This year, we are encouraging shoppers to support local businesses when searching for the perfect Christmas present.
As well as shopping for homegrown products from local retailers, be sure to think outside the box and support some of your local vendors and venues - especially those who may have had to keep their doors closed for much of last year.
You could support your favourite restaurants and salons by buying vouchers; book a stay at an Irish hotel for the summer of 2021; adopt an animal from Dublin Zoo in your little one's name; nab tickets to an up-coming gig - the list goes on.
If you want to think outside the box this year, take a look at some of these experiential gift ideas...
Afternoon Tea, Co. Dublin
So often, the gift we want most of all is to make memories with the people we love. Why not book in some quality time over some tasty tea in the Dylan Hotel this Christmas? Settle into the light-filled dylan Bar or intimate Ruby Room and surrender to an indulgent afternoon feast. Created daily by their talented pastry chefs, and served in immense luxury by a wonderful team, this experience will make any afternoon unforgettable. Prices range from €45 - €70 per person.
Axe Throwing, Co. Wicklow
If you have someone impossible to buy for, why not gift them something totally unexpected? Venture into the company's private forest next to the Avonmore River in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow and enjoy some coffee by the fire, eat wood fired pizza, and learn a some new skills outside in nature. A great weekend escape. Did we mention they also host Christmas axe throwing parties?
Food Tour, Co. Galway
The award-winning Galway Food Tours that guide people through the food scene of the City of Tribes have added to their offering this winter with a new program of tours that will combine food, fashion and craft through a vibrant tour of Galway city.
The Daytime Tour costs €75 and is run by Sheena Dignam & Gosia Letowska, introducing you to award-winning venues serving up delicious produce ranging from oysters to cheese; sushi to crab, and doughnuts to strawberry tarts.
Sunrise Breakfast Tour of Hook Lighthouse, Co. Wexford
Jutting out to sea on the tip of Ireland's Ancient East is where Hook Lighthouse offers the perfect panorama of the rising sun, so where better to enjoy the dawning of the New Year of 2023 than over a Sunrise tour experience at breakfast at the world’s oldest original operating lighthouse.
Tickets to the first Sunrise Tour Experience of 2023 are now available to book for the sunrise on January 1st. €60 per person.
Red Bull Show Run, Co. Dublin
Formula One World Champions Oracle Red Bull Racing will take to North Wall Quay, Dublin for the Red Bull Showrun - a thrilling motorsports spectacle on Sunday, 15th January.
This epic event will feature former Formula One driver David Coulthard as he demonstrates the roaring power, speed, and sound of Sebastian Vettel's championship-winning RB7 car live before thousands of thrilled spectators.
Ice Skating, County Fermanagh
Share is kicking off the festive period with their fantastic indoor synthetic rink set on the shores of Lough Erne. The magical ice rink is set under a canopy of twinkling lights. Themed sessions are planned to get the party started from 80's night, country night and Disney sessions while customers can enjoy seasonal food and drinks. Running from 18 November- 4 January.
Craft Chocolate Tasting, Co. Clare
Founded in 1997 in the wilds of Co. Clare, Wild Irish Chocolates is home to founders Patricia Farrell and her "Wilde Bunch" of in-house trained chocolate makers.
With the hour-long 'Taste and Make' experience, you can get behind-the-scenes access to this working chocolate factory, design and make your own two chocolate bars, while the Wilde team explain how it's done in the factory production line.
Leave with your chocolate bar creations and chocolate-filled memories following a heavenly experience that includes an in-depth eight-part guided chocolate tasting to discern the flavours and textures of diverse chocolates. Finish it off with a chocolate fondue style warm chocolate dipped marshmallows.
Night Time Kayak, Co. Cork
The night tours run by Atlantic Sea Kayaking could be the ultimate group adventure or a romantic activity for two, depending on who you're shopping for this Christmas.
Run in two different locations across Cork - Lough Hyne and Castlehaven Bay - this magical trip provides a unique experience of being on the water from dusk into darkness. Between April and October the bioluminescence can be seen on our Night Kayaking Touron both of these locations.
The two-and-a-half-hour trip costs €75 per person and is perfect for beginners (as long as they are over the age of 18).
A Comedy Gig, Co. Dublin
Give the gift of laughter this Christmas by organising a night of side-spitting fun for you and your friends, family, or co-workers.
Dublin's Laughter Lounge is offering a festive drinks reception, food options to suit all tastes and budgets, grand seasonal decor, as well as three top comedy acts. Prices range between €44.95-€79.95 per person. Contact holly@laughterlounge.com for more info.
Indoor Golf, Co. Kildare
If you have a golf-lover in your life, why not give them the gift of indoor golfing this winter? K Golf World is a suite of state of the art golf simulators located at The K Club in Co. Kildare.
Available to up to four players at a time, each simulator will allow players to experience some of the best courses in the world and improve their game in the process - all while staying warm and dry.
The simulator costs €75 per bay per hour and can host up to four players at a time.
Foraging on the Wild Atlantic Way, Co. Kerry
At Atlantic Irish Seaweed, whoever you give this gift to will be offered the chance to go a step further by foraging for seaweed on the coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Founded by husband and wife team, John and Kerryann Fitzgerald, in Derrynane on the Ring of Kerry, the seaweed discovery courses and workshops have been running since 2009.
The workshop will allow you to join John at historical Derrynane Harbour for a seaweed Discovery & Tasting Walk along the diverse shoreline. Enjoy some seaweed nibbles including the flavoursome Duilleasc, which sustained the monks on the Skellig Island which sits 12km away on the horizon and their only international visitors in 600 years – the Norse Vikings!
Art Gallery, Co. Dublin
With a mission to care for, interpret, develop and showcase art, the National Gallery of Ireland is an exciting way to introduce your loved ones to a world of art, culture and heritage.
By purchasing a 'Membership of the Friends' voucher, you will be contributing towards future acquisitions and exhibitions of the Dublin gallery as well as giving your giftee endless days of entertainment and education.
Gift memberships can be bought online via e-mail and range from €35 - €850.
A night at the movies, Ireland
Whether you choose to go all out on a luxurious night at the Stella, book a Christmas movie marathon at the Lighthouse, or simply invest in a membership card for the Irish Film Institute, a night at the movies is a gift worth giving.
Not only will you have a date night to look forward to, but this purchase will support the cinemas we so badly want to remain open in 2022 and beyond.
A cooking demo, Co. Wicklow
If you know someone who could do with updating their list of go-to recipes, this may be a fun (if not subtle) gift to get them on their way.
From Christmas canapés and starters workshops to a special 'watch any time' class for kids, Ciara's online cooking workshops are run from her home of Delgany, Co. Wicklow.
Dring Covid times, all live demo classes will run through Zoom with full interaction and users will receive an email with the ingredients required 4/5 days prior to the class commencement. Prices vary.
Seaweed Soak, West of Ireland
After a stressful year, we could all probably do with a relaxing and restorative soak. Luckily, the team at Wild Atlantic Seaweed Baths are providing just that with six Irish whiskey barrels filled to the brim with sustainably hand-harvested seaweed.
Established during the summer of 2018, the company provide one of the only fully mobile seaweed bath outfits in Ireland, and they regularly set up at various locations on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Gift Vouchers are available from €50 – €70, and it should be noted that children under the age of 16 years old are free with a parent or guardian using the baths but must be supervised at all times.
