Here are 16 important things I learned this year. Actually they are not all important or even new, but I'm a slow learner, writes Deborah Hill Cone.

The SantaCon annual event occurs worldwide in more than 300 cities in 44 countries. Here are some pictures of punters partying in their Santa get-ups.

Sports books are a great Christmas buy. Andrew Alderson and Dylan Cleaver, two great devourers of the genre, offer 11 good reads (and one not so good) for this year.

Ben Crawford's ideas for stylish design presents you can gift to loved ones (or yourself).

Christmas spirits remained high at the Big Man in Red's party last evening - even without the traditional beers and wines.

Danielle Wright meets the people behind the businesses swapping the silly season for their busy season.

Guys, do you plan to propose to your loved one on Christmas Day?

A DIY approach to gift baskets will save you money this Christmas, writes Susan Edmunds.

Parks, beaches and swimming pools were packed as sunseekers made the most of balmy temperatures across the North Island yesterday.

Stocked up with Santa hats, blankets and hot chocolates, we brave the wet weather for a Christmas Lights tour of Auckland.

Tens of thousands of eyes will be on 6-year-old Hannah Underwood tonight - but she isn't nervous.

A decision to ban alcohol from this year's Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park has been applauded by alcohol watchdogs and received strong public support.

Aucklanders are queuing for up to seven hours for food parcels from the City Mission, as donations run thin.

12 ways to stop going over the top at Christmas.

It's Christmas and that means our supermarkets fill up with lots of lollies. And we buy them to ensure our homes are havens of sweet treats for our visitors over the holiday season.

It appears Victoria Beckham is so enamoured with her designer pumps, she can't even be parted from them even when climbing a ladder.

Self proclaimed "talented" and "handsome" bartender, Guy Jacobson, will be chatting online on Friday, December 13 at noon.

"Another Ef-Finn Christmas Party?" That's one suggestion that comes up as Liam and Neil Finn discuss their forthcoming charity show.

When a school netball coach had kids turning up to trials in bare feet, she knew she had to do something.

One of the best bartenders in the country, Guy Jacobson, reveals to Live & Style Editor Nicky Park the best drinks to mix during various silly season festivities.

Such were the worrying levels of goodwill to all men and women evident in Parliament yesterday that National's Anne Tolley felt obliged to remark upon it, writes John Armstrong.

Baaa-humbug. A fall in lamb numbers because of the worst drought in 70 years may result in higher prices for this year's Christmas roast.

Drivers who crash on open roads during the Christmas and New Year holidays are more likely to be injured than at other times of the year.

Christmas for many people is about spending at shopping malls and giving presents. But for other families it can be the hardest time of the year.

Shoppers descended on malls all over the country yesterday as the Christmas rush began.

Music, dancers and the jolly man in red attracted thousands of families into Wellington's inner city streets for the city's Santa Parade this afternoon.