This Christmas you don't have to trudge through over-heated shopping centres to buy those special gifts for parents, friends and relatives. You can save yourself the hassle of long queues and waiting for buses in the cold.

A lot of what you want is right here on your own doorstep. I went around a few shops to see what they had to offer and I wasn't disappointed. Shelbourne Pharmacy on Irishtown road was my first port of call. They have a new, exclusive range of Irish-made, silver- plated mirrors, picture frames, coasters, napkin rings, clocks and keyrings all made by Lois Darragh, pictured above. They are of superb quality and being sold at very reasonable prices.

They also have lovely table decorations, evening bags from €9.95, watches from €19.95 and a huge selection of jewellery, designer perfumes and slippers you can heat in the microwave, all at just €16.95 and the Helena Rubinstein skin care range. They also have great gifts for men such as well-known brands of aftershave, watches, electric shavers, Gillette sets and if you're wondering if the one or two drinks you had before dinner have put you over the limit, they have personal breathalysers at €89.

Then I went to Bradley's Pharmacy in Ringsend. They also have a great range of gift ideas. The first thing that caught my eye was the Podge and Rodge dolls at €39.95, slippers at €14.95 and mugs at €9.99 each (see above right). They are great craic. If you're not into Podge and Rodge, they have something to suit all tastes.

They have a great selection of jewellery, perfumes and aftershaves. Also, don't forget to look for the 'three for the price of two' stand. They have great value candles, gift sets and cocktail shakers and Fugi cameras down from €219 to €179. For the kids, they have Simpsons bubble bath and Barbie tea sets, colouring books, Shrek ceramic hair straightners, fashion beads for hair and Pirates of the Caribbean sets.

They say that charity begins at home and with that thought in mind I went into Mrs Quins on Bridge street. They also have a wonderful selection including bric-a-brac (pictured below) new and old ladies and gents clothes, shoes, decorations, toys, bikes, prams, gift sets, books, CDs and GAA county rugs. They are holding a raffle for a lovely Christmas hamper. Tickets are €2. Also, if you are wondering what to do with those unwanted gifts, don't forget Mrs. Quins.

So this year, take the mayhem out of Christmas shopping and put the magic back into it by shopping locally