Vouchers are a panic-free way to finish - or begin - your Christmas shopping. Zoë Clarke suggest some solutions to last-minute dilemmas
A voucher is the great saviour of last-minute Christmas shoppers - but actually it's more than that. It's the perfect present, because it makes everybody happy.
The present buyer loves a voucher because it frees them from the pressure to buy match present to person. A voucher for a music shop or bookstore, for example, allows you to delegate most of the decision making to the recipient.
The person who receives the voucher loves it because a) they haven't been given an utterly unsuitable gift b) when they're broke and miserable in the dark days of January, they can brighten up their lives with a bit of retail therapy c) the cash spent on the voucher will go a lot further in the post-Christmas sales than it would have in December.
And the business you buy the voucher from loves it most of all, because they get the money weeks before they have to part with the goods or service. Because vouchers are so good for company cashflow, almost any business will sell you one, if you ask. All you have to do is assess what a person's obsession is, and then buy a voucher to suit it.
Does your mother love organic food? Buy her a month's worth of deliveries. Is your sister-in-law obsessed with tanning. Ask her local tanning salon to sell you a voucher. Does your brother want to murder his wife? Rent a hitman. Even if they don't normally "do" vouchers, if they know anything about running an efficient business, they're sure to make one up for you.
The only downside is that some people never use them. Find out about the expiry date. Advise and remind the person who gets the voucher that they need to use it by a certain date. If necessary, accompany them to ensure that they don't let it go to waste. Here are some ideas.
TRY-A-DIVE
The Irish Underwater Council lists all regional scuba diving clubs in Ireland to give you a taste of this popular underwater activity. 01-2844601, www.scubaireland.com
WINE APPRECIATION
The Wine Development Board of Ireland offers vouchers for their classes and wine tours, starting from €50. 01-2804666, www.wineboard.com
TICKETMASTER
Buy a gift voucher for the user to spend on a concert or show of their choice in the coming year. www.ticketmaster.ie
THE GIFT TREE COMPANY
This Kildare-based company specialises in supplying Irish trees as gifts. They deliver and provide information on planning and aftercare. A full tree list is available on their website. Prices start from €60. 087-2535865/087-8117760, www.trees.ie
FLYING LESSONS
Pilot Training College Ireland gives flying lessons, costing from €92.50. There are colleges in Dublin: 01-6280144 and Waterford: 051-876706, www.pilottraining.ie
COLOUR ME BEAUTIFUL
Colour analysis, style consultation or make-up lessons, starting from €50. Just be careful who you give them to. 021-4276330, www.colourmebeautiful.ie
GIFTS OF HOPE FROM CONCERN
From chickens, to wells, to school supplies, Concern lets you give the gift of charity this year. Perfect for the person "who has everything". From €10. 01-4177700, www.concern.ie
THE PERFECT GIFT VOUCHER
Giftvouchershop.ie allows you to buy online, then posts the voucher to your recipient, letting them choose how to spend it, with more than 500 retailers in Ireland, including hotels. 01-8708100, www.giftvouchershop.ie
PERIODICAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Buy someone their favourite magazine or paper for a year. www.uksubscribe.com for UK publications, or phone individual publications in Ireland.
GO WILD
Yearly family membership of Dublin Zoo costs €130 and individual membership is €85. Adoption of a zoo animal starts from €40. www.dublinzoo.ie
FRIENDS OF THE GALLERY
The National Gallery's Friends programme puts members first in line for openings and new exhibitions. Family membership is €65, individual €50, concessions €35. 01-6615133, www.nationalgallery.ie
COOKERY CLASS VOUCHERS
Alix Gardner's Cookery, 71 Waterloo road, Dublin 4, 01-6681553, www.tourismresources.ie/cookery; Ballymaloe Cookery School, Shanagarry, Midleton, Co Cork, 021-4646785, www.cookingisfun.ie; Pangur Ban Cookery School, Letterfrack, Connemara, Co Galway, 095-41243, www.pangurban.com
STUDIO RECORDING TIME
Judging from the success of You're a Star, a gift of recording a song with a music producer would be a dream come true for anyone who fancies themselves as a singer. Prices start at €200. www.greatdaysout.ie
NATURE WATCH
A subscription to Birdwatch Ireland comes with a fantastic information pack that includes a DVD, a book and a newsletter, and it's a year-long gift as it includes a quarterly Wings magazine. Perfect for prompting outdoor pursuits or encouraging a fledging interest. Individual €35, family €45, and junior, €45. www.birdwatchireland.ie
ON YOUR TOES
Dance classes with Ireland's leading dance company CoisCéim. Starting in January, a series of dance and movement classes for all levels that are guaranteed to get the toes tapping and keep the winter blues well at bay. Contemporary dance, ballet and jazz. €100 per eight-week term. 01-8780558, www.coisceim.com