12 Gifts of Christmas / Our Gift Guide for Actors

Our GIFT GUIDE for the actor in your life

The Christmas season is upon us and no doubt, some of you out there are on the hunt for the perfect way to spoil the actor in your life. With that in mind, Fishpond has compiled a Christmas Gift Guide For Actors full of lovely, affordable (and even free!) gifts that are sure to put a pep in the step of the actor in your life. Best of all, many of these gifts are available from Irish retailers, meaning you can shop locally and sustainably. Win win!

BITS AND BOBS

1. Irish Botanica Throat Coat Oral Spray
€13.99, Irish Botanica

An actor is nothing without their voice. Ward off tickly throats and soothe pain with Irish Botanica Throat Coat Oral Spray. This handy spray is designed to be used on the go and is formulated with a blend of lubricating extracts including marshmallow root, sage, and fenugreek. Made with performers in mind, it helps combat dryness and rawness, making it the perfect addition to any actor’s arsenal.

2. ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron
€21.90, Gutter Bookshop

Stuck in a creative rut? We could all do with a leg up sometimes. Enter The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. Credited with helping everyone from Reese Witherspoon to Kerry Washington, this landmark book includes a series of creative exercises designed to help readers feel renewed and reinvigorated. Whether you’re an actor or a creative multihyphenate, you will come away with techniques to help you unlock and rediscover your creativity.

3. Onwards & Upwards 2024 Diary
€25, Badly Made Books

If there’s one thing every creative needs, it’s a diary. Keep track of auditions and appointments with this 2024 diary from Badly Made Books. Printed and bound in Co. Cork, this diary is made from recycled materials and comes inscribed with the phrase “Onwards & Upwards”. Perfect for popping in your satchel as you dash between meetings!

VOUCHERS



4. Cinema Membership
€40 IFI / €30 Light House / €25 Pálás Cinema

A cinema membership is a fantastic gift for the actor and artist in your life. Not only are you helping to support the work of independent cinemas but memberships often come with irresistible perks and discounts. And sure, who doesn’t love a discount?

Surprise the cinema lover in your life with an IFI Membership. An annual membership costs just €40 and allows customers to avail of cheaper cinema tickets at the Irish Film Institute as well as discounts across food and gifts. Members also receive a free ticket when they sign up or renew and have the chance to enter monthly draws to attend free film screenings.

Light House and Pálás Cinema operate a Loyalty Plus Scheme for €25-30, which offers members discounted tickets and food as well as two free tickets for use in cinema per year.

5. Theatre Vouchers
Various, nationwide

There’s nothing to stir the senses and get the creative juices flowing like a night at the theatre. Support Irish theatre and treat them to a show of their choice with a gift voucher from your local theatre. In Dublin, vouchers are available to purchase from The Abbey Theatre, Project Arts Centre, The Gate Theatre, Smock Alley Theatre, Draiocht, Axis Ballymun and more.

Elsewhere around Ireland, regional theatres like The Everyman, Town Hall Theatre, Mermaid Arts Centre, Riverbank Arts Centre, Garter Lane Arts Centre and Hawk’s Well Theatre all offer gift vouchers for sale. Whether you use it on a play, a musical, a comedy show, a dance extravaganza - it’s money well spent!

EQUIPMENT



6. Tripod
Various, Conns Cameras

With self-taping part and parcel of every modern actor’s life, why not surprise the actor in your life with a tripod to help record smooth, seamless video? Many actors will record self-tapes with their smartphones, meaning a mini-tripod or simple phone mount will suffice. Irish
specialist retailers like Conns Cameras have a huge range of tripods and mounts available, no matter how modest your budget. (Pro-tip: don’t forget to invest in a smartphone tripod adapter!)

7. Pens
Various, The Pen Place

Who among us hasn’t found ourselves rummaging through our bags trying to find a pen or, worse still, trying to summon some ink out of a broken biro that’s long gone dry? Ensure you always have a pen on hand to make script notes or jot down creative thoughts by investing in a good new pen.

The Pen Place in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin stocks every sort of pen one could imagine - ballpoint pens, fountain pens, rollerball pens. Plus you can spend as little or as much as you want with pens starting from €5.90 and going all the way up to €500. Trust us: nothing makes you feel like more of a classy adult than whipping out an elegant new pen.

8. Lighting Kit
Various, Whelan Cameras Limerick

With the days getting dark and dreary, all actors could do with a helping hand with finding their light. Help them shine on camera with a lighting kit. A simple three-point lighting kit or even a ring light will help elevate the quality of their self-tapes and ensure they’re seen clearly. Most of these kits are easily found in local camera shops or from online retailers.

DIY GIFTING IDEAS



9. Film / TV Location Tour
Free

Looking for something free that will get you out of the house and stir the senses? Why not offer to take your friend on a little tour of their favourite TV/film locations? With more and more films and television shows being shot in Ireland, there are any number of tailored, bespoke walking tours you can plan and create yourself.

For example, have a pal who fell head over heels with Normal People? Make a plan to show them iconic locations from the TV show. Take a stroll around Trinity College, soak up classic art in The Hugh Lane Gallery, grab a coffee in The Fumbally or people watch with a pint in Blackbird.

Information around locations is generally easily accessed online, meaning all the hard work is
already done for you and all you have to do is show up. Huzzah!

10. Movie Night
Free

Have a friend who is a devoted film buff? Plan a movie night where you screen films from their favourite filmmaker's back catalogue. For example, you could host a Wes Anderson Movie Marathon and prepare snacks and dishes inspired by the movies. Not only is this a sweet and thoughtful gesture that costs very little but it is the perfect way to spend quality time with your buddy. Just remember to turn off your phones!

11. IOU Voucher
Free

Sometimes the most valuable gift you can give an actor is your time. Create your very own IOU voucher that can be redeemed in exchange for practical favours. Perhaps you could offer to help them record a self-tape, volunteer to step in as a reader or take their headshots -it’s up to you! Why not take it step further and create your own voucher on Canva for free?

INVEST IN THEIR FUTURE



11. Give the Gift of Fishpond
Still in a gifting rut? Surprise your actor pal with a voucher for Fishpond, Ireland’s premier casting network. Our vouchers can be put towards annual memberships that will support the actor in your life, with job opportunities, resources, advice, events and much more.

Merry Christmas from the Fishpond Team.