Here's a round-up of some of the slightly more out-there Christmas customs.

Kiwi celebrities share their Christmas Day plans.

Offenders who get locked up for Christmas can forget about a special meal from the cops on the big day.

Santa could find himself fighting gale force winds in some areas tonight before rain heralds in Christmas Day for much of the country.

Eftpos transactions reached record highs today as Kiwi shoppers, filled with "Christmas spirit'', packed out stores around the country.

Doctor Scott Waghorn, of DentalCare West in the Auckland suburb of Glen Eden, is offering about $25,000 worth of free dental work today - for the third year running.

Pilots over Australia will be doing their bit to keep clear of Santa this evening.

It's time everyone paid more attention to the words of Christmas songs. There's a wealth of hidden meaning in the festive season's soundtrack.

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.

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

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.

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.

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