Previous Day
Wanderlust
Where will Kathryn Thomas be going next year - Brazil, Chile,
Papua New Guinea?
Catherine Cleary gets a fix on holiday trends from
the enviable presenter of No Frontiers. p
A lifestyle in your trolley
They're known as "Whole Paycheques" in the US . . . Anna Mundow joins a queue of yoga mums in one of the self-help generation's glistening, organically correct supermarkets p
The great outdoors
From kitesurfing to skateboarding and rock climbing to skiing,
more and more of us are taking up adventure sports.
Killian Forde finds some of the hottest accessories
to give this Christmas p
Magazine Features
From the north country
Who's Abbie Spallen? A Newry playwright getting raves in New York, writes Arminta Wallace pBlingle bells
Jewellers have never been busier, and Irish men are said to be particularly generous at Christmas. Alanna Gallagher picks some investment pieces and some affordable trinkets. Can you tell which is which? p
Opening lines
Full of cheer: Avid fans of Rosaleen Linehan and Des Keogh's wit and wisdom will love receiving Des & Rosie Alive!, a recording of satirical songs from their most recent tour. pMy big week
Dan Ahern , organic turtkey farmer. pPlanet Matters
Jane Powers on Christmas lighting. pWhat's going on
December 15th-21st p
Cheers for fears
'Tis the season for lunches that go on a bit longer than they should. They start at 1pm with mojitos then continue with pink champagne, white wine, red wine and pints. Before I know what's happened, it's 9pm. As I leave I explain to someone smoking outside that I tried to leave three hours ago, but was waylaid. "Waylaid by more drink," they say, and they are not being unkind, they are just acknowledging what happened. p
On the Deane's list
Michael Deane's restaurant in Belfast holds the only Michelin star awarded in Northern Ireland, and after a complete refurbishment, it's packing in the diners once again, writes Dan Keenan pWho needs turkey?
Vegetables take a starring role in this meat-free Christmas menu pL'Gueuleton, Dublin 2
The grander kind of club doesn't have a sign outside proclaiming its identity. The only club on Pall Mall, in London, to have a nameplate is the Institute of Directors, so you see what I mean. pAll I want for christmas
Hugo Arnold has some suggestions for gifts that will make the cook happy pTop tipples
What might an award-winning sommelier take home for Christmas? Here are Martina Delaney 's seasonal choices pChristmas corkers
Setting the scene for the big day p
Looking the part
Everyone knows Indiana Jones, but how many know who created his costume? Costume designers are Hollywood's quiet observers, says Deborah Nadoolman Landis, as she subjects Deirdre McQuillan to close but subtle scrutiny pClotheslines
Weather vane: According to the New York Times, big fashion companies in the US are now employing weather forecasters and climatologists to predict seasonal changes so that they can time their shipments appropriately. pAbout face
Phyl Clarke 's outrageously indulgent wish list of luxury beauty products that are worth a splurge p
Local colour
Buy Irish! An Irish poinsettia is likely to be bigger, and have a longer shelf life pMake your own wreath
You need a structure of some kind on which to build a wreath: you can use heavy wire (a coat hanger, if you like), or pliable twigs - such as willow, dogwood, hazel or birch - bent into a circle. Long lengths of ivy can be wound around the framework, but the rest of the foliage and other bits and pieces must be wired or tied into the skeleton. p
Top tables
Nowhere in Denmark will you find gaudy baubles, tacky tinsel or lurid-coloured light bulbs on fake trees, writes Niamh Hooper , after a weekend visit to the capital of artful restraint p
Modern moment
John Butler on less-than-scrupulous charity collectors p
The Irish Times Index
A guide to what's hot and what's not. p
