Now, I warned us all last week that time was running out, but if you’re anything like me, you’ve ignored all warnings and are feeling the heat as Christmas streaks our way next week. It has been a bizarre couple of years. I put off planning out of suspicion that Christmas just might not actually happen for some reason. I bought a couple of gifts but essentially now it’s crunch time. Don’t worry though. Beauty gifts are always a universally pleasing buy.
If you miss delivery deadlines and find yourself stuck next week, never underestimate the gold mines that are bigger supermarkets and pharmacies. Odds are you’ll be paying them a visit anyway before Christmas, and they’ll still be loaded with makeup, fragrance and skincare gift sets.
If you would prefer to buy online, doing so this week is a wonderful excuse to buy Irish – it supports local and home-grown businesses and brands, and delivery times will be shorter. All of the Irish brands I’m sharing here ship within or under five working days, so provided you are ordering to an Irish address, you should still have time and can avoid the Christmas Eve panic.
Home fragrance is a pretty safe bet as gifts go. The Handmade Soap Co's Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme & Mint Candle and Diffuser Set (€45 at thehandmadesoapcompany.ie) is exquisitely fragranced with a sophisticated, herbaceous scent that won't feel out of place once Christmas is over. Delivery takes three to five working days.
Oxmantown Skincare's Men's Skincare Gift Set (€60 at oxmantownskincare.ie) is an excellent little skincare wardrobe made in Dublin for men, and delivery takes two to five days.
Skingredients is the runaway Irish skincare success story of the last two years. The products are excellent and now refillable, making them a great option for an environmentally conscious loved one who will appreciate really effective skincare. The Key 4 Gift Set (€150 at skingredients.com and selected pharmacies nationwide) is an entire skincare routine and a wonderful gift, though they have more affordable options too. The cut-off date for Irish delivery by Christmas is December 20th.
Finally, a voucher has never been such a virtuous gift. Our hospitality industry has been absolutely battered over the last two years. A Spas.ie voucher (from €25 at spas.ie) can be redeemed at 80 Irish spas, including those at Hayfield Manor in Cork, Castle Leslie Estate in Monaghan, and Dublin's The Marker Hotel. The vouchers are valid for five years, making them an effective way to meaningfully support our beauty industry without worrying that your voucher will expire before you get to use it. The cost is customisable from €25 up to any sum you like, and you can buy it right up to the instant you hand it over to the receiver on Christmas Day.
Product of the Week
It remains the best Christmas tree candle ever made – not just in Ireland, but anywhere. Their pre-Christmas delivery order date is December 20th.
Cloon Keen'a Noble Fir Candle (€42 at cloonkeen.comand instore at Cloon Keen Dublin and Galway).
