There's really not long to go now until the big day and if you're running low on gift ideas, worry not.
If you have your big presents all sorted but are looking for those little bits and pieces for Christmas stockings and Secret Santa gifts - or to have on hand in case you need a last-minute present - this is for you.
From the world's oldest alcoholic drink and the best of Irish gins to personalised Ketchup (yes, really) and the easiest Irish staycation gift going, read on for some top shopping ideas.
The gin selection box
The Coast Road multipack contains four gins from distilleries based along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. There’s An Dúlamán Irish Maritime Gin from Sliabh Liag Distillers in Donegal; Micil Irish Gin which is handcrafted in Galway; Skellig Six18's pot distilled gin made in Cahersiveen, Co Kerry and Inis Cléire
3 SQ. MILES Irish coastal from Cape Clear Island Distillery, Ireland’s first offshore Gaeltacht distillery. RRP€49.99, stockists including Celtic Whiskey Shop, and Irish Malts .
The holiday escape
There’s a bit more optimism about 2021 now and no doubt many of us will be embarking on short breaks and hotel getaways around the country. Ireland Hotels’ Go Anywhere gift card lets you give someone the gift of a hotel or guest house stay, but exactly where is up to them. The card, available in denominations of €50 to €1,000, can be used in hundreds of participating locations across Ireland. www.Irelandhotels.com
Festive mugs
There’s something brilliantly retro about enamel mugs and Aldi is launching this cute selection from Merchants Of Distinction in stores on December 15th. They’re hardwearing and resilient, making them perfect for taking on things like camping trips. Available in blue/white or green/red, they’re priced at €6.87 for two. Aldi.ie
Non-alcoholic tipples
Serving as both drinks in their own right, and as great ingredients in cocktails and festive punches, the non-alcoholic Belvoir Mulled Winter Cordial (€4.95) and Mulled Winter Punch (€6.95) are both available from Fallon and Byrne. The cordial contains a blend of cranberry, blackcurrant and orange juices with winter spices, while the punch is made with elderberry, blackcurrant and orange juices and rich spices. Fallonandbyrne.com
Fancy hot chocolate
Sweet and comforting, hot chocolate is great at Christmas time and this Fortnum & Mason ultimate hot chocolate gift pack takes things up a notch. It has four flavours including a dark hot chocolate with notes of coffee and spice and a salted caramel option too. €29.51, get it at Brown Thomas. Brownthomas.com
Chocolate with a conscience
Chunky, and very tasty, Tony’s Chocolonely fair trade chocolate bars make perfect stocking fillers. There are two new flavours this Christmas: Dark Mint Candy Cane, which is dairy free and contains minty candy pieces, and Milk Chocolate Gingerbread which has spiced gingerbread cookie pieces. They’re €3.98 each and stockists include Supervalu, Brown Thomas, Earthmother.ie, and Fresh. https://tonyschocolonely.com
The coffee accessory
For the coffee fan who has everything, this sleek Lume Mia capsule dispenser from Nespresso (€30) makes for a pretty way to store and display coffee pods. The curved lid is made from steel, with a silicone handle on top. Available from Nespresso at Dundrum Town Centre. www.nespresso.com
Personalised Ketchup
If you have a Ketchup or baked beans lover in your life, Heinz has personalised products in its online Christmas shop. Festive bottles of Heinz [Seriously] Good Mayonnaise, Tomato Ketchup, Beanz, Cream of Tomato Soup and Heinz Hoops are all still available. Priced at €7.50 each order before Dec 18th to make sure your present arrives in time. https://heinztohome.ie
Irish mead
Mead is the world’s oldest alcoholic drink (it’s made from fermented from honey and berries) and the family-run Kinsale Mead Co. is the first Irish meadery in 200 years. This gift set is a great introduction to the drink. The box is illustrated by local artist Fiona Boniwell and it contains a trio of 5cl bottles of mead - Atlantic Dry, Wild Red and Hazy Summer Mead, as well as tasting notes and a little mead history. €19.95 from www.kinsalemeadco.ie
The perfect biscuit
These beautiful musical house tins from M&S are full of all-butter shortbread biscuits. What’s more, they’re true to their names and wind up to play a festive tune. They’re €7.50 each and are available in M&S stores. Marksandspencer.com/ie
