Suddenly everyone is talking about saving money. It’s like some hidden phenomena that non-one has discovered-until now. We have the stern-faced dour politicians telling us what is good for us. Save, spend, save, and spend, er, no better save….sorry! All at once the people who scorned the pound shop are battling to the check out with their half price Woolie’s sale bags. The stampede is on for a cheap, if not so cheerful, Christmas. Nerves are jarring, tensions are fraught and the usual holiday season excitement is replaced by easily rattled shoppers obsessively watching the interest rate. Even Bing is dreaming of a ‘tight Christmas’. (more…)

Winter. Magical and melancholy, especially when Christmas is stretching its tingly icy fingers towards you. It’s a magical time for children full of excitement and dreams of Santa, but the adults seem to see it as drudgery and extra work. (more…)