The Donaghys Christmas Gift Guide
Every year the same two problems: you know roughly what you want to spend but not what to buy, or you know exactly what they would love and not what size they take. This guide is organised around both.
Everything here is in stock as you read it. Our Christmas gifting collections only show what we actually have, so nothing below sends you to an empty page.
Start with what you want to spend
If you have a budget in mind and no particular idea, this is the quickest route in.
| Budget | Good for | What you will find |
|---|---|---|
| Under £20 | Stocking fillers, Secret Santa, teacher thank-yous | Socks, hats and gloves, shoe care, smaller accessories |
| £20 to £50 | The main run of presents | Slippers, bags, gift sets, knitwear, sports accessories |
| £50 to £100 | A proper gift | Trainers, boots, jackets, bigger bags |
| Over £100 | The main present | Premium footwear, coats, branded pieces |
Or jump straight to who you are buying for:
Gifts for her
The reliable ones, in rough order of how often they work.
Slippers
Slippers are the most dependable Christmas gift we sell, and one of the few where getting the size slightly wrong does not matter much. Full slippers for warmth, mules for easy on and off.
A bag
A bag has no sizing to worry about at all, which makes it a safer choice than clothing if you are unsure. Worth thinking about what she actually carries rather than what looks good on the shelf.
Gift sets
Gift sets come already boxed and presented, so they solve the wrapping as well as the gift. Useful when you need something that looks considered without a lot of deliberation.
Hats, scarves and gloves
Small, useful, and genuinely used in January. A good way to add something to a main present.
Gifts for him
Slippers
Same logic as above, and men are notoriously bad at replacing their own. If last year's pair are falling apart, this is an easy win.
Gift sets
The default for anyone hard to read. Boxed, straightforward, and hard to get wrong.
A decent bag
Work bag, weekend bag or gym bag. Practical rather than romantic, which for a lot of people is exactly right.
Hats and accessories
Beanies, caps and gloves do well as stocking fillers or as the extra thing alongside something bigger.
Gifts for kids
Two rules worth following. Buy slightly ahead on anything they will grow into, and avoid guessing on footwear if you can, because a shoe that does not fit gets abandoned.
Slippers, a backpack or lunch bag, hats and gloves, or something for whatever sport they are currently obsessed with all work. If you are buying trainers or boots, it is worth checking with whoever does the shoe shopping first.
Gifts for the sporty one
Often the easiest person on the list, because kit wears out and they always need something.
- Runners: socks, a running belt, gloves, head torches for winter mornings.
- GAA: a jersey, gloves, a kit bag.
- Gym and training: a bag, a bottle, training accessories.
- Hikers and walkers: walking socks, a hat, waterproof accessories.
- Swimmers: goggles, a swim bag, towels.
The advantage here is that you do not need to guess at taste, only at what they have already got. If in doubt, ask someone they train with.
When you genuinely have no idea
Two honest options.
A gift card
A gift card has no expiry, spends online or in the shop, and the balance carries over if they do not use it all at once. It solves the size problem entirely. Digital cards arrive by email within minutes, which also solves the Christmas Eve problem.
Something small plus a gift card
A pair of good socks or a care kit to open, with a card covering the real present. It gives them something to unwrap and still lets them choose.
Practical bits
Sizes
If you are buying footwear or clothing, check the size guide on the product page rather than assuming it carries across brands. If you are stuck between two, ring us on 028 4066 2750 before you order.
Delivery and collect
Free delivery on orders over £79.99, and 30 days to return anything. We ship from Northern Ireland, so customers in the Republic pay no customs charges. Click and collect is available if you would rather pick it up. Full details on our delivery and returns page.
Last order dates for Christmas
All of these are order-by 2pm on the day shown.
| Service | Order by |
|---|---|
| UK Standard and DPD | Friday 18 December |
| UK Express | Monday 21 December |
| UK Special Delivery | Wednesday 23 December |
| Ireland Standard | Friday 18 December |
| Ireland Express | Monday 21 December |
Past those dates, two options remain. A digital gift card arrives by email within minutes and has no deadline at all. Or come into the shop, open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm, right up to Christmas.
Everything in one place
The full Christmas gifting range is sorted by price and by who you are buying for, and it only shows what is in stock.
If you would rather talk it through with someone, come in to 25 to 31 Newry Street, Banbridge, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best Christmas gifts for someone hard to buy for?
Slippers, a gift set or a bag all work without needing to know a size precisely. If you are genuinely stuck, a gift card has no expiry and can be spent online or in the shop.
Do you have Christmas gifts under £20?
Yes. Our under £20 collection covers socks, hats and gloves, shoe care and smaller accessories, which is the usual stocking filler and Secret Santa territory.
Can I return a Christmas gift if it is the wrong size?
You have 30 days to return anything. If you are buying early for Christmas, it is worth keeping that window in mind, or choosing something where size matters less.
Can I collect my order from the shop?
Yes, click and collect is available at checkout. Our shop is at 25 to 31 Newry Street, Banbridge, open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5.30pm.
Do you deliver to the Republic of Ireland?
Yes, and because we ship from Northern Ireland there are no customs charges. Delivery is free on orders over £79.99.
What is the last date I can order for Christmas?
Order by 2pm on Friday 18 December for UK Standard, DPD and Ireland Standard. Monday 21 December for UK Express and Ireland Express, and Wednesday 23 December for UK Special Delivery. A digital gift card has no deadline at all, and the shop is open right up to Christmas.
In short
Start from the budget or the person, whichever you are surer about. If neither is clear, a gift card covers it. And if you would rather talk it through with someone, come in and we will help.
