A guide to what's hot and what's not.
What's hot
Angryretail.comFor Irish-made crackers with groovy felt hats and a host of other nutty ideas.
Richard FordThis year brought us not only his novel The Lay of the Land but also, in time for Christmas, The New Granta Book of the American Short Story.
Neil Young's Ordinary PeopleIs any rock song worth 18 minutes of your time? Yes! Yes! Yes! On Chrome Dreams II.
Best chocsWe love Irish-made Danucci (widely available or see www.danucci.com), and French mouthfuls from Chocolat Chapon, via Terroirs in Donnybrook.
Best wrapping awardL'Occitane . . . again! And their orange-scented candles are best.
What's cold
Inappropriate e-mail sign-offsTalk about being overly familiar xxx.
The interminable search for a new Irish soccer managerGet a move on guys.
Different phone chargersWhat a swizz and a pain. Until they are standardised like plugs, it would be good manners for hotels etc to keep a range to hand.
No more classic rockRIP The Rock on 94.9fm.
Dark winter daysDark when we get up and dark when we get home. Time to emigrate to Panama.
Nosy parkersPlease don't read the paper over my shoulder, get your own.