Christmas markets and packing parcels

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christmas, Christmas Shopping, Dublin, Ireland, mulled wine, photography, photos, shopping

‘Tis the season to be jolly, go out and spend money too! And I did this in the best way possible, with a good friend at a few Christmas markets.

It was a miserable start to the third of Advent, grey skies and rain forcing the sun to disappear. But my C. and I decided to brave the weather and head out to the IFSC ‘I Believe’ Christmas anyway. After cups of coffee, some mulled wine and yummy twisted chips (yes, the Irish have figured out a new, delicious way to eat potatoes) we found a few last gifts for friends and the rain even stopped.

Then we headed out to the Point and the Dublin Flea Christmas Cracker Market and I am so glad we did. Not only were there more stalls than we could visit but the atmosphere was wonderful and I found a few cheap and unusual bits and bobs.

Happy, I walked home, my bag swinging at my side. On the way I bought some turf and as soon as I got home I lit afire and began wrapping my parcels and gifts. Now I have a basket full of little ‘somethings’ for friends and a few parcels ready to send to family. It truly was the perfect way to spend a pre-Christmas Sunday!

parcels ready for the postman

a bag full of gifts for friends

early Christmas shopping

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christmas, Christmas season, Christmas Shopping, Chrsitmas, Dublin, family, friends, gifts, quotes

While sun is making a reappearance in Dublin this weeks and the temperatures are nice and warm I had Christmas on my mind. In 15 weeks, or 107 days it’s time to be jolly again and I am looking forward to it.

Now I know you are meant to live in the now, be mindful of what is going on and not look to much in to the future, but finding the perfect gift takes time too. So every year I start my Christmas shopping early, I keep my eyes open and buy throughout the year. And yesterday was the perfect opportunity to find some special somethings for the people I love.

After my sour milk debacle I took a trip down to Clontarf Castle and it’s lovely antique’s fair. As I browsed the stalls I kept in mind who I was looking for and was delighted to find a few special items for friends and family, the perfect tokens of affections for those I carry close to my heart.

Sadly I can’t post photos as you never know who’s reading but let it be suffice to say that I think I will  be able to make a few people smile. And between the things I am making myself, the things I have already bought and the things I purchased yesterday my list is filling up nicely.

And for all of you out there who think I have gone insane, my madness has method. I love the Christmas season, I enjoy spending time with friends, soaking up the atmosphere, writing cards in front of the fire and letting and wrapping gifts while watching cheesy Christmas movies or singing off-key to Christmassy songs. And to be able to do that, enjoy it and not be stressed is only possible if I am prepared.

So with the new week already begun I can enjoy the sun in the knowledge that my early Christmas shopping was a success.

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas.

American author Peg Bracken