Stocking fillers PLUS hotel breaks for the holidays
Nothing beats the feeling of putting your hand inside the Christmas stocking to discover what treats are inside. Whether you’re gifting yourself or a loved one, here are 10 ideas!
GLOWING MEMORIES
What is so unique about Yankee Candles is the fact that each one evokes a special memory, making one of their many giftsets a thoughtful present. Fill your loved one’s home with festive aromas with this set of five Votives. From the warm, buttery icedcookie scent of ‘Snowflake Cookie’ to the crisp scent of evergreen and golden amber in ‘Winter Glow’, there’s something to suit every mood. 5 Votive Giftset, available at Yankee’s The Candle Store (Stephen’s Green Shopping Centre, Jervis Street, Blanchardstown, Limerick and Galway), €12.95
A WHITE CHRISTMAS
Brighten up someone’s Christmas with Spotlight Whitening’s new Teeth Whitening Pen. The gel includes the active whitening ingredient Hydrogen Carbonate Calcium, which you apply to your teeth and leave for five minutes to dissolve stains. Perfect for use after any wine consumption over the festive season! Teeth Whitening Pen, available at www.spotlightwhitening.com, €14.99
SPECIAL TREATS
And now, onto the bad (but irresistible) stuff for teeth – sugar! For the sweet tooth in your friendship group or family, you simply can’t go wrong with candy, particularly with this jar of American-style cookies by Stateside or these Lindt Teddys. Stateside Chocolate Crunch jar, available at Avoca, €4.95 Lindt Teddy Christmas Jumper chocolate, available at all supermarkets nationwide, €6 (200g) & €4.50 (100g)
VICTORIOUS READ
The idea for ‘The King of Lavender Square’ came to author Susan Ryan while she was living in a flat in a Victorian Square in Rathmines. Watching neighbours pass by, she wondered what would bring these people, who were deliberately ignoring each other, together. That’s where main character Patrick Kimba comes in – an African-Irish boy with an ill mother and a dream to become a professional footballer. Soon, neighbours are rallying together to take care of young Patrick. The book is beautifully written and has received rave reviews. Susan has also written a book about Ireland’s only 2-Star Michelin restaurant, Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud in 2011, where she met her partner, and restaurant manager, Stephane Robin. ‘The King of Lavender Square’, available in all good bookstores nationwide and online, €14.99
ONES TO WATCH
Do you know someone who doesn’t like watching movies? Thought not. With films such as ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’, ‘Peter Rabbit’ and ‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ set for release in 2018, a cinema voucher is a gift that will certainly not be wasted! ODEON Christmas Gift Card, available from ODEON cinemas nationwide
BECOME A MILLIONAIRE
Millionaire Raffle is back, and the odds are better than ever with over 5,000 cash prizes up for grabs. You could give someone – or yourself – the gift of a million euro this Christmas! The draw takes place on New Year’s Eve in National Lottery offices in Dublin, and the top prize winner will become the National Lottery’s first millionaire of 2018. Each ticket is presented in a gifting wallet and envelope, making it the perfect Christmas gift. Tickets are limited and are now on sale on lottery.ie and from all National Lottery agents nationwide, €25
KILLARNEY GIFT WRAPPED
Drop that roll of wrapping paper, leave that sticky tape in the drawer. We’ve got Christmas all wrapped up for you. Take the hassle out of your Christmas shopping with a gift voucher for one of Killarney’s favourite holiday and entertainment destinations. A trip to The Gleneagle (www.gleneaglehotel.com), The Brehon (www.thebrehon.com) or the INEC (www.inec.ie) is a fantastic present for your loved ones and by opting for a gift voucher they can choose for themselves when to plan their visit. Vouchers are available to purchase on the websites or by phoning (064) 667 1550
GIVE THE PERFECT GIFT THIS CHRISTMAS!
With over 600 hotels and guesthouses to choose from, an Irelandhotels.com Gift Card is the gift they’ll really want! Available online at Irelandhotels.com or by calling 1890 876769. Post or email to any address this Christmas.
MAGICAL PACKAGE
Treat yourself toatwoor three-night luxury Christmas break at the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Sligo from the 24th-26th December. Package price for two nights is €345 per person sharing and three nights is €460 per person sharing. All food is included. Nestled between the beautiful vistas of Sligo Bay and Benbulben Mountain, the hotel, which has a fresh new look, sits comfortably along the Wild Atlantic Way, offering beautiful views for guests. The hotel is also just 3km from the bustling centre of Sligo and a shells-throw from seaside village, Rosses Point. A perfect destination for strolls after a delicious Christmas buffet. For further information and to book now, call (071) 914 0008 or email info.sligo@radissonblu.com
FLYNN HOTELS CHRISTMAS GIFT VOUCHERS
Spend €250 or more on a gift voucher for any of the Flynn Hotels, including The Imperial Hotel, Cork; Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny; The Park Hotel, Dungarvan; and The Old Ground Hotel, Ennis; and get a gift of a FREE night’s stay at any Flynn Hotel for yourself, or for the lucky recipient. The choice is yours! Gift vouchers are available online at www.flynnhotels.com or from in any of the four hotels