Having given up his time free of charge for the Auckland City Mission Christmas lunch each year, Mr Mariassouce says it's no big deal.

Kiwis are flocking to the shops to spend up big. Figures released by Paymark show the electronic payments provider has had its biggest weekend this year.

Do you think it's ethically okay to tell your children the Santa myth? Moral Psychology lecturer Jared Piazza writes the verdict.

Around the country tills rang during what was the busiest weekend of spending in the year so far.

Here are our Christmas gift guides to inspire you to get the last things on your list ticked off.

Warwick Gilmour talks about being in the Christmas Tree business and gives a few tips for maintaining the tree this festive season.

Sooo. How's your Christmas sparkle?

It is four days to Christmas and the tills are ringing as last-minute shoppers dash to buy presents.

Kiwi shoppers are spending up large in the lead-up to Christmas, new figures reveal.

There's still time to empty wallets and fill stockings, writes Russell Blackstock.

The New Zealand Breakers have helped slam dunk the Christmas blues for Kiwi families in need.

Just five more sleeps. Four working days. Christmas cannot come soon enough.

Christmas is my favourite holdiay and has been the most consistent good-time festival day I can remember, Kerre writes.

From mall to shining mall, Steve Braunias goes on a journey through seven Auckland malls in one day in search of the spirit of Christmas.

The Manukau East Council of Social Services is helping their local elderly residents by providing a weekly shuttle service to their township.

Ho. More and more reports come in from New Zealand that little Johnny hasn't been a good boy this year.

Church bestows message of hope, peace, joy and love.

For such a small country New Zealand does a lot of things well. Christmas isn't one of them. It's too bright, too hot, too ... not Christmasy.

It's a big step in a small person's life - going to school. For some it's traumatic, for others just overwhelmingly exciting.

Shelley Bridgeman explains why babies are not presents and wrapping yourself up should only be done under certain circumstances.

This silly season, take the opportunity to not waste money on gifts that harm the environment. Here are my top ten suggestions for gifts that keep on giving without a big footprint.

Motivating young people is the name of the game for a charity whose work aims to encourage children to be the best they can be.

Readers from around the country have shared pictures of their Christmas lights - which are rivalling Auckland's famous Franklin Rd display, now in its 20th year.

Many children heading to school each day may worry about their homework or having the latest toy to show off to their friends.

A strange thing happened a week or two back, when I was fossicking around for an interview with some former refugees.