THE Christmas party season will be declared well and truly open next Monday evening at Courtville Antiques and The Silver Shop in the Powerscourt Townhouse, Dublin, when the owners, Catherine and Grainne Pierse of Courtville and Ian Haslam and Bill Maher next door, celebrate 15 years in business.

National Museum director, Pat Wallace, will be guest of honour on the night. The shops are tucked away in the most discreet corner of the centre, allowing high profile shoppers to slip in and out through an entrance on South William Street. The party is strictly by invitation only but both shops are certainly worth perusing in the coming weeks for exquisite presents. As usual, Grainne Pierse has gathered together an outstanding collection of jewellery for Christmas, This year the emphasis is on platinum, white gold and diamonds.