For those of you beginning to panic, I've put together a list of presents I think any girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife would be delighted to get. Similarly if you want to drop some hints, you could leave this page open on your partner's computer! The web sites referenced are based in Ireland so there will still be time for delivery if you get your order in quick. All the items below come in under €70. Depending on your budget, they could be a gift in and of themselves, or a stocking filler if you're flashing the cash.
First up 'for her'... it's jewellery!
Gold Filled Circle Pendant Chain necklace from MoMuse €65
Jewellery may seem like an obvious present, but there's a good reason. It tends to be something a woman wouldn't buy herself... but it's also lovely because her partner chose it for her. In an era of disposable fashion, it's something you can keep for years and say "that's what he bought me for Christmas 2014".
For the woman who loves fine jewellery the Gold Circle pendant (above) is so simple and so beautiful. It's made by Margaret O'Rourke of MoMuse, based in the Powerscourt Centre on South William Street. I think it's an added bonus to give jewellery made in Ireland - gives it that extra special bespoke feeling! I gave this necklace to my cousin for Christmas last year, and she wears it every day with absolutely everything.
8 Other Reasons Vice Versa necklace from JewelCitizens.com
For the woman who's into big, statement jewellery that's designed to be seen, the Vice Verca necklace (above) is the most rock-chick bling-thing going! And hey, if it's good enough for Jessica Alba...! It's being sold in Ireland by Dublin designer Merle O'Grady. She posts all her jewellery out in gorgeous packaging too. The same goes for the Dublin-based Style Fairy who has recently designed a range of neckpieces. My favourite is the Venus (below) which looks amazing with anything from a little black dress to a simple white t-shirt.
TSF Accessories "Venus" €32 from thestylefairy.ie
Now on to the lotions, potions and makeup 'for her'
Benefit Beauty Bon Bons is widely available but the cheapest place I've seen it is in Arnotts for €50
Benefit has a legion of Irish fans so your girlfriend or wife will surely recognise its cheeky packaging. It's a pricey brand, but the above hamper is a bargain. You'll fool her into thinking you've spent loads and she'll love every product in there.
MAC Keepsakes Brown Eye Bag - MAC Henry Street or BTs for €55
MAC needs no introductions, even to the fellas! Every year the company comes out with kick-ass festive special editions, and they've come up trumps again this Christmas. My favourite of the 2014 batch, and the one I think represents best value, is this glitzy bag of treats. You can create a killer smokey eye with it too.
Charlotte Tilbury Film Stars on the Go: The Spy Who Loved Me €55 Brown Thomas
Anyone who knows me or who is familiar with this blog will tell you my love for Charlotte Tilbury runs deep! The makeup range was brand new to the market this year and has made a massive impact on beauty lovers because of its high quality and decadent design. If your partner is a makeup obsessive, she should love any of the products. I've picked out this little gem because it can be used on the eyes, lips and cheeks. It'll also glam up her dressing table!
Soap and Glory hamper available in larger Boots stores for €37 this week only!
Soap and Glory is HUGE in Ireland and the brand is sold exclusively in Boots. Most years they do a version of the above hamper and it sells out in a flash. That's because they reduce it from €76 to €37 for one week. If you want this, you're going to have to be quick. When they're gone, they're gone, and you may end up driving across the city to the likes of Boots in Dundrum or Liffey Valley to get the last one! It's worth it though. I bought this for my sister a few Christmasses ago and she loved, loved, LOVED it!
Casio watch Argos reduced to €41.49
The Casio watch was a hipster favourite for years but I think they've moved on, so don't be afraid of the connotations! *rolls eyes and says gawd!* This unisex accessory looks deadly on everyone be they male, female, hipster or otherwise! The brand is widely available but the cheapest version I've seen is this little gold number from Argos.
Kiehl's Facial Fuel moisturiser €35.50
Irish men are increasingly getting into their skincare and not before time! I don't want to sound all Mammy, but every one of you lads should be slathering on moisturiser twice a day! Kiehl's is a great unisex brand but they have a specifically male line too. It's a little pricey but hey, it's a Christmas present! And it has a bit more imagination than a Lynx shower set from the chemist. If you want to give this as a whole present, pay a trip to the store on Wicklow Street or in Arnotts where they have hampers to suit various budgets.
Viktor and Rolf SpiceBomb - wideley available but currently reduced to €52.20 in Debenhams
Buying cologne is a risk, as you can't be sure your fella will love the scent. But I'm willing to bet good money that Viktor and Rolf's SpiceBomb will not disappoint. You rarely see it advertised, compared to say Armani Code or Chanel Bleu. In my opinion, that's because it doesn't have to - it's that good. As the name suggests it packs a spicy punch when you first spray it. It does, however, settle down to leave a lovely subtle scent. You can get it in nearly every department store, but the cheapest place I've seen it is in Debenhams.
Element x Timber Sweater €64.95 and tee €29.95 both from Raglan
For those of you with boyfriends or husbands who are really into interesting sweaters, hoodies and tee shirts, they will love the brand Element which has teamed up with LA-based artist Timber. He's put his stamp on a range of gear which, as far as I'm aware, is only available in Ireland via Raglan on Drury Street. (98FM Style spoke to owner and buyer Amy Hamilton earlier this year when the store opened.) Above is just a taster of what's available, and prices vary.
Spotify vouchers available from its website but can also be purchased in Tesco
Vouchers may not traditionally be the most thoughtful of presents, but I think Spotify bucks the trend! It makes a brilliant gift for men and women of all ages, especially the more tech-minded. Unlike department store vouchers, there's no waiting to use this - you can get going on Christmas Day. If you don't think your partner would be into Spotify, maybe try a Netflix, Playstation or Xbox subscription.
Google Chromecast €39.99 available in PC World, DID Electrical, Argos.
The Google Chromecast is so good, it's topping gadget lists all over the gaff! In a nutshell, it basically allows you to browse your phone, tablet or laptop on your tellybox. That means you can play videos, watch movies or scroll through photos on the TV, smart or otherwise, in your sitting room. Brilliant for watching movies on Netflix!
Large Irish Craft Beer Collection is €60 from thebeerclub.ie
Would you ever buy yourself a craft beer hamper? Probably not, right? That's why they make such a great Christmas present. They're widely available, but I've picked the above set because it's filled exclusively with Irish brews. You can find cheaper hampers containing international beers at a wide variety of off-licenses city-wide.
Aeropress €28.95 and Grinder €34.95 from Coffee Angel
If you're better half is a coffee addict, an aeropress and grinder will be right up their street. You can serve up a cup of Joe to rival your local cafe's. It's super easy to clean, which is handy if you want to keep it at the office. It also works out really cheap, so you can avoid dropping nearly €3 every time you want a decent americano. If your funds are limited you can, of course, just buy the aeropress on its own. Beans come ready ground everywhere these days!
Fitbit Zip Activity Tracker €59.95
Now these next few gifts come with a health warning. Do not give them as presents if your partner isn't already into fitness, ya hear?! You'll only give them a terrible complex! Otherwise they make excellent gifts for the gym bunny in your life, and will serve as extra motivation to get back on the health buzz in 2015.
Tracker devices were all the rage in 2014 but watch them go stellar next year. Depending on the device you can monitor everything from calorie intake and calories burned, to steps taken and hours slept! You can sync them to an app on your phone and watch your progress over time.
MisFit Flash Activity and Sleep Tracker €60 - €67 euro
The idea is to give you an accurate account of your lifestyle and where you could be making improvements. There are also online communities built around the trackers where you can get advice and motivation. The FitBit Zip just tracks your steps, distance and calories burned while the MisFit Flash also monitors sleep patterns. You'll find both in places like Harvey Norman, Arnotts, Currys, PC World, Power City, DID Electrical, Boots and many of the larger Irish pharmacies as well as Littlewoods.ie
Clockwise from Top: System Holdall €10 from JD Champion Sports ¦ Smartshake Original €8.95 from iProtein.ie ¦ Nike Brasilia Bag (medium) €30 Lifestyle Sports
There's nothing like new gym gear to get you gagging to go to the gym and you could put together a great little assortment of accessories as a Christmas present. I love this funky apricot-colour bag that's only TEN QUID. The protein shaker set also comes in a range of colours and is widely available from sport shops, nutrition stores like Holland and Barrett, and health centres. But the above set is the cheapest I've seen and also comes in a range of bright colours.
Nike Yoga Set €30 from JD Champion Sports ¦ Warrior Yoga Mat €16.95 McSport.ie
If your partner's into yoga, this Nike hamper makes a great present and means he or she won't need to use the communal ones provided at their local yoga studio. The Warrior mat would be ideal for the hardcore yoga fan. It's extra thick and isn't painted, meaning it has excellent grip. Many places stock this brand but the cheapest I've found is on McSport.ie
Draper Expert Socket and Ratchet Set €55.19 from MicksGarage.ie
I was in two minds about including this set here. Is it really something you'd give your partner as a Christmas present? A straw poll amongst my nearest and dearest gave it the thumbs up. Hopefully any of you petrol-heads out there will agree!
Danger is Everywhere around €8.99 from all good bookshops
And so to the ultimate stocking filler, or the boring part of the Late Late Toy Show, if you will. Some say books aren't a sexy gift for a partner but I only think that's true if you give them standard fiction or the obvious sports-star biog of the year (Keano and BOD, I'm looking at you!)
Comedian David O'Doherty's last book 100 Facts About Sharks had me in stitches and I expect no different from his latest offering Danger is Everywhere. It's bizarre, it's random, and it's hilarious. It should make you chuckle when you need a lift after the Eastenders special.
The Happy Pear around €19.99 ¦ Hemsley + Hemsley The Art of Eating Well, widely available but the cheapest I've seen it is at €27.99 from Dubray Bookshop
Is it just me or are books about food undergoing a bit of a re-birth? Forget your Nigella, Jamie and Rachel with their duck fat potatoes; in 2015 it's going to be all about the clean living!
The Happy Pear are Wicklow twins David and Stephen Flynn, who's organic shop and restaurant in Greystones has attracted a cult following. If your partner has discovered juicing or the Nutri-Bullet, the Pear's new recipe book should float their boat. So too should Hemsely and Hemsley's Art of Eating Well. These ridiculously good looking British sisters have been creating meal plans for celebs for a number of years. Again, this is not going to go down well with your other half if they aint already into the clean food movement. Don't go giving them body issues!
Syma S39 Helicopter €39.95 from B Cool! The Gadget Store (Dundrum Town Centre)
Lastly, here's one for the big kids. For some reason, nobody every grows out of remote controlled toys. It'd be crazy to spend big money on such a whimsical little item, so this one should fit the bill. As my mate Ryan says "the child in you never stops wanting one of these for Christmas!"
@AideenFinnegan
