What's the worst Christmas present you've ever received?
Sometimes the gift under the tree just doesn't quite cut the mustard....
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Good morning, it’s Scott! Christmas is nearly here, and as the clock ticks down to the big day, some of us are second guessing the amount of shopping we’ve actually done!
I’m ashamed to say I’ve been there. The panic-fuelled drive to Rushmere Shopping Centre on Christmas Eve, frantically surveying the shelves for something that family and friends might (just might) actually like.
But how much thought goes into presents bought at the last minute? I’m sure many of you have peeled back the wrapping paper on Christmas Day and the words have crossed your minds - “What on earth were they thinking?”
We batted the ‘best and worst Christmas present’ question around the office which resulted in tales of watches shaped like fish skeletons (don’t ask…) and car radios amongst the worst received and a pink, glittery bicycle and PlayStation 2 amongst the best (both were from Santa - who has the benefit of a list to go by!)
Christmas shopping can be hard. Not all of us have crystal balls – or a wish list – to know exactly what others may want to find under the tree, so it’s often a guessing game of trying to figure out something that might work.
However, as they say, ‘It’s the thought that counts’ and even the worst gifts give us the opportunity to look back and laugh – in and of itself – the gift of a memory. So, tell us in the comments section; what are your best and/or worst presents ever received?
Headlines
👮 Goods worth thousands stolen in shoplifting raids at Spires Retail Park in Armagh
🚂 Armagh-Portadown rail link on course with £800,000 just announced for feasibility study
📸 In Pictures: A cracker Christmas Jumper Day at St Malachy’s Primary School Armagh
🗞️ St. Colman’s College sexual abuse victims call for new location for blue plaque to Newry hero
⚖️ Odhrán Kelly murder: Two Lurgan women appear in court charged with assisting offenders
🔥 Bessbrook fire: Businesses gutted as cause of blaze under investigation
🛒 Rushmere Shopping Centre announces £10 million redevelopment plan
⚖️ Former partner of Moy woman Charlotte Murray has murder conviction appeal dismissed
🕯️Hundreds turn out for vigil to murdered Lurgan man Odhrán Kelly
📸 In Pictures: Magical Foley Primary School grotto a ‘phenomenal’ success
🚔 ‘Sentimental’ items taken during burglary in Armagh
🍻 Last orders as Portadown’s J D Tipler bar closes after 26 years
🚓 Disgust as Newry jeweller broken into in ‘ram-raid’ attack
⛰️ Group raises £52,500 for hospice in world’s highest mountain climb
💯 Lord Mayor unveils three centenary stones at Borough’s civic buildings
👩⚕️ Former Armagh care home nurse struck off following misconduct tribunal
⚖️ Man (69) extradited from Denmark to stand trial over indecent assault in Portadown in 1970s
Armagh Jobs
🆕Building Completion Testing Services require a Graduate Building Surveyor and Junior/Graduate Trainee Air Tightness Tester/Acoustic Tester.
🆕Avondale Foods seek to appoint Production Operatives
🆕 Armagh Timber Products require Pallet Makers
✅P.I.P.S. Hope and Support require a Counselling Coordinator to be based in Newry.
✅Mount Charles require several Cleaning Operatives for Game of Thrones Studios Banbridge.
✅Armagh City Hotel require Temporary Seasonal Staff.
✅ Re-Gen Waste have require a Construction Coordinator and General/QC Operatives.
✅ Armagh City Hotel require a Kitchen Porter and Fitness Instructor.
🛎️ If you have a job and want to advertise it to 40,000 daily users on www.armaghjobs.com and www.armaghi.com, as well as more than 8,000 people on this newsletter and our 100,000 social media followers, get in touch.
Notice Board
🧸Today’s the day the teddy bears have their Christmas!
One festive display that’s taking place locally has really caught our eye this week - and it’s open now!
It’s the ‘Teddy Bear Christmas’ display at Magherally Parish Church in Banbridge, where you’ll meet over 100 teddy bears dressed up to help illustrate scenes from the Christmas Nativity Story.
Open Times:
Thursday, December 7: 4pm to 8pm.
Friday, December 8: 4pm to 8pm.
Saturday, December 9: 10am to 8pm.
🎄Armagh City Choir Christmas Concert | St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral | Friday December 8 | 7.30pm | £10 admission, pay at door or tickets available from choir members. The Christmas Festive period is approaching, and Armagh City Choir is preparing for its Annual Christmas Concert. “We may not be Santa’s Little Helpers, but we do our best to help create a festive spirit for Armagh city and surrounding areas.”
🌟Twilight Christmas Market | Vibe, Armagh | Thursday December 7 | 6 - 9pm | The indoor market will have 25+ local vendors supplying handcrafted gifts, food and drinks. Outside we will have food and coffee trucks so that you can enjoy some treats. Free admission.
🎅Christmas Fair and Coffee Morning | St. Mark’s Church Hall, Killylea | Saturday December 9 | Doors open 10am- 1pm | There will be a variety of stalls, ideal for getting that special Christmas gift, as well as Santa's Grotto. Admission £5 and under 12 free. Any children wishing to visit Santa's Grotto there will be a small cost of £2. Each child will get a selection box and you can take your own photo.
🪣 Street Collection | Saturday December 9 | Dungannon town | Dungannon Concern Volunteer group are holding a street collection for the International Aid Charity Concern Worldwide. If anyone wishes to volunteer for an hour, please contact Concern by calling 02890 331100 or emailing getinvolved@concern.net
🕊️Street Vigil | Irish Street | Saturday December 9 | 11.30am | Armagh Branch Irish Palestinian Solidarity Campaign continue with their series of Street Vigils this weekend in support of a ceasefire in Gaza. All welcome to participate. All vehicles encouraged to hoot horns in support.
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