65 m. ago Woman shares her 'genius' Christmas wrapping hack — and it can be done sat on the sofa

Saskia Manning-Bewley shared her tip, which has been hailed as a "game changer", in a video filmed at her home in Bristol ahead of the Christmas period this week

Politics

77 m. ago UK retail bloodbath as 74,000 jobs gone in 'record low' 2025

It's traditionally the time of Christmas shopping - but retail bosses say the number of jobs in the sector is at a record low, with 74,000 lost in a year and more than 300,000 gone in the last decade

Events

87 m. ago Whatever the circumstances, the joy of sending Christmas cards is something to treasure every year

Annual ritual is no laborious task to tick off a To Do list but a treat to be savoured

Politics

88 m. ago Match the celeb to the panto – and other puzzlers in our bumper Christmas culture quiz

From corny adverts to snowy murder plots, test your knowledge with these seasonal questions• In the mood for more? For all our crosswords and sudoku, as well as our new football game, On the Ball, and film quiz, Film Reveal, download the Guardian app. Available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Continue reading...

Politics

88 m. ago Toy touts, random spins and frantic bidding: the murky side of live auction site Whatnot

Quickfire lots fuel a booming business, but critics condemn gambling-style features and popularity with ‘scalpers’Christmas is fast approaching, the shopping days are ebbing away, and in one corner of the internet, the rush to grab highly prized Pokémon trading cards is boiling over into a competitive frenzy.“Got any cheap Mew?” asks one buyer, deploying the frantic tone of an addict, albeit one craving a rectangle depicting a creature from the all-conquering Japanese media franchise. Continue reading...

Politics

89 m. ago What to watch over Christmas and New Year, from Amandaland to Anaconda

At home and at the cinema, this Christmas is a feast of comedy, drama, competitive ping-pong and Tom Hiddleston. Ellie Harrison and Adam White have picked the highlights

Politics

89 m. ago This Week in History: Blizzards, hijackings and the loss of a princess

From power struggles to global crises, explore how major events between 22 and 28 December were captured on The Independent’s front pages

Politics

99 m. ago Matalan shoppers race to buy 'perfect' for Christmas Day dress for just £2.44

It can be worn on its own or layered over jeans, leggings or tights

Economics

1 hour ago Paramedic's desperate plea as she endures chilling death threats at Christmas

Emily Jackson, a paramedic of eight years, often questions whether it's worth staying in the position due to the harrowing death threats and vile abuse she suffers

Events

1 hour ago Best books to gift (and gift again) at Christmas: The Independent newsroom make their picks

When you give someone a book as a gift, what you’re really giving them is a few hours of pleasure. Indy staff share their trusted literary gifts this Christmas

Politics

2 h. ago We must stop big Cranberry Sauce’s reign of terror over Christmas sandwiches

Thick, sweet layers of the stuff is overpowering the high street’s Christmas sandwich offerings. Is it a coincidence? A terrifying cran-spiracy? Either way, Isobel Lewis wants cranberry sauce dead

Events

2 h. ago Kelly Osbourne on how death of Black Sabbath legend Ozzy killed 'person she was'

Kelly Osbourne is preparing to spend her first Christmas without her father Ozzy Osbourne and said the festive season will never be the same again for the family - even though he was 'scrooge'

Events

2 h. ago Christmas is a season for forgiveness. But is saying ‘sorry’ enough? | Fatma Aydemir

In Germany, the neo-Nazi terrorist Beate Zschäpe has made a public display of her remorse – but remains silent on key aspects of her crimesIt’s a strange season to talk about forgiveness. While streets glow with fairy lights and shop windows promise that compassion is only a gift-box away, Germany is once again confronted with the unresolved wounds of its recent past. The trap of the season is this: believing that every gesture of regret must be met with mercy. As if forgiveness was a resource available to anyone who is reasonable enough to move on, no matter how atrociously they have been treated.It is certainly not that simple for the families of the victims of the National Socialist Underground (NSU). During the 2000s, the neo-Nazi terror organisation killed 10 people, nine of them immigrants, mostly small business owners, and one policewoman. Because investigators focused on probing the victims’ families and communities rather than on Nazis, the NSU was able to continue murderin...

Politics

2 h. ago My weirdest Christmas: I took a family friend to A&E – and he went from peaky to barely responsive on the way

He insisted he was OK, but he didn’t look it, and when he tried and failed to eat Christmas lunch we knew it was time for a mercy dash to hospitalOur family friend has always been a larger than life figure. Witty, unsentimental – and not one to say no to another brandy. At family parties, he’s the one gossiping about the latest scandal to catch up with a local MP, or regaling us with tales of the outrageous philandering of various Sheffield Wednesday players over the past 40 years. He could make anything – a jacket potato, a broken relationship – funny, somehow.We would often spend Christmas morning with him and his family, before going our separate ways. But, one Christmas, about 10 years ago, when he was supposed to be meeting family abroad, he fell down the stairs, whisky in one hand, suitcase in the other, and broke his ribs. The hospital had patched him up and told him not to fly. So, here he was back with us in Sheffield, making the best of it, but looking increasingly peaky. ...

Politics

2 h. ago Where will be open on Christmas Day? Fun things to do if your family doesn't celebrate

The vast majority of Brits will be celebrating on December 25 this year - but that doesn't mean those who don't tend to observe the day are left without any activities

Politics

2 h. ago NHS warns Scots that their Christmas dinner could see them end up in A&E

Dr Claire Harrow said: “When things get hectic, accidents can happen in seconds. We’re asking everyone to enjoy the celebrations but take care, especially in the kitchen.”

Events

2 h. ago Health expert warns Scots when to seek help as flu season grips the nation

A GP has shared which symptom of flu should be the trigger for you to seek medical attention.

Events

3 h. ago Member of 'worst gang in world' who Trump called 'sick and deranged' handed 1,300

A member of the notorious MS-13 gang member has been handed a huge sentence of more than 1,300 years for murders, extortion and other crimes - and he's not the only one facing long jail time

Politics

3 h. ago Pep Guardiola refuses Christmas request from Man City players after West Ham

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was so unimpressed with the 3-0 win over West Ham that he refused a request from the squad.

Sport

3 h. ago Princess Beatrice 'to snub' Andrew Windsor this Christmas as Eugenie faces similar dilemma

Princess Beatrice has reportedly chosen a third option rather than spend Christmas with dad Andrew or take up the invitation from King Charles to enjoy the festive period at Sandringham

Politics