The Pat Kenny Show What to buy for last minute Christmas shoppers Dylan
Dec 23, 2025
Niamh O’Reilly, a freelance journalist known for her consumer insights, shares vital tips for last-minute Christmas shoppers. She recounts her chaotic shopping experience with her kids and emphasizes the importance of having a plan to avoid aimless wandering. Niamh highlights books and tailored experiences as thoughtful gifts, warns against last-minute gadgets, and advises against online orders at this late stage. Lastly, she discusses the pitfalls of gift cards and suggests cash for teens, presenting practical ideas for any frantic shopper.
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Chaotic Last‑Minute Shopping Trip
- Niamh O’Reilly recounts a chaotic last-minute shopping trip to Dundrum with her two children that felt like "the seventh level of hell."
- She left at lunchtime overwhelmed by crowds, queues and frayed nerves.
Shop With A Clear Plan
- Do go shopping with a clear plan rather than browsing aimlessly in busy stores.
- Avoid wandering the mall without a list because panic and crowds make decisions worse.
Give Books As Safe Gifts
- Buy books as reliable physical gifts since people often don't purchase them for themselves.
- Choose hardbacks, biographies or sports books that suit the recipient's interests.