Christmas Gift Guide 2025: Unique Irish Ideas

Poolbeg Towers Salt & Pepper Shakers

These salt and pepper shakers are as Dublin as it gets. A faithful nod to the iconic landmark, the set includes two glazed ceramic red and white striped shakers, both handmade in Dublin. Each candle boasts unique variations, making every package a one-of-a-kind souvenir gift that is sure to wow. There are also candle and incense burner variations if you yearn for that iconic smoke signal over the Liffey! Available at Designist, the one-stop shop for all your gift-buying needs.

• designist.ie

President Catherine Connoll-Tea Tea Cosie

Tallaght mam Susan Banks became a local icon when she started crocheting her “Michael Tea Higgins” tea cosies back in 2017. Now, she’s back for our tenth president: “Catherine Connoll-Tea”! She hand-makes each creation, and her business is managed by her loving daughter. They are absolutely adorable, not to mention practical! They’re so popular that there’s a waitlist to purchase, but be sure to reach out via Instagram or Facebook to request your own cuppa Connolly when they’re in stock.

• @not_just_hats

Lovely Stuff: Irish Design Shop 2026 Calendar

This isn’t just a calendar, it’s a celebration of Ireland. Over 12 textured artworks, Dublin illustrator Conor Nolan explores the rich traditions, history, natural beauty, and character of Ireland and her people. Each illustration also includes personal observations rather than standard descriptions for each month. And no need to toss it in the bin next December – the gorgeous images can be easily removed and framed to enjoy for years more.

• irishdesignshop.com

An Post Irish Stamp Yearbook 2025

Every year, An Post publishes a beautiful new limited-edition Stamp Yearbook, and 2025’s is nothing less than a masterpiece. From cover to cover, it’s full of beautiful, colourful celebrations of the year — including commemorations of milestone events, tributes to cultural icons, and more — in the form of numerous detailed, vibrant postage stamps. This year, An Post has delivered a breathtaking collection showing beyond a doubt what makes Irish stamps so special. For €95, you can share that historic magic with your loved ones for years to come.

• anpost.com/shop

Deadly Claddagh Pint Pin

The claddagh has long been a symbol of love. Why not celebrate something you love almost as much as your other half: a proper creamy pint? This adorable little pin comes in gold and silver, and at only €10, you might as well get one for yourself and your person.

• deadly.ie

Power to the People: The Hot Press Years by Michael D. Higgins

Michael D Higgins has now departed Áras an Uachtaráin for the final time. He may not be our president anymore, but he is still a beloved national treasure – and a star alumnus of Hot Press!

This collection, featuring a carefully chosen selection of his powerful work for the magazine, is packed with penetrating insights and wonderfully vivid writing – on women’s liberation, Gaza, US foreign policy, war and peace in Africa, the democratic deficit, sustainability and LGBTQI+ rights.

Way ahead of its time in so many ways – and often very funny – it made radical and inspiring reading then. Even more so now, as it underlines the exhilarating reality that it really is possible to make positive changes, even in the most monolithic, conservative societies. Get your signed hardback copy exclusively from Hot Press!

• shop.hotpress.com

Read the full Christmas Gift Guide in the current issue of Hot Press: