Check out the FREE seasonal entertainment, including hilarious puppet shows and festive storytelling sessions, as part of our The Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID) for Kids Winter programme.

Taking place in a number of city centre locations including Powerscourt Town House Shopping Centre, Ilac Shopping Centre, St Stephens Green Shopping Centre and Jervis Shopping Centre

The Dublin City Business Improvement District (BID) are providing a unique way for kids and families to experience the magical atmosphere of Dublin City Centre this Christmas.

. Follow Santa’s mischievous helpers Ding and Dong who get into all types of trouble over the holidays. ‘Christmas Crackers’ will bring lots of sing-a-long fun for all the family, not to be missed.

Book by emailing – bidsforkids@dublincitybid.ie  or phone Denise on

Claiming to host the tallest tree in Ireland this Christmas, at over 100ft Limerick boasts environment & energy friendly christmas lights & tree this year.

Offering fantastic city centre shopping with everything I’d be searching for this Christmas Limerick is my first port of call for the endless list of items I need to get before the big day.

There is something magical about Limerick at Christmas, that I’m sure is felt by shoppers all over the country, the buzz of shoppers, the Christmas music & the fab decorations. It creates a tingle of excitment that can’t be found at any other time of the year.

Here’s to everyone with a heap of shopping to do, hoping that you all get the gifts you need & find some bargains so that the cost of Christmas doesn’t cause too much stress on the purse:)

I visted the house of friends of mine recently, they have 2 little boys, one who is nearly 4 & the other who is only 2 & 1/2, I as a newlywed with no children of my own amazed to see the influence Christmas has on small children at this time of the year.

These kids are generally well behaved if only a little bosterious & typical little boys but on this occasion they were as good as the proverbial gold. At any stage if they appeared to be a tantrum, fight, a drama of any sort, the mere mention of the man with the red suit & white beard returned these2 wee ones into perfect little angels.

It made me think back to my own childhood & question, was I ever this little gem of a child, who at the mere mention of Santie would become obedient & diligent?? Definitely a question to ask my mum, my guess though is yes:) This magical power may seem fascinating but it would appear the influence of Santa creates more than just this “good child effect” but also means a child can change their mind from one day to the next about what exactly they would like from Santa Claus with expectations often running very high indeed!

Can you believe it is only 7 weeks until the turkey is carved and smothered in cranberry sauce? These dark evenings are certainly getting me in the humour for snacking on Christmas leftovers while toasting my feet beside a blazing fire. I see the usual places already have the 3 for 2 offers on all the gift sets. It really would pay off to be organised, rather than scramble to make do with what’s on offer the week before Christmas. Has anyone started their Christmas shopping yet?