Sign up for alerts from The Irish Times

Notification wireframe

Just click on “Allow Notifications” on the message appearing on your browser to activate them.

bell-slash

We will send you a quick reminder in the future, in case you change your mind.

It’s Christmas

3:40 Christmas goes on too long? On the contrary, it is way too short

Bleak dark winter requires festivity and celebration as far into January as possible

At Irish Distillers in Midleton, Co Cork, whiskey fans can choose from two tour options. Photograph: Ferdinandas/Getty Images/iStock

Five of the best whiskey tours in Ireland

Give the whiskey fan in your life a backstage pass to their favourite distillery

This is a line-up of fine-dining cookbooks that are aimed at the aspirational cook rather than the practical one

Ten of the best cookbooks for fine dining

Cookbooks aimed at aspirational cooks and admirers of the wizardry of haute cuisine

This is a line-up of fine-dining cookbooks that are aimed at the aspirational cook rather than the practical one

Christmas tree market a seasonal lesson in supply and demand

John FitzGerald: Predictions of pandemic-related supply crunch prove unfounded

Chef Erica Drum: ‘ At Christmas dinner let people help themselves, buffet or family style; they’ll take what they actually want.’ Photograph: Donall Farmer

Make Christmas last: Top chefs on how to make your festive leftovers shine

Think beyond the turkey sandwich and cut out food waste with these delicious recipes

Christy Kavanagh at Kavanagh’s Christmas Tree farm in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow: ‘People see our products [as sustainable] rather than the plastic ones.’ Photograph: Cyril Byrne

‘A win-win this year’: Christmas tree sales grow as theft falls

Christmas tree theft peaked in 2008 but no trees reported missing this year

Christy Kavanagh at Kavanagh’s Christmas Tree farm in Newtownmountkennedy, Co Wicklow: ‘People see our products [as sustainable] rather than the plastic ones.’ Photograph: Cyril Byrne

The best beauty Christmas gifts for 2021

Ten of this year’s top beauty buys – from make-up and spa sets to hair dryers

Jesus ‘was born with the substance of the stars and molecules of prehistoric life present and active in his body’. Photograph: Getty Images

4:04 Jesus was the culmination of 13.8 billion years of evolution

Baby Jesus is not just a child of the universe but the eternal Cosmic Christ

Navigating how to have a debt free Christmas comes down to avoiding wasteful expenditure.

How not to break the bank this Christmas: Four experts advise

Not quite ready for Christmas yet? You can do it without throwing money at the problem

Navigating how to have a debt free Christmas comes down to avoiding wasteful expenditure.

Fintan O’Toole: This Christmas, remember what children give to us

They deserve medals from the State for being heroes throughout the pandemic

You can use baubles, leaves, wooden slabs etc when presenting your place card.

How to make charming Christmas place cards

Marie-Claire Whelan of Calligraphy by MCW gives her guide to creating beautiful place cards

The castle is available to rent – having drawn in an impressive guest list, which includes singer Mick Jagger or more recently, pop sensation Taylor Swift

Having a traditional Christmas at Glin, the Downton Abbey of Ireland

Bespoke experience born from 700 years of family history awaits guests at the castle

The castle is available to rent – having drawn in an impressive guest list, which includes singer Mick Jagger or more recently, pop sensation Taylor Swift

Michelle O’Neill: ‘We have a tradition – turkey, stuffing and gravy sandwiches’

Christmas in My House: The Sinn Féin vice-president’s ideal gift would be a ‘few days off’

This natural but stylish candle arrangement from Mark Grehan is perfect for Christmas time. Photograph: Doreen Kilfeather

Christmas table decor: How to create a simple but elegant candle arrangement

Use florist Mark Grehan’s guide to create your own beautiful festive centrepiece

Michelle Duffy: (€250)

A gift of art is the gift that keeps on giving

‘When we buy from local crafts people we keep our money in the community, where it gets put back into other local businesses’

Michelle Duffy: (€250)

How to bring theatre to your Christmas dining table

It’s all about setting the scene and conjuring up a visual as well as mouth-watering feast

Meal ticket: an edible one-day ticket for Berlin’s public transport operator BVG, designed to help commuters ‘calm down’ during the ‘stressful’ Christmas period. Photograph: Tobias Schwarz/AFP

4:06 Edible transport tickets, @Metaverse and Time people of the year

Planet Business: Chocolate inequality and banishing Christmas stress the German way

Catherine Fulvio: Chef and food writer

Christmas with Catherine Fulvio: ‘For sure I will be doing the cooking’

‘Every year I add something new to the menu, but we still enjoy all the core dishes’

Catherine Fulvio: Chef and food writer

Single malt or single pot still? Eight Irish whiskeys for Christmas

With such a variety of fine whiskey available tipplers of all tastes are spoiled for choice

The Christmas lights in Grafton Street in Dublin. Next plc takes on ‘dramatically’ fewer seasonal staff in high street stores than it did in my day. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw

4:23 Nothing says ‘Christmas’ like the festive buzz of a holiday job

My four winters working at a clothes shop in Dublin are among my fondest memories

Krampus appears on Christmas cards throughout Austria and enjoys a long-held place in the country’s holiday traditions, threatening children into submission

Bizarre folklore: Unusual Christmas traditions around the world

From eating KFC in Japan to roller blading to mass in Venezuela

Krampus appears on Christmas cards throughout Austria and enjoys a long-held place in the country’s holiday traditions, threatening children into submission

Ian Dempsey’s Christmas: ‘This year material displays will be less important. Hallelujah to that’

‘I reckon people will embrace a simpler but really good Christmas,’ says the Today FM DJ

Aoife Noonan. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

Aoife Noonan’s Christmas: ‘The day usually starts with Ferrero Rocher and a fry-up’

The chef and Irish Times baking expert on her family traditions and cookbook wishlist

Chef Donal Skehan: ‘Howth has always been home to me, particularly at Christmas. I know it’s the sort of tagline that you hear about everywhere, but it truly is magic’

Christmas at home: How Irish celebrities will celebrate the 25th

Donal Skehan, Louise Kennedy, Barry Murphy and John Brennan share their festive plans

Chef Donal Skehan: ‘Howth has always been home to me, particularly at Christmas. I know it’s the sort of tagline that you hear about everywhere, but it truly is magic’

Paul Flynn: An easy, no-fuss Christmas main course

I’m putting stuffing on the side for the first time ever this year and pairing it with some interesting vegetable dishes

Aimée: ‘When I was 12, my mam and dad got me my first guitar. It kickstarted songwriting for me.’

‘I just want to see friends and family in more casual settings this year ’

My Christmas: Aimée

RTÉ Home Rescue’s Róisín Murphy: ‘I love Christmas. It’s something to look forward to in the middle of the darkness.’ Photograph: Andres Poveda

Christmas decorations: ‘I tried to have a bare tree with glass baubles one year’

Architect and RTÉ Home Rescue presenter Róisín Murphy on festive season aesthetics

RTÉ Home Rescue’s Róisín Murphy: ‘I love Christmas. It’s something to look forward to in the middle of the darkness.’ Photograph: Andres Poveda

Cheat your way to a memorable Christmas spread

Elevate a low-stress dinner with some premium Irish products

Infinite options: Choose your streaming service, point the remote control in the right direction and get watching the festive fare of your choice.

Streaming of a white Christmas? Festive movies online

A round-up of digital movie services and the entertainment content they offer this year

‘Keep smiling: you are the best person in the world to write your book.’ Photograph: iStock

Insider tricks that will help you find a publisher for your book

Writers, an editor, a publisher and an agent on how to take the next step

‘Keep smiling: you are the best person in the world to write your book.’ Photograph: iStock

Lloyd Cooney: ‘I look forward to the magic of Christmas Eve most’

My Christmas: Actor on his gift exchange ritual and last-minute shopping

Pass the red lippy: Three of this season’s best rouge lipstick shades

Red is the colour of the season, whether it’s orange-red, blue-red or brick-red

Hamburger bag by Moschino

Forget hampers and vouchers – find the perfect Christmas gift for foodies

From fashion to classes, get inspired by this alternative guide to food and drink gifts

Hamburger bag by Moschino

Ruth Medjber’s Christmas: ‘Love Actually is shockingly bad’

The music photographer on Irish jewellery, tacky decorations and meeting pals in pubs

Maura Derrane

Maura Derrane’s Christmas: ‘I don’t think it’s good for kids to get a million presents’

The RTÉ presenter on Bad Santa, her best gifts and reliving the magic through her child

People in Ireland spend more at Christmas than pretty much every other country in Europe

13:21 The 12 costs of Christmas: What can Irish households expect to spend?

Pricewatch: By these calculations, festivities could end up costing the bulk of €2,000

People in Ireland spend more at Christmas than pretty much every other country in Europe

Baileys, Bublé and Ballymaloe Relish: What will Christmas look like this year?

Three weeks out: How to prepare for your mother’s imminent explosion at the table

Workwear shirt jacket H&M €27.99; turtleneck €14.99; beanie H&M €7.99; H&M Edition Boyega sustainability conscious 100 per cent recycled jeans € 39.99; TommyxLardini shacket €329

Gift gear for guys to get through a busy festive season

Men’s Fashion: Get your winter wardrobe wrapped up with a capsule collection

Luxury Eucalyptus Christmas Wreath by New Moon Blooms, €80 at Gifted, the Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, RDS, Dublin

Christmas-up your home with a little help from design experts

‘A wreath on the front door looks and feels wonderfully welcoming’

Luxury Eucalyptus Christmas Wreath by New Moon Blooms, €80 at Gifted, the Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, RDS, Dublin

Christmas wish list 2021: the best beauty products, according to the experts

Tara Anderson and Jennifer Rock share their Christmas beauty must-haves

Gráinne Mullins of Grá with her Christmas pudding. Photograph: Joe O’Shaughnessy

The dinners of Christmas past: A taste of the good old days

Four chefs share their favourite childhood festive flavours

Owen Madden, Beth-Ann Smith and Ken Madden at The Lismore Food Company

Look no further than Irish artisans for unique handmade Christmas gifts

From essential oils and hampers to art and jewellery, get inspired by shopping local

Owen Madden, Beth-Ann Smith and Ken Madden at The Lismore Food Company

Kodaline’s Vinny May: ‘Those online gigs kept us connected’

The band’s drummer on lockdown, getting back on the road and Christmas plans

Christmas 2021 gift guide for all beauty tastes. Photograph: iStock.

Christmas gift guide: 15 bare to dare present ideas for all beauty tastes

A guide to this year’s most simple and advanced beauty products

Virgin Media news reporter Richard Chambers in the news room in Ballymount. Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan

‘I’m looking forward to being around family and not being as worried as we were last year’

My Christmas: Richard Chambers

Virgin Media news reporter Richard Chambers in the news room in Ballymount. Photograph: Marc O’Sullivan

Iwan Rheon: ‘I’ve fond memories of Game of Thrones, playing an absolute a**hole’

The Welsh actor on Christmas in Cardiff and his ‘not very good’ Northern Irish accent

Who in their right mind actually cooks outside in Ireland in December? Quite the cohort, it seems. Photograph: iStock

The barbecue enthusiasts cooking Christmas dinner in the back garden

Barbecuing the special dinner provides more flavours and leaves less mess to clean up

Joe Duffy

Joe Duffy: ‘I am sick of being marooned on an island of vegans and Greta Thunberg fanatics’

The broadcaster is looking forward to a meat-laden table at home in Clontarf this Christmas

Joe Duffy

May all your Christmases be green: Sustainable dinner, gifts and trees

Five businesses give advice to help you ensure it’s a season of goodwill to the planet

London-based Irish comedian Jarlath Regan: ‘I’m pushing for people not to spend money on me because not everyone is saying how hard they are finding it financially.’

Jarlath Regan: ‘If I can get back to Ireland for Christmas, I’ll go big’

‘We’ll have a Christmas tree with a compulsory Lego Christmas village underneath’

Fitbit Sense watch: the most advanced iteration of the popular smartwatch

Christmas 2021: Gadgets to give a technology lover

Cutting-edge Christmas gift ideas from fitness tracking to latest electric conveyance

Fitbit Sense watch: the most advanced iteration of the popular smartwatch

Christmas 2021: Gifts for kids of all ages from Irish companies

Something for everyone, from books with props to teen confidence kits

Booksellers recommend their best reads for Christmas 2021. Photograph: iStock

Booksellers’ favourite books to give for Christmas 2021

Some of Ireland’s independent booksellers recommend their best reads for Christmas

Colm Crowley says his pot-grown trees, which are rented out for €40 a year, are a very sustainable way to celebrate Christmas. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Not just for Christmas: Trees go to pot to ensure many festive returns

Customers name their trees, with ‘Spruce Springsteen’ and ‘Woody’ the most popular

Colm Crowley says his pot-grown trees, which are rented out for €40 a year, are a very sustainable way to celebrate Christmas. Photograph: Michael Mac Sweeney/Provision

Designer duel: Two very different approaches to decorating your house for Christmas

Traditionalist Hugh Wallace and minimalist Amanda Bone agree sustainability is crucial

Rod Stewart: ‘Ireland just has some magic for me.’ Photograph: Penny Lancaster

Rod Stewart: ‘I’ve always loved Dublin, all my life’

The singer on changing social mores, lockdown tears and why he loves Ireland

Wedding and event planner Sharon Griffin’s table setting. Shot at Luttrellstown Castle, Dublin. Photograph: Philip Lauterbach

Get your table all set for the perfect Christmas dinner

Table arrangements can set the perfect mood for Christmas

Wedding and event planner Sharon Griffin’s table setting. Shot at Luttrellstown Castle, Dublin. Photograph: Philip Lauterbach

Tolü Makay: ‘I thought I was superwoman, I thought I could do it all’

‘It’s my first time doing an album, so you learn.’ The singer reflects on 2021

Gráinne Mullins of Grá with her Christmas pudding. Photograph: Joe O Shaughnessy

The best of Christmases past

Four chefs share their favourite childhood festive flavours

Circular design dress H&M, €99, boots Mango, €90

Cosy but cool must-have garments for the festive season

Woollens, sparkles and hard-wearing trouser suits for winter

Circular design dress H&M, €99, boots Mango, €90

Authors and experts on how to get your book published

Advice from novelists to publishers – here’s how to take the next step with your writing

There can be few more spectacular places to welcome in the new year than Clare Island Lighthouse.

Ten great getaways between Christmas and the new year

Walks, reading a book by a log fire and quiet cosy dinners may be just what you need

A Christmas jumper bought online for €20 from a non-EU country will attract VAT this year, which wasn’t the case in 2020. Photograph: iStock

Revenue warns online shoppers of cost of buying goods from outside EU

Reminder that VAT exemption for goods with value of €22 or less expired in July

A Christmas jumper bought online for €20 from a non-EU country will attract VAT this year, which wasn’t the case in 2020. Photograph: iStock

Christmas ads keep faith with supply chains in season of trade strains

Several of this year’s festive campaigns have already arrived – even if the HGVs have not

Most Read in Life & Style

1 ‘Whenever Heaney came to town to teach I’d cut his hair’

2 The benefits of exercise with . . . atrial fibrillation

3 Brianna Parkins: What it’s really like to have ADHD, by a woman with ADHD

4 Róisín Ingle: Here’s the thing about harmless, sexist fun

5 Do I have to pay to move my ESB cable to facilitate my neighbour’s new build?

6 Irish motorists fell out of love with Fiat – John Saunders thinks he can change that

7 Volkswagen ID.4 GTX: €72,000 is a step too far for an electric car

8 The snow was falling in Kyoto as we shared a kiss on the cold roadside

9 Jeffrey Epstein’s final days: Smirking, he said ‘I am not suicidal and I would never be’

10 ‘My girlfriend has put on weight and I’m not attracted to her any more’

Real news has value

Sign In

Forgot Password?

Sign Out