Latest from Christmas

Meet a very brave winner

Getting the best from a cray

The executive chef of dine by Peter Gordon at Sky City answers your cuisine questions.

Sizzling festive season ahead - La Nina's gift to New Zealand

Ho, ho... ow over Christmas

Celebs spin yarns for charity

Ten well-known Kiwis have written a Christmas book to promote a ChildFund programme which lets New Zealanders give animals to families in developing countries.

The best arts books for Christmas

The sweet smell of home-made soap (+soap and lotion recipes)

Making your own cosmetics is a gift idea you've still got time to pursue before Christmas - and it could change your life.

Four of the best: Places to buy Christmas mince tarts

<i>John Roughan</i>: Turkeys are big news in silly season

Ramp signals to ease congestion during Christmas rush

Delicious beginnings (+recipes)

Start your festive day with an easy but impressive brunch.

Say it with a book

With Christmas nearly upon us, the <i>Canvas</i> book reviewing team takes the hassle out of gift-shopping with ideas for all ages and tastes.

<i>John McCrystal:</i> Holiday season marked by recurring tragedy

Chocolate roulade with berries and nut toffee

<i>Jim Eagles</i>: Unwrap a Christmas holiday bargain

If you fancy a bit of a break this Christmas but need to do it on the cheap, there are a few things you can do to help your money go further.

Meat lover's Christmas (+recipes)

Create an easy festive menu - think succulent turkey, baked ham, or sirloin on the barbie.

Movie Review: Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale

This bizarre Finnish comedy horror doesn't live up to the appealing central concept, but has more than enough points of difference to warrant interest.

James Griffin: Violent night, holy night

Among the many terrible and tragic headlines appearing in the newspapers of late, one that is not only terrible and tragic but also potentially rather disturbing leapt out at me: "Call for alcohol ban after Xmas concert ends in violence."