Heavenly scents:On a wet day in the west of Ireland, I wandered into Cloon Keen Atelier and came out with an array of beautifully wrapped presents, most of which I think I will end up keeping.
Cloon Keen are Maggie and Julian, who met while working in film, before giving it up to move to Spiddal and make gorgeous candles. Maggie is originally from Newfoundland (where it's pretty dark for most of the winter), so she knows all about how candles can cheer you up. I bought Exotic Woods and Rose Tea (the range includes White Flowers, and festive specials such as Christmas Pudding and Mulling Spice), and at €16.95 each, with a burning time of 40 to 50 hours, they're an affordable luxury. There are also body lotions, soaps and sprays. They do mail order, too. The only problem is remembering you're meant to give them away - so it might be a good idea to order two of everything. Cloon Keen Atelier is at 3 Kirwan's Lane, Galway, and at Ceardlann craft village in Spiddal, 091-565736, and its candles are sold at shops around the country. Gemma Tipton
Artful choice
Book a gift subscription to the Irish Arts Review, for €56 for a year, and you get to choose from two free tickets to the Abbey Theatre or a CD of Placido Domingo, John Coltrane or The 40 Most Beautiful Christmas Classics. This is a limited offer, while stocks last. It's a good idea for friends and clients who are interested in art, design, architecture and photography. The subscription includes a gift card, four editions of the review, Irish Craft 2007 (a new publication), the Annual Price Guide to Irish Art, and the IAR Privilege Card, which gives free admission to eight art fairs in 2008, as well as upgrades at hotels and discounts at galleries. Phone 01-6793525, e-mail subscriptions@irishartsreview.comor see www.irishartsreview.com.
La dolce vita
Fellini's, on Carey's Lane, off Patrick Street in Cork (021-4276083), is stocked to the rafters with the most extraordinary stuff: everything from Georgian silver collectables in their original boxes to the stunning dresses, shown here, made in champagne and black cotton silk by Eilis Boyle. It's run by the ever-glamorous Patricia Hayden, who looks as if she just stepped out of a Bollywood movie, and her great good humour and taste inform the eclectic mix of art, crafts, ceramics and giftware. There is something for everyone, from adorable hats and booties for babies to antique stemware for oenophiles . . . Gloves, shrugs, scarves and wraps . . . Scented or pyramid-shaped candles already wrapped . . . Gorgeous white porcelain snowflakes for the tree . . . Too much to mention here. But look out for the jewellery made by Margaret O'Rourke on her Momuse label (which will also be on sale at the National Crafts & Design Fair in the RDS this weekend). Patsey Murphy
Child's play
One advantage of toy shopping through a website is that you are in control - you don't have the pressure of the child beside you, says Mimi Doyle, who runs her online company with her husband, Myles. The couple visit toy and trade fairs all over the world to spot trends for Mimitoys. Their policy is "no plastic, no batteries and no guns". This durable wooden ride-on fire engine (€104.95) has rubber wheels that will avoid slipping and damage to floors. Older kids can build a solar system that revolves and glows in the dark (€26.95). See www.mimitoys.ie.