The interplay between fragrance and memory prompts powerful emotions. Every season leaves a scent trail, but perhaps none more so than at Christmas.

Isaac Sinclair, Ecoya's New Zealand-raised, French-trained, Brazilian-resident perfumer, answers Viva's questions about home fragrance.

Well folks, it's that time of year again! The Christmas season is upon us. Often a confusing time of the year for those visiting the Southern Hemisphere.

Eating may be cheating a lot of the time during the year, but not at Christmas when it's open season on treats. And let's pretend New Year's Day, with its pesky resolutions, isn't just around the corner.

Retailers are in a Christmas sale free-for-all with only 15 days left to the 25th.

Auckland police were last night investigating the kidnapping and abduction of a woman at the ever-popular Christmas in the Park.

Six-year-old Elise Paki hopes her cat-and-dog inspired Christmas tree impresses Santa more than his usual milk and cookies.

Thinking of putting a Tablet in the kids' Christmas stockings? Who better to test these gadgets than those who have them on their wish list.

Timelapse footage of the building of Te Papa's festive Gingerbread House. Video courtesy of Te Papa.

Grease stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John debut the music video for their new Christmas song, I Think You Might Like It.

Santa Claus? No grown-up believes in him any more! And yet, even the adults can be seen standing reverently when visiting Santa's office in Finland.

It's Hansel and Gretel's dream come true - a 1.8m-tall edible gingerbread house.

Christmas shopping made easy with Sam Judd's top ten gift ideas that are both easy on your wallet and on the planet.

Meet Carl and Maureen Seaward of Shands Rd, Prebbleton (Canterbury); they have spent the last four years collecting over 300,000 Christmas lights and have them on display for the folks of Christchurch to enjoy. With the city having a tough time over the past couple of years, they want to 'put the christmas spirit back into everyone'.

The nativity at Rotorua Hospital chapel has its most important member back - baby Jesus.

Members of the public attend the launch of the Telecom Christmas tree at Auckland's Victoria Park. The 27-metre high Christmas tree, made out of 375,000 lights will be lit from dusk 'til dawn, until Boxing Day.

From Christmas carols in a cave to stand-up paddle boarding Santas, Danielle Wright goes in search of some Christmas cheer.