As somebody once said “a lovely thing about Christmas, is that it’s compulsory, like a thunderstorm, and we all go through it together”. We couldn’t agree more.
One of the communal Christmas storms many of us go through is that frantic shopping expedition for last minute gifts. Yes, that may conjure up nightmare images of hastily procured, badly wrapped items – novelty socks! talc! – the stuff nobody really wants to wake up to on Christmas morning. But this selection is different. From sumptuous scarves to beautiful bags, these are gifts the stylish people in your life will thank you sincerely for.
Now make your list, check it twice and go forth for some elegant last-minute shopping. And when the packages are being opened in a few days remember the words of another yuletide commentator: “One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the livingroom on Christmas day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.”
![Rock Safari mini bag €210 from Arnotts](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/R6LNQ33IWQ7CGDMWTM4OWNHXJI.jpg?auth=7acf8393a617695e0ed3e14f74921f72bdb825064bb2ec7701e1f6f9a2e42c87&width=800&height=498)
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![Legs 11 acrylic necklace €45 Om Diva, Dublin](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LNXVPEWKG4K75EYJP4X7UMBDN4.jpg?auth=84384b7385447dd7b7d3e94ed6240ec524f01aa82b7a28f2db98dea135a3be53&width=800&height=449)
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![The Gentlewoman magazine €18 from Atrium, Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, Dublin](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/LWBGWOQACY4GLJ7K2RVFMVGX3I.jpg?auth=23274b0b8effd4a63b33d4387840c44c2e08ebf00d4f88dbe16a469a72bb18d8&width=800&height=1022)
![The Magic Triangle scarf by Heather Finn handloomed in the North Strand, Dublin, €60 from www.heatherfinn.com, My Shop Granny Likes It, Galway and Hehirs, Clifden](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/QDAZSTEZTFY4K54RTPHPFCKQLE.jpg?auth=dc09ccc8ba9ccdc04807b6ce4163f4c4f78bb93c5d45bacc4180d788efb192cb&width=800&height=800)
![Camel sequin star beanie €79 Magee 1866 Sth Anne Street, Diublin www.magee1866.com](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/MHDBRZIMLTRYOWJOX22NPOL4DU.jpg?auth=57e27bf6359794622566b1db643df6106c3682db6c8eb1254e217190a3bee867&width=800&height=800)
![Christian Lacroix 4 Saisons notebook €48 Brown Thomas](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/OVYRTSYJMTL3HQG37X2DCG4RFI.jpg?auth=7aeeb963f720e82374732661646ce00f1463a4571d4941bb5b45e99e4782026b&width=800&height=800)
![Red and gold vintage Pierre Cardin silk scarf with hand rolled edges €35 from Om Diva, Drury Street, Dublin](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/75UQF5KCMHSO5T2QQI2SNO57V4.jpg?auth=73f2a69c25f79302743cb2dc3d05c230e8ae55242b75a8f49bc24d672f6010a4&width=800&height=1119)
![Mock croc handbags with original Bakelite hardware circa 1960s €65 Om Diva](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/HTEBSXEZ4VJHW2HP6D5FT4VOLI.jpg?auth=55c56d10087875258e33b673a7acda64ca30fdff3706951c6442962d6b54ef25&width=800&height=640)
![Fronasetti scented candles €155 from Samui, Cork](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/O4QFUQINQIY3BJBXBXIJECS2YE.jpg?auth=0b9de530e34af30b93f6957585c0bbf1273fd7e35c819233bc470d68ee77a442&width=800&height=800)
![A gift voucher from Tropical Popical, Sth William Street, Dublin](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/JAH5QUUNBJZQEZIEODEQSPP4AE.jpg?auth=c69afb906531cd423b36ab3837e87afd2f91804225a1cb322027b2f83113c95d&width=800&height=600)
![Red satin high heels €55 from M & S](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/ZO6E4HBAYQV7QLXYIONAOR66CQ.jpg?auth=22766288c40f11fe659c926fdd963a6e65852dd45402c4b4d3c3e2ae2353a206&width=800&height=818)
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![Andres Sarda Venus all lace burgundy bra €120 with culotte €95. Also comes in charcoal and blush. Susan Hunter, Westbury Mall](https://www.irishtimes.com/resizer/v2/IRSSAEMNEVQDDPHLUNFHOPNIGY.jpg?auth=691a4e6c726ad803ad911438a58ea9c78e6b606d12e72091461f932af06c000f&width=800&height=645)