Looking for some last-minute Christmas gifts and essentials? Charity shops have you covered, according to the chairperson of Charity Retail Ireland.
Mark Sweeney, who is also a regional manager for Oxfam, said there is something for everyone in charity shops, from designer clothing to retro guitars.
On Newstalk Breakfast today, Newstalk reporter Sarah Madden found a range of last-minute options for those looking to get into the Christmas spirit.
Mr Sweeney said the Oxfam store in Ringsend has plenty of stocking fillers left around.
“There is something for everyone in a charity shop,” he said.
“Charity shops are really like mini department stores where you can find books, clothing, and jewelry.
“There’s something for your granny, niece, and nephew – anyone at all.
“One of the things that people don’t realise is there are a lot of brand-new items donated into charity shops, I would say one in five items brought in still have tags on.”
Exciting items
Mr Sweeney listed some of the more exciting items he’s some come through the store over Christmas.
“You name it, we’ve got it,” he said.
“We have a Yves Saint Laurent dress, new Burberry coats, we have dining sets, cook wear and designer handbags too.
“Recently we would have had a 1960 Höfner bass guitar that was donated to us that would have been the type of guitar Paul McCartney played with in the Beatles.
“It was worth a lot of money.”
Restaurant bookings
It is also still possible to get some last-minute tables in restaurants, according to the owner of 51 Cornmarket in Cork, Anne Zagar, who said cancellations are common this time of year.
“There’s this real problem at the moment with last-minute cancellings,” she said.
“People are kind of booking different restaurants and then decide with their friends which one they're going to go to – every restaurant gets last minute cancellations at Christmas."
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Ms Zagar said establishments will always try and find room for regulars.
“We have our bar counter and we have another high table there as well, we do like to leave those available,” she said.
“We have a great regular following, great repeat business, and it’s really important to be accessible and not solely booked for three months out.”
Ms Zagar said that your luck may still be in even if you’re not a regular.
“I think it’s important for people who don’t have torching planned to call the restaurant in the morning and check with them throughout the day to check if they have a cancellation,” she said.
“Group sizes are always shrinking as well, nine turns into a six very easy if three people get sick – there’s always availability.”
Christmas away from home
There’s also still time to get away from home this Christmas, according to author and travel journalist Michelle Jackson.
“There is actually still availability in some of the really luxurious hotels like the InterContinental, like The College Green – they definitely have availability,” she said.
“The Powerscourt Hotel too actually, these are your luxurious hotels and they are pricey if you want to get away for Christmas Day.
“But if you run up the costs of having the Christmas at home you run into hundreds anyway so it is a good idea to just check what is out there.”
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Main image: File photo of an Oxfam sign, 21-05-13. Image: Nick Ansell/PA Wire/PA Images
