It’s official – Christmas Day is just five weeks away! For those of you who still believe, that means Santa will be shimmying down your NZ Christmas chimney in only 35 sleeps – but fret not if you’re feeling a little disorganised.

Whether you’ve had your Christmas shopping sorted for months or you’re still deciding who in your family will be hosting the typical NZ Christmas dinner this year, NZS.com has you covered with a whole host of great Christmas ideas and tips to help you save money at Christmas and make the most of the holiday season.

The Christmas holidays may still be some weeks away, but office Christmas parties are already in full swing, which may mean participating in a little “secret Santa” shopping at the last minute.

If hitting the mall and finding some great Christmas gifts and the best toys for Christmas is your next priority, consider doing some of your shopping online to reduce your stress and help you avoid impulse purchases.

As for the silly season and Christmas Day traditions, why not get in to the spirit of things by sending out real Christmas cards (not emails), or by baking up a storm with some delicious Christmas recipes? And if you’ll be celebrating a Christian Christmas with the family this year, you could even get together with members of your church to sing some traditional Christmas carols at a local rest home to spread some holiday cheer.

Of course, the Twelve Days of Christmas doesn’t start for another couple of weeks so you’ve still got a little time up your sleeve to hang your Christmas pictures and sort your Christmas trees and decorations.

Good luck with your NZ Christmas planning! Be sure to keep checking NZS.com as more Christmas articles, hints and planning ideas are added over the following weeks.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, so make your Mum feel extra special this year with the best gift you can give.
Yes, it may be cheesy, but the gift of time will truly be the most valuable gift you can lavish on your Mum this year.
There are endless options when it comes to spoiling mums with flowers, lavish meals, pamper packages and gifts, but as long as you schedule some time out with your Mum on May 9 she’ll be delighted.
If the weather permits, why not try celebrating Mother’s Day with a special picnic with all the trimmings at the local botanical gardens or park?
Or organise a day of cinematic fun at home, watching a selection of her favourite chick flicks from the comfort of the living room with a bag of hot popcorn at the ready. If you’re unsure which films to choose from, have a look at our tried and trusted ideas for Mother’s Day DVDs to get you started.
If you want to add a little something extra to make the day all the more special, you don’t have to spend huge amounts of money. Just remember the perfect gifts for Mother’s Day are always personalised, and as unique as your special Mum.

Welcome to 2008!

The beginning of a new year often spurs us to set goals and challenges to achieve over the coming months. With human nature being what it is, many new year’s resolutions are steady favourites. This might be the year you plan to:

• Find a new job – a change in career can provide new challenges, a change of routine and a potential change in life direction. Browse New Zealand job vacancies online to plan your next career move.

• Get in shape – improving your fitness is great for body and mind, and is achievable for everyone. Find your local New Zealand gym for fitness classes, personal training and more.

• Quit smoking - it’s definitely a worthwhile challenge, improving your health and reducing your risk of cancer, heart disease and other medical conditions. Wherever you are in New Zealand, you can get help and support to quit smoking.

• Buy a house – it’s a dream shared by many; if buying your first home or moving to a new home is on your agenda for 2008, shop around to find the best of New Zealand property and local real estate in your area.

• Plan your financial future – whether it’s spending less, saving, or better managing the money you do spend, the new year is a great time to set some financial goals. Talk to a financial planner for sound advice on making your money work for you.

• Find your perfect match – if you’re looking for love, the new year can be a great to time to reassess your priorities; Are you making an effort to meet new people? Do you take enough time out from your work schedule to socialise? Can you meet people through your interests or hobbies? You may get lucky in love on one of the many popular New Zealand dating sites online.

To make sure your new year’s resolutions stick, define the practical steps you’ll need to take to reach your goal and keep a record to act as a reminder throughout the year!

Hark the Christmas angels sing!

It’s that time of year again. Almost. When trees are brought inside and decorated with shiny baubles and lights, when Christmas carols are played on repeat, when children leave cake out for Santa, and Christmas gift shopping pushes us to the edge. Oh, and the birth of Jesus the saviour is celebrated!

To help you make the most of the Christmas holiday season, we’ve got everything you’ll need for Christmas:

• Christmas gifts – how to shop for the perfect gift, including a top ten of festive pressies.
• Christmas trees and decorations – how to bring Christmas cheer to your home.
• Christmas carols – how to find a local Christmas carol sing-along, plus some alternative Christmas songs.
• Christmas recipes – how to wow your guests with your Christmas baking skills.
• Christmas holidays – how to escape the madness of the silly season during the summer holidays.
• Christmas parties – how to be the host with the most for your Christmas shindig.

We’ve got the holiday season covered, so you’ll be at your stress-free best to enjoy time with family and friends.

Twenty-six days to go!