This supplement is a gamechanger for life after menopause
This supplement is a gamechanger for life after menopause

Edaein OConnell

Ms Moneypennies giving confidence in a world full of financial jargon
Ms Moneypennies giving confidence in a world full of financial jargon

Fiona Alston

This fish & chips burger was made for long weekends
This fish & chips burger was made for long weekends

Meg Walker

‘I wondered would I ever get my strength back’: Loretta Kennedy on recovery after a brain tumour
‘I wondered would I ever get my strength back’: Loretta Kennedy on recovery after a...

Jennifer McShane

April Guide: 14 of the best events happening this month
April Guide: 14 of the best events happening this month

Sarah Gill

April 2026: The best of streaming, TV and cinema this month
April 2026: The best of streaming, TV and cinema this month

Edaein OConnell

Three exceptional stays less than two hours from Dublin
Three exceptional stays less than two hours from Dublin

Dominique McMullan

Seven of the best restaurants in Galway
Seven of the best restaurants in Galway

Edaein OConnell

Meet the Galway craftsman capturing seaside finds in cast concrete
Meet the Galway craftsman capturing seaside finds in cast concrete

Michelle Hanley

Erris Burke: A week in my wardrobe
Erris Burke: A week in my wardrobe

Sarah Finnan

Image / Editorial

11 Christmas gifts for dad when you’re over buying socks


By Ellen Bird
29th Nov 2018
11 Christmas gifts for dad when you’re over buying socks

Every year my father insists he would like nothing for Christmas except world peace. Yes, you read correctly. As you can imagine, it’s incredibly annoying. So I’m left clueless and panicky on what’s always the trickiest name on everyone’s shopping list. If your father is anything like mine and doesn’t care for materialistic stuff, you’re probably rolling your eyes like me now. For the man who’s gone above and beyond on your behalf since birth, buying nothing for him (except world peace, of course) isn’t going to suffice.

You could play it safe with something practical like socks or a tie, but it just feels a bit too unimaginative; and festive jumpers are out too (sorry, not sorry). So from long-lasting leather wallets and great coffee machines, to cool gadgets and overnight travel bags, take inspiration from my edit full of items that aren’t only useful, but stylish too. Happy shopping.

Grant chronograph steel blue dial leather strap watch, Fossil, €129 at Weir & Sons

VertuoPlus black, Nespresso, was €249.95, now €149.95 at Arnotts

Gentlemen’s hardware beard care kit, Wild & Wolf, €39.95 at Arnotts

Donut maker, was €35, now €14 at Debenhams

Pony logo weekend bag, Polo Ralph Lauren, €225 at Brown Thomas 

Zoemini, €149.99 at canon.ie

Tabletop BBQ, Berghoff,  94.79 at houseoffraser.co.uk

Grained leather billfold wallet, Mulberry, €225 at Brown Thomas

Ascot slip-on slippers, Uggs, €130 at ugg.com

Fitbit Versa, €199.95 at fitbit.com

Eco leather laptop case, O My Bag, €110 at Industry & Co