TheCity

Tag: Christmas

  • Real Christmas Trees: Are they better for the environment?

    Real Christmas Trees: Are they better for the environment?

    By Amy Connaughton

    Amidst calls for people to live more sustainably and with the climate crisis not showing any signs of slowing down, this Christmas many people may be left wondering, which tree is better for the environment, real or fake? With many factors to consider, it turns out the answer is not as simple as you might think.

    In a recent survey of 100 participants carried out by TheCity.ie, it was found that 69% of people will be using a fake Christmas tree this year, while 31% will be using a real tree.

    A huge 91% of people think that buying a fake tree and reusing it every year is better for the environment, while only 9% of people believe that buying a real tree every year is better.    

    Out of the 9% of people who believe that buying a real tree each year is more environmentally friendly, 30% of these people will be using a fake tree this Christmas.

    According to The Carbon Trust, a two-metre tall real tree will have a carbon footprint of just 3.5kg of carbon dioxide (CO2). However, this is only if that tree is disposed of through a wood chipper. If the tree is thrown away and ends up in a landfill, the carbon footprint increases hugely to 16kg CO2.

    For two-metre fake trees, the carbon footprint is a whopping 40kg of CO2. Though this figure makes it seem like getting a real tree each year is the smarter option, Carbon Trust says that if you re-used an artificial tree for 12 years it would make the carbon footprint greener than a real tree that was put in a wood chipper.

    However, how you dispose of your tree is not the only deciding factor on how environmentally friendly it is, manufacturing is also a factor to consider. Fake trees are made from plastic and are usually shipped over long distances, mostly from China.

    Another thing to consider is that real Christmas trees absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere which is good for offsetting global warming, whereas to mass-produce artificial trees, factories emit huge amounts of industrial emissions into the atmosphere which only adds to the problem of global warming.

    So what is the answer? If you already use an artificial Christmas tree, try and re-use it for at least 12 years. However, it would seem that the greener option is to buy a real tree every year and recycle it through a wood chipper or re-pot it in your back garden so that it can be re-used every year. This way, the tree would have negligible or even negative emissions.

  • Ma’s on a mission – Christmas Toy Appeal

    Ma’s on a mission – Christmas Toy Appeal

    By Aoife Kearns

    The Mammies of Ireland are on a mission this Christmas, in an appeal that has become increasingly popular all thanks to the power of social media.

    To date, the Mas on a mission ‘Christmas Toy Appeal’ has raised €21,000 via their Go Fund Me page as well as running a nationwide toy donation day this month.

    The main aim of the appeal is to collect 20,000 toys for the 104 charities now benefiting from the initiative.

    Mas on a mission Toy Appeal poster

    With support from the length and breadth of the country, the woman who started the hugely successful Facebook Group and this Christmas Toy Appeal Suzanne Burke, explain how it initially came about:

    “Mas on a mission is a community where 100 thousand women come to vent, seek advice and of course have the craic. But there is also a lot of serious issues discussed within the group.

    “Some of the issues discussed within the forum come from homeless women and families. As Christmas approached it became clear that for them, the festive season was causing a great deal of worry.”

    “Because of this, I just thought we could do something worthwhile within the group and it just blew up from there.”

    Suzanne Burke with Santa at the Blanchardstown Christmas Toy Appeal this month

    Suzanne knew that group had a strong following but was not expecting the sheer volume of people, that would get behind the appeal.

    “We raised €21,000 through a Go Fund Me and that will be spent on gifts. All the toys will be given to 104 charities and organisations that help children including kids in homeless accommodation and children in hospital among many other fantastic organisations.

    “We also had a huge drop off event in November, where we ended up having a donation point in almost every county in Ireland.”

    One of the volunteers at the Kilkenny collection point at Cillín Hill, Noreen Hennessy said:

    Volunteers at Cillín Hill Kilkenny, Photo – Aoife Kearns

     “I was a member of the Mas on a mission group and when this started, I just thought it was a great idea.

    “I had no idea how much it was going to take off, but it has really just snowballed,” she continued.

    “I have two small grandchildren and it would break my heart if for any reason they couldn’t have toys for Christmas. Sadly, there are so many children that are in that position.

    “Christmas can be a really tough time of the year for mothers and families. You need heat for your house, you need food and unfortunately things like toys might get left on the back burner. I really think this toy appeal will help a lot of people.”

    The next step for the Mas on a mission Christmas Toy appeal is the sorting and packing as Suzanne explains:

    Some of the Toys collected awaiting packaging

    “Following the nationwide drop off event, couriers worked from morning to night, and dropped all the toys to a lock up donated to us by Nesta,

    “Now the big work begins! Volunteers will be busy for the next while, sorting and dividing toys so they can go to the charities on roughly the 30th of November.”

    For people who missed out on the major donation there’s still time though! The group are still accepting gifts and are particularly looking for gifts appropriate for teenagers.

    You can drop or post your donations to:

    Nesta Storage Deansgrange/ Swords, Dublin or any HomeSavers store in Ireland before November 28th.

    More information can be found via Facebook at Mas on a mission.

  • Therapy dogs helping the elderly feel less lonely this Christmas

    Therapy dogs helping the elderly feel less lonely this Christmas

    By Amy Connaughton

    For many people, Christmas is their favourite time of year. It’s a happy time spent with family, friends and loved ones. Sadly though, for many elderly people, Christmas can be a tough time to get through. Nearly a quarter of the elderly do not look forward to Christmas because of loneliness and fears that it will bring back bad memories, according to research carried out by Age UK in 2014.

    The research suggested that the effects of loneliness increase during the winter months with a fifth of elderly people worried about not being able to go outdoors as much because of shorter, darker days and poor weather conditions. Age UK is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to helping everyone make the most of later life.

    One charity that is making a positive impact on the lives of the elderly in Ireland, is Irish Therapy Dogs. Irish Therapy Dogs was founded in 2008 with the aim of using pet therapy to provide comfort and companionship to people in long-term or daily residential care.

    Their mission is to provide physical, therapeutic and educational benefit to people, young and old, fit and frail, alert and impaired, in hospitals, nursing homes, day care centres, and schools.

    Today, more than 270 ‘Volunteer Visiting Teams’ make weekly visits to day care centres across Ireland.

    Owners and their dogs give one hour each week to visit their assigned care centre. Once there, they circulate amongst the residents allowing their dog to be cuddled, petted and played with.

    Research has shown that canine companionship brings a number of health benefits, such as lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, as well as increased production of serotonin and dopamine.

    Humans have a basic need to touch and a dog fulfils this need. Stroking, holding and fussing over a dog helps reduce the sense of isolation and loneliness. The companionship of a dog can help to calm and soothe us, ease anxiety and boost our mood.

    “I get so much more out of it than I put in, it’s great. Ruby is amazing and she doesn’t even realise the joy she brings”

    Irish Therapy Dogs visit care centres and enrich the lives of people there by interacting with them. The dogs do not need any specialised training, but it is important that they are friendly, gentle, confident, patient and at ease in any situation. They must enjoy human company and be happy to be petted and handled. The suitability of both the owner and dog, working as a team, is subject to a formal assessment process.

    Orla Keogh, from Deansgrange in Dublin, has been volunteering for Irish Therapy Dogs for two years now. She visits Belmont Nursing Home for an hour a week with her dog, Ruby. Orla said: “I get so much more out of it than I put in, it’s great. Ruby is amazing and she doesn’t even realise the joy she brings.”

    Orla described how visiting the residents has such a great impact on their day: “Basically, even residents that don’t respond or speak, get so happy when they see Ruby. There’s one who’s deaf and dumb and she hates everyone, but she is obsessed with Ruby and when she sees me coming with the dog her whole face lights up.”

    Jane Connaughton who is the activities coordinator in Belmont Nursing Home sees first-hand the effects that the therapy dogs have on the residents. “The reaction the residents have is just great to see. Straight away when the dogs come in you can see their faces just light up and there’s a nice, happy buzz around the room.

    “Loneliness with old people is such a common problem and it’s very sad. A lot of residents here don’t have much family or don’t see their family very often.

    “Some of the residents love to pet the dogs and hold them but some of them are happy enough to just sit and watch everything that’s going on. Either way, everyone has a smile on their face and it’s really great.”

    Peata is another Irish charity dedicated to helping people reap the benefits of therapy dogs. Peata is a voluntary association established in 1996. Every year, they do a Christmas Carol Service in Christ Church Cathedral where there is a blessing of the therapy dogs.

    Jane said: “The residents really enjoy it. We sit right up at the front and there’s a part of the service where all of the therapy dogs go up to the altar to be blessed. The residents love seeing all the dogs right up close to them.

    “After the service, there is tea and coffee and mince pies and a chance for the residents to mingle with all the dogs.”

    Irish Therapy Dogs is a voluntary registered charity and is completely self-funded. Funds are raised by membership fees, donations, sponsorship, personal gifts and various fundraising events.

    If you would like to become a volunteer you can get in touch with the charity at 01 2189302 or you can visit their website at www.irishtherapydogs.ie

  • Dublin’s Christmas food market

    Dublin’s Christmas food market

    Yuleyard, Dublin’s Christmas food market, was open to the public recently. TheCity decided to head down to the place and see what was the buzz going on there. 

  • Christmas in Stephen’s Green

    Christmas in Stephen’s Green

    Every year, Stephen’s Green shopping centre, in the heart of the city, lights up with huge hanging baubles and Christmas trees. Although, each year it seems decorations are placed earlier and earlier. TheCity.ie ventured to the shopping centre to ask shoppers about their Christmas celebrations and decorating decisions.

  • Christmas market returns to Custom House Quay

    Christmas market returns to Custom House Quay

    If you’re looking for a festive day out for the whole family then look no further as Custom House Quay has been converted into a magical Aprés Village.

    The Aprés Village and Lodge which is conveniently located opposite the George’s Dock Luas stop, consists of market stalls in the form of charming, wooden huts. They’re selling everything from pick ‘n’ mix sweets, handmade crafts to Christmas decor.

    apres
    Source: Alison Egan

    IMG_3291
    Source: Alison Egan

    Let’s not forget the numerous food trucks and snack stalls available. Visitors can expect a wide variety of mouthwatering cuisine, such as gourmet burgers and sausages cooked over a charcoal grill, luxury doughnuts from Aungier Danger, delicious, freshly made churros and a unique take on twisty fries, otherwise known as ‘chip on a stick’.

     

    IMG_3271
    Source: Alison Egan

     

    IMG_3296
    Source: Alison Egan

    As I walked into the Village last Sunday, I couldn’t ignore the festive smell of mulled wine which permeated the air. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate is also available from a quirky little coffee cart called ‘Barista Bike’. Even though entry into the village is free, you shouldn’t forget to bring your wallet, as a lot of these ‘luxury’ items come with high end price tags, as I ended up paying €3 for a small cup of hot chocolate, €5 for three ropes of liquorice and €3 for a doughnut.

     

    IMG_3307
    Source: Alison Egan

    There is also a few family friendly activities to keep the kids busy, such as Santa’s Grotto, a carousel and a Ferris wheel. There’s a giant inflatable snow globe which is perfect for photo opportunities and a VR ski experience, to see what it’s like on the slopes.

    The ICHH (Inner City Helping Homeless) were there in a hut offering gift wrapping services in aid of their charity. So if wrapping presents is the last thing you want to think about, then head on down to the Aprés Village to get all your gift wrapping needs attended to, as well as giving to a good cause.

    IMG_3279
    Source: Alison Egan

    The event runs from 12pm to 7pm each Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday up until the 18th of December, when it opens every day until the 23rd of December.

    After 5:30pm, the Lodge opens up on the dock and becomes the perfect office Christmas party venue. The Aprés lodge includes three bars, a ski lift photo booth with lots of retro ski costumes, Aprés ski bands and DJs and snow machines to make the lodge look magical.

    If you’re looking for a festive day out with the family or a unique night out on the town, The Aprés Village and Lodge is a pop up event not to be missed this December.

    By Alison Egan

  • Paper Bear trying to crack Irish Christmas card market

    Paper Bear trying to crack Irish Christmas card market

    A Dublin based greeting card company has come up with a novel approach to producing Christmas cards.

    PaperBear.ie, is a pop up card company that makes greeting cards for all occasions including Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, get well cards and even cards depicting famous Irish landmarks … all ideal for sending to loved ones living abroad.

    With the busy Christmas period upon us, PaperBear are producing new designs, including Comet the reindeer, Christmas Molly Malone figures and Dublin bridge scenes.

    The cards retail between €3.99 and €6.99 and there are also multipack sets available for €11-€20.

    20161018_161006
    Source: paperbear.ie

     

    Set up in 2013, this is PaperBear’s fourth year in business. The company was set up by Katie and Aaron Dowling.

    Speaking about the inspiration behind the business, Aaron Dowling said the idea came following a trip to Spain, where they saw a pop up card shop and seeing potential in the idea, they decided to put their business skills together and set up the company.

    “The process begins with drawing out a sketch for a card idea. Once we work on the design more and finalise it, we create a 3D sketch. We use Corel Draw do add layers to the picture to bring it to life. Then we cut the layers out and create the objects that will pop out of the card.

    “We are aware of the global implications of using our resources like paper but since March 2017, we have worked with One Tree Planted. We plant a tree every day in places like the Amazon and Kenya … so that we can give back.

    20161006_145431
    Source: paperbear.ie

    “We have a stall set up at the Dun Laoghaire Christmas markets this year which we are proud to be a part of.”

    The opening days and times for the markets can be found on the Paperbear.ie website under their events calendar.

    By Nicole McNelis

  • Video: DIT Societies launch Xmas Appeal

    Daniel Osborne & Conor Shields look at the good work being done by DIT Societies to raise money for charity this Christmas

  • Average Irish household to spend over €2,600 this Christmas

    Average Irish household to spend over €2,600 this Christmas

    Retail Ireland’s Christmas Monitor 2017 predicts an increase in total sales of over €100 million, with sales over the Christmas season to increase to €4.5 billion from €4.4 billion last year. 

     

    Retail Ireland Director Thomas Burke said: “Now that the uncertain political environment of recent days has passed, retailers are looking forward to the approaching Christmas period with renewed optimism. Rising disposable incomes, more people at work, and falling prices will raise consumer spirits and enable greater spending over the busy Christmas period.” 

     

    With many people choosing to shop online and to buy from non-Irish websites to avoid the busy shopping centres and get better deals, the challenge for Irish retailers is to ensure that this increased spending is felt locally and Irish retailers benefit from this spending. 

     

    Retail Ireland Director Thomas Burke said: “The growing migration by Irish consumers online over recent months is creating a challenge for Irish retailers. Local traders have to date been unable to stem the flow of close to 75% of online consumer spending that currently leaves these shores.” 

     

    This increase in consumer spending is a result of an average rise in gross disposable income which was up 5.4 percent in the first half of 2017, an increase of over four percent from last year. Because of this increase, many Irish people are finding that they have more money to spend on clothes, food and drink, presents, decorations and anything else they need for Christmas.

     

    For presents, the Retail Ireland Monitor 2017 predicts that the focus for gifts will be primarily on personalisation, fragrance, champagne, and chocolates. For men, it will be focused on shoes, and for women, the main presents will be luxury accessories and fragrance. 

     

    Electronics are always in high demand, especially around Christmas time. Televisions, tablets, phones and video game systems are usually on the majority of children’s Santa lists. Retail Ireland predicts that from Black Friday right up to Christmas Day there will be a big emphasis on these products, with many retailers using discounts and promotions to drive sales.

     

    By Aimee Walsh

  • Video: Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival

    Video: Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival

    Nicole McNelis and Aimee Walsh look at what the Dun Laoghaire Christmas Festival has to offer