Splurge:Flat-screen and wide-screen TVs are in the top 10 of most wanted presents. The ultimate flat-screen looks like a mirror when it's switched off. A Philips MiraVision costs €6,000 from Arnotts, Dublin.
Save: Enchanted Forest, a CD and activity book designed to "assist with your child's mental and emotional balance and increase their learning power" costs €29.99 at major bookshops, or call 01-6753522, e-mail r.durkin@imaginationgym.ws.
Splurge:One year's membership to Quintessentially, a concierge service, costs €3,750. E-mail qireland@quintessentially.com.
Save:Write a voucher offering the bearer your time gardening, cooking, baby-sitting, cleaning. Remember the only thing a parent with a new baby wants is a night's sleep.
Splurge:A diamond tennis bracelet (named after Chris Evert), starting at €3,000; diamond studs, starting at €750; a diamond pendant necklace, starting at €500 are available at Paul Sheerin Jewellers, Westbury Mall, Dublin. A 27-carat Marquesse diamond ring costs €1.5 million at Boodles. If that's a bit extravagant, Boodles has "love letter" diamond initial pendants for €435.
Save:A filigree silver heart with semi-precious stones, mother of pearl and crystals on a silver chain by Azuni London, €115, is from a selection at Halo, Glasthule Road, Sandycove, Co Dublin. Earrings cost €65. The Swarovski crystal lariat comes in a choice of colours for €125 from Vivien Walsh, Lower Stephen Street, Dublin. Earrings are €50.
Splurge:A wooden games box by Renzo Romagnoli with chess, draughts, poker chips and more, costs €578 in Arnotts.
Save:You can spend less money and more time playing board games with children (instilling patience and negotiating skills). Monopoly/Cluedo Compendium, €57.99 from Argos, above right.
Splurge:The ultimate gift voucher isn't just money for clothes, but also a day with personal shopper Marietta Doran (€250 for three hours) thrown in. It's like shopping with your best friend, except your friend is interested only in you, and knows where to find what suits you.
Save:Give cash in a card for clothes, then book the recipient a session with River Island's free personal shopping service, among the best on Grafton Street. After that, carry the bags, buy her lunch, don't complain about waiting around and treat her like a queen for a day.
Splurge:An Agent Provocateur black lace kimono costs €560, and is exclusive to Brown Thomas in Dublin. For men, you can get the cosiest bathrobes and slippers for €120 in Brown Thomas.
Save:Be purely parsimonious with comfy flannels for €44 in Marks & Spencer or €5 in Penneys.
Splurge:A Linley shagreen jewellery box in sycamore with a shagreen and sterling silver plaque costs €2,195 from Louise Kennedy, Merrion Square, Dublin.
Save:A red leather jewellery box that evokes luxury cruises and trips on the Orient Express, from the Champ collection, costs €78 in Arnotts.
Splurge:A Cossar Iconic Miu Miu bag, with ruched black leather, and gold hardware costs €995 in Brown Thomas.
Save:A large black patent overnight bag, costs €35 from Oasis (also available in red).
Splurge:Relieve a partner or parent of Christmas Day dinner duties by giving them a "ChristmasMadEasy" hamper, prepared by chef Neil McFadden, who has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants throughout Europe. All the Bord Bia-approved ingredients arrive ready to go in the oven, complete with instructions, at a cost of €310 for eight to 10 people. Prices for larger parties are available on request. Order by December 10th. See www.christmasmadeasy.com.
Save:Ask everyone to bring part of the meal. Keep it relaxed by doing the turkey yourself. Make it a pyjama day, serve the food Scandinavian buffet-style and let people eat when they're hungry. Don't worry about the food getting cold - that's what microwaves are for. And keep the TV schedules handy. KH
