Latest from Christmas

Families reunited at Christmas: Tim and David Buisson

Auckland Airport is the scene of thousands of welcomes as Kiwis return to spend time with their families at Christmas. We present some of these magic moments.

Shelley Bridgeman: Christmas headaches and Nurofen

If Nurofen released a tablet specifically aimed at relieving 5pm-post-Christmas-lunch symptoms I'd have been an enthusiastic buyer, writes Shelley Bridgeman.

Diane Robertson: Poverty only grows despite charities' best efforts

Again this year, I can say we are seeing the longest queues the City Mission has ever seen and that we will hand out the highest number of food parcels given to families, writes Dianne Robertson.

Many hands help serve Xmas cheer in Pukekohe

Last year Alofa Glas, Jason Goodall and their extended whanau organised a free lunch at Pukekohe's Lone Star for 100 guests.

Gift will help iwi for many generations

The Te Ara Rangatu o te Iwi o Ngati Te Ata Waiohua Inc Society will receive $10,000 from Auckland Airport's 12 Days of Christmas campaign this year.

Claus and effect of tradition

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

Helping at lunch will put spring in step

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.

Ka-ching! $604m in sales and counting

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.

Kiwis splash out $225.5 million in one day

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

How to get through the last days of Xmas

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

Herald on Sunday editorial: Five more sleeps until the perfect holiday

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

Basketball: Hoop stars give families a break

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

Kerre McIvor: A day that's all about the kids

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

Christmas: Seven malls, one day, one man

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.

Shuttle bus keeps seniors on the go

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

Steve Braunias' Secret Diary of Father Christmas

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

Let your Christmas light shine on others

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

Christmas gift guide: The 'hard to buy fors'

12 items that the person with everything didn't know they wanted.