Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friends and family will understand the sadness of those who have lost a parent, sibling or child during the year. But sensitivity to grief that might not be so visible is also wise

Growing up as part of The Pogues family, Shannon Murray, daughter of the band’s manager Frank Murray, explains how Fairytale of New York has a poignant meaning for her each Christmas

Angela Graham on the spark for her new collection of poetry for Christmas

Price of most components of a traditional festive meal have risen over last year

More than a million Irish people will be travelling across the globe to spend Christmas with their loved ones

Follow our expert advice and reader tips, and take the stress and expense out of the next few days

A few simple adjustments this year can make Christmas a bit less harsh on the planet

How do industry professionals, who spend their working year cooking food and serving other people, enjoy Christmas Day?

A year in which the Italian tenor celebrates his luminous 30-year career will be rounded off by a well-earned Christmas at home

Alan Hughes and Karl Broderick’s interactive pantomime, directed by Simon Delaney, features the promising Caoileann Woodcock as Belle

Meat abstainers cry ‘fowl’ at those eating turkey, duck or goose this Christmas. But is there not an inconsistency here?

Support for the podcast stars, whose guests include Marty Morrissey, Nathan Carter and Dustin the Turkey, is fanatical

If you’re trying to avoid alcohol too, remember that this is all temporary. Granny’s glass of sherry at 10am - temporary. Uncle asleep in the boot room on St Stephen’s day - funny and temporary

It’s a swizz: both belong to a large class of winter songs that have been shuffled cynically on to the Christmas playlist

Seán Moncrieff: Despite her earnest promises to be careful, it of course got into every nook and corner

Youth work is not an optional extra, it is essential to our communities

Not everyone likes the festive season, but there are ways to light up what can be the darkest time of year

Two show-stoppers that are easier to prepare than you might think. Much of the work can be done in advance

Fear not: this can all be made in advance

A cost effective and delicious meat synonymous with the festive season

Holyhead Port was badly damaged during Storm Darragh last weekend, leading to some hauliers using other routes