Charlene McKenna: ‘Within three weeks, I turned 40, had my first baby and lost my father’
For the Irish actress this Christmas will be ‘incredibly bittersweet’ as she mourns the death of her dad and celebrates her much-fought-for daughter
It's Christmas magazine
Markets in Vienna or Christmas at The Shelbourne? 10 holiday escapes over the festive season
Shake up your usual Yuletide routine with these options, from off-grid cabins to grande dame hotels, and from lighthouses to pet-friendly retreats
Comedian Peter McGann: Christmas dinner can do one, as far as I’m concerned
Comedian Peter McGann would rather eat beans than turkey and has no work next year but, on the upside, he’s in Chris O’Dowd’s new show
Phil Coulter’s Christmas: We’ll have a huge tree, millions of lights
A ‘sucker for Christmas’, songwriter and musician Phil Coulter is looking forward to a quiet one this year
Traditional musician Sharon Shannon’s Christmas: ‘I’d much prefer to rescue live turkeys and pigs’
Shannon’s ideal Christmas is packed with sprouts, roasties and lots of furry friends
Mairead Doyle-Heffernan’s Christmas: There’s no place like town
The comedian, podcaster and star of Channel 4′s Selling Super Houses shares her festive plans and habits
‘We always wear Christmas hats’: The workers who don’t get a day off
Three employees who drew the short straw talk about working on Christmas Day
How to create the perfect Christmas table: follow these interior designer tips
Setting the table for Christmas counts – it’s where memories are made says stylist and interior designer Alannah Monks
Christmas TV and movies: Ten of the best for families to stream
There’s plenty of festive streaming fare for kids and families, from Bluey and Charlie Brown to the Minions
How to survive Christmas when you are grieving for a loved one
Experts offer advice on navigating Christmas for people going through grief and those supporting them
The best books to give - and receive - as gifts
Some well known faces recommend the books they liked and the ones they hope to find in their Christmas stocking
Celebrity inspired Christmas gift ideas for the men in your life
From The Edge’s black beanie to Pierce Brosnan’s favourite timepiece, we look at some high profile gifts that are a step up from hankies and socks
Christmas gifts: For beauty lovers who only think they have everything
Buying a gift for someone passionate about beauty is harder than you think, so here are our tips
Christmas gifts for him and her, from a handy photo printer to a biodegradable calendar
A selection of gifts that don’t cost the earth but will mean a lot to those who receive them
Tired of buying socks and ties? Here are eight quirky Christmas gifts
Horse rides through the countryside, Game of Thrones adventures and a restaurant that changes its menu every six weeks
Bill Bailey: At 91 years old my dad is headed to London to make his fortune
Comedian and Strictly Come Dancing champion Bill Bailey wasn’t a fan of Christmas – until he was
Creative table settings make Christmas an extra special occasion
A dash glitz and a hint of formality can lift the occasion, writes Tara O’Connor of The Designed Table
Christmas breakfast: Don’t forget the most important meal of the day
Figures from Ireland’s food scene share their Christmas breakfast stories, recipes and gift ideas
Feeding our homeless this Christmas
“The lack of understanding for families and their struggles is horrifying, I knew I had to do something to help”
Kim Wilde’s Christmas: Winter is my time of year and I adore snow
Rick Astley may hold Winter Wonderland against her but Kim Wilde is still a Christmas favourite
The best Christmas experiences? Bird shows, helicopter rides, Ferrari drives and more
The best gift I got last year was to take a hawk for a walk in Wicklow, writes Sandra O’Connell
Lorraine Keane: I buy preloved clothes for my daughters at Christmas
Shopping second hand gives you access to designer labels, it’s sustainable and it helps charities, says the Fashion Relief founder
Laurita Blewitt’s Christmas: My uncles fill me up with whiskey
What do Tommy and Hector buy for Laurita Blewitt? And is she on cousin Joe’s Christmas card list?
Christmas gifts: Ten gadgets, from coffee machines to VR headsets
Who doesn’t love a gizmo? Here are 10 Christmas gift suggestions for the gadget geeks in your life
Christmas gifts for toddlers to teens
Coming up with ideas for suitable gifts for the kids in your life can be a pressure. But fear not, we are here with some great suggestions
Five beauty Advent calendars – hidden gems and surprising savings
These countdown-to-Christmas gifts include an Irish brand that will be hard to get your hands on
Christmas breaks: Why not give yourself the gift of a getaway?
Whether you want Christmas with bells on or just to escape from it all, here are some great trips to consider
Give presence, wrap wine in socks – tips for a minimalist Christmas
Stress levels rising? To-do lists lengthening? Five experts tell us how have a simpler, calmer Christmas
The timeless flavours of old Irish dishes spice up Christmas dinner
Traditional fare doesn’t stop at turkey, which is a recent arrival to the Christmas table in Ireland anyway
Alternative Christmas trees: Don’t get too hung up on tradition
Whether for reasons of sustainability or space, foregoing a ‘proper’ Christmas tree opens up all sorts of creative possibilities
Twelve stocking-filler children’s books from Irish authors
From Skellig Island adventures to chaotic Irish dancing, Deanna O’Connor recommends 12 of the best Irish children’s books
Marita Conlon-McKenna, Paul Howard, Patricia Forde recommend Irish children’s books
Three Irish children’s authors pick the books they will be choosing for the children in their lives this year
Christmas dinner advice from two of Ireland’s best-known TV chefs
Valuable and sometimes surprising tips: Don’t fake-tan the turkey with a hangover
It’s a wrap: Films and music you can put under the Christmas tree
A paucity of older material online and extravagant box-sets are two reasons for giving CDs and DVDs
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