It's Christmas magazine

A dash glitz and a hint of formality can lift the occasion, writes Tara O’Connor of The Designed Table

“The lack of understanding for families and their struggles is horrifying, I knew I had to do something to help”

Figures from Ireland’s food scene share their Christmas breakfast stories, recipes and gift ideas

Rick Astley may hold Winter Wonderland against her but Kim Wilde is still a Christmas favourite

The best gift I got last year was to take a hawk for a walk in Wicklow, writes Sandra O’Connell

Shopping second hand gives you access to designer labels, it’s sustainable and it helps charities, says the Fashion Relief founder

What do Tommy and Hector buy for Laurita Blewitt? And is she on cousin Joe’s Christmas card list?

Who doesn’t love a gizmo? Here are 10 Christmas gift suggestions for the gadget geeks in your life

These countdown-to-Christmas gifts include an Irish brand that will be hard to get your hands on

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

Whether you want Christmas with bells on or just to escape from it all, here are some great trips to consider

Stress levels rising? To-do lists lengthening? Five experts tell us how have a simpler, calmer Christmas

Traditional fare doesn’t stop at turkey, which is a recent arrival to the Christmas table in Ireland anyway

Whether for reasons of sustainability or space, foregoing a ‘proper’ Christmas tree opens up all sorts of creative possibilities

From Skellig Island adventures to chaotic Irish dancing, Deanna O’Connor recommends 12 of the best Irish children’s books

Three Irish children’s authors pick the books they will be choosing for the children in their lives this year

Valuable and sometimes surprising tips: Don’t fake-tan the turkey with a hangover

A paucity of older material online and extravagant box-sets are two reasons for giving CDs and DVDs

Christmas decorations will ideally be fashionable, enhance your home and stand the test of time

A selection of more planet-friendly potential presents, made from natural and/or recycled materials

Beers, chutneys and teas figure in our top five Advent calendars too, so why not make it a date?

A monthly delivery of baked goods, chocolate, cheese or beer – surely the perfect Christmas present

Ali Dunworth chooses cookbooks that go beyond recipes to tell fascinating stories of food and of life

The scientist, author and professor of biochemistry at Trinity College Dublin, dissects the festive season

May we refresh your festive drinks cart? Tips for raising your home bar’s tone in time for Christmas

We asked food and hospitality professionals how they make their family Christmas a little extra special

Diving into Christmas is no problem for the Irish comedian – she’s been thinking about it for month

In this year’s fashion shoot, some well-known faces including friends, family members and couples share their most cherished memories, and long-standing traditions

Siblings Amy, Mark and Paul Huberman talk about the Christmases of their childhood and more difficult recent ones

From Winter Lights to theatre productions, Sandra O’Connell looks at some of the best festive entertainment