Not even 24 hours after Kiwis unwrapped their annual Christmas haul, almost 8,000 unwanted prezzies are being hawked off online.

Her smile always made him happy, says the widower of Gisborne bus crash victim.

Did you eat so much food this weekend that your clothes don't fit any more? Here are some food and drinks that you can eat that will alleviate the bloat.

An elderly couple in Britain who wanted to show their young grandchildren a traditional German Christmas ended up burning their house down.

Australia's favourite bikini blogger has been mocked by fans for thinking Australians are the first to open their Christmas presents.

For some, Christmas doesn't always go as smoothly as hoped.

New Zealand Defence Force personnel in Iraq to Antarctica, and many countries in between, opened 220 Christmas parcels from the RSA today.

The two people killed in the Christmas Eve bus crash near Gisborne last night have been named, as the driver of the bus says the brakes failed.

There's no paws for Santa Claws as Auckland's cat cafe opens its doors for Christmas.

Christian leaders around the country have wished the country and their congregations well this Christmas by sharing festive season messages.

What's on the menu when, in an historic break with tradition, William and Kate spend Christmas Day with the Middletons while the other royals gather over 200km away.

An Auckland cafe is putting on a free Christmas lunch for locals struggling to make ends meet, saying that's what the spirit of Christmas is all about.

Parcels and envelopes for Bradley flooded in after a social media campaign was launched to make the football-loving youngster's Christmas a special one.

Health chiefs said 'self-isolation' would stop the spread of illness and keep the pressure off casualty units.

What will start out as a cloudy morning for most of the country should clear as the Christmas day wears on, but the odd shower is in store too.

The festive season is upon us again, and with it comes celebrations, good times, general merriment all round ... and a good deal of worrying about waistlines.

A few downpours and cooler temperatures will be lurking to potentially spoil an otherwise dry and sunny Christmas tomorrow.

It's not even Christmas yet, but Boxing Day sales are already kicking off.

Not only does Peter Tolich risk having his birthday overshadowed by Christmas every year, he also has to share it with two other people.

Ruth Spencer suggests ways of leading the conversation at the festive dinner table.

Ruth Spencer on the art of Christmas crackers.

Here are some pre-Christmas detox tips to make sure you don't pile on the kilos over the silly season.

Paul Little decided to take his wife and five kids to Paris. What could go wrong?

Christmas is the year's most important holiday for a child, as David Herkt recalls.

When your dad's birthday is at Christmas, tradition goes out the window, writes Kim Knight.

Feeding your dog a festive treat might seem like a kind thing to do during season for giving - but doing so actually puts your loved one's health at risk.

Sharon Stephenson recalls a New York Christmas where the icy atmosphere was not solely due to the winter.

At actor Will Hall's Kaukapakapa home he and his wife Sarah have both been working hard to prepare for the Christmas festivities.

The best spots for enjoying a Christmas hamper outdoors will be in the Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Central Otago tomorrow.

If you haven't done your Christmas shopping yet, there's still time - but prepare for the madness.