Wish List: Christmas Flowers, feasting, festivals and why no to get a Christmas puppy

 Faith Ryan puts the final finish on the Christmas shopping with flowers, feasting and festivals.

Step away from that Christmas puppy!

Nanci Creedon, dog behaviourist, Creedon’s Doggie Daycare explains: “Every December I shout from the rooftops to people not to purchase a puppy for Christmas, and every January I have to bite my tongue as I am inundated with requests from new dog owners, looking for help and advice with their new puppies.

“Head! Brick wall! Responsible breeders avoid mating their dogs around July / August to avoid the risk of their pups going to a home as a Christmas puppy.

“A fluffy puppy under the tree, with the newest video games, dolls and selection boxes very quickly becomes one of many new toys.

“Together with the additional costs for you, and the frightening chaos of Christmas for the animal — it’s just not fair. Reconsider in the Spring.”

Designed by Takeshi Sawada and handmade in Denmark from European oak and American walnut with a faux fur seat, the Bambi is an irresistible bit of quality design that just makes us smile. €279, Mira Mira, 3 Sandymount Green, Dublin

This Ashley Thomas gift sack would be ideal for presenting something really special and will be treasured year in, year out. Reduced to €33.60 Debenhams.

Consider gifting a knitting kit complete with pattern. Two stitches can work up just about anything and there are visual guides online to get anyone going.

This group is part of a wider selection of bags, needle sets and wool from Homespun at M&S, but Home Focus at Hickeys and any good haberdashery will put together a bespoke kit for you for around €20-€30. Keep in mind that some of the great designer knitters, including Kaffe Fasset are men!

If you’re thinking of something handy, this new Rossa blender from Russell Hobbs comes with a 500ml beaker and 400w of power in a stainless-steel chopping/ blending tool.

Bought alone it’s €32, but add a balloon whisk and extra bowl attachment to increase its usefulness to omelettes, meringues and more. From €44.99 at Harvey Norman with deals over the season — go hunting!

Flowers and other plants offer instant and economical ideas as Christmas gifts, and with delivery, what could be easier? Florists can make up anything — a wreath, a mantle-piece, a centrepiece including candles, a fabulous bouquet or rustic crate.

Choose living potted plants like scarlet poinsettia that will last longer than the season.

We love the planted Christmas bowls, bristling with cinnamon and unusual contemporary style houseplants from the Cork Flower Studio, Douglas Street, from €45. Corkflowerstudio.com.

The Waterford Homecrafts Annual Christmas Craft Fair is running at the Garter Lane Arts Centre on O’Connell Street until next Tuesday.

Hundreds of gift ideas, including handcrafted jewellery, artisan foods, beautifully turned wood products, hand-blown glass, organic skincare products, creative ceramics, hand-woven baskets.

Part of Waterford’s Winterval festival.

Pictured: Maker Tom Larkin