What's hot and what's not

What's hot

Christmas jumpersWe hear Penneys has sold 400,000 so far this season

Bradley WigginsThe Olympic champion put the personality in the Sports Personality of the Year awards with his genuinely funny acceptance speech

Hot water bottlesCheaper than brandy and almost as effective

Simon's snowFull-scale projected snow scene on Powerscourt Townhouse's exterior in aid of Simon Community

Crumbling traditionForget your puff and shortbread pastry. This year it's all about the mince crumble

Kissing ballsThe elaborate Victorian take on the mistletoe tradition is a wonderful wreath alternative

AirportsShannon, Dublin, Cork or Belfast: all venues for heart-melting seasonal reunions

Forget the scenic routeLegislation now under consideration to make the shortest route compulsory for taxi drivers

Homage to HitchcockAll 52 films from the Master of Suspense to show at Dublin's IFI

What's not

Norovirus ...aka the winter vomiting bug We're falling like skittles

TV wrapsA giant Love/Hate-shaped hole on our screens since its grand finale

Loans for Christmas bling mid-recessionNot worth the 2013 hassle

Antler accessoriesCars with deer horns, somehow seem less hilarious in gridlock

The oven shuffleNever enough room for warming big Christmas dinners. Burns and blisters abound