Bernice Harrisonon alternatives to movies and the mall
Winter solstice
*It's that time of year when, yet again, you realise you've forgotten to apply for tickets to be in Newgrange at the moment when, through the magic of ancient ingenuity, a shaft of sunlight illuminates the ancient passageway and burial chamber.
But that's no reason to ignore tomorrow's winter solstice. A visit to any of Ireland's ancient-monument sites this weekend - locations of solstice ceremonies for centuries - is a simple antidote to the commercial madness of Christmas.
It's also fun for children to learn about the traditions that have crossed over from pre-Christian times, such as decorating your home with an evergreen tree, which was a symbol of life's continuity.
*In Co Limerick, outside Bruff, Grange stone circle is the largest in Ireland. Numerous megalithic remains are dotted around the site.
*In Northern Ireland, south of Downpatrick, Co Down, is Ballynoe Stone Circle, a megalithic monument where a 33m stone circle encloses an ellipse of stones and a prehistoric burial mound.
*Even without seeing the winter-solstice light show, a visit to Newgrange, which is older than Egypt's pyramids, is a great day out. The tour starts at Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre, on the south side of the River Boyne. It's there you pick up applications for a chance to be in the chamber next December. It's done by lottery. See www.heritageireland.ie.