It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

CheerLouth · 11-05-2026 04:13PM

It's gone very quiet in here - is this the start of the summer slump?

DvB · 11-05-2026 06:23PM

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/2026/05/11/consultants-to-oversee-rte-late-late-toy-show-appeal-funds-spending-set-to-cost-855000/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky&utm_campaign=HP-SubDesc

Came across this today... interesting article on how rte fund the appeal and distribution of the monies raised.

Loughc · 11-05-2026 06:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460686#Comment_124460686

I think it is. I’m almost afraid to check the stats. But as long as everyone has a nice summer that’s all we can hope for.

BK5 · 11-05-2026 07:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460247#Comment_124460247

A tiktok video came up today showing The Range had a few Christmas items out on a shelf saying "Christmas in May" or something like that. Didn't say where The Range was but surely a fake video?

Aisling(",) · 12-05-2026 11:19AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461257#Comment_124461257

I skulk around TK Maxx on my work lunch sometimes and I find they're an early adopter but they don't even have halloween stuff in yet so I'd be shocked if anywhere outside of trade shops had Christmas in stock!

Posy · 12-05-2026 08:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124460686#Comment_124460686

Quiet usually means decent weather, so I'll take the slump! ☀️

Loughc · 12-05-2026 09:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124463624#Comment_124463624

Exactly this. Plus we’re coming into holiday season. I’m 5 weeks away from my summer holidays. Can’t wait.

CheerLouth · 12-05-2026 09:34PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124463767#Comment_124463767

6 weeks for us! On a countdown!

DvB · 12-05-2026 10:22PM

We're away the weekend after the junior cert exams finish and I cannot wait for it.

Jude13 · 13-05-2026 06:40AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461060#Comment_124461060

Wowsers, like a father ted episode. 3% of donations to go to an agency who divey out the cash, x% spent on the tender process. Lets be honest, EU855k being tendered will never end up at that amount. At least we are getting to see the process I guess.

I would pitch it to one of the big four and negotiate distribution of the monies for free and we will say so on the Toy show.

Princess Calla · 13-05-2026 09:03AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124461060#Comment_124461060

I'm abit sickened by that to be honest.

I would have assumed that "The Late Late show" would use its own researchers to distribute the funds. The majority going to Temple Street, Crumlin , Laura Lynn, Bumbleance etc If there's a child featured on the show with a condition , to generate more donations , a good % goes to that conditions research.

To see a sizable chunk going basically to external admin....it's just more feathering a corporate nest.

Jude13 · 15-05-2026 04:56AM

Couldn't agree more. I found since I left, noting nowhere is perfect, that you notice how often we/Ireland have these kind of incidents. Someone running a raffle winning it, happened in my GAA club more than once. I think there is going to be another big story if they scratch the surface and investigate Munster rugby's finances. But with no accountability pressed home it will continue to happen ala the bike shed and children's hospital. There is an industry built on the back of semi/quasi/ and full government mismanagement (not just in Ireland). I say this as someone who is in that industry.

I am getting loads of ads for Halloween products…its a sign.

DvB · 15-05-2026 08:38AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124469407#Comment_124469407

Not that I disagree with you, (I don't FTR) but with the publicly funded construction projects such as the bike shed etc. the truth is rarely as clear cut as the headlines.

Build anything in an already built environment and as soon as you open the grounds/wall/ceilings there'll be stuff that wasn't recorded found that will cost time & money to address, with construction time is money so the costs inevitably go up, and quickly despite tender rates being applied.

I see it all the time and people would be amazed at what it costs to construct anything that to the untrained eye looks reasonably straightforward. The costs of material & labour in this country are also incredibly high & nothing in terms of materials is 'off the shelf' anymore so everything has a lead in time & as I said above, time = money!

Whilst the headline figures look crazy I strongly suspect the contractors haven't made as much as you think on these types of things & will have been equally frustrated by the process, from talking to some we use that also do public funded projects they pretty much all describe them as nightmares to be involved with.

There's a reason we (designers) won't touch public projects and stick to our niche area instead, and we're not the only ones either.

BK5 · 16-05-2026 12:14AM

Hi All, hope everyone is keeping well, gotten a little quiet on here lately but that's to be expected this time of year. Halfway through May today so in another month we will just start turning our eyes towards the second half of the year and we will be ramping up the countdown with a lot more conviction.

As @freshpopcorn would say "only 2 more Christmas free months" 😊👍️

Bit of a weird one today as it would have been my Mam's 75th birthday if she was still with us, she never wanted a fuss but know my Dad, my brother and my sister would be extra missing her today. Anyway - Happy Birthday Mam ❤️

Posy · 16-05-2026 03:34PM

@BK5 💛💛

Hope the weather picks up before the next bank holiday rolls around, especially since the May one was a bit miserable. 🌧

Cork Lass · 16-05-2026 09:20PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124473358#Comment_124473358

Heard on the radio that the temperature is set to rise mid week. About time too, it’s absolutely freezing for the time of the year. Hopefully we’ll get some dry weather to go with the bit of warmth 🥶.

antimatterx · 16-05-2026 09:36PM

Maybe an odd question, but I feel like most contributors here have more life experience than me.

I’m going to my first wedding in June, what’s an acceptable amount to give as present?

SCOOP 64 · 16-05-2026 09:54PM

Give what you can afford.

Loughc · 16-05-2026 10:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124474455#Comment_124474455

I think the rule of thumb is €100 per head. To cover meal and gift. But give what you can afford.

For my wedding we had spent that money on people we wanted to celebrate our night with. So for us the money was gone we weren’t looking to get it back. We couldn’t care less what they gave us as a gift as long as they came we were happy.

antimatterx · 16-05-2026 10:07PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124474546#Comment_124474546

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124474603#Comment_124474603

Thanks. I had 150-200 in my head, but I don’t have it. I have to buy a suit, stay in a hotel etc so 100 is my limit. It’s sad? I’d love to give more, but I’m saving for a house (hopefully this year) so accounts need to be clear and budget is strict

Loughc · 16-05-2026 10:09PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124474620#Comment_124474620

A €100 is plenty. You have a good time is even better. That’s all the bride and groom really want is people there having fun.

antimatterx · 16-05-2026 10:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124474632#Comment_124474632

I feel like these are the type to open the cards and enter the amount from each person into a spreadsheet 😂

BK5 · 17-05-2026 10:10AM

Was talking to my Nephew only yesterday about his wedding and he didn't care what amount anyone gave them but he did remember the one person who didn't even give them a card. He said if they couldn't afford to give money, that was fine, but he at least expected the gesture of a card.

donegal_man · 17-05-2026 11:27AM

Temperature dropped to 0 in my part of Donegal last night.

🎶 I'm dreaming of a white Christmas 🎶

appledrop · 17-05-2026 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124474635#Comment_124474635

Feck them so, give what you can!

BK5 · 17-05-2026 06:00PM

National Lampoons Christmas Vacation is Sky Cinema Greats now 🎄😊

Barbie2k23 · 17-05-2026 06:00PM

Anyone know if ye can still buy a frozen full turkey in any of the shops I’m craving a turkey and ham dinner but none are showing up online in any of the major supermarkets

Jude13 · 18-05-2026 06:06AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124469566#Comment_124469566

Well said, my whole career is dealing with court case/arbitrations of financially mismanaged construction/oil and gas projects. I have had recent experience on a major hospital complex, the lack of foresight from the government officials as to the effect of their own late changes (and Swiss cheese specs) should have been shocking to me, but at this stage its not. The tack is blame the contractor (who in fairness as rubbing their hands together as its a golden goose) and sure the ministers are not picking up the bill themselves.

Flying to Germany on Wednesday, as usual I will snap anything out of season. Any recommendations for restaurants etc. welcomed.

Smell the glove · 18-05-2026 01:51PM

Just a quick check in to say elf number 2 is here and arrived a few days ago. Both mother and child doing great. Amazing that even after just a few days you can't seem to remember what life was like with only one!

Princess Calla · 18-05-2026 03:48PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124479034#Comment_124479034

Aw congratulations 💕 💕

Enjoy the new baby smell.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

Comments

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year" Charles Dickens