Gift ideas for grown-ups

At this time every year I wheel out a particular gift idea — that of filling a bag with little bits and pieces for the home.

This year, in the interests of economy, labour- saving efficiencies and style, I suggest confining the contents to just three items. For an evening visit to friends, a pretty gift bag with a scented candle, a packet of fancy paper napkins and a Christmas tree decoration will make a welcome change from a bottle of wine and tin of biscuits, and shows a little more thought.

Alan Horgan’s handcrafted Syzygy lamp combines elm, ash and Indian and Brazilian rosewoods with a contrasting brushed stainless shade (from €580 Cork Craft & Design Shop, Douglas Village Shopping Centre).

Think of it as a lucky bag for grown-ups and a more substantial version could stretch to a home interiors book for anyone planning a New Year decorating project; or a photo frame, ideally with a picture in it. These sorts of gifts are always acceptable, but if you’re opting for something unusual, do consider the recipient’s style , or your gift may well end up in the local charity shop. Above all, consider their tastes, not yours, so no matter how much you love that green vase, do not buy it for a friend whose home is dedicated to tones of red. If you lack ideas, wine glasses, tumblers and mugs will always be useful at Christmas, a time when more of these are broken than at any other. For something a little more imaginative, a hand-crafted tree decoration for each member of the family will be used every year.

Newly launched by Irish designer Jenny Walsh are Christmas decorations including these bears. (€6 from April & The Bear and www.jennywalshdesign.com )

Jenny Walsh Design has just launched a collection of contemporary styled stars, angels and bears on chains or ribbons for easy hanging on tree branches (€6 and €7).

For a friend who is determined to get a healthy eating campaign going in the New Year, a juice machine might help. Bosch’s stylish silver version will look smart on any kitchen work top (€74 at Harvey Norman).

Annabel Langrish’s textiles are inspired by rural life. Introduce this Piggy cushion into the parlour for Christmas (€29.50 at Cork Flower Studio)

Meadows & Byrne is offering a sweet little chrome-style candy dish for placing some chocolate goodies on the coffee table for guests to indulge themselves with an after dinner coffee (€22.95).

And bakers might like a new set of cookie cutters. Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic has copper versions which include shapes of teapots and teacups. Buy a selection and tie them together with a ribbon and pop them in your lucky bag (€3 each at Dunnes Stores).

Fleece blankets for huddling beneath on chilly evenings are beloved by children and adults alike. Penneys has a chic grey and white version with stag motif especially for Christmas (€16).

Julien Macdonald’s new glassware includes a wine goblet, tumbler and champagne flute in a ribbed design tinted in purple. Not one for the wine lover who wants to see the clarity of their Bordeaux — but definitely for the host who wants their dining table to attract appreciative murmurs — (from €9.80 at Debenham’s).

You can never have enough tablewares at Christmas and something we don’t think to buy more of are milk jugs. M&S has a floral version which is larger than typical but not as big as a water jug, and has a delicate floral finish (approx €12).

At a time of year when we’re counting our wine glasses, we usually forget that everyone wants, and probably needs, a cup of tea or coffee before they head home after a party.

* Next week we’re having visitors for Christmas.

Start a collection of interesting tableware for a friend, and add to it at Christmas and for birthdays. Check out collaborations between ceramic artists and established manufacturers like Royal Stafford’s Fish range by Carly Dodsley. From Article, Powerscourt Townhouse. From €17.50