With Christmas right around the corner, now's the perfect time to get ahead of the crowds and even bag yourself some money-saving deals. If inspiration is running low, you’re in luck, as our handy gift guide has got you covered.

Whether they’re a fan of travel, music, gaming or food, there’s something for everyone - and we’ll even show you where to look.

For the adventurer

Treat a loved one to a weekend at the idyllic location of Waterford's Cliff House Hotel, overlooking the stunning Ardmore Bay.

Give your loved ones the gift of bypassing the usual airport chaos and replace it with a weekend adventure on home soil. Perhaps the idyllic location of Waterford’s Cliff House Hotel, overlooking the stunning Ardmore Bay, meets their interests. The five-star destination has a spa, Michelin-starred restaurant and breathtaking views to keep them occupied during their stay.

Alternatively, send them west for an eco-friendly adventure at Fernwood in Clifden, Galway. There, they’ll get an authentic glamping experience in a woodland wonderland. Whether it’s the treehouse dome, stilt house or luxury studio apartment they stay in, relaxation is guaranteed while overlooking the 150-acre organic farm. Just steer clear of this one if they’re afraid of heights!

For the foodie

Thankfully, foodies are among the easiest people to buy for. Howth Castle Cookery School offers classes for all levels of cooking ability. Choose from Christmas dinner tutorials, sushi-making masterclasses, perfecting pasta, catering for vegetarians, making French macarons and lots more. If you’re lucky, you might even get to sample their efforts.

If they’d rather sit back and consume the food without any effort, afternoon tea is always a great gift option. Ashford Castle in Mayo puts on a lavish spread, where the lucky gift recipients can gorge themselves on speciality teas, finger sandwiches, freshly-baked scones and pastries, all served overlooking the castle gardens and Lough Corrib’s beautiful scenery.

For the gamer

All good gaming experiences require a reliable and high-speed connection, and you can kill two birds with one stone by taking up Virgin Media's Red Friday offer of 1GB or 2GB broadband and TV bundle, which comes with a gift of an Xbox Series S.

The Xbox Series S console is an essential inclusion in any gaming household. Its 3D spatial sound will have them immersed further into the game than ever before, teamed with high and steady framerates in the accompanying visuals. All that’s left for them to do is decide which games they want to fill it with.

All good gaming experiences require a reliable and high-speed connection, and you can kill two birds with one stone by taking up Virgin Media’s Red Friday offer of 1GB or 2GB broadband and TV bundle, which comes with a gift of an Xbox Series S. We call that a win-win!

For the social butterfly

For iOS fans, the Apple iPhone 13 ticks all the boxes. It’s got a super retina XDR display, ceramic shield, water resistance and cinematic mode to enhance all video-taking endevours. 5G connectivity is included, giving better quality video streaming and higher-definition FaceTime calls than ever before, so they won’t miss a thing in the group chat.

The Google Pixel 8 is also a great option for those looking to stay connected with their friends. It comes with a brand new crisp display (even in the sunlight), it’s fast-charging and has a battery that will last all day. It comes with a Google Tensor G3 chip that’s custom designed for Google AI with cutting-edge photo and video capabilities, so they can expertly document memories that’ll last a lifetime.

And as well as their amazing features, both of these handsets are available free upfront*.

For the music lover

All good music deserves a reliable method of sound delivery.

All good music deserves a reliable method of sound delivery. The JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds offer noise cancellation and will last for up to 40 hours on just one wireless charge. They’re perfect for someone who’s always on the go, as just five minutes of speed charge gives another four hours of playtime. They’re small, lightweight and ideal for the music fanatic in your life.

Why not tick two items off the gift list at once, as you’ll get a free pair of JBL Live Pro 2 earbuds when you buy an Apple iPhone 13, Google Pixel 8 or Samsung Galaxy S23 in the Virgin Media Red Friday sale, and remember all handsets are free upfront*.

* Each handset is free upfront for Virgin media customers, and 55 a month for 24 months, which includes the phone and an unlimited SIM plan from Virgin Mobile. At the end of the 24 months, your phone is paid for, and you will only be billed for your unlimited SIM plan.

Check out Virgin Media’s Red Friday deals and much more in store or online at virginmedia.ie