If you haven't sorted your Xmas selections yet you may be starting to panic about finding the perfect present for each person on your list. Go easy on yourself by simply buying a gift set.

Two personal finance companies - one of which charges over 500 per cent interest a year if loans are not paid back in two weeks - are in a High Court stoush over a super hero logo.

Christmas can be one of the most dreaded times for women and children affected by domestic violence.

Performing school productions and shows in front of their home town has always been something youngsters in Queenstown have loved to do.

Police are urging people to be responsible at work parties after a Hamilton woman bit off another woman's fingernail at a Christmas drinks function.

Okay, woohoo! We're into the last shopping week before Christmas, but I'm not panicking, I've been pretty well organised this year. Online shopping is a marvellous thing.

This will be my last column before the end of the world. With that in mind, I've decided to divide this one up into three sections.

Sheila Hussona's family set up foil balloons to welcome family flying in from Qatar at the weekend.

Women heading back into the workforce after a long break and worried they have nothing to wear to a job interview are getting a boost of confidence from the team at Dress for Success.

Kiwis are flocking to the shops to stock up for Christmas, with eftpos spending up on last year. Westfield spokeswoman Deb McGhie said it appeared shopping centres were busier this year than last - though they wouldn't know for sure until next year

Kiwis will be able to fire up the barbecues and set up the cricket sets this Christmas, with sunny weather forecast for much of the country. WeatherWatch.co.nz has today released its Chrismas Day forecast, which predicts high temperatures and sunshine

Serves 12. 1 ripe pomegranate. 2 fresh papaya (paw paw), nice and ripe. 9 kiwifruit peeled and thickly sliced. 1 pineapple, cut into 1cm chunks. Trifle sponge, bought or made.

Christmas shoppers are being tempted with offers of "interest-free" cash loans before an interest rate in excess of 500 per cent kicks in.

Toast slices of day old bread, one side only. The bread needs to be reasonably rustic, eg, a country style loaf. Slice strawberries and pile these on to the untoasted side of the bread. Sift a good amount of icing sugar over the fruit.