Latest FromChristmas
![Tills jingle ahead of shop rush](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Tills jingle ahead of shop rush
Paymark figures show shoppers spending up large as malls brace for last-minute Christmas splurge.
![Halberg dream boosted with donation for library](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Halberg dream boosted with donation for library
Sir Murray Halberg had a vision in 1963 of a New Zealand where all children could participate in sport - even if they were physically disabled.
![Christmas spending up 6.9 percent](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Christmas spending up 6.9 percent
December has so far seen spending growth unseen for several years, Paymark says.
![ACC warns of Christmas dangers](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
ACC warns of Christmas dangers
Safety shouldn't be thrown in the bin with all the used wrapping paper, warns ACC, after 3500 people were injured during last year's Christmas Day.
![Sonja Srzich: A Croatian Christmas (+recipes)](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Sonja Srzich: A Croatian Christmas (+recipes)
A traditional festive feast connects a family to their heritage, writes Sonja Srzich.
![Queen's cramped Christmas](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Queen's cramped Christmas
Finding space for all the Christmas guests is never easy – even in a mansion like the Queen’s estate at Sandringham.
![Breathe deeply before last big shop](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Breathe deeply before last big shop
The key to taking the stress out of last-minute Christmas shopping is planning well and taking your time, an expert says.
![Big hopes for teenagers on skills course](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Big hopes for teenagers on skills course
Airport charity will help 20 Mangere College students to do an outdoor pursuits course.
![App to track Santa's journey](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
App to track Santa's journey
Santa Claus's journey to New Zealand from his home in the North Pole can be tracked on Christmas Eve via a free mobile device application.
![Christmas just another day](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Christmas just another day
The Herald on Sunday chats with three Kiwis about their very different Christmases.
![A big boy's toy from Santa](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
A big boy's toy from Santa
Luxury cars with eye-watering price tags are on Christmas shopping lists for NZ's uber-rich.
![Christmas lunch for those in need](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Christmas lunch for those in need
A former chef has cooked up a big-hearted scheme to provide free Christmas lunches for the needy.
![Rainbow of emotions at arrival hall](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Rainbow of emotions at arrival hall
The week before Christmas is the busiest at Auckland Airport. We spend 24 hours at the entry gate, witnessing the drama.
![Road toll heads for lowest in 60 years](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Road toll heads for lowest in 60 years
The road toll is set to be the lowest in more than 60 years if drivers pay attention and behave themselves on the roads over the Christmas period.
![Chill out ahead of Christmas](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Chill out ahead of Christmas
`Tis the season of comfort and joy. If your weekend - and next week - is looking crazy uncomfortable, here are our tips for de-stressing. Take things down a notch. Breathe.
![S/He Says: How to buy your partner a present](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
S/He Says: How to buy your partner a present
Men spend far less time choosing gifts, apparently. Here's some advice to help them on their way to gift bliss this Christmas.
![Minimising festive food waste](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Minimising festive food waste
This Christmas we want to love food and hate waste. Check out our favourite leftover recipes and share your own idea.
![Cash thrills budget service](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Cash thrills budget service
It's the busiest month of the year for the Mangere Budgeting Services Trust, with extra food hampers and Christmas parcels to arrange.
![Shelley Bridgeman: Five Christmas gripes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Shelley Bridgeman: Five Christmas gripes
Because there's no fun in a truly cheerful lead-up to the 25th we've assembled a selection of gripes for the so-called festive season.
![Gore District Council staff recreate iconic Love Actually scene](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=791)
Gore District Council staff recreate iconic Love Actually scene
Gore District Mayor Ben Bell and staff recreating iconic Love Actually scene. Video / Gore District Council