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gift ideas

Having fresh flowers in your house makes such a big difference. The beautiful blooms never fail to put a smile on your face so why not pop down to your local Aldi?

Aldi’s seasonal bouquets are great for adding a touch of colour and occasion to your home this Christmas. They make amazing gifts for your friends and family too!

Nothing says Christmas better than Aldi’s Specially Selected Deck the Halls Bouquet €9.99. This delightful selection of seasonal fresh foliage is on sale from today, December 12.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Christmas Tulips in Zinc Jug €12.99 are the perfect gift or decoration – a lively bunch of tulips in a zinc jug. On sale from today, December 12.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Yuletide Joy Bouquet €14.99 is a beautifully presented bouquet of flowers, which comes complete with water bubble. On sale from December 19.

If you are looking for a double the value, Aldi’s Specially Selected Christmas Tulips in Ceramic Jug €14.99 mean you get beautiful flowers, and a gorgeous jug you can use again and again! The jug contains 18 stems of tulips and goes on sale from December 19.

Aldi’s Specially Selected Christmas Cheer Bouquet €19.99 is a hand-tied bouquet beautifully created using a range of select flowers in sumptuous tones topped off with some festive foliage. Perfect for a special occasion. On sale from December 19.

For a stunning bouquet to brighten any home, Aldi’s Specially Selected Winter Wonderland Bouquet €19.99 is on sale from December 19.

The Specially Selected Festive Elegance Bouquet €29.99 features premium flowers such as Naomi Roses, Anastasia Blooms and LA Lilies. On sale from December 19.

Finally, for the pièce de résistance, Aldi’s Specially Selected Exquisite ‘The Showstopper’ €39.99 is back for 2019. This bouquet has been designed using a variety of beautiful flowers, the most impressive being the Naomi Roses which are a smooth and velvety shade of red. Their scent is both subtle and sweet. Hand tied by our team of florists in Naas, Co. Kildare and delicately gift wrapped in an Exquisite Collection Gift Box. On sale from December 21.

The above products and more will be on sale in 140 Aldi stores nationwide from dates specified.  

For more information, see www.aldi.ie

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This Christmas give the gift of a luxurious hair product for the women in your life who doesn’t have time for trips to the salon.

InStyler Cerasilk WAND

Embrace voluminous curls and bombshell bouncy waves this year with the new InStyler Cerasilk WAND. The 1” Cerasilk WAND delivers an expert level look in seconds. Designed using the same unique technology as the sell-out Cerasilk Styling Iron, the WAND features a woven ceramic texture that creates micro subsurface recesses that generate hot pockets of air with intense, radiant, heat thus eliminating direct contact between your hair and the wand. This unique technology acts as a built-in heat protector to defend against damage with every twist of hair.

RRP €89.99 and you can buy it here www.InStyler.ie.

Phyto 50 Christmas Set – Phyto 7 and Botanical Hairspray

This set includes two of Phyto’s leading products which complement each other to leave your hair healthy and hydrated for the Christmas season and into the New Year.  It includes the wonder product that is PHYTO 7, to deeply hydrate the fibres of your hair and PHYTO Laque Soie Botanical Hair Spray to ensure that after all the curling and styling, your holiday do stays put during the party season.

RRP €16

Available in pharmacies nationwide.

Kérastase Luxury Gift Sets

This Christmas, Kérastase has a luxurious range of ultra-personalised coffrets, for pure hair indulgence.   The ultimate in personalised care for exceptional hair, the Kérastase Christmas Coffrets are the perfect festive treat for tresses. Each set features three full size products targeted to specific hair types (dry, damaged, coloured, dull and unruly).  The Résistance gift set features the ultimate strengthening shampoo and conditioner, along with Ciment Thermique, an anti-breakage blowdry cream to transform breakage-prone hair.

 

RRP €76.80

Available from www.petermark.ie

LanaiBLO Limited Edition Chrome Hair Dryer

Add a touch of glamour to your hair repertoire this festive season with the Limited Edition Chrome LanaiBLO Hairdryer. Its stylishly designed and ultra-sleek chrome finish gives this Hair Care Hero a new look and feel, adding pizzazz to your everyday hair routine.  This Christmas save someone’s time, and money, on countless trips to the salon by putting the professional power in their hands.

RRP €99

Available from www.lanaiblo.com

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler Glitter Edition

It’s the season to glimmer and sparkle, so get ready to dress up your hair and dazzle with the help of our limited-edition Gold Starlight Compact Styler. For soft, shiny and tangle-free hair. Designed with unique two-tiered system technology, its long teeth gently detangle knots, whilst its shorter teeth smoothen the hair cuticle for a sleek finish. An ideal size for throwing in your handbag, the compact styler allows you to add volume, texture and shine on-the-go.

RRP €15

Available in pharmacies nationwide.

Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque

This intensive treatment masque deeply moisturizes and repairs dry, damaged or over-processed hair. The intensive treatment masque deeply moisturizes and repairs dry, damaged or over-processed hair. Key Ingredients include certified organic shea butter, argan oil and sea kelp

RRP €16.99

Available in pharmacies nationwide.

Redken ‘Compliments of the Season’ Gift Range

Redken have a great range of gift options this year with their ‘Compliments of the Season’ Collections. Five assortments that include an iconic Redken haircare hero range alongside their cult treatment One United; a 25 benefits-in-one treatment that will increase manageability, protect against heat and reduce dryness.

RRP €45.85

Available from www.petermark.ie

Davines OI Travel Box (with All in One Milk)

This luxury sustainable brand is developed in Italy and sold in the best salons in Ireland. Their ‘Ol’ range gives hair extraordinary softness, shine and body. OI products protect the structure of the hair from heat damage from straighteners or by mechanical stress. The special ingredient is Roucou Oil. It originates from the Amazon rainforest and has a profoundly restructuring action on the hair; it reduces cell damage due to UV rays, prevents ageing and keep hair supple, preventing hair breakage and flaking. These gorgeous travel size editions are also the perfect gift for anyone who loves luxury and loves their hair.

RRP €29

Available from select salons nationwide

Phyto 50 Phyto 7 and Phytojoba Shampoo Christmas Set

This Christmas gift set includes two of Phyto’s leading products which complement each other to leave your hair healthy and hydrated for the Christmas season and into the New Year.  This set includes PHYTO 7, to deeply hydrate the fibres of your hair and Phytojoba Moisturising Shampoo is a pearly-tinted, shimmering, rich and highly concentrated milk.  You only need a tiny amount to create an instant, generous foam that gently cleanses the scalp and hair whilst washing.   You will notice a huge improvement in the condition of your hair pretty quickly.

RRP €20

Available in pharmacies nationwide.

HASK Unwined Deep Conditioner Sachets Sauvignon Blanc

Glisten up! This Sauvignon Blanc inspired deep conditioner helps enhance shine and adds luster.  It contains wine extract which we are assured is packed with antioxidants to help rejuvenate, strengthen and soften.  It’s free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colours too.
 

RRP €3.75

Available from all good pharmacies nationwide

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Whether it’s a gift for your Mum, your best friend or yourself, these Christmas gift ideas are sure to please.

Becoming – A Guided Journal by Michelle Obama (published by Penguin Random House)

What's your journey of becoming? Based on Michelle Obama's bestselling memoir, this gorgeous journal features an intimate and inspiring introduction by the former First Lady and more than 150 inspiring questions and quotes to help you discover-and rediscover-your story.  "It's not about being perfect. It's not about where you get yourself in the end. There's power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice. And there's grace in being willing to know and hear others. This, for me, is how we become." – Michelle Obama

These pages will help you capture your own voice and journey so you can nurture your sense of belonging. Inside, you'll find an opportunity not only to take heart in the experiences that brought you to where you are today, but also to feel empowered to take those next steps, wherever they might lead.

RRP €18.99

Available in all good bookshops

Iluma Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder by Image Skincare

The onslaught of winter can impede the skin’s ability to shed dead skin cells naturally, which causes a build-up that casts a dull look over the skin and often highlights imperfections.  By exfoliating the skin, you can remove that build-up, and reveal the youthful and healthy cells below. The Iluma Intense Brightening Exfoliating Powder is the best exfoliant for the job. This micro-exfoliator is made with coconut milk powder that is extremely gentle, so that you can use it as often and necessary. The result is skin that looks more radiant in mere seconds.  It contains a new generation of natural botanicals, enzymes and antioxidants to help skin reach a new level of radiance. A lovely gift for the person who needs a little TLC this Christmas.

RRP €41

Image Skincare is available from approved salons nationwide.

L’Occitane Enchanting Rose Music Box

Gently turn this music box and let yourself be transported by the sweet melody of Nutcracker. Open it to discover four body treatments with rose floral notes.  This is a delightful gift containing 75ml Rose Shower Gel, 75ml Rose Body Lotion, 30ml Rose Hand Cream and 50g Rose Scented Soap all in a beautiful keepsake tin music box.

RRP €35

Available to purchase instore or online here

New Eau de Parfums Le Matin des Possibles and Le Soir de Possibles by Nuxe

Nuxe has added two eau de parfums to their fragrance collection, two emotions in direct contact with the skin captured in the evanescence of the first and last rays of sunshine: a fresh and luminous morning and a sensual and bold evening. The result is an intense and poetic duality, freeing your senses and finally making everything possible. The graduated shading of the bottles and textured effects on the boxes reflect the first and last rays of sunshine.

RRP €49.50
Nuxe is available from Arnotts, selected Boots, Cloud 10 Beauty and all major pharmacies nationwide.

Brooke & Shoals

Irish brand Brooke & Shoals is well known for their luxury gifting.  The multi award-winning range includes luxury gifts that smell amazing, create Irish jobs and have a lower carbon footprint than many other brands in their sector.  Their range comes in candles made using only natural wax, diffusers, hand wash and hand lotion in scent favourites such as White Lily Ylang Ylang, Elderflower, Rhubarb & Rose, Sweet Pea & Tea Rose, Grapefruit & Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena & Bergamont, Saffron Patchouli & Oud, Sandalwood, Vanilla & Salted Caramel. Not only do they sell their stunning ribbon wrapped boxed candles, but they also have diffusers, hand wash, hand lotions and fragrances in the range too.   

Pictured above: Scented Candle – Green Fig & Vetiver Wood – RRP €22

Our must have for that Christmas present this year is their seasonal Frosted Ginger & Winter Berry candle.    It combines the comforting spices of ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg with the rich fruity notes of blackberries and bilberries to create a scent sensation that is so enticing, it is almost good enough to eat.

Pictured above:

The Brooke & Shoals Christmas Cracker Set includes 2 travel candles and retails at €20.

The Brooke & Shoals Christmas Bauble contains 1 travel candle and retails at €13.

Available from over 300 stockists nationwide including Meadows & Byrne, Carraig Donn, House of Fraser. Buy on-line at Brook & Shoals or we highly recommend a visit to their store in Greystones where they beautifully gift wrap all purchases. 

Image Skincare Beauty Sleep Collection
This is a lovely collection from Image Skincare for anyone who has had a tough year.  The products make the most of the skin’s auto-repair mode. The nourishing routine delivers moisturising upgrades to lock in goodness at night, while a pure silk sleep mask helps to better your beauty sleep, Antioxidant’s, Vitamin and Hyaluronic acid will help you wake up to revitalised skin. 

The collection includes the Image Skincare Max Stem Cell Facial Cleanser 118ml, Vital C Hydrating Overnight Mask 50ml, IMask Hydrating Hydrogel Sheet Mask x2, Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum 15ml and pretty sleep mask gift.

RRP: €108.50

Image Skincare is available from approved salons nationwide.

Bondi Sands Glo Lights

New Bondi Sands Glo Lights is the perfect highlighter to give a lustrous, all day glow.  It’s a highly blendable, creamy highlighter to enhance and bring a natural glow to any complexion. Pioneered for everyday beauty, Glo Lights illuminating pigments work to softly glisten and give skin a touch of radiance to complete your makeup look. 

Available in three shades (Bronze, Gold and Pearl) to suit all skin types, the highlighter may be worn alone to illuminate high points where light naturally hits the face or mixed in with a base product such as foundation for an all-over, flawless glow.

RRP from €15.99

Available in McCauley’s pharmacy and Cloud10Beauty

Charlotte Posner

Introduce a touch of artistic fun to your everyday items with the Yoga Girl Water Bottle from Charlotte Posner. The bottle is stylishly designed with paintings of ladies in yoga-inspired poses, while it's made from non-leaking stainless steel and is lightweight to make things super convenient.  RRP €22.95

We also love her whimsical espresso set with fabulous ceramic mugs which we think will make a lovely Christmas gif this year.  RRP €55.95

The full Charlotte Posner range is available from Brown Thomas

CND Viviennne Westwood Junkyard Chic Collection

Designed by Marian Newman, this upcycled nail features chromed and metallized pieces of recycled plastic. Get this super scrapyard look using Brass Button or Mercurial, topped off with the CND Gel-Like Effect Topcoat for a high shine, metallic finish.

RRP €14.95

Available in good pharmacies nationwide.

Yon-Ka Paris Nutri+ Nutrition Booster

Oil rich serums are very beneficial for repairing depleted skins and preventing damage from heating, wind and cold which is why Yon-Ka Nutri+ booster, with cereal germ oils and vitamins, can be added to any day or night cream to add extra nourishment and improve the skin’s resilience.  This Ultra energetic oil nourishes and revitalizes all skin types. The skin lights up, recovering its suppleness, tone and vitality.

RRP €50

Yon-ka Paris skincare is available from approved salons nationwide.

Seoulista Beauty® Limited Edition Christmas Wonderland Advanced Clinic Duo

Seoulista Beauty have launched these wonderful purse-friendly luxury gift with two stylish limited-edition duos. 

Golden Goddess – featuring two of Seoulista Beauty’s Advanced Clinic Formulation Gold Glow Instant Facials, nestled in a gorgeous complimentary clutch, this is the perfect anti-ageing treat.   The Gold Glow Instant Facial is infused with 30ml of high-tech ingredients including: Niacinamide, Adenosine and Vitamin C, along with seven potent active botanicals and Bulgarian Rose Complex to firm, hydrate and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Shine Like A Diamond – featuring two of Seoulista Beauty’s Advanced Clinic Formulation Diamond Radiance Instant Facials, in complimentary silver clutch, this is the perfect solution for bright and luminous skin.  The Diamond Radiance Instant Facial is infused with 30ml of high-tech ingredients including Niacinamide, Adenosine and Vitamin C, along with seven potent active botanicals to exfoliate brighten and hydrate the complexion. 

RRP €30

Available from Irish pharmacies and leading department stores nationwide and at www.seoulistabeauty.com.

Payot Hydra 24+ Concentré D’Eau 30ml

This serum provides a source of continuous hydration, it re-infuses the skin with water to quench thirsty skin. It provides intense and lasting hydration for 30 hours, to restore comfort, suppleness and radiance to the skin. This universal serum meets every woman’s needs and can be used in addition to all types of intense hydration care. Skin is intensely hydrated, plump and luminous.
We're in love with its ultra-cool, watery texture that is quickly. Its light scent diffuses notes of bergamot and white tea on a spellbinding musk base.

RRP €47

Available in pharmacies nationwide and online at here at Cosmetics Online.

Accessorize Reece Rainbow Sequinned Clutch Bag

Give this gift to the girl in your life who loves a night on the town – the stunning Reece rainbow bag is guaranteed to look the part. This slouchy clutch is coated in beads and sequins, fastening with a magnetic press stud and easily carried with a detachable chain strap. Fully lined with an interior zip pocket.

RRP €45.90

Available in Accessorize stores and online at Accessorize

Søstrene Grene Gentle Skin Care Series

The series called Pure Bliss is completely absent of perfume, and all the products in the series are recommended by Asthma Allergy Nordic and bear the new, common Nordic brand. When a product carries this brand, one can be sure that the product does not contain perfume.

As always with Søstrene Grene, the aesthetics are not forgotten either, and the packaging is carefully designed to be able to decorate the bathroom shelf.  The skin care series is also available in two variants with perfume for those who prefer care products with fragrance. These two series have the names Sage Dawn and Geranium Rain.  All three variants of the skin care series are otherwise vegan and labelled as such by The Vegan Society, meaning they do not contain any animal ingredients.

RRP: Bodybutter 200ml RRP €5.48; Bodyoil 100ml RRP €6.48; Bodyscrub 200ml RRP €6.48; Bodywash 500ml RRP €4.98; Hand lotion 250ml RRP €5.80; Hand soap 500 ml, RRP €4.98

Available from Søstrene Grene stores

Real Techniques Artists Essentials Brush Set

Build her brush collection with the Real Techniques Artists Essentials. A step beyond the everyday essentials, this is an edit of artist brushes to detail, define, and accentuate €24.99 worth over €45 if you buy individually.  The set contains:  RT 217 Expert Edge Large Brush, RT 421 Soft Accent, RT 420 Spotlight Fan Brush, RT 317 Smudge Liner and RT 425 Lip Smudge Brush – pretty much every brush she will need.

RRP €24.99

Available from Shaws, all major pharmacy chains and independent pharmacies nationwide.

Birdhouse Nesting Box 5 Colours

For the women who has everything, these beautiful bird feeders are the gift that keeps on giving all year round.  From the Blue Door, these bird houses from Sweden convert into nesting boxes in the spring.  They come in 5 colours and we think they are so pretty.

RRP €59

Available from The Blue Door

Kilkenny Shop Jewellery & Knitwear

Kilkenny always has a focus on beautiful Irish jewellery and knitwear accessories. A gift that means more because it has a rich, local story because it is of the highest quality and because it is beautifully designed. This year, Kilkenny has a host of beautiful gifts, but our favourite is the Juvi and Jo Harpur jewellery from this look.

RRPs – Necklace by Jo Harper €120, Necklace by Juvi €165, Necklace by Juvi €75, Earrings by Jo Harpur €64, Bracelet by Jo Harper €78 (Top by Inwear €69.95)

Available from Kilkenny Shop or online here

Bird Cage Handbag

This stunning Missguided Bird Cage Handbag will brighten up any little black dress this Christmas. Gold frame with black velvet inner bag embellished with rhinestones and pearls.

RRP €33
Available from Zalando

Book Subscription Box by The Book Resort

The Book Resort is a new book subscription box company based in Waterford that delivers a luxury box with a new book, delicious Irish chocolate and a small surprise to book lovers every month. Monthly subscriptions are available and one-time gift boxes can be sent as a gift along with a handwritten card on the customers behalf. All suppliers are small Irish businesses. Offering free nationwide delivery (including to the North of Ireland).

Boxes are priced at €23 for a monthly subscription and €25 for a gift box.

Available from The Book Resort
 

Happy Plugs

Happy Plugs deluxe edition headphones and mic pretty as picture in pink.

Available from Zalando
RRP €33

Dermalogica Be Bright Ornament

This year’s Dermalogica collection includes four kits, priced from €16.50 to €97.50, and includes a mix of best-selling hero products and new innovations in both travel and retail sizes. Each kit also features unique packaging artwork derived from street artist Kelsey Montague’s murals – inspiring buyers to make her bold, uplifting art a part of their holiday gift-giving.  Their holiday ornament features 13g Daily Microfoliant with a cut out wing design by Kelsey is a gorgeous gift for some one who loves good quality skincare products.

RRP €16.50

Dermalogica x Kelsey Montague is available at Dermalogica-authorised spas, salons and skin centres and at dermalogica.ie

Jo Malone Christmas Cracker

A Christmas cracker filled with a trio of scented surprises. English Pear & Freesia Cologne (9ml), Blackberry & Bay Body & Hand Wash (15ml) and Basil & Neroli Body Crème (15ml).

RRP €38
Available from Brown Thomas

Life is Better with Make-Up Day Look by Fuschia

Well-established premium make-up brand Fuschia believes that everyone needs a secret helper, to feel strong enough and confident enough to go out and perform at their absolute best. At Fuschia they make it their business to provide the tools for women everywhere to feel like this, every single day. They call this ‘The Fuschia Effect’.  This ‘Life is Better with Make-Up Day Look’ gift set includes the Fuschia Life is better with eye shadow palette, shine gloss, lippy, liner, blush and highlight.

RRP €47.50

Available in professional salons and pharmacies nationwide and for purchase on www.fuschia.ie

Personalised French Jam by Confiture Parisienne

There is nothing quite like a special jar of jam or marmalade – you’d never buy it for yourself but you’d love to receive it as a gift.  The jam collection from Confiture Parisienne is just that gift.  Made by hand in extremely small quantities using only the best seasonal fruit their jams are to die for.  You can customise the label when ordering so everyone knows to keep their hands off this thoughtful gift.  Varieties include raspberry, apricot and star anise, rhubarb with rose water or their divine chocolate cream tartine noisette. 

RRP from €9.90

Available from Confiture Parisienne

Ella & Jo Squeaky Clean Brush Cleanser

Squeaky Clean Brush Cleanser was designed with both the professional and non-professional in mind. It has been produced and manufactured in Ireland and designed to change the mindset around brush cleaning and to take the “chore” element away. With modern day busy schedules, most of us, unless in the professional trade, don’t find the time to clean our makeup brushes and tools as often as we should.  This one product will clean, disinfect and condition the brush fibres on both natural hair and synthetic brushes so that brushes will last longer.

It is convenient to use and is specifically designed to extend the life of your brushes. Squeaky Clean Brush Cleanser removes pigments, oil and product residue leaving your brushes smelling fresh and ready for re-use within minutes.

RRP €20

Squeaky Clean Brush Cleanser is available in over 600 stockists nationwide. Find stockists on www.ellaandjo.ie

Lugano Belle loungewear by Melissa Mills Bari

We’ve been lusting after Melissa Mills Bari lounge wear and robes for quite some time so it’s no surprise that her new Lugano Belle collection makes the cut.   It’s a limited-edition collection with stunning piping trim detail on the pocket, cuff and hem, made with 100% cotton and has pretty mother of pearl buttons.

RRP €69

Available from MMB Melissa Mills Bari

Gym+Coffee Gift Boxes

Gym+Coffee athleisure and lifestyle brand has a lovely range of gift boxes this year which feature their high-quality Irish designed clothing.  This year, they have launched 7 gift box options for women.  Each box contains their famous leggings, perfect tee, beanie, water bottle and socks with various colour options on offer.  Combinations in-store have a little more flexibility in product choice.

RRP €100

Gift boxes can bought in Republic of Ireland stores or online here.

Where the Wild Cooks Go (Hardback) by Cerys Matthews (published by Penguin)

This book by Cerys Matthews is not your ordinary book gift.  Cook your way around the world with Cerys Matthews' Where the Wild Cooks Go, with a Spotify playlist ready for each country, as well as poems, proverbs, curiosities and some very surprising aspects of world history. The pages of her 'folk cookbook' are brim-full of generations' old nuggets of wisdom, as well as stories about Catatonia touring days and other escapades, plus over a hundred recipes and cocktail ideas from 15 countries. 

RRP €28

Available from all good book shops

Night Time Renewal Set by The Inkey List

British brand The Inkey List has caused quite bit of a stir since its launch last year. Hailed as a new The Ordinary, the extremely affordable range of skincare essentials has a gorgeous Night Time Renewal set this Christmas – a duo of two top products from The Inkey List. It includes: Retinol – the powerful anti-ageing ingredient renowned for stimulating collagen production and promoting skin renewal to reveal a more youthful-looking complexion and Polyglutamic Acid which plumps the skin and appearance of fine lines. Can hold four times as much moisture as Hyaluronic Acid and it also works as a fantastic primer before makeup application.

RRP €25

Available from Cloud10Beauty and good pharmacies nationwide

Apivita Intensive Moisturising Hand Cream with Hyaluronic Acid & Honey

This intensive moisturising cream helps to maintain the hands naturally hydration, while at the same time it nourishes and protects the skin.  It moisturises beautifully thanks to ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, organic aloe vera juice, organic Greek olive oil and panthenol.   The addition or organic beeswax and shea butter helps prevent irritation.  It has a rich texture that is easily absorbed leaving hands extremely soft.

RRP €8

Available in pharmacies nationwide and www.cosmeticsonline.ie

Blank Canvas – Tools To Match Your Talent Brush Set

This is a gorgeous Christmas present for the beauty guru in your life.  It is a three-tiered box set which contains 40 face and eye brushes from Blank Canvas Cosmetics. The value of the whole set comes to €440, which means a saving of €190.

RRP €250

Available from Cloud10Beauty, Blank Canvas and good pharmacies nationwide

Gift Card from Hermans Hair Salon

Hermans hair salon, Grafton street has been in business for almost 50 years and is one of Dublin city’s longest standing salons. Since then Hermans has opened salons in Dundrum Town Centre, Grafton Street and Ballinteer along with Knights on the Green and Dundrum Town Centre. To thank its loyal customers this Christmas every Hermans client will receive a festive Christmas card filled with special discounts for the month of January to help beat those January blues.  Included in each card is a blowdry for just €20 and €20 off any colour with a cut.  If you aren’t lucky enough to receive one of these vouchers, you can always pick a gift voucher up instore for that special someone.

RRP FREE! to loyal customers

Available from Hermans Hair Salon

Boots Soap & Glory Glazm-azing Goddess Collection

This is a dinky gift of a make-up selection from Soap & Glory.  This goddess-worthy set features: Thick & Fast™ High-Definition Mascara in Jet Black 10ml, Crazy sexy kohl™ in Smoulder 0.5g, Love At First Blush™ Rosy-Radiance Shimmer Powder 7.5g and Spectaculips™ Lip Plumping Gloss in Bare Enough 7ml.  With four products for €26 it’s a great price point too.

RRP €26

Available from all Boots stores and Boots.ie

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Your coffee table has moved from being a functional piece of furniture into something that can be styled and turned into a work of art.  Long are the days of just sitting down with a lover to enjoy a cup of coffee in front of a bare coffee table.  It’s not just a place to enjoy coffee to strengthen your relationship but it’s a place you can adorn with candles, trays and beautiful coffee table books.

Adare Manor: The Renaissance of an Irish Country House by Turtle Bunbury (Published by Adare Manor)

Adare Manor has always been remarkable. Its story began eight centuries ago when the original manor was granted to a Norman knight while a substantial monastic community was established on the nearby riverbanks. Turtle Bunbury’s book traces Adare Manor’s wonderful journey from a medieval manor house to its 21st century status as a luxury five-star resort. The book is available exclusively from Adare Manor.

Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way by Carsten Krieger (Published by O’Brien Press)

Take a photographic journey down Ireland’s Atlantic coast from Donegal in the north to Cork in the south. This beautiful book showcases the west coast in all its wild beauty: dramatic views, abundant nature and wildlife, lighthouses, harbours and quaint seaside villages, as well as heritage, history and people.

The Wild Atlantic Way is a fully-signposted route along the west coast of Ireland that brings the visitor to some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery and liveliest towns: from surfing in Rossknowlagh to birdwatching at the magnificent cliffs of Moher, from the boats in Galway Bay to traditional music in Doolin, from dolphins in Kerry to castles in Cork there’s something for everyone on the wild west coast.

Ireland the Best by Sally and John McKenna (Published by Harper Collins)

Sally and John McKenna, travel and food writers and authors of Ireland The Best, have selected 100 extraordinary places that epitomise what is truly great about Ireland. This personal and diverse compendium is illustrated with beautiful and evocative images. John and Sally McKenna have drawn on a lifetime of experiences to create this list of the 100 best places in Ireland: reflective, magnificent and human places.

Some choices may be surprising but all are exceptional. This gorgeous book is John and Sally’s ultimate collection selected from the hundreds of places that feature in the independent guide to Ireland. As well as expert commentary, all 100 places include highly selective recommendations of where to walk, eat and sleep nearby. Beautiful and evocative images capture the essence of each place. From wild glens to ancient buildings, remote islands to vibrant cities, this is John and Sally’s list of the places in Ireland that you really should visit in your lifetime.

Seven Worlds, One Planet by Jonny Keeling, Scott Alexander with foreword by David Attenborough (Published by Penguin)

Long ago, our planet had only one gigantic land mass. Then something monumental happened. That supercontinent ruptured and seven different worlds were born. Each of those worlds – or continents – evolved, and continues to evolve, its own way of life. From the jungle of the Congo or the majestic Himalayas to the densely populated wilds of Europe or the comparatively isolated Australasia, Seven Worlds, One Planet explores the natural wonders that give each of our continents its distinct character.

Following the animals that have made these iconic environments their home, it discovers spectacular wildlife stories that reveal what makes each of these seven worlds unique. With a foreword by Sir David Attenborough and over 250 breath-taking images, including stills from the BBC Natural History Unit’s spectacular footage, Seven Worlds, One Planet is a stunning exploration of the planet, and the worlds within it, that we call home.

Return to Sender – Revisiting John Hinde’s Ireland by Paul Kelly (Published by Gill Books)

Revisit a jewel-bright Ireland as Return to Sender beautifully captures the then-and-now of John Hinde’s postcards. Throughout Paul Kelly’s chidhood in California, his father, Patrick Kelly, sent him John Hinde postcards when he was vistiting the land of his youth. By the time Paul was nine, he was accompanying his father on these trips and developed his own love of Ireland. In 2015 Paul’s father died and in 2018 Paul came back to live in Ireland with his family. In tribute to both his father and John Hinde, in the summer of 2018 Paul set about recapturing the modern-day versions of Hinde’s postcards, which are set against the originals in this book.

Return to Sender pairs Hinde’s iconic postcards from the 1950s, ‘60s and ‘70s with corresponding contemporary photographs, illustrating the ways Ireland’s rural and urban landscapes have changed over the decades or, in some places, not changed at all. This side-by-side contrast wonderfully captured by Paul Kelly, elicits feelings of nostalgia for Hinde’s instantly recognisable jewel-bright Ireland.

Where the Wild Cooks Go (Hardback) by Cerys Matthews (published by Penguin)

Cook your way around the world with Cerys Matthews’ Where the Wild Cooks Go, with a Spotify playlist ready for each country, as well as poems, proverbs, curiosities and some very surprising aspects of world history. The pages of her ‘folk cookbook’ are brim-full of generations’ old nuggets of wisdom, as well as stories about Catatonia touring days and other escapades, plus over a hundred recipes and cocktail ideas from 15 countries.

Easy haggis, jambalaya, cawl, traditional and vegan Welsh cakes, tequila prawns, chocolate and Guinness fondants, thousand hole pancakes, pineapple and chilli, potato, chickpea and coconut curry, dahl and hedgerow salad are just some of delicious, sustainable and fuss free ideas served in this beautiful book.

Arise And Go: W.B. Yeats and the people and places that inspired him by Kevin Connolly (Published by O’Brien)

Arise And Go W.B. Yeats and the People and Places That Inspired Him By Kevin Connolly. The idea of place runs like a river through the life and works of the poet and playwright W.B. Yeats. This book focuses on his time in Dublin, London, Sligo and elsewhere in the west of Ireland, embracing the homes, landscapes and people that impacted his life and stimulated his vast body of work.

Bird: Photographer of the Year Foreword by Chris Packham (Published by Harper Collins)

This beautiful book accompanies a new photographic competition celebrating some of the best bird photography of the year. The Bird Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the artistry of bird photography, and this large-format book is lavishly illustrated to reflect this. A celebration of avian beauty and diversity, it is a tribute to both the dedication and passion of the photographers as well as a reflection of the quality of today’s modern digital imaging systems.

The book includes the winning and short-listed images from the competition, now in its fourth year, showcasing some of the finest bird photography, with a foreword by BTO President and head judge, Chris Packham. A proportion of the profits from the book goes directly to the BTO to support their conservation work.

The Dublin Marathon – Celebrating 40 years by Sean McGoldrick (Published by O’Brien)

The Dublin Marathon is written by Irish Book Award nominated author Sean McGoldrick in co-operation with the Marathon. In addition to the history, routes and all the information on and about the Dublin Marathon over the years, a call out was made to the public earlier this year for their personal stories of the Marathon (running it, being involved, cheering family or friends), and the best of these are featured in the book.

Game of Thrones: A Guide to Westeros and Beyond by Myles McNutt (Published by Penguin)

Feeling lost without Game of Thrones? Relive all 8 series with the only official tie-in guide – the PERFECT GIFT for any fan this Christmas.

Covering all eight seasons of the hit HBO show, this remarkable volume offers a unique and exciting visual exploration into the incredible world of Game of Thrones. In two parts, the book follows the story of the South, where kings and queens battle for the Iron Throne, and of the North, where the White Walkers and their army of the dead gather. Fully illustrated with stunning photography, infographics, timelines and insightful essays, this is the essential guide for any Game of Thrones fan.

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If you’ve yet to find a gift for your Harry Potter obsessed friend then look no further. We’ve conjured up a list of presents that they’re bound to adore. They range in price so there’s something for everyone, no matter what your budget.

We solemnly swear Hogwarts hopefuls will be thrilled with any of these gifts.

Harry Potter Print €5.06

 

Harry Potter Jumper €16.89

Etsy
 

Dobby Pop! Vinyl €15.99

Harry Potter Book Collection €34.99

Aldi

Harry Potter Travel Mug €4.99

Aldi

Harry Potter Necklace €9.84

Harry Potter Colour Changing Lipsticks €13

Harry Potter Scarf €24.62

Harry Potter Moleskine Notebook €14.49

Chocolate Frog €6.47

Harry Potter Make-Up Brushes €26

Harry Potter Power Bank €20.72

Harry Potter Egg Cup and Toast Cutter Set €11.99

Mini Hedwig Plush €14

Muggle Mug €16.95

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No home is fully complete without candles, especially during Christmas. We’ve rounded up our favourites, tried and tested them and only the ones that we really love have made the cut.

Brooke & Shoals

Multi award-winning Irish brand Brooke & Shoals is synonymous with the gold standard of luxury gifting.  Based in Greystones, Co Wicklow, they tick all the boxes when it comes to luxury gifts that smell amazing, create Irish jobs and have a lower carbon footprint than many other brands in their sector.  Their range comes in candles made using only natural wax, diffusers, hand wash and hand lotion in scent favourites such as White Lily Ylang Ylang, Elderflower, Rhubarb & Rose, Sweet Pea & Tea Rose, Grapefruit & Lemongrass, Lemon Verbena & Bergamont, Saffron Patchouli & Oud, Sandalwood, Vanilla & Salted Caramel.  But it’s this year’s festive range that has captured our hearts.

The Frosted Ginger & Winter Berry candle is divine and come in ready to gift packaging to make life as easy as possible. 

The Cinnamon & Cedar candle evokes memories of Christmas with a scent so familiar that it’s like a Christmas hug in the home.

Both are available in a reed diffuser to fill your home with festive spirit.

Scented candles RRP €20 and diffusers RRP €29

Available from over 300 stockists nationwide including Meadows & Byrne, Carraig Donn, House of Fraser. Buy on-line at Brook & Shoals or pop into the shop in Greystones where they have the most divine gift-wrapping service.

Jane Darcy

Created by young Irish mum Gillian Halpin, ‘Jane Darcy’ is a range of scented candles and room diffusers available in a selection of fragrances including French Lavender & Lovage, Kaffir Lime Basil & Blood Orange, Zesty Lemongrass & Bergamot. These luxury scented candles are made from 100% natural soy wax and boasts a 10% parfum concentration which is notably higher than most luxury candles on the market.   Each candle and diffuser is packaged in a luxurious gift box and finished with a hand tied gift bag accompanied by a complimentary box of matches and a personalizable gift card, making it an ideal gift for someone special.

RRP €30 for candles

RRP €35 for diffusers

Available from Jane Darcy and in selected retailers nationwide.

L'Occitane

L'Occitane is a familiar brand for their well-known natural beauty scented hand creams and body lotions but their candles are not always top of mind.  This year, they have four candles in their gifting range – choose from:

  • Relaxing Candle – Relax with the long-lasting scent of lavender from Provence combined with sweet orange, bergamot, mandarin and geranium.
  • Harmony Candle – a candle with the scent of Provençal woods with a blend of cypress, thyme, eucalyptus, juniper and ylang-ylang essential oils, to bring a feeling of harmony.
  • Uplifting Candle – a candle with a delicious scent that leaves you smiling and feeling good inside. Made with the essential oils’ immortelle, basil, cypress, eucalyptus and litsea cubeba, they come together in a fragrance that’s deliciously aromatic.
  • Revitalising Candle – a fresh and invigorating candle blending scent of mint, pine, rosemary, sweet orange and litsea cubeba.

RRP €22

Available in-store or online at L’occitane

Aroma Works

Aroma Works source natures finest soy wax to make their candles, while the aroma delivered by our 100% pure essential oils envelops in the scents of purity. There are four fragrances in the Aroma Works range:

  • Nurture Candle is a rich and fruity, luxurious blend of 5 essential oils.  It has a fresh top note of may chang with the sweet, fresh scent of roman chamomile and the soothing aromatic base of Sandalwood.
  • Serenity Candle has a citrus, yet warm fragrance of lemongrass that will energise your mind and body whilst at the heart of this blend, the exotic floral beauty that is neroli, will serve to restore your emotions and soothe away stress.
  • Soulful Candle is complex and exotic.  It is a soulful blend that brings together 7 essential oils. Top notes of spicy frankincense and fruity juniper berry provide a deeply calming sensation to soothe jangled nerves, whilst the fragrant base notes of patchouli help to ease away fatigue, providing a truly warming and relaxing experience.
  • Inspire Candle has a warming fragrance which combines top notes of spicy black pepper and fruity, sweet juniper berry with the freshness of uplifting lime. At the heart of this delicious blend, geranium adds a soft calming element.

RRP €38

Available in good pharmacies or online at Cosmetics Online

Jo Browne

Jo Browne is a qualified reflexologist and holistic therapist with a passion for essential oils and their natural healing and revitalising benefits. Founded in 2016, the brand’s original foray into natural beauty products saw the launch of Jo Browne natural solid perfumes for men and women.

The brand has added a new Bamboo Aroma Diffuser to its range of all-natural skincare and perfumes, handmade in Ireland. With light therapy that can be fixed to one colour or turned off, Jo Browne Aroma diffuser uses cool mist so never gets hot and is so easy to use, simply plug it in, lift up the cap, add water to the max line and 3 drops of your favourite Jo Browne Blends of which there are 6 available: Fresh Blend; Calm Blend, Breathe, Sleep, Signature and Christmas.

RRP €75.00 for the diffuser and €20 for each of six blends

Available from Meadows and Byrne, Kilkenny Shop, McElhinney’s, House of Ireland and independent gift shops and online at https://jobrowne.com

The Conscious Store – Irish Forest Candle

The Conscious Stores candles are hand-poured in small batches and made with love in Tipperary.  The range includes Lavender Field, Plum & Rhubarb, Fig & Cassis, Rose Garden and Bluebell Woods.  But it’s the Irish Forest that we fell in love with – it’s a deep fresh scent of fresh fir needles, cedar and musk and a hint of wildflowers.   These beautiful candles are made with natural, renewable soy wax, a touch of coconut oil, cotton wicks and a mix of high-quality fragrance and essential oils. The packaging and labels are made from recycled paper and the glass jars are recyclable.

RRP €25

Available in The Conscious Christmas Store on 13 Fade St, Dublin 2 or online from TheKind.co

Green Angel Pure & Organic

Green Angel have taken their many years’ experience of candle making blending premium oils and fragrances to create a distinctive, luxurious and relaxing range of reed diffusers to fragrance your home in a safe and natural way.   Their candles are as natural and organic as possible with no harsh chemicals, no artificial colours, no paraffin, no mineral wax and are ethically sourced too.  

Both of Green Angel’s candles & diffusers are available in two different scents. The White Linen fragrance has a fresh, powdery linen top notes, floral heart of rose and muguet accords over a woody, musky base. The Lime & Lemongrass fragrance has a fresh vibrant juicy fragrance with cool West Indian lime heated by hints of Jamaican ginger and aromatic lemongrass.

RRP Candle €19.95 and Diffuser €29.95

Available from the Kilkenny Shop, Avoca, Shaws, Meadows & Byrne and leading pharmacies and lifestyle shops nationwide. Alternatively buy online at www.greenangel.com

Emma’s So Naturals

For winter wellness, Emma’s candle range wraps you in an invisible blanket of sensory spiced comfort.  Working from the countryside in Louth, it’s possible with handmade candles to put a lot of love into the process. Not only this, Emma Fallon infuses each candle with an original blend of pure essential oils in a base of soya wax (palm-oil free). Her creations are clean burning for hours on end creating a beautiful atmosphere in your home.  

Her core range includes fragranced candles including scents such Basil, Lime & Mandarin, Lemongrass, Lavender, Harmony, Masala Chai and Pacific Ylang-Ylang but none are so strong that they will overpower the room. However, it’s her Spiced Orange Candle that we fell in love with.  It evokes the warmth of the Irish home in winter with its uplifting blend of orange, warming benzoin, spicy ginger and festive frankincense.

RRP The Emma’s So Naturals’ Glass Tumbler Candle comes in an Irish designed uniquely floral box, priced at €19.50, Travel Candle Tins retail at €10.50, Wax Tart Melts at €4.95

Full list of stockists or available from www.emmas.ie

Voya

The Voya Ginger Chai & Mandarin natural scented candle releases the evocative warmth and awakening of spring. Containing top notes of ginger chai and spicy cinnamon that disperse from its fresh Brazilian mandarin heart and smoothed over with buttery Madagascar clove oil, the warm rich under tones of spice soften an abundance of fresh citrus scents to ensure you enjoy a positive pick me up and a real sense of emotional wellbeing.

RRP €27

Available in Kilkenny Stores or online at Kilkenny Shop

Jo Malone

If budget isn’t an option, then Jo Malone has a new fragrance for Christmas 2019.  It’s the Orange Bitters candle.  Take a dash of sweet orange and a burst of ripe mandarin. Finish with a splash of bitter orange to reveal rich prune and a base of sensual sandalwood and amber.

RRP Deluxe Candle €150 or Home Candle €52

Available from Brown Thomas

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Buying our furry friends a Christmas gift is an essential- judge us all you want. Buying something for the dog is far too fun because pet gifts are too cute. One thing we just can’t get enough of are dog coats, especially festive ones so we’ve conjured up a list of 27 coats for your pup and they’re adorable.

Knitted Dog Jumper by H&M

Knitted dog jumper - Red/Green - Ladies | H&M IE

RRP €12.99

Fairisle Dog Outfit by Penneys

RRP €8

Brown Fluffy Reindeer Doggy Costume by Pretty Little Thing

RRP €14

Polar Bear Grey Dog Outfit by Penneys

RRP €8

Knitted Christmas Dog Turtleneck Sweater by Amazon

 

RRP £11.99 

Dog's Christmas Elf Costume by Funidelia.ie

RRP €25.95

Knitted dog dress by H&M

Knitted dog dress - Red - Ladies | H&M IE

RRP €7.99

Dog Puffa Jacket by Penneys

RRP €8

Dog Jumper with pompoms by H&M

Dog jumper with pompoms - Light beige - Ladies | H&M IE

RRP €14.99

Dogs Sweater Winter Dog Clothes Red Blue Costume by Mini in the Box

RRP from €6.64

Red Santa Doggy Costume & Hat by Pretty Little Thing

Red Santa Doggy Costume and Hat image 1

RRP €14

Next Matching Family Pudding Dog Jumper by Next 

RRP from €9

Christmas Tree Dog Jumper by Penneys

RRP €8

Red Nosed Reindeer Sweater by Amazon

RRP £9.99 

Gold Faux Fur Dog Puffer Jacket by River Island

RRP €30

Knitted dog jumper by H&M

RRP €7.99

Santa Paws Reindeer Dog Outfit by Penneys

RRP €8

I am Snow Cute jumper by Next

RRP €9

Accessorize Grey Preppy Dog Jumper via Next

RRP €17.50

Christmas Family Penguin Dog Outfit by Dunnes Stores

RRP €10

Chevron Stripe Bone Print Dog Jumper by Marks & Spencer

Chevron Stripe Bone Print Dog Jumper

RRP €27

Dog Dress by H&M

RRP €12.99

Winter pink dog sweater by Mini in the Box 

RRP from €4.74

Reindeer Dog Christmas Jumper in Navy by Pet Connection

RRP from £7.99

Rose gold padded dog jacket by H&M

RRP €22.99

Black Knitted Dog Jumper by River Island

RRP €20

Red Cable Knit Dog Jumper by River Island 

RRP €20

 

 

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One4all, Ireland’s leading gift card company, knows that the perfect present is always personal. To celebrate the launch of its brand-new One4all Digital Gift Card, customisable with imagery, text and video, One4all has enlisted James Kavanagh, Ireland’s favourite social media star, to get up close and personal with one hundred lucky competition winners this Christmas.

If you have ever longed for a social media shout out from James Kavanagh, or a wave of the paw from his feline friend Diana the Sphynx, this could be your opportunity for a wish come true.

One4all and James Kavanagh have today launched a competition* which will give one hundred winners the opportunity to send a loved one, or themselves, a completely unique and personal message from James Kavanagh which can then be gifted alongside the new One4all Digital Gift Card for the ultimate festive surprise.

To enter the competition, visit one4all.ie/james-competition and fill out the competition form with your personal details. The competition closes at midnight on Friday, December 13 2019 and winners will be chosen at random.

James, who is best known and loved for his devotion to Diana, Princess of Wales, his enviable candelabra collection and his enigmatic renditions of Enya’s Orinoco Flow, is one of Ireland’s most prominent influencers, with over 130,000 followers on Instagram alone. In addition to his social media antics, James is a TV presenter and one half of cooking duo Currabinny.

James Kavanagh commented on the new One4all Digital Gift Card competition:

“I was excited to preview the brand new One4all Digital Gift Card recently and I loved being able to send gas video messages to my friends and family alongside their gift. It’s a great way to inject a gift with some personality and I’m encouraging everyone to enter the competition.

“One4all Gift Cards have always been an ideal present in my eyes and now that you can send, customise and spend all on your mobile, everyone in my contact list will be getting a digital gift card from me this Christmas!”

Introducing the One4all Digital Gift Card

The new One4all Digital Gift Card is a world first, offering the same benefits that consumers know and love from the traditional One4all Gift Card while providing more flexibility, security and convenience.  The One4all Digital Gift Card is the only gift card that can be bought, customised, sent and spent from anywhere, at any time, from a computer or smartphone.

Once purchased, the One4all Digital Gift Card can be used immediately with over 8,500 retailers nationwide and online, including retailers such as Tesco, Arnotts, TK Maxx, Penneys, Marks & Spencer, Halfords and many more. Recipients can access their digital gift card via the One4all Gift Card app, which is available to download on any Apple or Android phone.

The One4all Digital Gift Card makes spending gift cards online more secure than ever before. A two-step authentication system has been put in place for users to access funds and there is also a strict security check in place to ensure that a One4all Digital Gift Card cannot be lost.

One4all has partnered with several payment and smart technology providers to make sure the One4all Digital Gift Card can be spent easily: 

  • One4all has partnered with Visa to allow for contactless transactions of the One4all Digital Gift Card above the €30 limit that is in place for other physical debit cards, to a €150 limit for the digital gift card only.
  • For anyone using a One4all Digital Gift Card on Apple devices, the funds on the digital gift card can be spent using Apple Pay.
  • For Android users, One4all has built its own payment system, which can be accessed using the One4all Gift Card mobile app on Android phones.  

Digital Gift Card users will always have access to their card balance as it will be easily accessible through both the One4all mobile app and the One4all website.

To learn more about the One4all Digital Gift Card, visit www.one4alldigital.ie.

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L’occitane Cherry Blossom Festive Bauble

A gorgeous red tree decoration filled with 3 delicate cherry blossom beauty products.

RRP €12

Available in L’Occitane stores nationwide or online here.

Fat Fox Limited Edition Hats

If you haven’t heard of the Fat Fox coffee drive through in Delgany, Co. Wicklow, then where have you been?!  Aside from the humorous gang that serve you coffee through the window of an old petrol station where you don’t leave the comfort of your own car, they have a limited-edition range of cute beanie hats which will make a great gift for Christmas.

RRP €15

Available from The Fat Fox Delgany or online here.

Peter Pauper Press 2020 Tree Of Hearts Planner

A pretty A5 planner for 2020 – a fanciful tree illustration, with tiny multi-coloured heart-shaped leaves, graces the cover of this pretty planner.  The inside back cover pocket holds notes, business cards, and other flat items and it has a matching ribbon bookmark.

RRP €12.00

Available in Kilkenny Stores nationwide or online here

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Minis Gift Set

The Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Minis Gift Set is the most adorable stocking stuffer, combining deluxe travel sizes of 2 iconic NUXE oils. These multitaskers make the perfect little luxury for skin, body and hair!

RRP €9

Available in all good pharmacies nationwide.

The Dirt Birds Self-Help Guide by Sue Collins and Sinead Culbert (published by Hachette Ireland)

If making the school lunches, doing the Jaysus homework and dodging the guards because of your long-overdue NCT is sending you over the edge, you are not alone. DirtBirds are here to help, with their guide to just about anything that can send a woman reaching for the bottle well before cocktail hour. Discover survival strategies for: when stress wrecks your face, how to love your body even when nobody else does, and how to deal with a 'Yummy Mummy' when you meet one.

RRP £10.99

Available from all good bookshops nationwide

Kiss True Volume Lash in Ritzy

Ritzy is a beautiful lash that gives you thick lashes on the key points of your lashes. This full and long strip lash will have you batting your eyelids for all the right reasons. The Kiss True Volume Lashes come in 100% Natural Hair to give you a natural yet full lash look. They also come in a new technology with a tapered end which adds to the desired beautiful natural look.

RRP €8

Available in all good pharmacies nationwide.

Cute Capsule Mini Highlighters Set

A cute set of mini highlighters in 6 pastel colours.  If you haven’t discovered Notebook Therapy yet, give them a visit now. Their site is jam packed with fabulous notebooks, pens, stickers and accessories for the stationery lover in your life.

RRP €12.72

Available from Notebook Therapy

Dr. Hauschka Spruce Warming Bath Essence

The limited-edition Dr. Hauschka Spruce Warming Bath Essence €9.95 is the perfect stocking filler.  The Bath Essence will protect the skin from the harsh winter elements as it helps support circulation and together with the warm bath water offers intensive, long lasting warmth for the body, inside and out, bliss!

RRP €9.95

Available from Dr. Hauschka stockists nationwide.

The gLove

Fake tan is done beautifully with the brand-new gLove. It’s the world’s first five-fingered tanning glove and it makes self-tanning a quick pleasure. Just pop on your favourite tanning solution, be it spray, foam or liquid and the gLove will apply it seamlessly between toes and fingers and in hard to reach areas. You won’t have any tell-tale lines and you’ll look like you just popped off the plane from somewhere nice and hot!

RRP €9.95

Available in good pharmacies nationwide or online from www.theglove.ie.

Note Gel Look Nail Enamel

The new Note Gel Look Nail Enamel mimics the plumping effects of a gel manicure for a flawless finish. It is available in 18 shades and has an innovative formula that gives your nails full coverage in just a single stroke. The smooth, high shine finish of the nail polish looks strikingly beautiful, giving your nails a professional salon look, at an amazing price.  It is long wearing, high shine and gel effect nail lacquer

RRP €5.95

Note Cosmetics Gel Look Nail Enamel is available in pharmacies nationwide.

Lir Chocolate Truffle Box

Fans of Lir’s much-loved truffles can now enjoy a scrumptious new Almond and Hazelnut variant in a 120g box, which joins the existing popular Lir Salted Caramel Truffle Box and the Lir Marc de Champagne Truffle Box, both 145g. These Lir Truffle boxes are a treat for all the senses and are perfect for sharing or make an ideal gift for that special someone in your life.

RRP €6

Available in all good retailers nationwide

Sleeping Masks Gift Set

This sleeping mask gift set is extremely pretty and at a very good price too.  The one-piece storage bag holds the eye mask so that it’s easy to store until you need it.  It comes in three colour assortments (dark blue w/white print, rose w/white print and grey w/white print).

RRP €3.44

Available from Søstrene Grene

Apivita Chestnut Lip Care

The Apivita name is derived from the Latin words Apis (bee) and Vita (life) and means “life of the bee” – a name reflecting the philosophy of a company that, being a living organism like the bee, never stops creating value. Newly launched in Ireland, Apivita has a range of over 300 natural, effective and holistic beauty care products for the hair, the face and the body infused with bee products, Greek plant extracts and nature essential oils, all clinically proven efficacy. Apivita Lip Care with Chestnut is a moisturising lip balm that has a light, delicate brown colour. Chestnut Extract and Vitamin E work in harmony to deliver hydration and protect against environmental stressors, while Shea and Cocoa Butters nourish and soften lips for a healthy, plumped appearance.

RRP €6

Available in pharmacies nationwide and online here

The Power Styler

Hairstylist Roi Korach was inspired to create The Power Styler, a simple ceramic attachment for hairdryers when styling his mum’s hair.  Finding that hairdryers plastic nozzles were usually inefficient for styling more challenging hair types, he fashioned a makeshift attachment using ceramic materials and immediate noticed the effects.  The hair dried faster, shinier and smoother.  Simply attach to the nozzle of your hairdryer and close dry hair as normal.  We’ve tried it and it creates smooth and sleek hair without the need for additional styling.

RRP £12

Available online.

Boots Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Collection Tin Set

This fabulous little tin of treats will have you all set for the festive season in a gorgeous pink collection tin.   With classic favourites:

· Clean On Me™ Creamy Moisture Shower Gel 75ml

· Hand Food™ Non-Greasy Hydrating Hand Cream 50ml

· Bright + Beautiful™ Radiance-Boosting Mask 29g

· The Righteous Butter™ Body Moisturizer 50ml

· The Scrub Of Your Life™ Smoothing Body Buffer 50ml

We particularly like the pink collection tin which you can use to store little things over the coming year.

RRP €13

Available from all Boots stores and Boots.ie

Perkys – Your Breast Friend

Trending this A/W 2019 is the continuation of the plunging neckline and the importance of getting the cleavage positioning just right. That’s where Perkys can help. It’s a foolproof, danceproof, sweatproof boob hack for bringing breasts right up to the perfect level and keeping them there the whole night – whatever your size from A-F.

Perkys also have a very handy additional product: their Body Tape for keeping hems and dresses attached to where they should be attached.

RRP €9.95

Available in good pharmacies nationwide, Penneys or online from  www.perkys.ie.

The Kind Keep Leaf Food Wrap from The Conscious Christmas Store

This reusable food and sandwich wrap are great to wrap your sandwich, bagel and other food item. A great solution for a litterless lunch. Features: 100% cotton exterior with waterproof liner to help keep food fresher for longer. Easy and secure Velcro closure. Lead, Phthalate and BPA free. It’s a must for your eco-conscious friend this Christmas.

RRP €9.50

Available in The Conscious Christmas Store on 13 Fade St, Dublin 2 or online from TheKind.co

Oatmeal Sustainable PJ Gift Bag Set

This pretty PJ set with three quarter length sleeve is at a great price. It also comes in grey.

RRP €10

Available from Penneys nationwide

Shower Bag Gift Set

This cute and inexpensive shower gift bag contains everything you need to get rid of your dry skin. It includes a foot file with pumice stone, a facial pad and mesh sponge in a handy, already to gift bag.

Tealight Holders

– ceramic, 9 assortments @ €2.64 each

 

Available from Søstrene Grene

Sherpa Dog PJ Gift Set

A cuddly and super soft PJ gift set in an easy to wrap gifting box.

RRP €13

Available from Penneys nationwide

HASK Unwined Deep Conditioner Sachets Sauvignon Blanc

Glisten up! This Sauvignon Blanc inspired deep conditioner helps enhance shine and adds luster.  It contains wine extract which we are assured is packed with antioxidants to help rejuvenate, strengthen and soften.  It’s free from sulphates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colours too.

RRP €3.75

Available from all good pharmacies nationwide

CND™ VINYLUX™

This long wear polish delivers 7-day wear and care in two simple steps. The advanced formula features patent-pending pro light technology to create a resistance to chips and develop a network of bonds which enhance durability with natural light exposure. The system consists of an all-in-one base and colour coat and a topcoat, which must be used together for ultimate performance. You can choose from more than 100 high performing shades, but we think this red is perfect for the holidays. 

 

RRP €11.95

 

Available in professional salons nationwide and for purchase. To find your local stockist please visit www.lovecnd.com

Peony Petals Scented Candle

This pretty 220g scented candle is made with 50% coconut, 48% rapeseed and 2% Peony Petals scent which means not only does is smell beautiful but it’s long lasting too.

RRP €4.78

Available from Søstrene Grene

Celtic Wind Skincare CBD Lip Balm

As our lips do not have working sebaceous glands, which serve the purpose of keeping them moist, we must rely on external treatments and products to keep our pouts on point.  One product which can help is the new Celtic Wind Skincare CBD Lip Balm. Infused with sustainably sourced Irish grown CBD, this lip care offering from Celtic Wind Skincare will quickly become a mainstay in your everyday routine.  

RRP €12.95

The Celtic Wind Skincare range is available via www.celticwindcrops.com and stockists nationwide.

Rainbow stainless steel straw from The Conscious Christmas Store

Plastic straws have routinely been one of the top 10 items found on beaches around the world, let's change the statistics and one simple swap is by replacing these with a stylish rainbow stainless steel straw.  These stainless-steel straws are made from medical-grade stainless steel, which is non-corrosive and non-reactive so the straws will not absorb flavours or odours, they can be used over and over again and are suitable for the dishwasher.

RRP €4

Available in The Conscious Christmas Store on 13 Fade St, Dublin 2 or online from TheKind.co

From Santa With Love by Essence

When it comes to the party season, it’s all about glitter and shimmer! And the very same is true of essence’ ‘From Santa with Love’ trend edition. The limited edition collection includes a range of price friendly gifts including long, dense false lashes (€3.80), Christmassy nail stickers (€1.60), a heat pack for chilly hands (€2.50), a stylish eyeshadow brush (€1.90), a wow-effect face & body highlighter (€4.90), a soft powder brush (€4.80) and a 12-pan eyeshadow palette (€10.95).

The eyeshadow palette ’01 Express delivery from the north pole’ contains 12 highly pigmented shades with ultra-creamy textures. A selection of mattes, shimmers and of course, glitters offer endless possibilities for festive eye looks over the party season.

RRP €10.95

From Santa with love eyeshadow palette available from Penneys and good pharmacies nationwide

IsaDora Mini Bronzing Set

This well priced mini bronzing kit from IsaDora, includes their Mini Bronzing Powder, Mini Bronzing Brush and their Precision Mascara too.

RRP €9.99

Available from all good pharmacies nationwide

 

Kiss Glam Fantasy Nails

Incorporate simple, chic sparkles this Christmas season with glitter Kiss Fantasy nails, Kiss Fantasy are ready to wear gel nails with an ultra-smooth finish. They can be applied with Kiss adhesive tabs or glue and can be removed by soaking them in an acetone-based polish remover. You are then ready to switch them up quickly and easily, for the next look. These are the perfect staple you need to ramp up your look with a little something extra special.

RRP €9

Available from all good pharmacies nationwide.

Pure Bliss Body Butter by Søstrene Grene

This delightful body butter by Søstrene Grene really lives up to its ‘pure bliss’ name.   At just over a fiver for 200ml it’s an exceptionally good value yet good quality gift.

RRP €5.48

Available from Søstrene Grene

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I spend way too much time day-dreaming about being a royal. I can’t help but wonder what it’d be like to live in the most luxurious castles with giant staircases, grand pianos, four poster beds and a huge library.

Well, I finally got a glimpse of that life after I was invited to the beautiful Luttrellstown Castle and now I really hope things don’t work out between Harry and Meghan (I’m kidding, mostly.)

I felt like I was living in a fairytale once I stepped inside.

The castle oozes charm and class. We drank mulled wine and ogled at the biggest Christmas tree I’ve ever seen as a harpist played in the background.

I genuinely felt like I’d walked into an episode of The Crown, minus the corgis and tiaras.

The staff treated us like royalty from the moment we arrived until the second we (reluctantly) left the gorgeous castle grounds.

As a special Christmas treat, the castle will be open for each Sunday in December and Monday, December 23 for afternoon tea.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Luttrellstown Castle Resort (@luttrellstowncastleresort) on

And it’s no ordinary afternoon tea.

Inspired by the one and only Queen Victoria, this afternoon tea is bound to make you feel like a true Duchess.

Sip on warm Irish tea from a little china cup and cozy up by the toasty fire. Tuck into tasty sandwiches- I’d recommend the roast pork loin with cranberry stuffing and apple relish. 

But don’t forget to leave room for the sweet treats. There is a huge range of cakes and sweets to enjoy, but you just can’t beat the classic scone that is served with served with clotted cream and jam.

Treat yourself this Christmas and live like a queen at Luttrellstown Castle. Perhaps ask for this divine afternoon tea experience for Christmas?

Afternoon tea €50.

Champagne afternoon tea €65. 

To book, visit luttrellstowncastle.com

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Buying the cat or dog a Christmas present is an essential for most families. You can’t leave the poor thing out at Christmas, right?

Luckily, you won’t have to spend a fortune on a Christmas gift for your furry friend because Aldi have released a huge range of festive presents for cats and dogs.

They’ve got everything from quilted dog coats, luxury blankets to cat cuddle scratchers.

But what we really need is the pet tepee.

A tepee for your pet? Genius.

It’s time to spoil the furry members of your family this festive season, with a range of practical gifts, on sale in 140 Aldi stores nationwide from Sunday, December 8. 

Check out the pet presents below:

Pet Tepee €14.99
Dog Cuddle Bundle €29.99
Squeaky Christmas Dog Toy €3.49 each
Pet Sofa Bed €44.99
Quilted Dog Coat €7.99
Cat Cuddle Scratcher €5.99

The above products are on sale in 140 Aldi stores nationwide from Sunday, December 8. 

For more information see www.aldi.ie

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Rick Stein's Secret France by Rick Stein (Published by Penguin)

Over fifty years ago Rick Stein first set foot in France. Now, he returns to the food and cooking he loves the most and makes us fall in love with French food all over again.  Rick’s meandering quest through the byways and back roads of rural France sees him pick up inspiration from Normandy to Provence. With characteristic passion and joie de vivre, Rick serves up incredible recipes: chicken stuffed with mushrooms and Comté, grilled bream with aioli from the Languedoc coast, a duck liver parfait bursting with flavour, and a recipe for the most perfect raspberry tart plus much, much more.

Simple fare, wonderful ingredients, all perfectly assembled; Rick finds the true essence of a food so universally loved, and far easier to recreate than you think. 

Week Light by Donna Hay (Published by Harper Collins)

Australia's bestselling cookbook author and most trusted home cook, Donna Hay, returns with a beautiful new cookbook that you'll want to use every night of the week.  There are endless arguments out there for bringing more vegetables to your table – your own wellbeing, your budget, our environment, the list goes on. Gone are the days where a sad salad or soft steamed carrots were our only options. These recipes use vegetables in a whole new way, adding so much life to your weekly routine.  Inside Week Light, you'll find her week in food, in a book – super-quick, family-friendly, fuss-free meals made real. Vegetables are at the forefront of nearly every recipe, with a few meat options thrown in, and there are lots of my all-time classics re-worked to include more goodness. 

Happy Vegan by Fearne Cotton (Published by Hachette)

With simple recipe hacks and flexible options, delicious classics and fresh ideas, Happy Vegan will inspire you to eat plant-based food full time, part time or any time. It’s packed with comforting, easy-to-make dishes that will become your everyday favourites and go-to fridge raiders. Recipes include ideas to start the day right, for lunch on the go, some long and lazy slow cooking, dishy dinners, sharing feasts, party time and irresistible sweetest things.   From burgers to brownies, casseroles to cakes, Happy Vegan shows you that vegan food is for everyone… and you won’t even notice there’s no meat or dairy. Just happy faces.

 

Mary Berry’s Quick Cooking by Mary Berry (Published by Penguin)

This stunning cookbook, packed with colourful photography, includes over 120 new recipes, including all the recipes from her new series, plus Mary’s trademark no-nonsense tips and techniques for getting ahead in the kitchen so cooking is always stress-free.  Looking for a fast, satisfying supper? There’s Crumble fish pie, Lamb tagine with preserved lemon or Pan-fried spiced falafels. Something special for Sunday lunch or dinner with friends? Roast Venison fillet and peppercorn sauce, 30-minute Beef ragu or Roast fillet pork with sage and mustard sauce followed by Upside-down rhubarb pudding. With Mary’s trusted advice and recipes, discover how easy fantastic fast cooking can be.

Veg by Jamie Oliver (Published by Penguin)

Jamie's brand-new cookbook packed full of over 100 deliciously simple veg recipes from his hit TV show is bound to go down a treat this Christmas.  Whether it's embracing a meat-free day or two each week, living a vegetarian lifestyle, or just wanting to try some brilliant new flavour combinations, this book ticks all the boxes. With chapters on Soups & Sarnies, Brunch, Pies Parcels & Bakes, Curries & Stews, Salads, Burgers & Fritters, Pasta, Rice & Noodles, and Traybakes there's something tasty for every occasion.  Jamie's recipes will leave you feeling full, satisfied and happy – and not missing meat from your plate.

The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook by Annie Gray (Published by Simon & Schuster)

The Official Downton Abbey Cookbook presents over 100 recipes that showcase the cookery and customs of the Crawley household – from upstairs dinner party centrepieces to downstairs puddings and pies – and bring an authentic slice of Downton Abbey to modern kitchens and Downton fans.  Whether adapted from original recipes of the period, replicated as seen or alluded to on screen, or typical of the time, all the recipes reflect the influences found on the Downton Abbey tables. Food historian Annie Gray gives a rich and fascinating insight into the background of the dishes that were popular between 1912 and 1926, when Downton Abbey is set —a period of tremendous change and conflict, as well as culinary development. The recipes are grouped by occasion, which include breakfast; luncheons and suppers; afternoon tea and garden parties; picnics, shoots and race meets; festivities; upstairs dinner; downstairs dinner; downstairs supper and tea; and the still room. 

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Marcus Everyday by Marcus Wareing (Published by Harper Collins)

Marcus Everyday is filled with the delicious, go-to recipes that Michelin-starred chef Marcus Wareing cooks at home.  From nourishing family favourites, to mid-week suppers and holiday feasts, these mouth-watering dishes can be enjoyed every day of the week. The 8 chapters also include the resourceful Garden Patch, quick fixes In The Fridge, as well as recipes to rustle up a real treat of a supper when you’re Home Alone, cleverly put what’s left at the back of your fridge to good use in the Waste Not Want Not chapter, inspirational Home Baking with your children or grandchildren, or catering for the masses in Weekend Dining.   Packed with tips, tricks and techniques which will make every dish truly unforgettable, Marcus reveals how to really get the most out of each ingredient, so that anyone can create memorable meals in their own home kitchen.

From the Oven to the Table by Diana Henry (Published by Hachette)

Whether you're short of time or just prefer to keep things simple, From the Oven to the Table shows how the oven can do much of the work that goes into making great food.   Diana Henry’s favourite way to cook is to throw ingredients into a dish or roasting tin, slide them in the oven and let the heat behind that closed door transform them into golden, burnished meals. Most of the easy-going recipes in this wonderfully varied collection are cooked in one dish; some are ideas for simple accompaniments that can be cooked on another shelf at the same time.  From quick after-work suppers to feasts for friends, the dishes are vibrant and modern and focus on grains, pulses and vegetables as much as meat and fish. With recipes such as Chicken Thighs with Miso, Sweet Potatoes & Spring Onions, Roast Indian-spiced Vegetables with Lime-Coriander Butter, and Roast Stone Fruit with Almond and Orange Flower Crumbs, Diana shows how the oven is the most useful bit of kit you have in your kitchen. 

Pinch of Nom Everyday Light: 100 Tasty, Slimming Recipes All Under 400 Calories by Kay Featherstone & Kate Allinson (Published by Pan Macmillan)

So, what does Everyday Light mean? Well, the simple answer is that all the meals in this book come in at under 400 calories.  The authors have made sure to use the right ingredients so you’re still getting decent portions. All these dishes are either complete meals, or we have suggested an accompaniment that will still bring the dish under 400 calories.  As ever, all the recipes have been tried and tested by an army of recipe testers. You can expect to see tasty, hearty, Pinch of Nom style meals like Fish and Chips, Pizza Loaded Fries, Sloppy Dogs and Firecracker Prawns. These are delicious dishes that will keep you full, and that you can eat every day of the week. 

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Leon: Ingredients and Recipes by Allegra McEvedy (Published by Conran Octopus)

The first Leon restaurant opened its doors in London in July 2004 and this book is a culmination of some of the restaurant favourites.  But it’s a clever book of two halves. The Ingredients Book arms you with everything you need to know about the basic building blocks of any recipe.  The second half is The Recipe Book, where you can put your newly found knowledge of ingredients to great use with over 140 recipes: some are familiar favourites taken from LEON’s restaurant menus such as the Original Superfood Salad, Moroccan Meatballs or Magic Mackerel Couscous and, for LEON Lovers everywhere, at last a recipe for the coveted LEON Better Brownie.   LEON’s food message is a simple and honest one – cook and eat with the best ingredients available and don’t forget the naughty bits that are so necessary for a fully-rounded life.

 

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