Couple exchanging christmas gift with red bow on background of christmas tree with lights. Stylish couple hands holding present

#Christmas Features

From gift ideas to surviving the Christmas season unscathed this is your one stop shop for festive features which will guide you through this holiday period.

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

3156116_1_org_Joanne_Fortune_Circle_headshot
Joanna Fortune: My eldest says we're mean and no fun 
Suzanne Harrington
Suzanne Harrington: Festive dread? I see you and it doesn't have to be this way
Man packing full shopping bags into the car trunk
Life Hack: Doing the Christmas shop? Here’s how to pack your groceries
This will help avoid arguments at the tills

Mon, 22 Dec, 2025

'The most common question I’m asked is if the reindeers fly. My answer is always the same'
'The most common question I’m asked is if the reindeers fly. My answer is always the same'
They all have their own unique names and identities, says Philippa Auret tells Sarah Horgan on a trip to Cork with her reindeer

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

robin bird
Christmas pre-tinsel: when plants — and robins — ran the show
Strip Christmas of its baubles, batteries and Amazon deliveries, and what you’re left with is, at heart, a festival of plants. Trees dragged indoors. Mistletoe hung from the ceiling. Berries admired but (wisely) not eaten.

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

Church Choir members getting ready for performance
Festive harmony: How being a member of a choir is good for your health
Singing is known to be an instant mood booster. Joining a choir amplifies the feel-good effect

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

Meet the catering staff who will be working long hours to bring Christmas dinner to those in hospital
Meet the catering staff who will be working long hours to bring Christmas dinner to those in hospital
Hospital canteen staff across the country will be working long hours to make sure patients get to enjoy a Christmas dinner. We talk to employees who will be serving memories on a plate this year

Thu, 18 Dec, 2025

back view of an electric scooter rider. evening road
Richard Hogan: E-scooters for teens and mobiles for young children — a recipe for disaster
The best gift you could give your child this Christmas is the gift of parenting... not an e-scooter, writes Richard Hogan

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

The Devil Wears Prada opening
Sarah Harte: High notions at Christmas can end in tears...or in the back of a squad car
The advantage for you, social butterfly reader of this column, is that you can benefit from my couch-potato ways and party confidently, passing off third-hand etiquette tips as your own

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

All ready for holidays
Are you a 'wrap star' or do you struggle with sticky tape and uneven corners on your wrapping?
Christmas, all wrapped up. We take a look at why we wrap presents and how the tradition has evolved

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Lonely woman feeling sad during christmas holidays
Is guilt the driving force behind an authentic Irish Christmas?
For a nation of chronic people-pleasers, an Irish Christmas often comes with a unique experience of guilt. Sarah Finnan says it’s time to let go and say no

Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

'We sell seven tons of spiced beef at Christmas': Meet the people on the festive frontlines
'We sell seven tons of spiced beef at Christmas': Meet the people on the festive frontlines
From panto dames to Christmas tree growers, butchers and toy shop owners, meet the people on the festive frontlines with Gemma Fullam

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

I spent a day with Cork turkey farmers before Christmas — here's what I learned
I spent a day with Cork turkey farmers before Christmas — here's what I learned
Free range turkey farming is a labour of love, as Joe McNamee discovers at Healy's farm in Co Cork

Wed, 10 Dec, 2025

Our best Christmas ever: ‘We got last-minute tickets to the Late Late Toy Show'
Our best Christmas ever: ‘We got last-minute tickets to the Late Late Toy Show'
Weddings, families reunited, new pets all helped make Christmas extra special for these families

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

How to make mince pies, classic trifle, and other favourite Christmas desserts
How to make mince pies, classic trifle, and other favourite Christmas desserts
Spoil your loved ones this Christmas with Michelle Darmody's festive and fabulous treats

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Winter alcoholic hot drinks
Caitríona Redmond: Alcohol-free drink offerings need to improve
Is there a non-drinker tax?

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Sarah Butler: My foolproof recipe for roast Christmas turkey
Sarah Butler: My foolproof recipe for roast Christmas turkey
Plus how to make smoked salmon, cream cheese & cucumber bites — the ultimate Christmas nibbles

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

A clearer Christmas: How to survive the festive season sober
A clearer Christmas: How to survive the festive season sober
Ireland and alcohol: a pairing so familiar it’s become a global stereotype. But the social landscape is changing, and with it, our drinking habits. Sarah Finnan explores how to survive the festive season sober 

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

Darina Allen: Try these recipes for stress-free starters for your Christmas feast
Darina Allen: Try these recipes for stress-free starters for your Christmas feast
This week I’m mulling over possible starters for the Christmas feast - something light, lovely, tantalisingly fresh and easy to serve.

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

Be my guest: Your ultimate guide to hosting this Christmas
Be my guest: Your ultimate guide to hosting this Christmas
Whether you’re hosting for the very first time or gathering the usual crowd for another Christmas around the table, we asked the experts for their golden rules on how to make it all run smoothly.

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025

A taste of Christmas: Festive food gifts to give this year
A taste of Christmas: Festive food gifts to give this year
If food writer Joe McNamee isn’t writing about the finest Irish food and drinks, then he’s eating and drinking the stuff to beat the band, no more so than at Christmas. Here is his list of edible essentials to keep you well fed and watered throughout the holiday period

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Christmas Family Dinner Table Concept
10 Irish products to buy for the food lover's Christmas pantry
Raise your festive eating pleasure with these 10 pantry essentials, writes Ali Dunworth

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Seven delicious recipes to make Irish seafood part of your Christmas feast
Seven delicious recipes to make Irish seafood part of your Christmas feast
Aishling Moore’s modern seafood recipes for a spectacular celebration

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Stuffed roast turkey crown
Five top Irish chefs share their secrets to make the perfect stuffing for Christmas dinner
Turkey without stuffing is near unfathomable — actually, make that Christmas without stuffing for even when turkey is replaced entirely, Christmas stuffing seems to remain a non-negotiable for most. Five top Irish chefs offer recipes, ranging from the arch-traditionalist to some radical reinterpretations.

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Christmas Red Wine in Front of the Fireplace and Christmas Tree with Gifts
A wine expert's guide to the best festive drinks for Christmas
Leslie Williams picks bottles for every budget, taste and Christmas celebration

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

A fashion editor's guide to the 12 dresses of Christmas
A fashion editor's guide to the 12 dresses of Christmas
The season of sparkle has arrived and with it a flurry of festive plans. Office soirées, yuletide cocktails, winter weddings: each occasion calls for a look that shines. So, get set for your gúna glow-up, folks. These are the dresses your wardrobe has been waiting for. Bring on the bubbles, and the compliments!

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Roasted turkey on holiday table
S Five of Darina Allen's go-to family recipes for a classic Christmas feast
This year I’m championing the old-school and the traditional, writes Darina Allen

Sat, 06 Dec, 2025

Diary of a Gen-Z Student: All of my siblings have emigrated, I'll miss the Christmas family chaos
Diary of a Gen-Z Student: All of my siblings have emigrated, I'll miss the Christmas family chaos
I know they’re having a ball, but, selfishly, I’d just like if it could be had a little closer to home

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Young woman organizing clothes in cardboard boxes at home
How the snowflake method could help you declutter before Christmas
Focusing on duplicates is a great way to keep it simple when it comes to clean outs, making it the perfect approach for a stress-free tidy before the festive chaos begins in earnest

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Christmas summer with multi-ethnic gays
Richard Hogan: Christmas songs are like time machines — hop in and enjoy the nostalgia
Listening to the soundtrack of my Christmases past...

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

The big Irish gift guide: 300 of the best gifts to shop for Christmas 2025
S The big Irish gift guide: 300 of the best gifts to shop for Christmas 2025
Digital editor Denise O'Donoghue rounds up 300 of the best Irish gifts to shop this festive season. This is your A-Z guide to Christmas gifting with a local twist

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Lazy Christmas at home
Dear Dáithí: My brother thinks his presence is our real present every Christmas
We used to actually get along when we both lived at home but ever since he got a job in Canada he acts like he invented work

Mon, 01 Dec, 2025

Beautiful emotional woman holding present box
The beauty editor's Christmas gift guide: 12 things to buy for everyone in your life
From daughters to mothers in law, Sally Foran reveals her makeup and skincare gift ideas for Christmas

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

modern female buying clothes online in room at Christmas
The fashion editor's gift guide: 12 stylish things to buy this Christmas
From boyfriends to mothers, here are the Irish fashion gifts Style editor Annmarie O'Connor recommends this Christmas

Thu, 27 Nov, 2025

Christmas time
Richard Hogan: In my experience, children who get everything come to enjoy nothing
I’m not suggesting we don’t give our kids anything, I’m saying that we should help them to also think about others at this time of immense gift receiving

Wed, 26 Nov, 2025

Woman, sad and thinking on sofa by Christmas tree, trauma or bad memory with headache in home. Mature person, depression and lon
Dear Dáithí: I'll need to clone myself to cope with Christmas 'fun' without burning out
The house is full of gift sets, and boxes of chocolates squirrelled away for unexpected guests, and there are boxes of biscuits and festive drinks in the most random places

Mon, 17 Nov, 2025

cheerful santa man hold exotic fruit. healthy gift. bearded man healthy eating. merry christmas. happy new year. xmas gifts and
Bernard O'Shea: 5 things to do in November for a head start on your New Year’s weight loss
Every year, I make the same promise: January is when I will sort myself out.

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Darina Allen: How to make a light Christmas cake and a chocolate Yule log
Darina Allen: How to make a light Christmas cake and a chocolate Yule log
"I have to say I was properly impressed by the quality and have since sent in an order for several items to stock in our little Farm Shop, in Shanagarry."

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

The Brehon Hotel & Spa: The ultimate luxury gift experience
The Brehon Hotel & Spa: The ultimate luxury gift experience
Discover luxurious accommodation, indulgent dining and bespoke spa treatments with a getaway to Killarney

Thu, 02 Jan, 2025

Cillian Murphy
Mick Clifford's A to Z of 2024: A look back at the people who shaped the passing year
A look back at the passing year and the people who shaped it, for good and ill

Mon, 30 Dec, 2024

Mrs.Clause on a Video Conference Call
Julie Jay: I’ve a niggling suspicion that Mrs Claus does more than bake cookies
To those objecting to the ad’s supppsed ‘wokeness’ please remember that there are very few problems which can’t be solved by a good scrub

Wed, 25 Dec, 2024

Champagne or sparkling wine with tangerines for Christmas. Festive concept. Mimosa cocktail
How to make a zingy Christmas morning Mimosa cocktail for breakfast or brunch
Freshly squeezed juice is key

Wed, 25 Dec, 2024

A Christmas spent lighting up the lives of others — one good deed at a time
A Christmas spent lighting up the lives of others — one good deed at a time
Arlene Harris talks to people who will spend their Christmas helping others in need, providing delicious meals, being on standby in case of emergencies, and even delivering gifts

Wed, 25 Dec, 2024

Secret Santas: Meet two very different men suiting up to bring magic and joy this festive season
Secret Santas: Meet two very different men suiting up to bring magic and joy this festive season
For around a month every year, these two secret Santas are the centre of attention at Christmas festivals and grottoes. They tell Ellie O'Byrne about the emotions and joy it brings, which makes it worth the year-round work it takes

Wed, 25 Dec, 2024

Flat-lay of Christmas table setting with chicken, wine and decorations
Darina Allen's go-to Christmas recipes, including her tried-and-tested classic turkey
Enjoy a traditional Christmas dinner with this trusted turkey recipe and the tastiest of festive trimmings, writes Darina Allen

Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

Limerick boy's Christmas wish? A phone to ring his hurling heroes
Limerick boy's Christmas wish? A phone to ring his hurling heroes
Noah Twomey, aged eight, was diagnosed with leukaemia just before Christmas 2023

Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

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