Traditions are comforting, but as Danielle Wright discovers, sometimes a break from tradition is what makes a day special. Here are alternative Christmas menus to consider.

Jana Gallagher, 16, and Rochelle Sanderson, 15, were making the most of the summer sun at Takapuna Beach yesterday.

Volunteers, good preparation and a cool head vital in getting Christmas Day meal to 2500 City Mission diners.

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.

Paymark figures show shoppers spending up large as malls brace for last-minute Christmas splurge.

$10,000 donation will be used to buy new bicycles and safety gear for Mangere resettlement centre project.

December has so far seen spending growth unseen for several years, Paymark says.

A traditional festive feast connects a family to their heritage, writes Sonja Srzich.

Finding space for all the Christmas guests is never easy – even in a mansion like the Queen’s estate at Sandringham.

Nick Grant finds Christmas TV a mixed bag.

Most of the country is in for unsettled, cooler weather on Christmas Day as a wet front makes its way up the country.

The key to taking the stress out of last-minute Christmas shopping is planning well and taking your time, an expert says.

Airport charity will help 20 Mangere College students to do an outdoor pursuits course.

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.

Luxury cars with eye-watering price tags are on Christmas shopping lists for NZ's uber-rich.

The Herald on Sunday chats with three Kiwis about their very different Christmases.

A former chef has cooked up a big-hearted scheme to provide free Christmas lunches for the needy.

'Tis the season of comfort and joy. But if your weekend is looking crazy, uncomfortable and joyless, here are our tips for de-stressing.

Christmas photo calls are a little different when you are a member of the Royal NZ Navy's operational diving team.

The week before Christmas is the busiest at Auckland Airport. We spend 24 hours at the entry gate, witnessing the drama.

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.

`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.

Men spend far less time choosing gifts, apparently. Here's some advice to help them on their way to gift bliss this Christmas.