Christmas

‘Christmas in Dublin remains something unmatched in my heart’: readers on what’s best about coming home for Christmas

As a festive influx from abroad begins, one reader has booked out a full row on a Ryanair flight for her return to Ireland

Social welfare Christmas payments: Dates, when are the increases and is there a double payment?

Social welfare recipients will receive two payments at the same time this week

The simple joy of remembering my father when I see my grandchildren playing cards

This pastime’s origins reach back a millennium to the cultures of the Orient

A poet, a singer and an infant called at my door on election day and ended up staying

I am committed to democracy as an art form, but the election didn’t interest me in the slightest

Bressie’s Christmas: ‘Once someone suggested having duck. It was never mentioned again’

Niall Breslin, musician, podcaster and mental health advocate, talks turkey about Christmas

‘We jumped the shark in the very first episode!’: 35 years of The Simpsons

The fact that the era-defining 1990s cartoon sitcom is still in production today is a source of both wonder and despair

From Anne Enright to Dr Seuss: eight of the best books to read at Christmas

These books will leave both adults and children feeling a little bit more festive

From wifi plugs to Waze: tech essentials to get you through the festive season

Whether it’s planning your journey or food prep, keeping tabs of to-do lists or options for downtime, there’s an app for it

Need a gift for your host this Christmas? Make it more than just a bottle of wine

If you’ve been invited for Christmas drinks or dinner, here are some ideas for presents that say thank you in style

So This Is Christmas review: Beautifully made but ultimately cheerless viewing – a glimmer of hope would have been nice

Television: We all know Christmas can be tough but this film lays it on with a trowel

Weather: No chance of a white Christmas, Met Éireann says

Met Éireann says next week’s conditions set to be milder than usual for late December

Paschal Donohoe’s Christmas: Yes to Indiana Jones movies and Christmas jumpers, no to festive pyjamas

The outgoing minister for public expenditure shares his Christmas traditions and is asked who’s on his naughty list

A critic of this column thinks there’s too much negativity about Ireland, not enough about Australia’s beaches

That reader should know that, even though I live 3½ hours from the coast, I am taking her concerns on board

Oh, parfum! Pick a delicious Irish scent for your loved one this Christmas

In a world full of endless fragrance options, why not break away from the crowd and try something new – and Irish

The great trifle revival: ‘Two creamy, delicious things on top of a boozy, fruity, delicious thing’ - what’s not to like?

Baker Gerry Godley delves into the origins of trifle, that most celebratory of Christmas desserts, and combines the very best ingredients to assemble the ‘ultimate’ one

Ultimate sherry trifle

Breadman Walking’s trifle is the perfect Christmas dessert for plum pudding refusniks

Irish Christmas gift guide 2024: Ideas for last-minute shopping

Christmas is just days away. If you are among those still looking for presents, help is at hand with our gift guides

Holyhead Port will remain closed over Christmas with ferries cancelled, operators confirm

Around 100,000 people will need to make alternative arrangements over festive period

Grief at Christmas: ‘I feel quite lost’

‘One has to learn to live with grief as best one can’

I Am Not an Alcoholic: Some people get uncomfortable having a glass of wine around me and try hide it. Please stop

Part 22: Another trigger, and maybe even bigger than Christmas, is holidays

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