All Wrapped Up Gift Guide 2020 Irish Independent The Herald

4 December 2020

Christmas ALL

Wrapped UP INSIDE:

Shop local – Great Irish-made gifts Spirits and wine guide Tech, fitness, festive food, books, beauty and more!

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Christmas ALL Wrapped UP

Contents 04

Dear Santa Gifts for the kids

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A novel idea Top books to curl up with

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Gadget gifts Ideas for the tech lovers in your life

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Spirits and wine Some of the best drinks and food gifts, cocktail recipes and tips for foodand-wine pairing

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Fitness fanatics Presents for active people

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Give back this Christmas Charities to support this festive season

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Gifts for her

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Gifts for him

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Stocking fillers

A BeCreative Editorial Production www.becreative.ie EDITOR: Clodagh Dooley DEPUTY EDITOR: Shauna McCrudden ADVERTISING: Terri Byrne, (086) 823 7900 DESIGN: Susan McClean, INM Design Studio, Belfast REPRO: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Limited, 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1

Irish Independent I 04 December 2020

‘Tis the season to shop local Now more than ever, it’s important to support local businesses.

Editor Clodagh Dooley shares some unique Irish-made gift ideas for your loved ones… or to add to your own Christmas wishlist!

✱Enter the secret garden

Not only does The Secret Garden candle look amazing, with its bottle green, art decostyle packaging, but it has an incredibly refreshing lavender, musk and honey scent.

The Secret Garden is a collaboration between Irish-Italian home stylist and interiors expert, Natasha Rocca Devine (also known as ‘The Interiors NRD’) and perfumier Lucy Hagerty, owner of Cork-based candlemaker La Bougie.

The 30ml glass candle, which has a burn time of 50 hours, is inspired by the serenity of nature. The candle is also named after Natasha’s favourite childhood book, ‘The Secret Garden’.

Anyone with an interest in candles, books and the great outdoors will appreciate this lovely gift.

‘The Secret Garden’ candle, €30, available at theinteriorsnrd.com/ thesecretgarden

✱

Paint a picture

I’ve rekindled my love of painting during lockdown.

So when I came across this ‘Paint at Home Kit’ from Irish-owned business Paint and Prosecco, I knew I had to get it.

Founded by Kate Buckley two years ago, Paint and Prosecco is a successful pop-up event, where a local artist brings attendees through painting step-by-step, as adults sip on prosecco and kids on pop!

Due to covid, the company had to pivot the business, which resulted in a unique Paint at Home Kit, suitable for both adults and kids. The kit, packaged in a beautiful printed box, includes two canvases, 12 acrylic paint sets, rubber top pencil, three brushes, palette and wooden easel. Free tutorials are uploaded to their website weekly and you can check out their Instagram page for updates (@paint_and_ prosecco). Even if you’re not a painter, I’d recommend trying this kit out. Painting can be very relaxing and could be a fun Zoom Christmas party activity to arrange this year. Don’t forget the prosecco!

Paint at Home Kit, €45, available at paintandprosecco.ie

✱Enjoy a Cupán Tae

Everybody knows somebody who cannot live without their cups of tea!

So, you can’t go wrong with one of these unique mugs from Maktus, a Dublin-based company which has gained a reputation for quirky and humorous gifts and greeting cards.

We’ve selected a few of their mugs, featuring prominent Irish figures, Michael D Higgins, Marty Morrissey and Jackie Healy-Rae, but there are more designs on their site.

You can also find dozens more products, which are all designed in the Maktus studio, located in their store in George’s Street Arcade, Dublin.

Mug, €10.95 each, available at maktus.com

✱Tweed traditions

Anything that has a slight heritage style and vibe about it, instantly has my attention.

Celtic Tweed have an addiction to tailoring, and a passion for design, that they have combined with a pride and love of our Irish heritage which most certainly gives me that vibe. Their award-winning collections are made ethically and sustainably in their production rooms in Balbriggan.

Cathy Coghlan, founder of Celtic Tweed, says, “Our ambition has always been to design, create and make beautiful pieces that can take our customers from the boardroom to the races and everything in between. We love to make pieces that are timeless, beautifully constructed and sharply tailored.”

love ✱Send abroad

Ireland has a whole host of amazing Irish food producers and companies, and Just Like Home, founded by Catherine O’Herlihy, is one of such. Based in Cork, Just Like Home source a wide range of much-loved Irish food products, including Barry’s Tea and Tayto Crisps, to create their fab care packages.

The products are sent with a personalised message and over the last eight years, Just Like Home has delivered over 9,000 packages to countries such as the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England and Hong Kong, as well as Ireland. This year, as more Irish people find themselves unable to travel home for Christmas, treat your family or friend abroad to one of these thoughtful care packages.

Just Like Home hamper, €49.99 plus delivery, available at justlikehome.ie or call (021) 457 0637

✱Irish gem

Design Yard is one of Ireland’s most-established jewellery, sculpture and art stores, with the finestdesigned gifts from both emerging and established artists in Ireland and worldwide. This elegant Tahitian pearl pendant in 18k yellow gold is handmade in Ireland by Cassie McCann, an awardwinning goldsmith and jewellery-maker.

Check out Design Yard’s website for more exquisitely-crafted gift ideas or visit the store on St Frederick Street, Dublin, or in Adare, Limerick.

18K Yellow Gold Tahitian Pearl Athena Pendant, €995, available at designyard.com

Supporting local There are many Irish stores and ✱ sites to shop from this Christmas, with incredible gift options to suit all

Jacket (€329.99), Waistcoat (€139.99) and Trousers (€199.99), all available at celtictweed.ie, at their production rooms in Balbriggan or in the Celtic Tweed South Anne’s Lane store, Dublin City

interests, and throughout the pages of this gift guide, you’ll find some more Irish-made gift ideas.

For more Irish-made gift inspiration, I’d also highly recommend checking out the ‘Shop in Ireland’ group on Facebook. The Guaranteed Irish Gifts site (guaranteedirishgifts.ie) and new Croia Ireland site (croiaireland.com) are also worth browsing through for fantastic ideas.

Have a safe and healthy Christmas!

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Irish Independent I 04 December 2020

Dear Santa

Whether you’re shopping for toddlers or teens, we have just the right gifts to bring them joy this Christmas

Great reads for little bookworms

✱Building blocks

✱

Christmas fashionista

Release the inner fashion lover with the FabLab Luxury Tie-Dye kit. Kids can add vibrant colours and swirling designs to their clothes to create unique and trendy clothes and accessories. It is fun and easy to do, as the instruction booklet explains the techniques. You can also watch the FabLab tutorials available online. The Kit includes seven bright and trendy colours in applicator bottles, rubber bands and PVC lab gloves. There are enough ingredients to dye loads of t-shirts and accessories, so there won’t be a boring shirt in the house!

FabLab Luxury Tie-Dye kit, €16.99, available at worldofwondertoys.ie

LEGO’s new partnership with Nintendo has produced an incredible debut. The LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course (6+) is great fun and is certainly not your standard LEGO set. The 231piece LEGO set plays iconic Super Mario sounds and music as you collect virtual coins on the course, and Mario actually has an app that tracks your score as you go through the course. Mario lights up, talks, and has a timer on his chest to time your 60 seconds for the course. You can even rearrange the bricks to create new levels, or combine with LEGO Super Mario Expansion Sets for more ways to play (each sold separately). Kids will love it!

LEGO Super Mario Adventures Starter Course, €55, available in good toy stores nationwide

✱Just for fun! ✱Green Christmas

Get your little ones creative with the Linkilonk Activity Tubes (€23.99).

Coming with an Animal Adventure Poster Page, six Animal Adventure Colouring Pages, 13 Activity Pages and one Sticker Page, the beautiful Irish wildlife characters will inspire kids to get creative and hands-on, while discovering Ireland’s beautiful landmarks. The tubes are also vegan and plastic-free!

Or make a 3D paper animal with one of the 3D papercraft kits made in Cork (from €7.86). Create a koala bear, a labrador or even a flying dinosaur!

Have a greener Christmas!

Jiminy Eco Toys now has 300 eco toys in stock in Ireland at jiminy.ie

Introduce the little ones to music and melody with the New Classic Toys Red Piano (€68.95). This 18-key, single octave wooden toy piano is perfect for children aged from three years and older. Or treat the kids to a show with the African Animals Finger Puppets (€25.95). This fantastic finger puppet set of six includes the crocodile, giraffe, lion, chimp, elephant and a rather stripey zebra!

Or if the kids are a little older, train their brains with the SmartGames Squirrels Go Nuts! (€20.95). In this sliding puzzle game, move the squirrels around and hide their acorns underground, with 60 nutty challenges. Playing Squirrels Go Nuts! stimulates concentration, logic, planning, problem-solving and spatial insight.

Perfect from six years and over.

All available at mimitoys.ie

✱

Level up

The XBOX Series X (€499.99) and S (€299.99) models are the big talking point for gamers this Christmas! The Next-Gen consoles are long-term investments, but with the Series S coming in at under €300, you can have access to them at a very reasonable price. The Series S is compatible with old XBOX titles but is “digital-only”, so you will only be able to play previously downloaded games.

A new option for games is the XBOX Ultimate Game Pass (€12.99 per month), which gives you online play, plus access to over 100 new and classic games including many EA sports games. You also get full online gaming with friends and family through PC and Android.

The Series S has smaller storage than the Series X (512GB vs 1TB) but you get many of the same cutting-edge features as the more expensive model. The X fully utilises stunning 4K resolution too. These new releases are a massive leap forward in gaming and will really give you some ‘WOW’ moments when you play the new games!

Check availability in good game stores, toy stores or on pre-order

The Great Irish Farm Book by Darragh McCullough, illustrated by Sally Caulwell, €24.99 Teach your child everything there is to know about Irish farms! Read all about the farmer’s day to the changing of the seasons, from animals and crops, to machinery and technology. The Great Irish Farm Book will take you and your child on a fascinating journey through life on an Irish farm.

The Dead Zoo by Peter Donnelly, €14.99 From the creator of the award-winning President picture book series, The Dead Zoo tells the story of Mr Gray, a very serious man in charge of a very serious museum filled to the brim with stuffed animals. When a real live mouse decides to move into the Dead Zoo, Mr Gray is determined that she must go. That is, until he needs her help. Another instant classic!

The Chill Skill by Niall Breslin, illustrated

by Emma Proctor, €16.99 Niall Breslin (also known as Bressie) third picture book aims to help children manage their anger when things don’t go their way. When Sam’s mum takes her phone away, Sam begins to feel cross. So Grandad teaches her a breathing technique, which puts out those angry flames. The Chill Skill equips children with useful mindfulness tools to help them in the future.

All available at good bookshops nationwide

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Homekeeper’s Diary by ✱The Francis Brennan, €19.99

Renowned hotelier Francis Brennan is known for his impeccable taste and high standards in homemaking. If you’re like me and thinking of getting organised or cleaning out the house as the New Year approaches, there’s no better man to help you out with advice. Francis is known for his hilarious anecdotes and there are plenty here from his experiences in the hotel trade. In this beautiful 2021 desk diary, Francis will help you with all the practical measures needed to ensure domestic bliss.

Never Mind the B#ll*ks, Here’s ✱ the Science by Luke O Neill, €24.99 No, it’s not the Sex Pistols, it’s Professor Luke O’Neill!

One of the leading voices of authority during the Covid-19 pandemic, Luke writes about life’s biggest questions and tells us what science has to say about them. Do we have to vaccinate our children? Are we destroying the planet? With everyone’s fascination with science and complex questions about the world and our place in it now a global obsession, this book which covers topics from global pandemics to gender, addiction to euthanasia, should be high on your wishlist.

Player Two by Ernest ✱Ready Cline, €14.99

I have never been so excited for a book!

In this highly anticipated sequel to 2011’s Ready Player One, which was turned into a movie by Stephen Spielberg himself, Ready Player Two is filled with just as many nostalgic pop culture references as the first! The science-fiction sequel takes place just days after the first ended, with protagonist Wade Watts making a discovery that changes everything, as there are new riddles to solve within the virtual universe of the OASIS. Ready Player Two is another imaginative, and action-packed adventure. If you haven’t read the first yet, why not try both? You’re in for a (virtual) world of fun!

A novel idea Shauna McCrudden chooses her top reads to curl up with in front of the fire Rory’s Story by Rory O’Connor, ✱€16.99

Rory O’Connor was written off as ‘thick’ at school and he struggled to find a career he felt he could succeed in. The stand-up comedian and mastermind behind the successful Rory’s Stories Facebook account, has written this book to show how, despite thinking he had nothing to live for in the midst of a gambling addiction, he became a man selling out venues around Ireland.

Told with his trademark humour, this memoir is a book for anyone who wants to be inspired by an ordinary man’s mental health journey.

Colours by Barry Geraghty, ✱True €22.99 Irish horse-racing legend Barry Geraghty talks about his impressive life and career.

From his first win in 1997 to when he retired in July 2020, he rode almost 2,000 winners, making him the fourth most accomplished rider of all time.

Despite broken limbs and metal casts, he kept

getting back on the horse. If you want an honest insight into one of the great Irish sporting heroes and the mental power that enabled him to keep going despite the odds, this is a must-read.

Devil and the Dark Water by ✱The Stuart Turton, €17.50

Stuart Turton’s The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle was one of my favourite books of the last couple of years. So, the second I saw his name, I knew his new novel would be a favourite too.

Turton has a way of creating unique thrillers, and he creates another here.

Combining a Holmes and Watson-esque detective duo, a demon who may or may not exist, and some secretive nobles all on one dangerous ship in 1634, this story has murder, miracles, and mysteries all in one.

You will be desperate to read a sequel!

✱

With Hope in Your Heart: The Sean Cox Story by Martina Cox, €16.99

If there’s anything this year has taught us, it’s that life as we know it can change in an instant. And it did for Martina Cox and her family in 2018. Sean Cox travelled to Anfield to watch his beloved Liverpool play, but a vicious attack left him with a severe brain injury, unable to walk or talk. In this remarkable story of love, his wife

Martina tells their story of inner strength and determination. With the help of their family, their community, and the Liverpool spirit, they have achieved what was thought to be impossible.

The Invisible ✱ Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, €13.99

It starts in France, 1714, where a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever but in exchange, she is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets. This is the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, a novel that author V.E. Schwab has been working on for a decade. The adventure plays out across centuries and continents, until a young man in a bookstore remembers her name. Is it worth it to be immortal when you are doomed to be forgotten? A stunning, time-hopping novel!

No Fuss Vegan: Everyday Food ✱for Everyone by Roz Purcell, €28

We are all trying to look after ourselves better and Roz Purcell is a firm believer that your body needs to be fuelled right to set you up for life. Packed with over 100 recipes, Roz shows us how to introduce more plant-based meals into our diet.

Whether you’re a committed vegan or just looking to cut down on meat and dairy, Roz will inspire you to experiment, with her tasty plant-based meals, snacks, and desserts.

Books available at all good bookstores nationwide

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Gadget gifts Shauna McCrudden chooses her favourite gift ideas for the tech lovers in your life built-in, new sleep tools, fitness features, larger AMOLED display and more.

The Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 2 and 3, are both available at currys.ie, fitbit.com and most good retailers

✱

Making your move

Thinking of upgrading your Fitbit?

Then the new Fitbit Sense (€330) is well worth checking out. The new additions include a focus on health, with heart rate and stress being tracked. With trackers for electrodermal activity, skin temperature and oxygen saturation, you will know more about your health than ever! Pay with your wrist with the contactless payment feature and listen to music, all without the need for your phone. Even with all these new additions, the battery lasts almost a week with one charge. You really have everything you need in one little device on your wrist.

Try the Fitbit Versa 3 (€299), with its incredible updates to track your health and an Alexa who now speaks back to you! Or, if you are on more of a budget this Christmas, elevate your day with the Fitbit Versa 2 premium health and fitness smartwatch.

The Versa 2 was €199 and is now €179, so you save €20! Includes Amazon Alexa

✱Charge me up

it charges and sanitises. The most practical gift for 2020!

Discover the most extraordinary gifts at The Marvel Room, available at Brown Thomas Dublin and brownthomas.com

According to research, mobile phones can carry 10 times more bacteria than most toilet seats. So you really need to sanitise your phone! Compatible with Qi-enabled smartphones, with a size up to 8.3cm wide, the Lexon Oblio 10W Wireless Charging Station and UV Sanitizer (€78.70) allows you to charge your device cord-free, with the bonus of a built-in UV sanitiser. The sleek design of this wireless charger resembles a minimalist vase, so it looks stylish wherever you place it in your home or office. The deep bucket-like design of the Oblio also keeps your eyes away from your smartphone screen as

Find X2 Pro SMARTPHONES ✱Oppo If you want a top-of-the-range, flagship phone, but want to TO SUIT EVERY premium, try something a little unique, then the Oppo Find X2 Pro (€1,310) is perfect for STOCKING! you. It’s the most powerful phone we

have seen, with the curved 3k QHD+ screen and a leading 120Hz refresh rate.

The second you use the phone you can see the difference! Apps, images, or movies all jump out at you on this 6.7-inch screen. With a 4260mAh battery with flash charging to full in 38 minutes, and a 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage space – it all makes it sound like a high-end laptop. The speakers are also the loudest you will ever hear. If you are thinking of a mid-tier phone, Oppo has also just released the Oppo Reno4 Pro (€799). They are keeping very busy making incredible devices!

Available at currys.ie and good phone stores nationwide

✱Get to know your iPad

Whether they are tech-savvy or a total tech novice, your loved one needs to know how to get the most out of their new iPad. That’s easy to do as Compu b are now offering a free ‘Get to know your iPad’ online course with any new iPad purchased for a limited time only. With a gorgeous 10.2-inch Retina display, Touch ID for secure authentication, Apple Pay, and all-day battery life, there is so much to love about the new iPad. Compu b Training from their Apple Professional Learning Specialists will ensure you get the most out of your iPad through their flexible online training platform, all from the comfort of your home. Learn how to customise your device, use multitasking features, and how to stay connected with others through FaceTime. It’s time to get to know the iPad like never before. iPad is priced from €392.50 or from €65.98 per month over six months with humm by flexifi. RRP for ‘Get to know your iPad’ is typically €30.

Available in Compu b stores nationwide and at compub.com

✱Google Pixel 4a 5G

The Google Pixel 4a 5G (€490) is a brilliant piece of hardware which, as part of the Google brand, always has the latest Android software ahead of anyone else.

The Pixel 4a also utilises the super-fast speeds of 5G, so you can watch your shows or movies instantly in HD. The phone is super light despite its big 6.2-inch display.

The 3800mAh battery lasts all day and the superfast charging means you can often just top it up for a few minutes and not have to worry again. The phone has an impressive camera which takes high-res images. Plus, due to the 6GB of RAM, you never have to wait when switching between apps or tasks.

Available in the Google Store and good phone stores nationwide

✱Get Smart

Here are two great new devices that will make your home super smart!

The new Google Nest Audio is now 75pc louder than the smaller Google Home device. When you need to know “What are two cups of flour in grams?”, or when you want to “Turn up the Christmas songs” in your living room, just ask Google. Once you get a smart speaker, you can never do without one! The new Chromecast with Google TV comes with a user-friendly remote and once you add your streaming services, you can create a combined playlist all in one place. It’s really quick to set up and you also get all the benefits of 4k casting from your mobile devices.

These products are both so handy that you will end up having more quality time together this Christmas.

Google Chromecast with Google TV, (€69) and Nest Audio, (€99), available at currys.ie and the Google store

Redmi ✱Xiaomi Note 9

With the Redmi Note 9 (from €190), you realise you don’t have to fork out to get the very best. The sleekly built phone packs a serious punch with its battery life. After charging, the phone can run for two full days of use due to its huge 5,020mAh battery. Its large 6.53-inch IPS LCD screen has a full HD+ resolution display, so all your shows and movies are crystal clear on the screen.

Running on the MIUI 12 Android interface, it’s easily customisable, and this is all without mentioning the crisp camera. The 48-megapixel sensor is able to take great images even in poorer lighting. With a choice of internal storage of either 64GB or 128GB, plus an extra SD card slot, there’s plenty of room for everything you want. If you’re looking for an affordable phone but don’t want to compromise on the performance, the Redmi Note 9 is a great choice.

Available at mi.com/uk, Amazon and Three UK

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ALL Wrapped UP

SOME OF THE TOP GAMES TO TRY OUTTHIS CHRISTMAS

✱Spin me round

Get into the Christmas party mood!

Golden Discs are stocking a wide range of turntables, headphones and speakers, as well as an extensive range of CD, Vinyl, DVD, Boxset and Blu-ray releases.

Play music in style with the Victrola 3-in-1 turntable music centre (€100). The three-speed turntable also has FM radio, built-in stereo speakers and headphone jack, along with Bluetooth to wirelessly stream your favourite music. Listen to your favourite songs on the light and comfortable Kygo wireless headphones (€150).

With up to 23 hours of Bluetooth playback from a single two-hour charge, you’ll have your music when you need it most, whenever and wherever!

And this December, Golden Discs are offering a ‘Turntable Bundle’, where customers can treat themselves by purchasing any two vinyl records for €40.

Or two vinyl records for €30 with any turntable purchase. Choose from classic

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FIFA 21

■ The number one football game on the planet is on every kid’s wish list this year. The gameplay is even better than last year. The great thing about this game (and many others) is that if you buy it for your PS4 or XBOX One now, a free upgrade will be available for players where you’ll be able to carry over your FUT and VOLTA progress to the Next-Gen! (€69.99)

UFC 4 (16+)

albums from the likes of Fleetwood Mac and Nirvana, or how about some Florence and the Machine and Imagine Dragons?

Make this Christmas season a musical treat!

Buy in-store or online at goldendiscs.ie

■ Fighting fans will really enjoy UFC 4 for its realistic character movements and ease of play. You can just pick up a controller to have a fun fight with a friend. It can also be done online, which is handy nowadays when we are all locked away. You can even choose to play as Conor McGregor or amazingly, Bruce Lee! (€69.99)

PGA 2k21

■ This is the most up-to-date golf game on the market, with brilliant PGA career mode where you come up against real pro golfers on some of the best courses in the world, including TPC Sawgrass. It’s a really enjoyable game, as is to be expected when 2K are making it. (€59.99)

COD: Black Ops Cold War (18+)

■ This game is a take on the Cold War of the 1980s.

You can play campaign mode which will act as somewhat of a history lesson to younger players, but multiplayer is also incredibly fun playing with friends online. This game is a great addition to the franchise and has even been improved on over last year’s version. (from €64.99) Games available in all good game stores and other stockists

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Spirits & Wine

The gift pack comes with an interesting booklet which will, no doubt, further titillate with visions of get-togethers to come again.”

Coast Road Multipack, €49.99, available from celticwhiskeyshop.com and irishmalts.com

Get into the Christmas spirit!

✱Joyful gin

We share some of the best whiskey, gin, champagne and vodka gifts

✱Taste of West Cork

Garnish Island Gin is probably the best value gin we have ever tried. It has lovely, strong botanical flavours throughout (locally foraged in West Cork) and a strong, spicy, but smooth, finish.

West Cork distillers have a large range of whiskeys and are wholly Irish-owned. This is now one of my favourite gins on the market and is well worth trying out if you like something that is full of flavour. You won’t be disappointed.

Garnish Island Gin, €38, available in select stores nationwide and westcorkdistillers.com

✱Exotic delight

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin is one of our favourite gins. Distilled in Co Leitrim, with the finest exotic oriental botanicals and gunpowder tea, the gin is beautifully bottled in what reminds us of an old-style perfume bottle. It’s a fantastic gift option for gin lovers. A visit

Sláinte!

We share some fun Christmas drink facts!

to The Shed Distillery, the home of Drumshanbo, is on our 2021 to-do list.

Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin, from €40, available at Tesco stores nationwide and drumshanbogunpowderirishgin.com

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Make your mark!

Maker’s Mark® bourbon uses red winter wheat to create a flavour that finishes in the front of the palate, where the sweet taste buds are located.

Maker’s Mark is aged to taste, not time. It’s left to the team’s tasting panel in Kentucky USA, to determine when the bourbon is fully matured. It usually takes between six and seven years for the whiskey to be ready. After the bottles are filled, each is hand-dipped in its signature red wax. If you’re looking for a gift for the whiskey enthusiast or cocktail experimenter in your life, Maker’s Mark is one to add to the shopping list.

Maker’s Mark, RRP €45.24, available across all grocery stores and offlicenses nationwide

AN ANCIENT TRADITION – The creation and drinking of alcohol actually predates written history. Residues from an alcoholic beverage, that dates back to 7,000 to 6,600 B.C., have been found in China. The builders of the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt received wages made up of bread and beer rations and they were even buried with jars of beer. It’s not just the Irish who love a good tipple!

CLINKING GLASSES – There are so many stories to explain why we clink our glasses before drinking a toast. One of the most popular theories is that, in order for a host to prove to a guest that a drink was safe, it became customary to tap the glasses together to make sure a small amount of one drink went into the glass of the other.

Both would then drink simultaneously. If it actually was poisoned, the poisoner would also suffer the ill effects. No Game of Thrones ‘Red Wedding’ here!

MULLED WINE – As much a staple of Christmas as the turkey, mulled wine dates back to the 2nd century when the Romans took to warming up their wine

✱Authentic craft gins

Surprise the gin lover in your life with this unique gift set, which features distinctive Irish gins from Sliabh Liag Distillers in Donegal, Micil Distillery in Galway, Skellig Six18 Distillery in Kerry, and Cape Clear Island Distillery in West Cork. Séamus O Drisceoil, Founder and Manager of Cape Clear Island Distillery, who assembles the gift sets, says, “The Coast Road gift set is aimed at discerning and experimental gin lovers and contains four 100ml bottles, allowing each gin to be savoured with different mixers and garnishes.

Hummingbird Organic Gin is a rare certified organic gin, which comes in a slightly smaller than usual 500ml bottle.

Its ingredients are free from pesticides and chemicals and it isn’t overpowered by botanicals.

It has a clean crisp style and would make a nice gift when visiting gin lovers this Christmas, due to its distinctive coloured bottle. Also check out Hummingbird Organic Vodka, which has an aroma of vanilla and caramel.

Hummingbird Organic Gin, €25, available at Dunnes Stores and hummingbird-organic.com

✱Botanical burst

Ornabrak Gin is quite unique in that it is single malt gin made from 100pc Irish malted barley. It is five times distilled in Skibbereen, Co Cork, with carefully chosen botanicals added on the final distillation (including Douglas Fir needles and Lemon Verbena leaf). It results in a beautiful fullbodied gin, with a velvety finish. They also produce the Kalak Peat Cask Vodka, which would make a great gift for any vodka lover as it was previously voted amongst the world’s top 10 vodkas.

Ornabrak Gin, €50, available in select stores nationwide and ornabrakgin.com Kalak Peat Cask Vodka, €48.50, available in select stores nationwide and kalakvodka.com

to help them through the freezing winter months. As people believed that spices helped to ward off illness and disease, these were added to the wine to become close to the drink we know today. It wasn’t until the 1890s that the drink even became associated with Christmas, but now we would never want to separate the two!

was brought back to Foynes port in Co Limerick to wait out the bad weather conditions, Joseph Sheridan, the head chef at Foynes, decided to put some good old Irish whiskey in their coffee to warm them up. Irish Coffee is still served today at Shannon Airport! Necessity is the mother of invention!

WHY TOAST? – Isn’t it weird that the term toast is used to drink to someone’s health? Don’t you mean my breakfast this morning? Well, actually the two are connected. The term comes from an old tradition, where an actual piece of spiced cooked bread (toast), was dropped in a large cup or bowl of wine, to make the wine taste better. It would then be shared among the party. It’s even mentioned

by Shakespeare in The Merry Wives of Windsor, “Go, fetch me a quart of sack; put a toast in’t.”

GUINNESS FOR CHRISTMAS! – What’s a festive holiday without a pint of plain?

But did you know that the official colour of Guinness is ruby red? You can see the slight tint that comes from the roasted barley if you hold the pint up to the light.

Give us a pint of the black...uh ruby red stuff! Also, Ireland is not the biggest consumer of the stout, that would be Britain and Nigeria.

IRISH COFFEE – Irish Coffee has gone global, but did you know it is said to have been created in Ireland in 1943 during a winter storm? When a Pan Am flying boat consisting of American passengers

EGGNOG – Eggnog is believed to have been created in Europe in the 13th century.

Medieval monks mixed posset, a warm ale punch, with eggs and figs. Over the years, this developed into what we have now with an egg, sugar, milk and whiskey punch. It lost popularity in Ireland, but maybe this year is the time to bring it back!

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selling cream liqueur, which is produced and bottled here in Ireland! With an indulgent blend of aged Irish whiskey, Irish dairy cream and hints of cocoa and vanilla, Baileys can be enjoyed over ice, shaken into cocktails or even as part of a dessert. We love rustling up Espresso Martinis using Baileys, or warming up by the fire with a Baileys Irish Coffee – perfect for festive drinks.

Baileys Original Irish Cream, from €20, available at retail stores nationwide

✱5-Star gift

Personalised champagne could be just the pick-me-up someone needs. Irish company Giftsdirect.com was set up 30 years ago by Lulu O’Sullivan, who not only has a passion for champagne, but also in choosing the best Irish suppliers for her website. Choose from a range of beautiful hampers, big and small, or send the gift of a personalised, award-winning Champagne and Chocolates Gift Set. Champagne and Chocolates Gift Set, €69.99 (worldwide delivery available), available at giftsdirect.com

✱Irish liqueur

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a glass of Baileys, the world’s best-

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✱Full of flavour

First of all, the beautiful bottle green packaging of Listoke 1777 Gin, with its distinct colourful owl logo, is very appealing to the eye and would look incredible on your bar cart this Christmas. Secondly, Listoke 1777 Gin, which is distilled in Co Louth, is full of flavour, with floral, fruity and earthy notes, plus an added touch of spice. We love this served up with tonic and orange peel.

Listoke does an alternative gin too, in response to the pink gin craze, but without the artificial colours and flavours.

Their Cacao and Raspberry Gin is light and sweet, perfect served with tonic and fresh berries. Listoke Distillery was also one of the brilliant Irish companies to produce hand sanitiser during the pandemic. This is available online for €5

for 250ml, and the cost is to cover production costs only.

Listoke 1777 Gin and Listoke Cacao and Raspberry Gin, both €30, available in select stores and shop.listokedistillery.ie

✱Christmas treasures

Grace O’Malley Spirits have launched two special gift box editions of their

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award-winning Spirits & Wine Blended Irish Whiskey and Heather Infused Irish Gin for Christmas. The Grace O’Malley Blended Irish Whiskey is a special blend of triple and double-distilled malt and grain whiskeys, combining multiple batches of whiskey of varying age statements from three to 10 years old. It has a rich flavour, with notes of caramel, bourbon vanilla, malt, dry almond, orange peel and honey, and a sweet spice finish. There are two branded whiskey tumblers included in the set too, so this is a great Christmas present for whiskey lovers.

We also love their Heather Infused Irish Gin Gift Set, which includes a balloon glass, along with the gin.

The gin has a wonderful floral finish, with defining aromatics from the West of Ireland, including heather and wild thyme.

Grace O’Malley Gift Sets, RRP €34.43, available at SuperValu stores nationwide, graceomalleywhiskey.com *Drink responsibly. Visit drinkaware.ie

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Irish Independent I 04 December 2020

Foodie favourites!

Tasty treats to enjoy with (or without) a tipple

of Achill Island ✱Flavours Hampers

Just thinking of Calvey’s Achill Mountain Lamb makes our mouths water. All foodies will love their Annual Elite Flavours of Achill Island Hampers.

Alongside Calvey’s famous lamb, these hampers include products sourced and produced on Achill Island, including Keem Bay Smoked Salmon and Mackerel, Handmade Achill Whiskey-infused Truffles, cakes, jams, and Achill Island Sea Salt. Available in sizes Maxi (€155), Midi (€100) and Mini (€50), plus €20 delivery nationwide. Last orders by Monday, 7th December to ensure delivery pre-Christmas. Also available is 10kg Side of Calvey’s Lamb Hamper (€115 with free delivery). Hurry while stocks last.

Order online today at achilllamb.ie or call Grainne on (098) 431 58

Two festive-inspired cocktail recipes from the Terrace Kitchen at Conrad Dublin

Filligans of Donegal have released their 100pc natural, artisan Christmas jams and chutneys which would make a great handmade food gift this Christmas. Their Taste Gift Sets cost from between €12-15 and can include cranberry sauce with port and Christmas marmalade. Filligans won Best Preserves in the Georgina Campbell Irish Breakfast Awards 2020, so you know they will impress!

View their full range at filligans.ie

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Ingredients: 15ml fresh lime juice 30ml cranberry juice 30ml Elderflower liqueur 60ml blackcurrant vodka

Based near the Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare, Moher Cottage is a quaint coffee shop and gift store with incredible views.

People stop by for their gorgeous fudge, handmade by owner Caitríona, but now, you can actually order a Cliffs of Moher Fudge Gift Box online, containing four delicious bars of their artisan fudge, from Honeycomb to Salted Caramel.

Cliffs of Moher Fudge Gift Box, €12, available at mohercottage.com

Replace the traditional selection box with Keogh’s ‘Bucket O’ Crisps’. Each bucket can have a personalised message on top and contains 18 x 25g packets of Keogh’s crisps in three flavours including seasonal favourite, Turkey and Secret Stuffing!

Keogh’s Bucket O’ Crisps, €18.99 plus shipping, available from Keogh’s Online Farm shop at keoghs.ie

Supper is served!

Looking for a foodie gift that comes with wine? Then look no further than the Winter Supper Box from The Pantry at CLIFF. The Supper Box includes their Wild Irish Mushroom Risotto for two, a bottle of CLIFF house red wine, Cherry and Chocolate Brownie Mix and Aimsir Coffee Blend. And check out CLIFF’s homemade gourmet treats, such as their brown bread and cookie mix, mulled wine spices, Christmas puddings and mince pies.

Available to purchase in The Pantry at CLIFF on Dove Square and at cliffhome.ie

Christmas-politan

Fudge moments

✱Crisps selection box! ✱That’s my jam

Festive cocktails!

✱Charcuterie night

Wedding venue Cloughjordan House in Co Tipperary has a fab Charcuterie Board available for click and collect throughout December. The board, which serves two, has a selection of locally sourced meats and cheeses, as well as Cloughjordan House’s homemade sundried tomato bread and more.

Cloughjordan House is also hosting a Christmas Market in their magical Woodshed on 13th December, where the Charcuterie box will be available for purchase, as well as other gifts from local

Method: 1. Put all ingredients into a shaker and shake until chilled.

2. Double strain into sugar-rimmed coupe glass and garnish with a lime twist.

Charcuterie box from Cloughjordan House. Image by Nathalie Marquez suppliers. Entry is €5 at the gate and you’ll get a mulled wine or hot chocolate.

CJH Charcuterie Board, €22.50, call (085) 254 4764 to order. Orders must be placed by 2pm the day before collection

✱With Grá

Grá Picnics is an Irish company that started up this year, arranging picnics in locations in Clare, along the Wild Atlantic Way. However, while lockdown put a stop to the picnics for a while, it did not put a stop to Grá Picnics’ innovations!

Now, they have created bespoke hampers which can be ordered online. Check out Grá Beag Slainte. The hamper includes a fab Grá branded wicker basket, Rose Champagne Loose Tea, 70% Dark Chocolate bar with Sea Salt, a Grá Candle, bottle of Moët and a Jar of Champagne Strawberry Jam. Perfect for celebrations and sending some grá to loved ones.

Grá Beag Slainte, €100, available at grapicnics.com

Starry night Ingredients: 50ml aged rum Milk 1 star anise 1 stick of cinnamon Couple of cloves Handful of dark and milk chocolate chips Method: 1. Combine all spices (cinnamon, star anise and cloves) into a milk jug, add milk and steam until chocolate is melted.

2. Rim latte glass with desiccated coconut, add rum and pour steamed milk.

3. Garnish with grated chocolate and a cinnamon stick.

This festive season, Conrad ✱ Dublin has created some delicious food items to be enjoyed at home or

purchased for others. Following the successful opening of the Terrace Kitchen and Social House, and Pantry and Café, Executive Chef Gary Rogers has been busy creating The Terrace@ Home take-out, delivery and click and collect items, including dishes from €4.50, a three-course menu from €40, fabulous cakes@Home from €18, plus Afternoon Tea@Home from €35pp.

The Terrace@Home is only available on click and collect with 24 hours’ notice.

Visittheterracekitchen.ie

SPONSORED 04 December 2020 I Irish Independent

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‘Mistletoe and wine!’

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“If you’re having goat’s cheese, Sancerre, a French wine, is a good choice. Port is excellent with blue cheese, and if you like dry reds like Rioja, try a Spanish cheese like Manchego. They work very well together.”

NON-ALCOHOLIC WINE

Michelle Lawlor of The Nude Wine Company shares her expert tips on choosing the best food-and-wine pairings this Christmas With thousands of different types of wines out there, it can be a minefield to choose which is the best to accompany your Christmas cuisine. There is no better woman to ask than Irish wine expert Michelle Lawlor, of The Nude Wine Company (thenudewineco.ie), who has worked in the wine industry for 18 years across three continents.

“When you’re considering food-andwine pairings, a general rule of thumb is to think about where the wine originated from. So if you’re having a Tuscan wine like a Chianti wine, you might have Tuscany dishes like lamb, pork or tomato-based dishes. If you’re drinking

Gifts for wine lovers

WINE WONDERS

The Nude Wine Company has plenty of wine gifts on the site and this six-bottle ‘Dress to Impress Box’ is perfect for Christmas celebrations! The box includes both a Sauvignon Blanc, in the form of Sancerre, and a Chardonnay, in the form of Chablis. Two fab classics that will delight any white lover. Nothing says Christmas Day like bubbles for breakfast and they have an organic Cava that perfectly fits the bill. For the reds, there is something for everyone with a collection of Europe’s Best Reds including a Pomerol, Rioja Reserva and a baby Barolo, called Langhe Nebbiolo. That’s your wine sorted for the day!

Dress to Impress Box, €175 with free delivery nationwide, available at thenudewinco.ie

Albarino wine from the region where the Camino de Santiago is, you might have seafood, for example.

“Food and wine culture go handin-hand. Wherever the wine is from, the traditional dishes from that same area normally work best.”

CHRISTMAS DAY PAIRINGS

For Christmas dinner, Michelle advises selecting a red wine that will match all the different flavours on your plate, rather than compete with the flavours. “Think about what’s on your Christmas dinner plate. This could be turkey, which is a mild meat; cranberry sauce, which is sweet; ham, which is quite fatty; and various types of potatoes and stuffing.

“There are loads of flavours on the plate, so you should look for a red wine that is medium-bodied and not too intense. I would generally recommend a Côtes du Rhône, as it’s soft, fruity, and matches well with various flavours.”

Michelle says another great wine for Christmas Day is Ripasso Valpolicella.

“It’s from Northern Italy and has a little

‘RED, RED WINE’

Wine expert Michelle Lawlor recommends this bottle of La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva from Clontarf Wines. Tasting of ripe red fruit, currants and liquorice, this wine is rounded off with sweet notes of vanilla-spice.

The wine is particularly wellbalanced, with a smooth palate and medium body. Match it with grilled lamb cutlets.

La Rioja Alta Viña Alberdi Rioja Reserva, €22.99, available at clontarfwines.ie

PORT OF CALL

This very seasonal Tawny Port from Tesco is a smooth, mature wine, amber in colour, with nutty and dried fruit flavours and butterscotch characters to finish.

The medium-bodied wine has been aged in handcrafted oak barrels for an average of 10 years, to develop its mellow characters. Perfect chilled as an aperitif or paired with cheese.

Tesco Finest 10 Year Old Tawny Port, €18.68, available at Tesco stores nationwide

bit of residual sweetness. It’s lovely with Christmas dinner, but works well with cheeses too.”

CHEESEBOARD CHOICES

Speaking about cheeses, Michelle shares her advice on creating the ultimate cheeseboard, “Typically, white wine goes best with cheese, because cheese is fatty.

The acidity in the white wine makes the flavour combination quite refreshing, so you want a wine that has some acidity in it to match the cheese.

And for anyone who can’t drink alcohol this Christmas, Michelle says there are fantastic alternative options out there, “We stock Leitz Wein, by a German producer Johannes Leitz, on our site. This particular producer won best wine producer in Germany a couple of years ago, but he makes non-alcoholic wine in a way that it doesn’t lose its natural aroma, acidity and structure. It’s made initially with the alcohol, but then de-alcoholised at a low temperature.

“They are fantastic non-alcoholic wines and that’s what I would usually drink on Christmas Day if I’m driving around, visiting my parents and family. The wines are available in still and sparkling, and even a delicious Rosé.”

However, Michelle recommends gifting a non-alcoholic wine to someone, only if they would usually drink wine. “Nonalcoholic wine is great for people that like wine and can’t drink it, perhaps if they are pregnant or driving. But I wouldn’t recommend giving it as a gift to someone who doesn’t usually drink wine just because it’s non-alcoholic and looks good, as it still has a wine-like flavour!”

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Irish Independent I 04 December 2020

Fitness fanatics Looking for the best gift for the gym lovers and workout warriors in your life? Our team review some of the top fitness gifts this Christmas

✱We got your back

Real massages are very difficult to get in this new Covid-19 world! So why not try a massage gun? These handheld, battery-operated, self-massage devices have multiple heads and speed settings to make sure you hit every spot. The MGI 2.0 comes with six head types and five speed settings, with the top speed at 3200rpm!

This means you can really get into the biggest muscles for deep relief. But the more delicate parts of your back will also be taken care of with the lower settings.

If you are a runner, you could use this three or four times a week, especially on sore calves after a run. It helps keep shin splints and foot injuries away, so it is worth its weight in gold! The unit feels super-premium so if you want a long-term quality product from an Irish company, this is among the best.

MGI 2.0, €285, available direct from massagegunsireland.ie

see you ✱They rolling

Considering investing in a quality pair of shoes to make road cycling even more enjoyable?

The Fizik R3 Aria cycling shoe is worn by top professionals, but they also make models that are much more affordable for the amateur cyclist.

Their Aria R3 (€275) are super comfortable, highly efficient and very stylish. Their two Boas closures make them really easy to take on and off, and they breathe really well. If you are out cycling no matter what the weather throws at you, then try the darker of the five R3 colour options to help hide any dirt. Fizik

also makes the Overcurve R4 shoe (€200). The team has tried these for the last year, and they still look immaculate and still incredibly comfortable, even on long rides.

Fizik R3 Aria cycling shoe, is available for men and women in good bike shops and online at fizik.com

✱Commute in style

Come 2021, we will likely be commuting again, so make sure you’re getting prepared for it now. The Rapha Women’s Commuter Jacket (€120) is a versatile gift that comes in five colours.

Ciaran from our editorial team has commuted daily in the men’s jacket for two years and he says it’s still perfect! It never lets a drop of rain in, so you never have to worry if you see storm clouds approaching.

Like all Rapha products, the quality is in the details.

With almost invisible reflective panels on the rear and a tapered fit, it looks great while also being very practical. But it’s also only slightly fitted, so you can still wear layers underneath.

The jacket has a hideaway hood too and is stylish enough to be worn hiking, or even walking through the office before the commute home.

Rapha Commuter Jacket is available for both men and women at rapha.cc

✱Tee-rific!

With golf courses and practice facilities closed for much of 2020, your golf game definitely needs practice.

That’s why many people are trying to create a home set-up. The starting point to do this, is a solid practice net.

Pure2Improve pop-up nets are convenient, as they take only a minute to set up, but they are also incredibly durable so you can even leave it in the garden permanently. There are two options to choose from: if you are looking for a slightly more budget-friendly net, Pure2Improve have a net at €80. If you want to go to the next level, their excellent Quad Driving Net is €150.

Our team’s absolute favourites are their putting mats, which range in price from €60 for the 2.4-metre length, to €145 for the 5-metre mat. The mats have lots of lines, dots and targets to help you track distance and accuracy to help you improve every day.

They are great quality and the putting mat is an ideal gift. This Christmas, there might be a big, family golf competition, and with the practice nets and mats, it’s anyone’s game!

Pure2Improve items are available on Amazon and in all good golf and sport shops

✱Keep on running

On Running is now our go-to brand for running shoes.

The Swiss company is making big waves in the running world, with their Cloudflow shoe (€150).

Available for both men and women, this is the best our team has ever

worn! But if you need something for those mucky winter runs, the Cloudventure Waterproof Trail running shoes (€160) are fully waterproof, have a 6mm heel/toe drop, and come in at a lightweight 295g.

You can wear them anywhere, no matter the weather, and they never let water in.

They are a little firmer than other models, but they are still perfect to use on roads and muddy park runs. All you need is this one pair of running shoes, and you can be comfortable in any weather or terrain.

On Running also makes great apparel, and their Hoodie (€150) has very stylish elements. Its zippered pockets are almost completely hidden and give some nice aero vents to stop you getting too hot.

Made with their own blend of technical fabrics, it has a high-quality feeling, and can be worn every day. This brand is going to be hot in 2021, so check them out!

Available in good running shops nationwide and at On-running.com

SPONSORED 04 December 2020 I Irish Independent

Giving back this Christmas

This Christmas is going to be very different for everyone. So in this season of giving, why not help out those who need it most? Here are some worthwhile charities and organisations to give a gift to this festive season

✱Cats’ Aid

Cats’ Aid is run by volunteers who care for and rehome unwanted cats and kittens in the Dublin area.

Cats’ Aid has many cats in care right now. They also look after feral colonies and help groups and individuals with any cat ‘issues’ they might be having. As a voluntary group, Cats’ Aid depends on donations. There is so much you can do to help, from a sponsorship to a membership of Cats’ Aid, to purchasing a Gift Pack for your catloving friend!

Visit catsaid.ie and their Facebook page Cats’ Aid Dublin for Christmas gift suggestions

Francis ✱StHospice Dublin

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

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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 the St Francis Hospice Tree of Life. These can be sponsored €6 per light, before and after the ceremony, in memory of a loved one or for somebody experiencing difficulty. The Tree of Life Ceremony, including the lighting of the Christmas tree, can be viewed on their website or Facebook on 10th December at 7.30pm.

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

✱Trócaire

This Christmas, a toxic combination of conflict, climate change and Covid-19, threatens to push 3.5 million people in Somalia to the brink of starvation. In the Gedo region, where Trócaire has worked for over 30 years, the Irish charity is supporting people facing these multiple stresses. With support from the Irish people, Trócaire

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Filming for A Dublin Christmas Carol

runs the health services in this region, which is the size of Ireland.

Trócaire’s Somalia Country Director, Paul Healy says, “Our supporters respond to crisis, after crisis, after crisis. When it comes to helping those who are struggling, there is nobody better to stand up and respond.”

With funds running low, Trócaire is appealing to the generosity of the Irish people to help keep these health services running during this crucial crisis period.

To support Trócaire’s Christmas appeal, visit trocaire.org or call 1850 408 408

✱Dublin Zoo

The public received quite a shock when Dublin Zoo warned that it might have to close its doors permanently due to the devastating impact of Covid-19 lockdowns and visitor restrictions on its finances. The zoo launched a fundraising campaign to help keep Dublin Zoo open and to protect all of the animals that live there.

To donate, get an adoption pack or a limited-edition Save Dublin Zoo hoodie, visit dublinzoo.ie

Dublin Christmas Carol ✱A- The movie!

A group of some of Ireland’s most talented young filmmakers have come together to make a movie version of Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol, but with a twist. It is set in modern-day Dublin and Ebenezer Scrooge has morphed into a property developer who despises the homeless.

Directed by Philip Kidd (director of The New Music), the film will have as its heart John Gorman, who has lived on the streets of Dublin for most of his adult life. He will be pivotal in showing Scrooge’s conversion and John is excited to be taking part.

Every one of the cast and crew is donating their time and exceptional skills free-of-charge to support The Order of Malta’s Knights Run, a homeless outreach outreach that provides medical assistance, warm food and drink, clothing and most importantly, conversation and friendship.

To find out more and help the Knights Run, visit adublinchristmascarol.com

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01 ✱ Salon hair at home If anything, lockdown probably reminded many of us how much we appreciate our hairdressers! However, with the right hair styling tools at home, every day can be a good hair day.

I absolutely love the LanaiBLO hairdryer. With its innovative, fast-drying technology, it leaves my hair looking very sleek. The hairdryer comes in different colours, including white, and this year, you can personalise your LanaiBLO with pink text – I have my name on mine, so that my sister doesn’t try to steal it from me! What’s more, the LanaiBLO is an Irish-made product, developed by husband-andwife team Katie-Jane Goldin and Barry Scallan.

Katie-Jane and Barry also founded the InStyler Cerasilk Wand, which not only creates a beautiful, wavy hairstyle, but its woven ceramic plate helps to defend hair against damage. There are four different heat settings and the wand is very easy to use. Both products get a 10/10 from me – you won’t turn back once you’ve tried them!

[01] LanaiBLO without personalisation (€99.99) and with personalisation (€114.99), available at lanaiblo.com InStyler Cerasilk Wand, €99.99, available at instyler.ie ✱ Fashion-forward When you’ve nowhere to go, there’s no point in purchasing new clothes, right?

Wrong! You can still buy nice clothes for Christmas and feel good about yourself, even if you’re not going anywhere. It just means being more practical about what you purchase, sticking to items you can wear every day. This Kiki Black Houndstooth Oversized Pullover (€26) from Vavavoom.ie, Ireland’s leading online female fashion brand, is a Christmas essential that can be dressed up or down. Wear a black turtle-neck top underneath, slip a black belt over the

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Light up her

Christmas…

…with these gorgeous gifting ideas for a special lady in your life, as suggested by editor Clodagh Dooley

pullover, and pair with black jeans or leather trousers and boots on Christmas Day. Or, add a pop of colour to an outfit with the Kai Charcoal and Orange Oversized Shacket. ‘Shackets’ are a favourite this A/W and a cosy Christmas gift option for either your friend, sister, or yourself! And possibly the most essential of all are the Rana Cream Slingback Platform Slippers (€22). There isn’t a day during lockdown that I didn’t have these on my feet! An ideal stocking filler.

[02] All available from vavavoom.ie ✱ Shimmering delights KASH Beauty is a new make-up brand created by top Irish beauty influencer and make-up artist, Keilidh Cashell. Her Secret Treasure Eyeshadow Palette (€29.95) includes versatile matte brown-and-black shades, which can be used both for daytime and night-time looks, but personally, I adore the glittering gold shades, to add a little festive sparkle.

Everyone needs a decent nude lipstick, so check out KASH Beauty’s Secret Treasure Lip kits (€18.95), which comes in three nude shades: Rose Nude, True Nude and Rust Nude. They provide a silky, soft matte finish and each kit features a lip liner and lipstick. My favourite is the Rust Nude shade, which has a warm-brown lip liner and peach-toned lipstick. Keilidh has also just released her second collection, Crystal Nights. Lash lovers will love the faux mink Lashes Kit (€24.95).

[03] All available at kashbeauty.com ✱ Uplifting Christmas Designed to deliver the perfect amount of scent in minutes, while also adding moisture to the air, this beautiful ceramic Electronic Diffuser from The White Company will transform your space with uplifting fragrances at the touch of a button. A lovely and simple gift option for new homeowners or someone who loves interiors.

[04] The White Company Electronic Diffuser, €85. Discover the most extraordinary gifts at The Marvel Room, available at Brown Thomas Dublin and brownthomas.com

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✱ Silent night Get the best night’s sleep on Christmas Eve with these delightful gifts from Penneys. Make a tasty hot chocolate with the Hot Chocolate Gift Set (€6), before filling up the Hot Water Bottle (€9) and curling up in bed with a good book.

The Hot Water Bottle set also includes Chamomile Flower Tea (‘Sleepy Time’ tea) and Marigold Blend Flora Tea (‘Rise ‘n’ Shine’ tea) for the morning.

Then, when you’re going to sleep, slip on the gorgeous satin eye-mask from this Eye-Mask and Fragrance Gift Set (€12), which also includes a candle. Penneys has some great gifts for all ages and interests this Christmas, as well as gift vouchers.

[05] All available at Penneys stores nationwide ✱ Natural skincare With so many skincare brands and different products available, it can be overwhelming to find something that suits. But an Irish skincare company I swear by is Pestle & Mortar, founded by Sonia Deasy. I have quite dry skin that can be prone to break-outs if I use products that are too harsh. However, with Pestle & Mortar products, I find this isn’t the case.

I use their Erase and Renew Double Cleansing Set (€60) daily to clean my face. The set includes an Erase Balm Cleanser (50ml), which you gently massage into your skin first and remove with water and the Double-Sided Face Cloth (also included in the set). Then, massage in the Renew Cleansing Gel

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and again, remove with the Double-Sided Face Cloth. The two-step process ensures every trace of make-up or dirt is removed, without stripping away natural oils. I complete the routine by moisturising my face with the Lightweight Moisturiser (€48 for 50ml), and my skin feels so soft afterwards.

Pestle & Mortar also recently launched a face-tanning product, Glow Drops (€38).

I’ve tried many face-tanning drops and sprays in the past, but this one is by far the best I’ve used. After moisturising, I only needed to apply approximately four drops onto my face and when I massaged the drops in, the serum-like substance spread easily ( just don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards!). After a night’s sleep, I had a lovely natural, sun-kissed glow on my face. The Glow Drops contain hyaluronic acid, an ingredient to help retain moisture in the skin.

Not only was I very impressed with these products, but the minimal, sophisticated packaging is fab. Gifting these would make someone very happy this Christmas!

[06] All products available at pestleandmortar.com ✱ Goal-setting It’s been a difficult year for many, so a thoughtful gift this year is this Head Plan diary, a guided wellness journal to keep you inspired and motivated. The diary was founded by Irish entrepreneur Denise Kenny, after her husband Ciaran was diagnosed with cancer shortly after their honeymoon. Together, they realised the importance of focusing on wellness, slowing down and self-reflection.

The journal contains no dates, as a conscious rejection of the idea that January 1st is the only time for a fresh start – new healthy habits can start at any time. Bound in a luxurious vegan leather cover and available in white, pink and grey, The Head Plan is printed on recycled paper and presented in a stunning box.

There is also the option to add a personal touch to the journal, by including initials for an additional €5.

[07] The Head Plan Diary, €35, available at theheadplan.com

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Tanning Mousse, Instant Body Makeup, Glycolic Body Scrub, Tanning Moisturiser and Luxury Exfoliating Mitt.

[09] Bellamianta Luxury Tanning ‘Bella Babes Ultimate 8 Piece Tanning Gift Set’ will be on promotion for €49.99 at Boots Ireland and Boots.ie for a limited time only, with RRP thereafter €130

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✱ Beauty dreams My sister loves the Charlotte Tilbury foundation, so I had to check out the well-known British make-up artist’s product range for myself. I’ve started using the Magic Serum Crystal Elixir (€72 for 30ml) and it’s well worth the money. It contains Polyglutamic Acid, which the Charlotte Tilbury site says is ‘a supercharged skincare ingredient that’s over 4X more hydrating than Hyaluronic Acid’. And I definitely feel my skin is hydrated for the day when I apply the serum, right before I put on my make-up.

I feel it helps my make-up last longer too.

Other Charlotte Tilbury products I’d highly recommend are the Walk of No Shame Lip Set (€32), a rich berry-rose shade which is perfect for the Christmas season, and the Pillow Talk Push Up Eye Secrets Mascara (€29). The miracle mascara gives lashes long-lasting volume and length. And if you’re doing Secret Santa this year, you can’t go wrong with these gifts: The Mini Filmstar Bronze & Glow (€30), the Fire Rose Eyes to Mesmerise Kit (€75) and the Limited Edition Jewel lips in Blush Gold (€28).

And for the ultimate Charlotte Tilbury lover, there’s the Bejewelled Chest of Beauty Treasures (€185), which has a

wonderful mix of full-sized and travel-sized Charlotte Tilbury products.

[08] All available at charlottetilbury.com ✱ Luxury tanning We might not have been able to travel to a sun-soaked location this year, but Bellamianta Luxury Tanning has made sure we can be bronzed all year round.

The Irish company has had a brand makeover this year and looks more luxurious than ever, with its dazzling rose gold and blush pink packaging. A lovely present idea is their Limited Edition Bella Babe Ultimate 8-Piece Luxury Tanning Kit. Valued at €130, this includes the new Luxury Body Tanning Brush and the

✱ Gift of jewellery Irish entrepreneurs Emily MacKeogh and Leah O’Reilly created their company Crystal & Co, with the aim of providing people with high-quality affordable jewellery. There are some incredible pieces on the site, but one of their bestsellers is this Love Necklace, part of the Jodie Wood range. The 14k gold chain, with crystal love letters, comes packaged in a monogram gift box. The chain is also available in a ‘Mama’ version, a perfect gift for any mothers or mamas-to-be.

Jewellery designer Emily also owns Roxluna, which has gorgeous precious and semi-precious jewellery pieces that can be personalised. We love Roxluna’s bestselling gold initial pendant and the solid 14K Gold Leaf Stud Earrings (above).

[10] Jodie Love Necklace in Gold and Jodie MAMA Necklace, €68 each, available at crystalsandco.com Gold Initial Necklace on Curb Chain (€105) and 14K Gold Leaf Stud Earrings (€130), available at roxluna.com

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All he’ll want for 01 ✱ Homegrown style Lovers of international brands such as Hugo Boss or Ralph Lauren are about to discover their new favourite luxury brand – and it’s Irish!

Walker & Hunt was founded by Luke Dully in 2019, with the aim of representing Ireland on a global scale as a brand. The men on our editorial team have become obsessed with Walker & Hunt since discovering their Instagram page, and one of their favourite products is the ¼ Zip Sweater (€84.95), which is available in navy, red and light brown.

The material is very high quality, being 100pc cotton, and it’s true-to-size. The ¼ Zip features the slick Walker & Hunt logo, and can be worn both casually during the day and for events at night (when things get back to normal!) Another favourite is their Classic Sweatshirt (€74.95), which has the Walker & Hunt wording printed on the front and is available in burgundy,

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…is one of these cool gifts!

navy, grey and black. Comfortable and stylish? Isn’t that what everyone wants!

Walker & Hunt’s Iveragh Heritage Weekender bag (€145) is also a bestseller on the site and we can see why. The brown leather finish and elegant, branded pinstripe lining on the inside, are very sophisticated. And it has a shoulder strap included, so you can either carry the bag by hand or over the shoulder.

Ideal for upcoming getaways when we’re back travelling and a superb gift idea for your dad, grandad, brother or partner.

Check out Walker & Hunt for many more sophisticated clothing items, as well as gift cards, for the fashionforward man in your life.

[01] All available at walkerandhunt.com and select stores nationwide ✱ Sound of music For Ciarán on our editorial team, Sennheiser does the best audio equipment.

He has been using their products for years and says the fact they have a factory in Tullamore, Co Offaly makes things all the better. The update of their Momentum True Wireless is a really big improvement and are now the best true wireless earphones he has used.

The stylish storage capsule charges the earphones, giving 28 hours of charge time, and with seven hours listening at a time, it feels like they never run out.

The 7mm dynamic driver gives excellent sound quality and bass. They are also light and comfortable, and stay in your ears when running or exercising, which is so important. Their active noise cancellation means you can avoid distractions when using these while working from home, or on the move. You can also make and

receive calls hands-free and the in-built mic is perfect. There are many cheaper alternatives on the market, but you do really get what you pay for with these. If someone special in your life hasn’t made the move to wireless headphones, then this is the perfect opportunity. They will thank you for it!

[02] Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2, €299, available at currys.ie and good retail stores nationwide ✱ Hair grooming at home There were likely many dodgy haircuts when barbers shut during lockdown! So make sure his hair can be kept someway in order at home, with Ellie Professional products. Founded by John Keegan, seven times winner of the Irish Barber of the Year Awards, Ellie Professional focuses on the essential haircare products John thinks every man should have. This includes Classic Shampoo with Coconut Oil (€10) and Classic Conditioner with Coconut Oil (€10), both of which aim to promote scalp health and moisturise 02 dry hair. Texture Spray (€18) can be used to give a beachy, undone style to the hair, while adding volume. Deluxe Pomade (€18) gives a high-shine, wet look finish, while the Dry Matte Clay (€18) provides a long-lasting style.

[03] All available at ellieproproducts.com and in stockists nationwide and globally ✱ Happy travels Prepare to get travelling again in 2021 with the Rapha Weeklong Travel bag (€260). This ultra-practical, yet coollooking bag is what you come to expect from cycling and lifestyle brand, Rapha.

It’s 60 litres in size (also available in large, at 80 litres) meaning you have loads of room, and being water-resistant inside and out, means you are fully protected.

The bag conveniently turns into a backpack too, so it’s easy to carry around.

It’s a great piece of travel kit, which looks and feels premium.

Match it up with the perfect travel

companion, their Transfer Hoodie (€135) and Sweatpants (€110) and travel in stylish comfort.

They come in three colours and the feeling of the materials is outstanding.

The zip pockets on both are a great touch. It’s nice to be able to move from lounging at home to leaving the house in style, without the need to speed change. Lighter and softer than most sweatpants or tracksuits, this is probably the best leisure range the company has done. According to the men on our editorial team, if the man in your life is into cycling and quality, then Rapha always has those two covered.

[04] All items, and other great gift ideas, available at rapha.cc ✱ ‘Let me entertain you’ Meet the Philips PicoPix Nano, the tiniest plug-and-play projector, featuring wireless connection and multimedia player. Take it from room-to-room with its pocket-friendly size and enjoy all of your favourite entertainment, whether that’s a big game or a movie.

[05] Philips PicoPix Nano Pocket Projector, €299.95. Discover the most extraordinary gifts at The Marvel Room, available at Brown Thomas Dublin and brownthomas.com ✱ Master your golfing gear in 2021 Gifting the golfer in your life a fashion upgrade will be very popular this Christmas. Go for the ECCO Biom Cool Pro golf shoes (€210). ECCO is known for incredible comfort, and if you are going to walk 10km in a round, you really do need these. Old-style golf shoes are out, so now it’s time to upgrade. Made with Yak leather and featuring Gore-Tex 100pc

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waterproofing, they look as good as they feel. The grip is just as good as having spikes and ECCO has a wide range of styles and models to suit. The comfort is certainly noticeable after 18 holes.

For the jacket, choose the Ping Golf Norse S2 Zoned Jacket (€150). Ping are not just leaders in golf equipment, but also apparel. This jacket is well-fitted, so it not only acts as a stylish outer layer, but also has PrimaLoft insulation in the chest and back zones, to keep you warm without any bulk. Match it with their Vision Winter Trousers (€105), which are nicely fitted and stretchy. It means you can swing freely. Both are waterresistant, so you are fully protected from the elements at all times, and they’re available in black and navy.

[06] ECCO Biom Cool Pro golf shoes, €210, available in-store and at ie.ecco. com; Ping Golf Norse S2 Zoned Jacket (€150) and Vision Winter Trousers (€150), available at pingcollection. co.uk ✱ Up your game If gaming is their thing and they haven’t been able to get the latest NextGen console, then upgrading their headset is a perfect gift.

Steelseries are widely known to make the best gaming headsets in the world. Their Arctis 9X (€200) is the premium wireless headset, designed specifically for XBOX that also has Bluetooth, so you can be playing online, listening to music or taking calls simultaneously. There are no dongles and it is easy to set up.

The Steelseries signature headband means they are one of the most comfortable headsets for long gaming sessions, plus the 20-hour battery means you never get caught out. Most importantly, the sound and mic quality are second-to-none. You notice the difference and they work just as well for music, so you get double the benefit.

No wonder it was voted best gaming headset by Wired and Eurogamer. This

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is the ultimate present for the gamer in your life. They also create a range for Playstation users and their wireless Arctis 7P (€180) is a brilliant choice.

[07] All available at good retailers nationwide and at steelseries.com ✱ Cycling eyewear KOO Demos Cycling Glasses are new releases by eyewear specialists KOO, who are owned by KASK. Their new range includes the Demos (€149) and the Spectros (€179), which both come in one size, but with many colour options. The Demos are a little smaller in style and are available in seven colours. We love the white/brown pair. They are made in Italy, so of course they are very stylish and modern. They fit and look very well and you will get lots of comments about them. KOO uses Zeiss lenses, which are crystal clear and rarely steam up, due to the smartly designed ventilation panels. There is a great brightness to the lens, which you really need for six months of the year in Ireland. These glasses are very well-priced for the quality and design.

A certain winner for any cyclist and they will keep their eyes safe when riding on the dirty winter roads.

[08] Both available at kooworld.cc ✱ All smiles Give the fella in your life the gift of oral care products, for a healthy smile. Created

by Irish dentists (and 09 sisters), Dr Lisa and Vanessa Creaven, Spotlight Oral Care Whitening products contain the ingredient, Hydrogen Peroxide, clinically proven to whiten your teeth. This brilliant gift set contains: Toothpaste for Whitening Teeth (100ml), Dental Floss for Whitening Teeth, Mouthwash for Whitening Teeth (500ml) and two lip sheet masks. There’s also a stylish wireless phone charger included, which offers fast charging and allows you to conveniently charge your phone without messy cables.

[09] Spotlight Men’s Christmas Gift Set, €50, exclusive to Boots

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07 ✱ For a cosy Christmas Wicklow company White & Green are making waves in the luxury bed linen market. Their Organic Cotton Duvet Set (from €139) is a real treat. The 300-thread count sateen weave is what has people loving their products and the second you feel the product you know why! They are a perfect luxury gift that will last many years. They also do towels, scarves and other luxury items that make really great Irish gifts. More exciting things await with their partnership with Irish brand, Max Benjamin, in the creation of a Sleep Tight Pillow Mist, which you spray on your luxury silk pillowcase (€100 for the gift box).

Speaking of Max Benjamin, their candles are always one of the best Irishmade gifts you can give! One of their latest gift boxes is the Home Edit (€50).

It includes a candle, 100ml diffuser and one of three limited edition 8x6 wall prints

by Dusty Boy Designs. There are five fragrances to choose from and it arrives in a stylishly designed 01

Stocking stuffers Looking to bulk up their Christmas stocking this Christmas? Look no further than these festive treats gift box. Ideal for under a special someone’s tree.

[01] Available at whiteandgreenhome. com and maxbenjamin.ie and stockists nationwide ✱ For a relaxing staycation Who isn’t desperate for a break away?

Give the Gift of Kelly’s this Christmas!

Kelly’s Resort Hotel and Spa in Rosslare, Co Wexford is one of the top 4-Star luxury resort hotels in Ireland. They have an offer for either a personal or corporate break with their overnight midweek stay for two which includes dinner, and B&B for just €298. Or try out their half-day spa package which includes thermal suite, full body massage and a two-course lunch in their award-winning La Marine Bistro

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(15ml). Complete in a gorgeous Armani gift box, this is a perfect gift for your dad, boyfriend or brother.

[04] Armani Code Homme Eau De Toilette Gift Set, RRP €68, available from department stores and independent pharmacies nationwide

✱ For a chocolate heaven!

Christmas is a time to treat yourself! Nestlé Ireland has introduced the KitKat Santa. The and Bar, all for €95. Kelly’s little Santa bars have a has lots more ideas and rich chocolatey centre packages, so treat yourself and crunchy wafer this Christmas! pieces and are perfect [02] Book online at kellys.ie to fill up the stockings or call (053) 913 2114 this Christmas! The milk chocolate shapes are ✱ For beautiful skin also gluten-free and come The AVEENO® skincare products in a variety of different formats, are a staple for any Christmas stocking.

Our team is absolutely wild about their 05 including singles (from 75c each), a mini chocolate Santa sharing bag and Daily Moisturising Gift Set. The Yogurt multipacks for those who want to give Body Wash gently cleanses the skin themselves plenty of breaks. while making you smell delicious with And this is sure to make chocolate its apricot and honey scent. Follow up lovers everywhere smile! Irish Quality your shower with the After-Shower Mist, Street fans no longer need to leave which you just spray onto towel-dried their home or even their armchair to skin and it keeps you moisturised for up buy personalised tins of their favourite to 48 hours! Or try the Body Lotion which sweets, as they have a new webshop at is unscented to help protect your skin. qualitystreet.co.uk. You can now buy And since we all need a good hand bespoke, personalised tins of Quality cream to protect our sanitiser-ravaged Street all year round! Choose just the hands, the Daily Moisturising Hand purple ones if you like, or your favourite Cream is a real favourite. From the first selection, or simply go for the classic time you use it, you notice much softer Quality Street tin. It’s your choice! hands!

[04] The KitKat Christmas edition bars [03] The AVEENO® Daily Moisturising are available from all the usual retail Gift Set, €18.69, available in all good outlets pharmacies nationwide ✱ Timeless scent Treat him to the luxurious Armani Code Homme Eau De Toilette Gift Set. Homme is the first oriental fragrance for men from Giorgio Armani, and has a citrus, aromatic scent.

The set contains Armani Code Homme Eau de Toilette aftershave (50ml), Shower Gel (75ml) and Code Homme Travel Spray

✱ Make-up essentials Sarah Keary is one of Ireland’s leading make-up artists with a background in fashion, television and bridal make-up, and she has recently launched the SK Luxury Brush Collection. The brushes are made of the finest, ethnically-sourced sable, goat and synthetic hair, designed for the best application technique.

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Each function is outlined in gold on the sophisticated navy handle.

This 5-Piece Brush set contains: a powder brush, foundation brush, contour/blush brush, flat foundation brush, eye duo brush, eye blender brush, eyeshadow/concealer brush, brow/liner brush and lip brush, complete with a velvet make-up bag. A great gift for beauty addicts.

[06] SK Collection 5-Piece Brush Set, €49.99, available on sarahkeary.ie ✱ For a sustainable Christmas Want a small Irish business with a focus on natural products and sustainability?

Try out Emerald Earth, who sell great bamboo products and natural soap bars which have no plastic in them. Try their Emerald Earth Shampoo Bar (€10). With four different scents available, they smell beautiful, leave hair silky and soft, and cut down on plastic packaging. They have an incredible range of zero waste products that everyone can love, while feeling good about helping the planet.

Or how about Simpli Botanicals, a vegan and cruelty-free brand, who make the Oleo Gel Facial Cleanser (€18.50).

Just apply on wet skin and it turns into a milk cleanser! Follow it up with their Soothing Cream (€17), which encourages skin healing. These are just some of their excellent handmade raw products that are never tested on animals. It’s a great way to shop local, with the wider environment in mind too.

[07] Available at emeraldearth.ie and simplibotanicals.ie ✱ For a cup of tea around the fire West Cork Biscuits has been making biscuits and crackers in their small bakery in Co Cork for nearly 20 years. This Irish business tries to use only locally-sourced ingredients to make their biscuits, including 100pc Irish butter, free-range eggs from a small West Cork farm, top-quality oats, and many other natural products sourced in Ireland. Because every biscuit is produced and individually handmade, no two cookies ever look exactly alike.

Our team are big fans of these biscuits.

From Hazelnut and White Chocolate Cookies, to Ginger Spice, Giant Chocolate Chip Cookies, and their Gingerbread Friends. They make even more delicious baked goods with lots of flavours. Perfect for a treat this Christmas.

[08] Available at regale.ie and retail stockists nationwide

✱ For a fresh morning There will be so much turkey and chocolate this Christmas, you will need a good freshen up afterwards. If you like a deal (like the rest of us!), then the Oral-B iO series and their Genius X electric toothbrushes are on sale, better than half price until Christmas. The Genius X is now €170 (was €450) and has multiple cleaning modes which can be personally tracked on the Oral-B app, so you never miss an area of your mouth. If you are still using a manual toothbrush, then now is the perfect time to upgrade, as electric toothbrushes are often tested as being twice as good for plaque removal. Ah minty fresh!

[09] Available at chemists and stockists nationwide

✱ Healthy hair Suitable for both adults and children, the Happy Scalp Brush (€9.99) by Global Beauty (founded by husband-and-wife team Paul and Leah O’Neill) is an essential tool in your hair care routine. Scalp Brushes have grown in popularity over the last number of years, and have been known to have a variety of benefits for both your hair and scalp health, including removing excess oils and exfoliating the scalp, helping with dandruff.

Global Beauty Range also stocks handy beauty stocking fillers such as a Vacuum Pore Cleaner (€24.99), a trio of Dermaplaning Tools (€11.99) and Face Off Make-Up Cleaning Matt (€9.99).

[12] Available at globalbeauty.ie

✱ White Christmas Speaking of teeth (because it’s so important to keep smiling during tough times!), this Spotlight gift set is a must-have. It includes the Sonic Toothbrush, which allows for a deeper clean, with three speed settings and a two-minute timer. Then, use the one-hour Teeth Whitening Strips, alongside the Toothpaste for Teeth Whitening, both of which are included in the set. Also included is Spotlight’s Pen for Whitening Teeth, a jade roller, gua sha facial massager and a luxury pillow case.

[10] Spotlight Sonic Gift Set, €160, available at eu.spotlightoralcare.com and select retailers nationwide

✱ Listen up!

The AfterShokz OpenMove headphones are one of the most interesting gifts you could give someone. These headphones sit beside your ears and their patented bone conduction technology delivers audio through the cheekbone. It means if you are cycling, running or just like being able to hear the world around you,

✱ For a luxurious getaway If you’re searching for a luxurious gift this Christmas, The Johnstown Estate in Enfield, Co Meath has gifting all wrapped up. Have a glamourous cocktail, an indulgent Afternoon Tea or perhaps a pint by the fire in the Coach House brasserie is just be the thing. Or how about trying out the Spa, which includes a Rooftop Experience and a thermal suite, 15 treatment rooms including a Rasul Mud and Mineral Treatment Bath? And as if that weren’t enough, Gloss at The Spa is a gorgeous jewel of a beauty suite which offers treatments like pedis, manis and Elemis Biotec Facials. Spoil the one you love this Christmas and give them a voucher from The Johnstown Estate, and you never know, they might just let you tag along too!

[11] Vouchers are available at thejohnstownestate.com.

12 you can easily do it, while also listening to your favourite song or podcast. They use Bluetooth 5.0 so have great connectivity, and with a six-hour battery life, you don’t have to worry about losing sound. They are perfect for those who don’t like the feeling of something in or on their ears for long periods of time. Be aware of your surroundings with these incredible value headphones.

[13] AfterShokz OpenMove headphones, €90, available at TheRunHub.ie and other stockists nationwide ✱ Reducing plastic use this Christmas Mother Reusables stainless steel water bottle was created by the Irish company, to help reduce the amount of single-use plastic bottles in the world. It has great thermal properties, keeping hot drinks warm for 12 hours, plus cold water tastes way better than in reusable sports bottles. It really is a perfect stocking filler, as it comes in lovely packaging and one tree is planted for every purchase. The 500ml bottle costs €35 and the 330ml bottle is €25, both available in a choice of colours.

Available at motherreusables.com

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