With up to two weeks of holiday time to kill this Christmas, you may be wondering how best to fill the days either side of the main event. Well, wonder no more, because we have a stocking-load of idea

Whether winter-faded ferns, the spindly harvestman or the tyrannical stare of an irate chicken, through-lines from the prehistoric to our modern age are all around us in November, says John Lewis-Stempel

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Round our way, Christmas Day is a right dog’s dinner

I’VE had an idea!” Amanda charged into the living room, shiny brown ponytail swinging. “Oh, no.” Dylan, his bearlike frame packed into an armchair, slid down an inch. Ignoring his reaction, she pointe

The best… Christmas presents for £50 or under ...