I know Christmas is much more than the commercial, saccharine, tinsel-filled, hyperactive extravaganza it has now become, but there is one element of this I hold dear to my heart. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than buying people presents. I am definitely more of the giving than receiving strain; I relish all those hours spent perusing and examining and researching potential gifts for people. And the pleasure of giving someone a present they actually want! Tugs at my heart-strings every time.
However I must confess, I have, in the main been converted to online shopping. I’m still all about buying local and supporting Irish business, but I do find the variety of choice and the ease of purchasing so much more practical. I hate the queues and the panic and the confusion of pacing the city streets in the run-up to Christmas. But I do have a soft-spot for Kildare Village; that American-mall emporium of outlet shopping. And let me tell you why. For as much as I love (love LOVE) buying people presents, I truly love a bargain. The thrills and spills of thinking you have cracked the code, pulling the wool over big brands eyes, victory for the little man. And Kildare Village is all about that. Get your sports-gear in Nike for the year, sort out your business attire in Reiss and Jaeger, maybe find a wedding outfit in Karen Millen, some edgy layered daywear in All Saints, your Mum’s birthday present in Molton and Brown, a housewarming gift in Le Creuset…and all for a fraction of the price. And there is something innately calming about the layout of Kildare Village. Wide, open spaces, boulevards, trees and greenery. And eateries! Eateries staggered conveniently to assist you with the requisite fuel in your shopping mission.
Kildare Village are also doing an online Festive Secrets campaign with swag from Cath Kidson, Molton Brown, Anya Hindmarch and Designers Guild, as well as prizes of shopping weekends and days out.
So if you are of the lastminute.com strain, get involved with the online campaign and be in with a chance to sort out your Christmas wish list with the guys at Kildare Village.
Check out their Facebook page for more details here
