Latest from Christmas

Girls in hospital after crash kills mum

Gift ideas that give

Christmas isn't just about grabbing at a huge pile of presents, it's also a great time for giving, or buying "good" gifts - the sort that make the world a better place.

Tail end of Cyclone Evan to whip Northland

Northland is in for a drenching this weekend, as the remnants of Cyclone Evan brush the country.

Wet, hot and humid Christmas

Cyclone Evan's going to put a bit of a dampener on Christmas - it's likely to be wet, hot and humid. The remnants of the tropical cyclone which hit Samoa and Fiji are set to reach New Zealand around Christmas Eve.

Herald on Sunday editorial: Whatever you get, you just have to love it

Christmas always proves the adage: it is easier to give than to receive. Not that giving seemed easy this week as we searched the shops for something loved ones would like.

Paul Thomas: After the gloom, a special day of joy

Getting into the Santa spirit pays off for retailers

Festive lights, Christmas trees, a jolly Santa waving you in and carols can be the magic formula for retailers trying to lure shoppers in and seal a deal.

Shoppers break out the plastic

Consumers cutting loose after a year of watching their wallets is one reason for a huge increase in Christmas spending, according to the Retailers Association. Paymark said just over $3.2 billion went through its network between Nov 30 and Dec 20.

Herald on Sunday editorial: Judge right on tougher line

This Christmas, more alleged criminals will be in jail awaiting trial than in any previous year on records supplied by our prisons. The number has steadily increased since this Government came to power, to a estimated 1671 this week.