#Christmas Features

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#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

<p>Philippa Auret (right) of NI Reindeer looking after Dancer and Prancer at Cork's Marina Market on Saturday. Picture: Larry Cummins</p>

spotlight

'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

<p>Unlike many birds, robins remain active through winter, defending territories and singing even on the shortest days of the year. Their presence in bleak winter gardens made them symbols of cheer and continuity. </p>

outdoors

Christmas pre-tinsel: when plants — and robins — ran the show

<p>More than just singing - being part of a choir creates lasting friendships and connections</p>

health and wellbeing

Festive harmony: How being a member of a choir is good for your health

Meet the catering staff who will be working long hours to bring Christmas dinner to those in hospital

health and wellbeing

Meet the catering staff who will be working long hours to bring Christmas dinner to those in hospital

Richard%20Hogan

Richard Hogan: E-scooters for teens and mobiles for young children — a recipe for disaster

Sarah Harte Writer head shot.png

Sarah Harte: High notions at Christmas can end in tears...or in the back of a squad car

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, keep dreaming

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, keep dreaming

There's always next year...

Tue, 24 Dec, 2024

The Toy Collectors: Model citizen relives ancient battles in miniature and through re-enactments

The Toy Collectors: Model citizen relives ancient battles in miniature and through re-enactments

Shane Kent's home is besieged by hundreds of soldiers all fully armed and ready for battle. But fear not, the armies are in fact tiny models of ancient warriors that Shane paints and customises in exquisite detail

Mon, 23 Dec, 2024

The Toy Collectors: 'My daughter loved her dolls, so they remind me of her'

The Toy Collectors: 'My daughter loved her dolls, so they remind me of her'

Carol Flanagan, 60, is now the owner of 70 dolls, a modest figure when compared to her earlier collection, which she estimates was in the hundreds

Mon, 23 Dec, 2024

HEATHER NASH

The Toy Collectors: 'You're never too old for dolls — or too young for models'

Sarah Horgan meets two very different toy collectors whose pastimes, while providing lots of joy, also spark their ambitions for the future

Mon, 23 Dec, 2024

SANTA HAT ON BEACH

The Christmas swims taking place around Ireland and how you can take part

The countdown to Christmas is definitely on — so if you're planning a seasonal dunk then check out this list which includes couple of handy pre-Christmas swims too

Sun, 22 Dec, 2024

Magic moments: What's made Christmas Day special for Irish people over the years

Magic moments: What's made Christmas Day special for Irish people over the years

Ahead of the Christmas holidays, Deirdre McArdle asked 43 Irish people what makes the day special for them.

Sun, 22 Dec, 2024

Grey haired mature man and a little girl in Christmas sweater having fun and celebrating Christmas at home

What it's like to navigate Christmas as a grandparent

It’s a delicate balance: wanting everyone at their house while respecting that adult children may not get along or may have new obligations

Sun, 22 Dec, 2024