I really enjoyed the article on Athlone A Cappella in last week’s Irish Country Living. As a widow of seven years, I continue to find it hard to fill the quieter moments, especially because I live alone. The way that the women described singing in last week’s article reminded me of the same sparkle that I used to feel singing in my church choir when I was a girl.

The women in Athlone A Cappella sound so welcoming and kind, and it struck me that joining a group like that in the new year could be exactly what I need. It would give me the chance to make some friends and simply have a bit of fun (and don’t we need it?). I loved what Hilary said about singing together being more than keeping in time or in tune, it’s about community and belonging. I suppose it’s never too late to try something new.

Warm regards,

Eileen, Co Wexford

Step into Nature is a captivating Irish nature diary that serves as a personal invitation to stop and explore the wonders of the natural world, and notice its beauty and complexity. Written by author and naturalist Rachel McKenna, readers are guided through a month-by-month exploration of the fascinating wildlife that surrounds us. The book is also beautifully illustrated with McKenna’s stunning photograph.

Step into Nature: A Chronicle of Irish Nature through the Year, €21.99.

Looking for a fun game to play with the family? Herd Mentality will definitely leave everyone feeling aMOOsed.

This is a party game for parents, teens and kids alike. The aim of the game is simple: think like the herd and write down the same answers as your friends. If your answer is part of the majority, you all win cows.

If everyone else writes an answer that is matched by at least one other person, but yours is the odd one out, then you land the angry pink cow, and your herd is worthless – until you can offload it onto someone else. The first player to collect eight cows wins. There is also a rule that allows you to loudly moo at any player who is taking too long to write down an answer.

Herd Mentality, €23.99, easons.com

New figures from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Ireland reveal that almost half of Ireland’s small electronics in Ireland are bought in November and December – but only one in three come back for recycling. Last year, 4.4m small electronics were bought during Black Friday and Christmas.

WEEE Ireland is encouraging consumers to consume responsibly and to prioritise repairing. They also offer hundreds of collection points across the country, allowing consumers to drop off old electronic devices for free.

See weeeireland.ie

If you want to try something a little bit light and different this Christmas after your big dinner try making a Tanqueray 0.0% ‘Red Coat’ Spritz using alcohol-free gin.

First, mix equal parts of honey and water to make a simple 15ml honey syrup. Coat the rim of a wine glass with powdered sugar. Then add 30ml Tanqueray 0.0%, 15ml honey syrup, 15ml lemon juice and 15ml cranberry juice to the glass. Stir well, top with soda and garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Available nationwide, €17. See supervalu.ie

This Saturday, 21 December is the shortest day of the year, with a predicted daylight length of seven hours and 34 minutes. The good news is that after this weekend, the days begin to get longer.

An appropriate seasonal gift for the approaching winter solstice is the Mythical Ireland 2025 calendar. It features 14 stunning images of Ireland’s ancient monuments, captured by Anthony Murphy throughout the past year.

Whether it’s the frost-covered monuments of Loughcrew, northern lights over Newgrange, or the giant Ail na Míreann at Uisneach under the moon and stars, this calendar would make the perfect gift for someone who appreciates the beauty of our ancient landscapes.

See mythicalireland.com, €15 plus P&P.

Irish development charity, Self Help Africa, has launched its Lifetime Gifts seasonal gift catalogue. Whether it is investing in bees or supporting livestock programmes, the catalogue allows you to invest in alternative seasonal gifts that have real impact for families in Africa. A purchase of €20 can provide someone with a clutch of improved breed chicks, allowing them to develop their own flock and provide eggs for family nutrition. Pictured above: Khadija Kuroi from Machanga, Kenya, took part in a Self Help Africa programme – receiving improved breed birds to begin poultry breeding.

See selfhelpafrica.org