15 h. ago 10 Christmas books to try this December including an 'absolute must

Christmas books are the perfect thing to read at this time of the year, but it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily for you, the 'best Christmas book hands down' has been named

Politics

36 h. ago Received an unwanted gift? Here is your failsafe guide to how to respond | Polly Hudson

Remember the protocol everyone must follow: look convincingly happy and never say what you actually think about a disappointing presentTo paraphrase George Michael, last Christmas my friend gave her sister-in-law a book. The sister-in-law opened it, immediately said, “Oh I’ve already got this,” and handed it back. If you just winced, you are correct.Common decency dictates that you gratefully receive a jumper, making multiple exclamations of how thrilled you are, even if you’re wearing an identical one as you open it. The very next day, you give it away. That’s how it works, and why charity shops are inundated in December and January. This is the season of goodwill, not honesty – white lies are so festively appropriate, they’re the colour of snow. Ho-ho-hope you kept the receipt, said no one ever. Continue reading...

Events

56 h. ago David Walliams makes sad Christmas confession in rare family insight

David Walliams has a new Christmas book out this year which is inspired by his son

Politics

60 h. ago Best days to book cheap Christmas holidays as experts say there's still time

Travel experts say it's not too late to book a Christmas getaway and save money as you can cut costs by up to 24% on flights

Science

60 h. ago Eight free and £1 days out for millions on Universal Credit in December including Christmas at the Tower of London

CHRISTMAS is an expensive time of the year - but making the most out of days out with the family doesn’t have to break the bank if you get benefits. There are many free and discounted tickets available for anyone on Universal Credit - whether you are into museums, historical landmarks and even zoos. We’ve...

Economics

3 d. ago Community outraged after California high schoolers form a human swastika

A student at a San Jose high school posted a photo of eight students lying in the shape of a swastika on a football fieldA photo of eight students lying in the shape of a swastika on a high school football field in San Jose, California, has caused shock and outrage among the Bay Area Jewish community.A Branham high school student posted the photo to social media on 3 December, and included an antisemitic quote from Adolf Hitler in the caption. A screenshot of the post began circulating on Reddit last Thursday and garnered over 500 comments. The post and the account were removed by Instagram by Friday morning, according to J., the Jewish News of Northern California. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago 7 Festive things to do in London in December 2025 – including a celebrity carol concert

7 Festive things to do in London in December 2025 – including a celebrity carol concert  HELLO! Magazine

Politics

3 d. ago Our picks for the best children's books to give this Christmas

Our expert children's books reviewer has selected the books your children will fall in love with this Christmas.

Politics

3 d. ago The Dead of Winter by Sarah Clegg audiobook review – haunting Christmas tales

An esoteric blend of folklore and festivity reveals the lesser known, dark side of Christmas, from horse skulls and Yule cats to Icelandic ogresChristmas nowadays tends to revolve around family, food and a furtive visit from a pot-bellied stranger down the chimney. But in The Dead of Winter, the historian and folklorist Sarah Clegg reveals a lesser known side to the festive season, unearthing unsettling midwinter traditions and stories that fell out of favour in the Victorian age.Subtitled The Demons, Witches and Ghosts of Christmas, the book opens with Clegg embarking on a pre-dawn walk to a graveyard on Christmas Eve. She is recreating an old Swedish tradition called årsgång, or “year walk”, which is said to offer glimpses into the walker’s future along with “shadowy enactments of the burials of anyone who will die in the village this coming year”.Available via WF Howes, 4hr 21min Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago The best gardening books to gift – and read – this Christmas

Whether gifting or looking for inspiration, here’s the best new titles for gardeners

Politics

4 d. ago Carole Middleton takes fashion inspiration from her daughter Kate at Christmas carol concert in a £345 version of the Princess's beloved Alexander McQueen coat

Carole Middleton took a leaf out of her daughter, the Princess of Wales' fashion book when attending her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, according to Hello.

Politics

4 d. ago Horror Aberdeenshire crash leaves two dead and four injured including children

A young man and woman have died in a horror crash in Aberdeenshire which also left four in hospital, including two schoolchildren - the devastating smash happened on December 6

Events

5 d. ago Book lovers rush to buy Kindle with up to '12 week battery life' amid 35% cut

This refurbished e-reader could be an ideal Christmas present for a loved one who is always surrounded by books.

Politics

6 d. ago Live Music Scotland: Here are some of the best gigs happening in Scotland this December – including Edinburgh's Hogmanay concert

If you have the fear of missing out, use our searchable table to find concerts happening in Scotland before the end of the year.

Culture

6 d. ago The best books to give as presents this Christmas, personally recommended

When it comes to gifts, you can’t go wrong with a good book. Here you’ll find standout titles across genres and styles, thoughtfully selected by The Independent’s culture staff to suit readers of every predilection

Politics

7 d. ago Edinburgh bookstore sells creative gifts that are ideal for book lovers this Christmas

If you want get to a gift for someone who regulary reads books, Rare Bird Books has a variety of fun ideas.

Economics

7 d. ago Aldi price matches Lidl's £11.85 Christmas feast offer as the bargain retailers try to steal a march on the 'Big Four' supermarkets

Aldi announced the cut-price deal including bags of vegetables for just 8p each will run from December 19 to 24 - copying an offer revealed by Lidl ten days ago.

Economics

7 d. ago White Christmas odds as four UK locations listed as most likely to get snow

Bookmakers have released White Christmas odds as Brits prepare for the festive season

Events

9 d. ago Children’s literary giants join forces for new Christmas tale

New story will feature in next week’s edition of The Big Issue

Politics

9 d. ago Full list of every TFL closure in December including 3 London Underground lines

Full list of every TFL closure in December including 3 London Underground lines  MyLondon

Politics