I REMEMBER when we were small, whenever we’d ask my mother what she wanted for Christmas, she’d reply that she wanted “a bit of peace”.

It’s not been a common pre-kick-off feeling this season but, for once, looking at a United teamsheet gave me hope last night.

Putting aside angels-on-a-pinhead arguments about the actual year in which a decade expires and a new one commences — is it January 1, 2020, or 12 months on in 2021 and, anyway, who really cares? — what we hope will be the peace and quiet of St Stephen’s Day brings an opportunity to reflect not only on the country’s 2019 but also on aspects of the Dáil’s less-than-adequate performance since 2010.

I have such fond memories of Christmas time from my childhood. Our tradition was we would travel to my father’s sister’s house for Christmas. As my twin and I were the youngest of the cousins we were doted on by the others.

Why does Santa live at the North Pole? How does he get around the world in a single night? And what does he do on Christmas morning? These and many other Christmas mysteries are solved by the Junior Infants of Gaelscoil Charraig Uí Leighin in Carrigaline, Co Cork. By Ailin Quinlan

Santa has left the North Pole and is making his way towards Ireland.

There have been some very naughty elves on the shelves this Christmas, the first-class pupils of Scoil Ursula in Blackrock tell Susan O’Shea, and Santa is going to have a very full sleigh, packed full of gadgets, princesses, and even a pug

Consumer advice with Gráinne McGuinness

Met Éireann is ruling out the prospect of a white Christmas.

Children of a certain age always end up asking one day ‘what is the Watford Gap, daddy?’ Yesterday, you might have suggested it was the chasm in the earth De Gea wished would open up after yet another of his blunders.

From Christmas Day swims to Christmas tree flings, there’s no excuse to be a couch potato this festive season, with lots on offer to get you and your loved ones up, out, and on the move, writes Susan O’Shea.

If the robin is the ‘Christmas bird’, then the snow bunting is the ‘white-Christmas’ one; its arrival here each winter is as irregular and unpredictable as snow during the festive season.

A typical Christmas isn’t available to some, and isn’t suitable for others. Joyce Fegan chats to people who won’t be celebrating the usual way — but are united in making the best of this most wonderful time of the year.

I estimate that this is the fourth Christmas column I’ve written for the Irish Examiner, and while I haven’t looked back at the others, I have a sneaking suspicion there are certain similarities between them all.

Santa, please bring my dream present

‘There's something about Christmas,” goes the Barry’s Tea radio ad.

Pat Kane launched her ReUzi online store in 2018, and her shop in Foxrock, Dublin 18, just three months ago.

He’s made his list and he’s checked it twice, but maybe Santa Claus should be considering whether plastic toys are naughty or nice, writes Ellie O’Byrne.

Shelter, security, safety, warmth — these are things that every child must have in your rich and prosperous country

There's something under the tree for all kinds of podcast listeners, young and old, this Christmas.

A spokesperson for the Dogs Trust charity has repeated an appeal for people not to buy puppies as a Christmas gift as they pause their adoption programme until January 4.

Childcare providers have been left with just days to find insurance solutions before they are forced to close.

Looking to give the gift of food this year?

Want to be cultured this Christmas? From TV to podcasts to books, Ed Power has the definite list of everything you missed this year - so you can curl up on the couch and catch up

This year’s selection of children’s books features stories with universal themes, cute dogs and reindeer, superb illustrations, and iconic Irish settings, says Emmet Arrigan

Ciara McDonnell talks to four high-profile people about their festive traditions and favourite tracks

A homeless mother has hit out at the Taoiseach for his comment that Santa will find homeless children this Christmas.

‘Just be nice’ is an insidious mantra designed to keep us quiet when we should speak out against injustice. And we should equally be wary of ‘politeness’ that is a cover for hate, writes Tara Flynn.

The United Kingdom goes to the polls on Thursday and the result will have a profound bearing on how that entity will, or can, remain united.

Festive seasons come and go, but some moments can never be forgotten, discovers Donal O’Keeffe.

Hundreds of people gathered at a Co Donegal seaside village today to see GAA motormouth Joe Brolly get dumped into the sea.

It’s not what you have that makes you happy, it’s what you do. And what better time to be proactive than during the season of goodwill, says Margaret Jennings.

But the Taoiseach has defended Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy by claiming some people “are always angry” no matter what the Government does.

The arrival of Ryan Turbidy on our screens last Friday night, dressed as Olaf, not only signalled the beginning of ‘The Late Late Toy show’ but also marked the beginning of Christmas, proper.

In December, the gaming industry is usually quieter than Santa’s social life.

Season’s Greetings to everyone from the mystical North Pole.

I wonder if children had a choice, would they prefer if we got our act together to tackle climate change or bought them an array of presents from a bumper toy store, asks Joyce Fegan

Pantos, big wheels, festivals — Ciara McDonnell rounds up the best events this December to keep you busy in the build up to Christmas

Playing Santa carries with it a responsibility like no other. Get it right, and you become an icon. Get it wrong, and you run the risk of ruining Christmas says Chris Wasser.

Esther N McCarthy picks rustic rugs, cool ceramics, and handcrafted toys this week.

Nip those winter ailments in the bud with the help of garden bounty. Fiann Ó Nualláin shows you how.

You’ve seen it and worried about it and there’s no point in pretending otherwise.

Make sure the family are ready to enjoy one of the most important nights of the year with The Late Late Toy Show charity collection in Penneys.

Despite Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s weekend bullishness when he said that a record 2.3m people are at work and that the unemployment rate stands at 5% and continues to fall, today’s budget, one of the tightly choreographed melodramas of the political year, might be described as a cross between one of Venice’s masked balls and a dull episode of a TV blind date exploitation fest.