A. England B. Germany C. America D. Sweden A. Dasher B. Donner C. Cupid D. Blitzen A. Seven years B. 18 years C. 25 years D. 39 years A. A sprig of holly B. A bell C. A cherry D. A coin A. Norway B. Finland C. Sweden D. Denmark A. 8 B. 9 C. 10 D. 11

A wealthy widow restores a local landmark and lives Feel-good fiction is welcome in this often rather frazzled, final month of the year and The Phoenix Ballroom is a sweetly gentle read that very much delivers. It’s about a group of characters who a

It was a grand night of dazzling bling and posh frocks – literally! Former Spice Girl Victoria Beckham, 50, and husband David, 49, were among the guests at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Amir of Qatar, 44, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher,

During Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s years living overseas, Christmas was the time he and his family looked forward to the most, when they’d make their annual pilgrimage home to Christchurch. Swapping the freezing Northern Hemisphere winters for

The table was groaning with goodies for siblings and co-authors Dolly Parton, 78, and Rachel Dennison, 65. The pair’s new book, Good Lookin’ Cookin’: A Year of Meals, includes more than 80 cherished family recipes. Sporty royal Zara Tindall, 43, brav

SERVES 10-12 PREP + COOK TIME 3HOURS (+ COOLING TIME) Olive oil spray, for greasing Cornflour, for dusting, plus 1 ½ teaspoons extra 8 egg whites, at room temperature 1 teaspoon cream of tartar, plus ½ teaspoon extra 2 cups (440g) caster sugar 2 teas

7PM, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, SKY OPEN Twelve-year-old Mikey is cynical about Christmas. Then one day, he finds a Santa who has fallen out of his sleigh, while another Santa appears carrying a bag of stolen money. Mikey wants to get his hands on the cas

Wicked fever is sweeping the globe, with the long-awaited movie breaking box office records on its opening weekend. A prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the film tells the backstory of how the Wicked Witch of the West became an evil sorceress. Fans have

… of a KitKat Cabin! A clever take on the classic gingerbread house, this kit includes everything you need to build your own house of sweet treats, including chocolate bars, chocolate melts, Smarties and more. Available from Woolworths, New World and

It’s been a year none of the Wales family will forget, mostly for traumatic reasons. So the Prince and Princess of Wales are planning a magical Christmas that their children will remember as being happy and festive. Kate, 42, is going all out to make

I’m just home from emceeing a long lunch featuring former UK prime minister Boris Johnson. I’m in a kaftan, my bra is off and I’m out of my crippling high heels and into my Birkenstocks. Utter bliss! I know I said I wouldn’t wear high heels again aft

Life has changed a lot for Hamish Williams in the last 15 years. Back in 2009, he was just establishing his career as a freelance journalist and often struggled to pay his rent. When he was offered a gig doing social media for a new weekly late-night

If you have complicated feelings about Christmas, take heart in knowing you are not alone. You don’t have to be a full-on Grinch to feel triggered by shopping mall carols and incessant reminders to have a very merry Christmas. Even without years of t

Let me start by wishing you the happiest of festive seasons. The build-up every year is manic, isn’t it? Here’s a recent story that’s funny on reflection. Linda and I had been travelling lots, going to shows and Christmas functions. We were tired. Bu

It’s the Christmas gift that just keeps on giving. Every year, while All I is Want for Christmas You puts us in a festive mood, Mariah Carey sits back and watches the dollars flood into her bank account. The song – which is 30 years old this

● Winning letter I can only feel admiration for Dame Judi Dench as she celebrates her 90th birthday! The “What’s precious at 90” feature (NZWW, December 9) highlights her outstanding career, her great sense of humour and the enthusiasm to carry on

Outsourcing everyday decision-making to others, such as which movie to see, to maintain an easy-going demeanour. You’re more likely to agree with, or acquiesce to, others, even if it means suppressing your own feelings or beliefs. Prioritising the ne

SERVES 25 PREP +COOK TIME 1HOUR 45 MINUTES 1 ½ cups (330g) brown sugar 1 cup (250ml) maple syrup 1 ½ cups (375ml) apple juice ½ cup (125ml) apple cider vinegar 1 teaspoon smoked paprika 2 star anise 1 cinnamon stick 4 cloves 1 sprig fresh bay leav

If people-pleasing were a Christmas gift, it would come wrapped in a colossal bow. The obligatory hosting, tightly scheduled toasting and frenzied splurging can inflate the pressure to please to grand proportions. By the time the new year rolls aroun

Paul Henry’s parenting ethos has always been to “keep the magic in their eyes”. So now that his youngest daughter Bella and her husband Julyan Collett have welcomed twin sons, Walter and Darcy, into the world, it’s fair to say that philosophy will ra

● Craft ice-block sticks in two lengths – 6 longer craft sticks and 24 shorter length ● Ruler and pencil ● Hot glue gun ● Testpot brush ● Testpots in your choice of colours – we used Resene Half Pohutukawa and Resene Red Herring Use Resene FX Me

At a recent birthday party, my eight-year-old grandson played me an instrumental rendition of Happy Birthday on his guitar, which lasted so long, I thought we’d still be listening as my next birthday rolled round. Still, he played with commendable co

Like many sevenyear-old girls, Aimee Vienings loves horses, singing, reading and writing. The busy Marlborough youngster, the middle of three girls, also dreams of receiving a drum kit or a pony for Christmas. But for years, she would have struggled

If your daytime festivities are taking place outdoors, keep your ensemble lightweight and functional. The jolly red Bermuda shorts and loose-fitting top are a cotton-blend. Just add sunscreen! For an evening soirée that could end in a dance around th

In the past year, Jaedyn Randell has gone from teaching high school by day, while dreaming of a music career, to taking the stage for The Voice Australia finals with millions of viewers watching at home. It’s been a whirlwind of success for the 23-ye

This week, it’s been a year since I gave up alcohol. And without wishing to tempt fate, it’s been pretty easy. I can only recall being tempted a couple of times – once when I was travelling for work and broadcasting my radio show from the town I was