase supports the work of St Francis Hospice, providing specialist palliative care to the community of North Dublin and surrounding counties.

You can also remember a loved one at this special time of year by sponsoring a light on their Tree of Life. Wish those in need peace this Christmas time.

Visit sfh.ie/online-shop or phone (01) 832 7535

✱Irish Wheelchair Association

Support the Irish Wheelchair Association’s (IWA) Secret Santa appeal. Throughout the festive season, the IWA’s 58 Community Centres are busy battling loneliness, as they often offer the only social outlet for the people they work with.

⬤ €40 could support the cost of Christmas activities and excursions.

⬤ €70 could support their buses helping members stay connected.

⬤ €150 could help heat and keep the lights on in the centres throughout the winter.

Their day services, transport, training, and outreach programmes are vital to members’ wellbeing and quality of life. By supporting this work, together, we can ensure people with disabilities can live the life they choose.

To donate, call (01) 818 6485, or visit iwa.ie/secretsanta

✱The Donkey Sanctuary, Ireland

This Christmas, adopt a donkey as the ideal Christmas gift

for your animal-loving friend. For only €25 a year, you can help look after the donkeys in the care of The Donkey Sanctuary. The recipient will receive a special adoption pack with a personalised certificate, donkey sketch and biography.

Visit adoptadonkey.ie

✱Irish Cancer Society

Give the gift of hope this Christmas by buying a present or donating to the Irish Cancer Society. Your generosity this December will mean those affected by cancer will have access to the help and support they need, when they need it most.

Visit cancer.ie

✱The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Join your colleagues, classmates, friends, and family, and wear a Christmas jumper to support the 500,000 Irish families affected by dementia. Register through the Alzheimer Society of Ireland website and they’ll send you a pack which has everything to give your Christmas Jumper Day that extra sparkle! Download your Christmas Jumper Day Poster to advertise your Christmas Jumper Day, start an online fundraising page, and share and tag your pics on social media using #ASIchristmasjumperday.

Visit alzheimer.ie