Christmas Crackers

Does the thought of buying your wife, mother, or sister a Christmas gift make your hands sweat? When you imagine yourself skimming the racks of department stores does it induce nausea? Pick something off this list of the top ten Christmas gifts for women and save yourself a headache.1. Day at the Spa: Women love to be pampered and will appreciate the chance to relax after the holidays. Give her a gift certificate to get a manicure, pedicure, facial, and massage.2. Handbag: Do you know your girlfriend’s favorite handbag designer? Show you pay attention by scooping up the latest Coach or Vera Bradley purse for the perfect gift. Every time she carries the bag, she’ll think of you.3. Polaroid PoGo Instant Mobile Printer: If the woman in your life constantly snaps photos, give her the gift of instant, wireless printing.4. La Mer The Luxury Essentials: This set of beauty products includes Crème de la Mer, The Lifting Face Serum, and The Eye Concentrate and costs anywhere from $530 to $650.5. Luxurious Sheets or Bedding: Give the woman in your life the gift of a comfortable, cozy bed. Buy her Egyptian cotton sheets with a high thread count.6. Personalize a simple gift: Get a picture frame or jewelry box engraved for your girlfriend or mother. She’ll appreciate the time and thought you put into the gift.7. KitchenAid Artisan 5-qt. Stand Mixer: Does your mother, sister, or girlfriend love to cook? This is just the thing for the woman who likes to spend time in the kitchen. Hopefully, you’ll benefit from this present too when she whips up homemade chocolate chip cookies for the family.8. Gift certificate from her favorite store: Give the book lovers a gift certificate to Barnes and Noble. Give the fashion lover a gift certificate to a department store. Give your fiancé a gift certificate to Victoria’s Secret for fun in the bedroom.9. Pearls: Christmas and pearls go together. Check her jewelry box to see what she already has and add to her collection. If you want to make her really happy on Christmas morning, add diamonds to a pearl ring or necklace.10. Framed picture of the family: Get one of her favorite shots blown up in black and white and framed. Many women plan on framing their favorite shots but never get around to doing it due to the never ending pile of laundry and list of errands.

Santa’s sleigh is just around the corner. And, that means we are in the market for some top cool Christmas gifts for a happy 8-year-old boy or girl.My 8-year-old friends let you know well ahead of time what their favorite gifts are. Some children want the latest games such as Cadoo or Cariboo. Others have their heart set on a bicycle with training wheels and headlights.One favorite gift is a remote controlled dinosaur that walks across the floor, swaying his head from side to side. Two others are a stone polishing kit and a backyard tent.Some 8-year-olds want a snazzy watch that lights up in the dark or a glittery golden shoulder strap bag that is all the rage.For now though, let us take a look at a few great gifts to thrill your favorite 8-year old.Flying Bee – You have probably heard of the “Bee Movie” by now. Well, here is the next best thing. It is the flying bee. This remote controlled bee soars and swoops and flies. You can fly it indoors or outdoors. The 16 inch wingspan helps it dip, soar and flutter. It is crash resistant and runs on batteries.Mystery Gift – The mystery gift is a big time favorite of 8-year-olds. Why? Because it is a big box that is filled with surprise little gifts. The little gifts are individually wrapped. They may include wind up cars, a coloring book and crayons, a bubble-blowing kit, a light-up tiara or crown, an activity book or a magic set. There might also be larger gifts such as a sailboat, a portable radio, a puzzle or a nifty watch.Sleepover Kit – What 8-year-old girl can resist this fabulous sleepover kit. Even if all her sleepovers are at home, she can invite friends over and let them share this kit with her. It includes a warm, cozy sleeping bag and pillow, a cosmetics bag with a comb and brush, a toothbrush, nail polish, hair ribbons, clips and combs, and a drinking mug and thermos. All this fits nicely into a colorful carrying bag.Name Scroll on a Painting – Every 8-year-old loves his or her first name. That is one reason why this name scroll is such a hit. The first name and its meaning stand out against the background of a painting. Included are famous people with that name. The painting may be of a kitten, a dog, horses, flowers, or a crest. This is a treasured gift that is ready for framing.Red Robot – Who could not fall in love with a little red robot who follows you around all day on his 4 crab-like legs. You control him with a remote control. He has 3 different modes. The “shy” mode, the “more active” mode, and the “very active” mode which has him investigating his space and peering through open doorways as well as reacting to sights, sounds and touch.Well that is about it. I hope you liked these top cool Christmas gifts for a happy 8-year-old boy or girl. Remember that your 8-year-old will love whatever you get him or her. So, keep warm and have a very merry Christmas.

Well, the focus attraction to any Christmas is the Christmas gift. Of course, the sentiment involved with the Christmas gift rather than the price. I would approve anyone that chooses meaningful Christmas gifts are a great idea for friends and family who will surely love them. But make sure that your selected Christmas Gifts are special and practical. It doesn’t have to be so costly and it doesn’t have to be large as long as these Christmas gifts can fit for your Christmas gifts’ need. Personalized and fashion Christmas gifts are becoming more and more popular this Christmas.Well, lover’s Christmas gifts are probably the most exciting type of gifts to shop for during this special festive period, and are often the most expensive, too. However, Christmas gifts are a gesture to show our love and concern for those who are special. And we should take deep consideration in Christmas gifts which we are ready to send to them. And before you get ready for Christmas gifts, first realize for whom those Christmas gifts are really for: the family or the friends. Christmas gift is the best way to show your love to your family or friends. Therefore, Christmas gifts are usually wrapped beautifully in bright paper, always with bows and ribbons and other adornments to make people a big surprise. Buying Christmas gifts for your lover on whim is not a problem when the Christmas gift you buy is a great gift for them. If you have no idea yet, what are the most popular Christmas gifts for this Christmas? Don’t worry. Let me tell you, Omega Replica Watches are the top Christmas gifts on Christmas Day.Shopping Omega Replica Watches online as Christmas gifts are too making a buzz this Christmas. In case that you’re so busy in working and have not enough time prepared Christmas gifts outside, this Christmas the supplier offer many kinds of Omega Replica Watches online for you to choose from. As a matter of fact, purchasing Omega Replica Watches online as Christmas gifts can be personalized also. Personalized and fashion Replica Omega Watches, I found in http://www.rep1ica.com is a perfect example of an online Omega Replica Watches store that can be trusted. What’s more, you can get an unbelievable discount from there. So why not rush to purchase top Christmas gifts-Omega Replica Watches online to give your lover a special Christmas this year?

The time has arrived and your children hand over their well-prepared Christmas wish list. Do you find yourself cringing when you see several pricey top Christmas gifts because your Christmas budget is limited this year? Don’t feel as though you are alone.Balancing the wish lists of kids containing pricey top Christmas gifts when you are on a limited budget can be challenging. Here are a couple of tips to help you balance your child’s overflowing wish list and your limited budget:1. Understand the importance of sticking to a budget. We love our children and Christmas is a special time when we strive to make the magic of the season come alive for our kids. However, the reality is that exceeding our budget can often burden the family with extreme stress.Many times this can force a family to make additional cutbacks in the upcoming year budget as a way to compensate for exceeding its holiday budget. Sometimes these cutbacks can create further emotional stress within the family and the family unit suffers. Sticking to your budget during the holiday season can help keep your family finances and family on the right path for the upcoming year.2. Realize kids are heavily influenced by commercialization. In fact, whether we like it or not, most all of us are influenced by the commercialization of Christmas to a certain degree. With this in mind, take a good meaningful look at your child’s top Christmas gifts wish list. With your budget restraints in mind cross out the ones that simply cannot fit within the budget.Next, look at the remaining gift items on the list. Then spend some time thinking about the type of toys your child plays with the most. Does your child love video games? Are many of their favorite toys the ones that spark their creativity? Does your child have a favorite theme such as Star Wars or Elmo? Take this knowledge and apply it to the toys on your child’s list to help you select the right toys.

Do you dream of sun soaked Christmas far away from the every-day routine, lying on pristine white sand, floating away in sparkling warm waters or perhaps exploring an exotic culture? You can live your dream in one of these ten top destinations for your sunny Christmas luxury holiday. From beachfront retreats to rainforest sanctuaries, these heaven-on-earth locations include some of the most exclusive 5 star resorts in the world.1. SamoaThe natural beauty of this South Pacific Island combines with the warmth of its people to create a world of carefree relaxation. Experience all Samoa has to offer in style at Aggie Grey’s Lagoon Beach Resort and Spa with 50 acres of tropical gardens, stunning beach, turquoise lagoon, golf course and the finest in traditional Samoan hospitality.2. HawaiiFor those seeking more active pursuits, Hawaii delivers with legendary surf and high-voltage adventuring. Get close to humpback whales and dolphins in the waters around Maui, or see fresh lava flows at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Stay in sumptuous surrounds in the tropical 5 star resort Halekulani and indulge your senses with stunning views, exceptional hospitality and superb cuisine.3. Bora BoraA Polynesian jewel nestled within a lagoon and barrier reef, Bora Bora is the ultimate island luxury holiday experience. In the middle of the crystal lagoon lays Motu Toopua, a remnant of an ancient volcano, which is now the location of the Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa. Find your bliss in this exquisite oasis of lush forests, long secluded beaches and never-ending ocean.4. PeruFire your imagination and revive your spirit with all the fascinating wonders of Peru. Travel in comfort on a luxury tour train to the mysterious Lost City of Machu Picchu; find peace in the Sacred Valley; explore the historic city of Cuzco; discover the eco-diversity of the Amazonian rainforests; and, at the close of a full day, return to a 5 star hotel such as Monasterio.5. MoroccoAlthough it has an extensive coastline skirting the Mediterranean, Morocco offers much more than ocean views. The extraordinary landscape encompasses soaring mountains, verdant valleys and the starkly beautiful Sahara Desert. From the spectacular Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca to the bustling bazaars of Marrakesh, this remarkable country will enchant and amaze.6. MaldivesThe Maldives is a stunning string of atolls – islands of coral that each encircles a lagoon – scattered across the blue-green canvas of the Indian Ocean. It’s a paradise of serene indulgence for those wanting to laze the day away by the warm water, and its magnificent underwater coral gardens also attracts scuba divers from around the world.7. ThailandJourney through the heart of Asia, from Bangkok to Singapore, aboard the exquisitely appointed Eastern & Oriental Express. A luxury tour by rail reveals the magic of the region, from lush rice-fields to historic landmarks, and ensures your complete comfort with opulent cabins, tantalising Eastern and European dining, and personalised service.8. BaliSurrender yourself to complete tranquillity in this idyllic haven where soft, white sand meets sparkling azure ocean. Rest and rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit within one of the many Nusa Dua 5 star resorts. One of the most exclusive is the spacious St. Regis Bali Resort which will satisfy your every desire with private villas, seductive spa treatments and extensive health facilities.9. Orpheus Island, AustraliaThis Great Barrier Reef resort is located within its own National Park and brings new meaning to the word ‘exclusive’, accepting no more than 42 guests at any one time. Accessible only by seaplane, and free of such intrusions as telephones, televisions, day-trippers or children under 15, secluded bliss is assured in this natural paradise.10. Eagles Nest, New ZealandThe five world-class villas situated in the Bay of Islands of New Zealand represent the very pinnacle of private opulence. Nestled in the rugged, sub-tropical wilds of the peninsula, the Eagles Nest luxury holiday experience is extraordinary: gourmet cuisine prepared by a resident chef; extensive cellar encompassing the best local wines to the finest French Champagne; state-of-the-art entertainment systems; every amenity including Porsche cars; direct access to enchanting bushland and hidden beaches; and breathtaking headland views of the bay and beyond. Absolutely unforgettable.

A traditionalist may think those who purchase artificial Christmas trees are lacking in holiday spirit. Where’s the joy in unpacking a Christmas tree from a bag each year, he asks? Where’s the smell of fresh pine needles? Those who own a Balsam Hill artificial Christmas tree are quick to respond with any and all of the following Top 10 Reasons to Buy Artificial Christmas Trees Instead of Real Christmas Trees:10. With an artificial Christmas tree, you don’t have to dig through the offerings at your neighborhood tree lot. Instead, balsamhill.com offers a handy Personalized Tree Finder that helps you narrow down the search according to height, width, shape, lights, needle, style and price.9. Getting an artificial Christmas tree to your home doesn’t involve scratching your car or picking up needles from its carpet. Balsam Hill offers delivery direct to your door, and during the months immediately following Christmas, orders over $100 ship for free.8. No sawing required! An artificial Christmas tree doesn’t require you to trim the trunk in order to fit it into the tree stand. Balsam Hill Christmas trees come already attached to a stand or in a pot.7. You don’t have to spin an artificial Christmas tree around to hide its bad side, as it doesn’t have one. Trees from balsamhill.com look realistic, but only in the good ways. The key is their exclusive True Needle Technology, which creates evergreen foliage through injection molded plastic and differing colors of pigment. The result: an artificial Christmas tree that mirrors the color, texture and structure of a natural evergreen tree, from the branches to the needles.6. Balsam Hill sells pre-lit Artificial Christmas Trees. No more untangling strings of lights each year, or running out to purchase replacement bulbs. That’s another annual cost that goes away with the purchase of an artificial Christmas tree.5. An artificial Christmas tree doesn’t require you to reach through prickly needles to pour water in its stand so it won’t dry out.4. On that note, artificial Christmas trees don’t pose a fire hazard. Plus, you can feel safe knowing that a Balsam Hill artificial Christmas tree will never have a forest critter tucked inside.3. After the new year, an artificial Christmas tree from Balsam Hill tucks nicely back into its bag for easy storage. No more looking at your sad, naked Christmas tree at the end of your driveway until Christmas tree pickup day.2. When it comes to filling your home with holiday smells, pine scented candles work just as well as real Christmas trees.1. An artificial Christmas tree may cost a bit more – prices range from less than $300 to more than $7,000 – than a real one, but considering it will be used every year, an artificial Christmas tree saves money over time. Balsam Hill puts its artificial Christmas trees on sale right after Christmas. Many styles and styles are still available at balsamhill.com for up to 65 percent off.Thomas Harman founded Balsam Hill because a family member was allergic to live Artificial Christmas Tree. Not wanting to give up the festivity that a Christmas tree brings to the home during the holidays, he embarked on a mission to create the most realistic looking artificial Christmas tree he could. To find the perfect Christmas Trees for your home, visit balsamhill.com today.

When somebody says Christmas at this very moment, what plays in your mind? I bet there’s Christmas tree in it, or stockings hanging by the fireplace probably? What about kiss under the mistletoe? Or the red-nosed reindeer? All these customs and traditions, and many others, have become essential in making the celebration ‘Christmasy’, that it becomes almost impossible to do away with these.The following are the top 6 traditions that continue to play a role in the celebration of Christmas all over the globe:1. Christmas Tree. Undeniably, there is no greater or more easily distinguished symbol of Christmas than the Christmas tree itself. It can be found in almost all homes and establishments and is the most enduring icon of all.The tradition of putting up a tree takes its roots in the pre-Christian era when ancient Romans keep decorated trees in their homes to commemorate their Saturnalia festival. During the 15th to 16th centuries, the Germans made use of Christmas trees decorated with candies, apples and colored papers. It was Martin Luther King who began the idea of lighting candles on Christmas trees, as enthused by the stars shining through the leaves of the trees outside.The husband of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, was the one to introduce the concept to England from his native land Germany. The Pennsylvanian Germans were the ones to bring the Christmas tree to America in the late 19th century. Up to the present time, this tradition has become an inseparable part of Christmas celebration.2. Santa Claus. Every kid’s fondest fantasy when it comes to Christmas is no other than Santa Claus himself. Christmas, in a child’s perspective, is a time to hang stockings by Christmas Eve and eagerly wait for Santa to drop by on his reindeer-drawn sleigh.The mythical icon of Christmas sprang from the persona of Bishop Nicholas in 4th century AD who was known to be bighearted and fond of children. After many years, he came to be known as Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children.The Anglo-Saxon version of Santa – Father Christmas – was said to punish naughty children and reward the well-behaved ones. Additionally, the British, German, and Dutch settlers of North America brought with them their own version of this jolly man in a red suit. However, the Dutch’s Sinterklaas emerged as the more popular among them. Dutch children would leave their wooden shoes by the fireplace during Christmas Eve, and Sinterklaas would creep in and place goodies in the shoes of the nice children. It was his name that was anglicized to the name Santa Claus we now know.3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe. Another time-honored Christmas tradition! This green plant was used by Druid priests some 200 years before Christ’s birth during their winter celebrations. The plant was highly valued due to its ability to stay green even during the harsh months of winter.Ancient Celts attributed magical healing powers to the mistletoe, while the ancient Romans regarded the plant as a symbol of peace. Enemies suddenly become friends if they happen to meet under the mistletoe.The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe most probably originated from the Scandinavians. They associated the plant with Frigga, their goddess of love. It is said that good luck and happiness come to those who kiss under it.4. Rudolf, the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It is fascinating to not how some things originate from unrelated sources, just like Rudolf (the red-nosed reindeer). In 1939, Robert may (a copyrighter at Montgomery Ward Department Store), was told to write a Christmas-themed story to get in more sales. He wrote about Rudolf, a reindeer who was exiled by his own kind because of his glowing red nose. However one Christmas Eve night made Rudolf an instant star when Santa himself chose him to lead the sleight that night.That year, Montgomery Ward sold almost 2.5 million copies of the story. In 1949, songwriter Johnny Marks (May’s brother-in-law) wrote the lyrics and melody for the song “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” thus the birth of the popular and well-loved Christmas song of all time.5. Christmas Stockings. It has become an annual practice for children to hang stockings and socks near the chimney or fireplace every Christmas Eve for Santa to fill with presents. This tradition takes its roots from an ancient legend of a nobleman who frittered away all his fortune after his wife’s untimely death, leaving his three unmarried daughters facing poverty. One night, as the daughters washed and hung their stockings to dry by the chimney, Saint Nicholas was moved by the hapless girls. So he came by the night and placed gold in each of their stockings.As the morning came, the family was surprised and overjoyed with what they saw. The delighted nobleman could now marry off all his daughters. And that’s how the tradition of hanging stockings came to be.6. Christmas Cards. The Christmas card was born, out of a desperate necessity, in England 160 years ago. Sir Henry Cole (director of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum) was overwhelmed by the work commitments in the Christmas of 1843. Pressured by the need to write individual greetings to all his friends, he commissioned artist John Calcott Horsley to make a painting which featured three panels. The first and third panels showed feeding and clothing the poor, while the central panel illustrated a family enjoying Christmas together. The words “A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to You” were inscribed in the card.Traditions have become important part of the celebration of Christmas as it brings friends and families together, making everyone’s lives richer and fuller.

It is that time again to start looking for holiday gifts for your friends and family that you have included on your Christmas list if you have prepared one. Holiday gifts for the men in your life can be difficult to determine but there are several lists that you can review to help you come up with the best Christmas gifts for 2010 for the men in your life self based on their interests and hobbies. For additional help with Christmas gifts, review the top 10 best Christmas gifts 2010 for him listed below.1. KindleOne of the best Christmas gifts for 2010 are e-book readers that are growing in popularity and are an excellent option for any readers of books, magazines, etc. This is the top bestselling item on Amazon and the latest version is faster, smaller and with more contrast making it one of the best holiday gifts for 2010 for men.2. Weber 10020 Smokey Joe Silver Charcoal GrillFor the men in your life that enjoy grilling, this smaller and highly portable grill is perfect for tailgating, camping, fishing trips, etc, is one of the best holiday gifts 2010 for men. This is also one of the cheaper holiday gifts for 2010 for men that will be appreciated and used frequently because of its portability. This reasonably priced but effective Christmas gift is one of the top 10 best Christmas gifts 2010 for men.3. iPod Touch 4th GenerationThe latest generation of this iPod is perfect for any man especially the outdoorsy man in your life and makes one of the best Christmas gifts 2010. It is a multi-tasker that is a great iPod, game player, as well as being a computer at the tips of your fingers.4. iPadThe iPad continues to be one of the most sought after gifts and much appreciated gifts which makes it one of the top 10 best Christmas gifts 2010. It allows users to surf the web, send email, photos, video, etc using the latest technology as well as a large touch screen making this one of the best holiday gifts for 2010.5. Golf Club Drink Dispenser from the Sharper ImageFor the avid golfers in your comes this innovative product. It allows golfers to dispense both hot and cold beverages on the golf course and is in the shape of a golf club. One of the best Christmas gifts 2010 for men that will also be a great a conversational piece. Very easy to store and clean making it one of the best holiday gifts 2010 for men.6. LG 32-inch LCD HDTVMen love their TVs which makes this one of the best Christmas gifts 2010 for the man in your life that he will appreciate. This is a very reasonably priced HDTV when compared to others that are similar on the market. Being an HDTV ensures that the viewing pleasure in second to none making this one of the top holiday gifts 2010.7. Sporting Event or Concert TicketsIf the man or men in your life are sports enthusiasts, sporting event tickets are the perfect holiday gifts for 2010. If they enjoy a particular singer or band and would like to see them in concert, getting them concert tickets will be much appreciated and will make one of the best holiday gifts 2010 for him.8. Men’s Air Force A-2 Flight Leather Bomber JacketA good leather jacket is a must have for anyone and makes one of the top 10 best Christmas gifts 2010. This bomber jacket is made of the softest lamb nappa leather making this one of the best holiday gifts 2010 for him. The manufacture of this leather jacket adheres to the same standards as the authentic A-2 military version making this one of the best Christmas presents for men.9. Beats By Dr. Dre HeadphonesThese are some of the best and truly exceptional headphones that allow you to hear music the way it was intended by the music artists and producers making this one of the best Christmas presents for 2010 for men. The exceptional noise canceling makes them one of the top holiday gifts for 2010 for him.10. Dragon Naturally Speaking Premium 11 with Digital RecorderThis innovative software allows you to speak while the computer types everything that you say making this one of the top 10 best Christmas gifts 2010 for those that hate typing and the related typos from typing are eliminated using this software.

Telling someone that they are loved during the Christmas season is easy with Christmas greeting messages. Multiple greeting card companies are always thinking up new ways to make the Christmas season special, improving on the variety and type of messages that can be found inside their Christmas cards.The Origin of the Christmas Cards CustomThe custom of sending Christmas cards began in London in 1843 when Sir Henry Cole commissioned a card with an illustration by John Callcott Horsley. A batch of 1000 cards was printed off and sold for a shilling each. At that time the focus was more on the picture than on the Christmas greeting message inside. From around 1860, Christmas cards were produced in larger numbers As printing methods improved. The Development of Christmas CardsTraditionally, Christmas cards showed religious pictures illustrating parts of the Christmas story. The religious aspect became less popular in the late 19th century and cards became more lavish. At the turn-of-the century European Christmas postcards were introduced and remained popular for the next 10 years. And from then on designs and fashions in Christmas Cards and their greeting messages have developed through the hand-painted cards were popular during the 1920s and heavily influenced by the Art Deco movement, those making fun of poverty and prohibition during the 1930s, to more humorous cards that were introduced in the 1950s. Humor continues to be popular today, as does religious motifs, winter pictures, Father Christmas, or romantic scenes of life in past times.Searching for the right words to express to others inside a card can be a lot of fun for many people and makes the holiday season all the merrier. Like the card themselves Christmas greeting messages come in various forms. Many are sentimental with expressions of love for a special person, some are witty and some are of a more religious nature. And then there are the plain “Have a Happy Christmas” type messages. The greetings displayed in the card can mean so much to not only the recipient, but to the sender, as well.Creating Your Own Christmas CardsFor those that like to create their own Christmas greeting messages, many cards can be customized on computers, as well as through specialty print shops such as Ipads. Many businesses and organizations like to have their own Christmas greeting messages inside of their holiday cards that are sent to their customers as a form of personalized “thank you” for their custom during the year. Customizing Christmas greeting messages is a great way to go that extra step and make card selection a bit more personal and can be easily and cheaply achieved at Costco or Kinkos.In the end, however, it is typically not the card that makes the season special, but the Christmas greeting messages that are within the card so choose them thoughtfully.

If you are in Ireland over the Christmas period, visit Dublin and experience the sights and sounds of the festive season. Our guide to Christmas in Dublin will offer you some ideas of what to see and do for the forthcoming holiday period.12 Days of Christmas Market at George’s Dock 12-23rd DecWith over 100 market traders selling their range of Christmas gifts, this occasion is sure to be as big if not bigger than the four previous events. Also present for festivities will be carol singers and bands performing yuletide favourites.The festival takes place as usual on George’s Dock in the IFSC. Some of the many gifts on display will be craft jewellery, wooden toys, beauty products and a large selection of home ware. Visitors can also enjoy two extra “preview days” on the 10th and 11th December. Traders will have several promotions on offer over the 2 days with offerings from Dandeez Mini Donuts (offering free coffee with every portion of mini donuts), 10% discounts from Loughview Leisure and more. Oh, and be sure not to miss Santa and his elves who will be dropping by again this year! The festival will be held each day from 12pm-8pm.Point Village Christmas Market 03rd December-23rd DecemberThis year the Point Village Market will be running an annual Christmas market within the vibrant Point Village from the 3rd December every day until 23rd December 2010. Located beside the O2 arena in the city centre, the market is easily accessible by Luas and other modes of transport. This year, the area comes alive with 100′s of decorated Christmas trees, the festive aroma of mince pies, live gigs and carol singing. Also featured will be an array of wooden chalets with Christmas trimmings, giving a special Nordic atmosphere to proceedings. You can also take a trip on the magnificent 60metre big wheel, and visitors will also be pleased to know that a 900 capacity car park is available.7up Christmas On Ice RDS from November 2010Returning for another year, the 7up Christmas On Ice at the RDS is sure to attract large crowds as it had in previous years. An ice-skating event, which truly captures the spirit of Christmas, this event appeals to participants of all ages, school children, families, corporate and fun groups. The venue itself has over 1000m2 of real ice with 3 fully covered ice rinks. The three ice rinks consist of a Main, Beginners and Kiddies Sleigh Run. Visitors are also treated to hourly snowfalls, Skating Santa and the magic of Christmas each weekend. Should you wish to take a break from skating, grab a warm hot chocolate from the Ice Café or sample some festive mince pies.Christmas Lights November 2010This year about €1 million worth of lights will be erected across 17 streets in Dublin City Centre. The spectacle will see lights across North Earl Street, Mary Street, Capel Street and Talbot Street to name but a few. The lights are due to be turned on the weekend of the 12th November. This special event draws thousands of people from each corner of Ireland and kick starts Dublin’s season of festivities.Christmas Party Nights in Dublin 2010Let’s take a look at some venues offering Christmas party nights in Dublin this year. Over at the Guinness Storehouse you can enjoy a private party or a shared Christmas lunch. Formal gala evenings in the Arrol suite whist the Gravity Bar will host the less formal events for smaller numbers. “We wish You a Merry Guinness” is a package on offer which includes Guinness and Black Velvet Cocktail Reception, a 5 Course Banquet of Christmas goodies, Live Band, DJ and Late Bar. Other venues offering festive fun and cheer include the Aviva Stadium, Grand Canal Hotel and Camden Court Hotel.If you are visiting Ireland this Christmas, reserve Dublin car hire for an easy independent way of exploring the county at your own pace.