The Designer Diva

TV presenter Mary Kennedy reckons that if you are going to dress up this Christmas you have to go all out. "You can't go out in your lovely evening dress with your hair in the bob that you wear to work," she says. A tiara or sparkling hair clips are therefore what she recommends to crown off the glorious number you have been paying off all year. For something a little more down-to-earth, Kennedy says to go for a pashmina. This long shawl, originating from Pakistan and made from mountain goat hair, is available in an extensive range of colours from Brown Thomas, with prices between £195 and £400.

The Classicalist

`Everybody thinks of records, but actually tickets are the real thing," says Eamonn Lawlor, former Prime Time presenter and now classical music presenter with Lyric FM. "And you can spend as little or as much as you want." Lawlor's ultimate recommendation is tickets for the Borodin Quartet in Bantry House, Bantry next Easter for a Shostakovich rendition.

The Populist

Celine Dion, Shania Twain and Westlife (obviously) are the big names on Boyzone manager Louis Walsh's Christmas list. This being the millennium, Walsh reckons that this year will be even bigger for record sales, as people rush to buy home-party tunes. This in itself will make Louis Walsh's Christmas.

The Cook

Paul O'Flynn, owner of The Tannery restaurant in Dungarvan, says the perfect gift for the cook - apart from a cheerful au pair willing to be the commis chef - has got to be cook books. "Getting a pot or a gadget is akin to getting an iron. And it's something you just might get hit with," he says. His number one for this year is How to Eat by Nigella Lawson (£30 at Waterstone's), a thoroughly entertaining book on food by a very glamorous woman.

The Gourmet

Caterer, teacher and all-round lover of good food, Alix Gardiner says all food buffs like to keep up with the latest food fashions and trends. That is why she would go for a fruit juicer (£40 at Brown Thomas) for her favourite gourmet. "They are healthy, they are fun and you can do something like put strawberries and advocados together with them," says Alix.

The Tennis Buff

Because super-graphite rackets, air-pressured shoes and stylish clothes are all being made to the same high standard, tennis guru Matt Doyle reckons the tennis buff is looking for something a little more original. A tennis ball machine (between £600 and £1,200), is a good buy for those trying to improve their shots. Tickets to the French Open are another good idea. But why is Doyle suggesting Paris after his many years of commentating in Wimbeldon? "It doesn't rain, the prices are better, because of the clay court the rallies are longer and then there's the French flair."

The Golfer

Mary McKenna, former top golfer, isn't into the newfangled golf gadgets. Max Fly golf balls (about £3 for three) and a good golf book or video would always be welcome under her Christmas tree. Mickey Walker videos can teach both the female and male amateur a lot because her game would not be as powerful as the professional men. But you can't beat the Nick Faldo books (about £15 in Easons), muses McKenna, as "he still swings a club very well".

The Footballer

Pat Dolan, manager of St Patrick's Athletic, knows what any suffering Irish soccer player wants for Christmas: a new centre forward in the Republic's team. Failing that, Dolan says that no footballer is likely to turn his nose up at a pair of Mitre Speed Stud Boots (start at £45, the Soccer Shop). With triangular instead of round studs, they "give you more grip and quicker acceleration". But for Dolan, the only thing that would warm his heart would be the FAI Cup. Denied the prestigious award since 1961, Dolan says it would definitely make his club's Christmas.

The Outdoors Type

For those who dare to venture out from among the heaps of food and endless television programmes at Christmas, the best gift is head lights (from £8 to £50). Darryl Kearns, manager of Millets Camping in Dublin, says the head lights originated as an aid to miners but can be used to find your way back to the turkey and chocolates. Alternatively you could go for the stainless steel flask (prices start at £24.99), an unbreakable flask for hot and cold drinks.