If Christmas shopping is front of mind for many, there is plenty of inspiration and refuelling opportunities available this weekend. Just remember to wrap up warm! This weekend we are …
Visiting Christmas fairs, markets and pop-ups: Taking place over the weekend at Lizzy Van Amerongen’s magical hideaway straddling Phoenix Park, this Christmas fair ticks all the boxes for seasonal gifts. From interior treasures including Lizzy’s own hand painted tin lamps, to Michele Sweetman’s unique screen-printed designs and Iseult Law’s stunning Ikat cushions to womenswear from Fatima’s Tent, Lily Guinness and Violet Ogden, children’s gifts and clothes courtesy of Elfie, Tuk Tuk Anouk and Under a Star Collections and Elizabeth Bradley’s farmhouse cheeses straight from Carlow – perfect for the Christmas table. Take a big bag for purchases! For more Christmas markets, see this post.
The Kerala Kitchen Fair on December 2-3, is where six female friends have come together to collaborate on a chic pop-up atop Baggot Street’s favourite Kerala Kitchen. Think unusual gifts, luxurious wares and vibrant threads courtesy of Irish independent brands Chacha Cashmere, Under a Star Collections, Elfie, Fleur Jewellry, Tuk Tuk Anouk and Violet Ogden. For more festive pop-ups, see this post.
Perusing: Gifted, the Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, which is taking place until December 4. The fair, with over 400 designers, makers and artisan food producers, is expected to attract an expected 35,000 visitors and features The Sustainable Edit: a collection of sustainably produced beauty products, clothing and gift ideas as well as some incredible vintage clothing. The Fair also includes contemporary Irish jewellery, fashion, accessories, ceramics, interiors, art, photography and children’s gifts, as well as artisan food and free workshops. Full details and booking can be found at www.giftedfair.ie.
Going to: Temple Bar Gallery + Studios for the Dublin Art Book Fair, which is on until December 4. This is a great place to source cool coffee table books produced by artist-makers and specialist publishers, both Irish and international, on the subjects of art, design, visual culture, philosophy and architecture, as well as select fiction and poetry. The line-up extends beyond physical books; a programme of talks, events and workshops is also taking place, which have “A Caring Matter” as their theme. There’s an Open Studio with Atoosa Pour Hosseini, on December 4 at 2pm who will be presenting two different publications that have been an important part of her recent work: a substantial monograph of the past ten years, as well as a new artist book produced for Dublin Art Book Fair. There’s also a walking tour of Temple Bar, on the same day at 11am, with Dr Mary Ann Bolger, lecturer in Design History and Visual Culture at TU Dublin. She will lead an informal ramble through the print and lettering history of Temple Bar, taking in the site where the first book was printed in Ireland. To find out more visit, www.templebargallery.com.
Enjoying: The Festive Tipsy Teas at Dylan Hotel, which combines a taste of Christmas with delicious afternoon tea must-haves and tipples to whet the appetite. The Festive Tipsy Tea, served in The Ruby Room, is €45 per person and includes sandwiches, pastries, tea infusions and coffee, along with an opportunity to enhance the experience with Christmas cocktails, such as the Queen of Winter cocktail with Kalak Irish vodka and Grand Marnier with orange juice and a maple and ginger syrup. Ginthusiasts will enjoy a 1930s-style cosmopolitan with Cointreau, raspberry syrup and fresh melon juice, or the French 75 with Beefeater gin, served with freshly squeezed lemon juice and topped with champagne. To book visit www.dylan.ie. For more afternoon teas, see this post.
Picking up: Some pastéis de natas at this new restaurant/deli. Lisboa has just opened on Andrew’s Street, Dublin 2. Just off Grafton Street the luxe new deli will offer Portuguese specialities as well as delicious salads and sandwiches; @cafelisboa_dublin.
Booking this carol concert: Avoca is presenting Carols by Candlelight in aid of The Gavin Glynn Foundation this Christmas. This is a chance to come together over mulled wine and celebrate the festive season in the lovely settings of Avoca’s Dunboyne store on December 8 at 6pm and Malahide Castle and Gardens on December 15 at 6pm. Tickets for both events are available to purchase in Avoca stores or by visiting www.bookings.malahidecastleandgardens.ie or www.eventbrite.com.
Main featured image: The Dephi Aran Boyfriend cardigan from Aran Woollen Mills; www.aranwoollenmills.com.
