The December issue is out tomorrow with lots of lovely ideas as Christmas approaches, from traditional tasks that make us happy to glossy gifts that are gorgeous and on budget.

Many of us are planning a low-key, low cost Christmas this year; others are desperate to make up for lost time, and go all out. Maybe your special celebration includes you doing a Plum Job – that task assigned especially to you because you are so good at it, or because no-one else wants to do it! Find out who does what and how on page 77.

Amid all the hustle and bustle of this month, you might find a moment to read Fiacre Ryan’s piece on page 42. The subject of the RTÉ documentary, Speechless, filmed over eight years, Fiacre, from Castlebar, has non-verbal autism. He describes every night as a Silent Night. But Christmas is his favourite time of year, and he’s looking forward to a “natural” post-pandemic one this year. If you are struggling to find the true spirit of Christmas, it’s there, in his lovely essay.

Have a merry, bright and peaceful Christmas!

THE GLOSS & THE MIX

If you miss THE GLOSS in The Irish Times, you can now pick up a newsstand version of the magazine, which is in selected supermarkets and newsagents on the following day after publication every month. This smaller format (which has additional bonus pages) has a cover price of €4 …

We also offer a subscription service to this version of the magazine: six issues delivered to an address in Ireland costs €60. It also makes a gorgeous glossy gift for the person who has everything!
Follow this link to subscribe.