Christmas rang in quieter for The Warehouse Group as sales for the period were flatter than expected.

Total sales and same store sales for the nine weeks ended January 3, 2010 were both flat on the same period last year, which was also then described as "relatively flat".

Group chief executive Ian Morrice said anticipated sales growth over Christmas did not eventuate and the company believed it was indicative of the overall non-food retail market.

Private Bin strode up to the High Court at Auckland this morning, bluetack in hand, ready to whip its tired and tatty Christmas decorations into shape.

But lo! Turning into the foyer it found the tinsel had been pinned in place and order had been restored.

And there in the entranceway sat the little Christmas tree that could, returned to its rightful place within the halls of justice.

Bless.

As lawyers and registrars go about their daily business in the High Court at Auckland, a little tree waits.

Five days after the staff soiree in the court’s old building, tinsel still decks the empty hall, tables remain pushed into corners, and a lone Christmas tree stands forlorn, its star drooping like the tail of an abandoned donkey.

A toy manufacturer is claiming his toy will decrease childhood obesity and encourage children to play outside instead of playing video games.

Brett Gifkins spent 10 years and $300,000 creating a toy he hoped would increase activity amongst children. But the toy is not a silver bullet to weight loss, it will need to engage children and keep them more entertained than video games in order to work.

Good news for those hammered by the recession- the cost of a hearty Christmas feast has dropped slightly after years of inflation.

To “mark the festive season” Statistics New Zealand has estimated the cost of traditional and barbecue Christmas dinners for a family of two adults and two children.

The cost of each meal has been estimated using prices collected for the November 2009 food price index, and costs have been compared with prices for November 2008, 2007, and 1999.