AS Christmas approaches, the problem of space becomes an issue for many families . . . what to do with the assorted fiances, extra children and various friends that are likely to show up on your doorstep. One rather clever solution . . . and a lot less expensive than booking into a hotel . . . is to check out some of the luxury serviced apartments available from Your Home from Home. These four-star Dublin properties come with 1-3 bedrooms with secure parking, broadband, housekeeping, fully fitted kitchens, security and are city-centre located. Prices start from just 99 over Christmas and New Year and they also have some pre-Christmas availability should you like to stay over for a few nights and get stuck into the Christmas shopping.

On the Lough

EVERYONE who visits Coolbawn Quay falls in love with the place and is loth to share it with others. Situated on the shores of Lough Derg, it's got everything you could want for an idyllic break, being luxurious, comfortable and intimate.

They're offering some superb breaks there at present. Go midweek and book two nights B&B and you'll get a third night for free ( 215 per person sharing, Tuesday . . . Thursday only). There's also a great Girls United package, with two nights Bed and Pyjama Breakfast and one evening meal served in your cottage, with a free minitreatment when you book any one-hour treatment at the spa.

Weekend prices are 230 per person sharing and midweek prices are 215. Visit www. coolbawnquay. com or phone 067 28158 Louis Louis WElove the Louis Vuitton city guides, which are updated every year and out this month. They look great on a bookshelf, make excellent presents and . . . this is the surprising bit . . . are actually quite useful. The Vuitton name might make you think that the guides are only for those who travel by private jet but this is real insider stuff, covering 30 cities (including Dublin) in Europe.

The opening section has vital stats about each city, the information ranges from what you might expect (where to shop designer) to the quirky (where to buy the best handkerchiefs) and did we mention already how great they look? Available from Louis Vuitton, Brown Thomas Grafton Street, 69.

Snow good

DECEMBER 16 . . . where will you be? Fighting your way through a pub? Boiling with retail rage as you survey the queue at the paydesk? Queasy after your 11th mince pie of the day? But this year could be the year when you decide to leave it all behind, hit the slopes and breathe in some crisp Alpine air instead.

Highlife is offering four days of skiing at Val d'Isere from Sunday 16 December to Friday 21 and for only 899. This includes direct scheduled Aer Lingus flights from Dublin, transfers, chalet accommodation with ski detox facilities (sauna and hot tub) food and wine, a range of 'Snowtime' programmes and an Espace-Killy lift pass. Visit www. highlife. ie for details or phone 01 677 1100.