Catch Booker Prize winner Anne Enright, economist David McWilliams and Irish Timescolumnist Paul Howard, aka Ross O'Carroll-Kelly, at an authors' lunch in the Royal Marine Hotel, DúLaoghaire, Co Dublin next Saturday. Tickets, €50 each, from 01-2020010.
Top trees
Next Wednesday night, 12 trees decorated by artists and designers will be auctioned at the CHQ building in the IFSC, Dublin 1, in aid of the Dublin Simon Community. Helen Steele, as you can see on our cover, painted her tree -literally. Couturier Peter O'Brien has decorated his tree with hundreds of Waterford Crystal baubles and hand-written messages. Guggi, Helen Cody, Joanne Hynes, Kevin Sharkey, Helen McAlinden, Mo Kelly and Ciarán Sweeney are among others taking part. Jane Beattie from James Adam & Sons will wield the gavel on Wednesday evening from 6.30-9.30pm, and successful bidders will have the fully decorated tree delivered to their doors, fait accompli, or they might be bought to cheer up a hospital, school or corporate corner. The trees are 8ft high and artificial, so as to last the pace. See www.dublindocklands.iefor further details, as well as news of the 12-day outdoor fair in the IFSC, starting on December 12th, complete with glühwein. Patsey Murphy
Food to get you in the mood
Sarah Kennedy, who does a roaring trade on week nights serving diners a home-cooked-style meal with a glass of wine for under a tenner at Kennedy's Food Store at 3 Fairview Strand, Dublin 3, will be plying her customers with free mulled wine and mince pies from 2-5pm today. She'll also be helping them plan their holiday food and drink requirements, with the help of a new catering menu. And, as an extra incentive - there will be a 10 per cent discount on hampers (01-8331400). Harvey Nichols in Dundrum Town Centre, Dublin 14 gets into the spirit with a Festive Fete in the food market and wine shop on Wednesday evening. There will be tastings of caviar, Jane Russell sausages, Woodfords reserve bourbon and Taylor's of Harrogate products, as well as 10 per cent discounts. Tickets are complimentary, but must be booked in advance by calling the Foodmarket on 01-2910488. The fete runs from 6pm until 8.30pm - perfect timing to book a table in the First Floor restaurant, where it's a wine-at-wineshop-prices night. Marie-Claire Digby
Basket cases
You won't find brandy butter, cranberry sauce or mint jelly lurking in the baskets from Classic Irish Hampers this Christmas. Pamela Cooney and Karen Dwyer, who bought the 10-year-old company earlier this year, don't believe in including the usual suspects as fillers. Their "interesting, gourmet, artisan food products", including Roly's puddings, smoked salmon from Cavistons and chocolates from Chez Emily, will be irresistible, they say. The champagne and wine in the hampers comes from Off The Grapevine in Dalkey, Co Dublin, which Cooney and her husband, Gay, have run since 1999. "Since we import ourselves, we are getting very good wines at very good prices," she says. As they specialise in wines from France and Italy, French- and Italian-themed hampers have been added to the range, as well as an all-organic one for a greener Christmas. Prices start at €20 ex-VAT and run up to €450. See www.classicirishhampers.com or call 087-8551866. Sheila Wayman
Clever cards
Twelve of Ireland's leading graphic designers have teamed up to design a series of Christmas cards to benefit the Children's Sunshine Home in Leopardstown, Co Dublin. Based on the theme of the 12 days of Christmas, each card was designed by a different graphic artist. The result is an eclectic collection of quirky, witty cards. Designers, finishers and printers worked for free, ensuring every cent raised will go directly to the charity. The project was conceived after the sudden death earlier this year of 15-month-old Daniel Farrell. Packs cost €10 each and money raised will go towards building the first Children's Hospice in Ireland. Buy direct from the Children's Sunshine Home (01-2893151) or see www.sunshinehome.ie. Madeleine Lyons
Sound the alarm
Next Saturday, December 8th, is Global Day of Action on climate change, and events are scheduled around Ireland, the biggest being Dublin's 'Sound the Alarm!' parade. Join samba bands at Civic Offices at 1pm. The bells of Christchurch will ring out at 2pm to say the earth must warm by no more than two degrees. www.stopclimatechaos.ie Victoria White