Christmas
Scrooge would have approved of all the killjoy science geeks who dare to question the existence of Father Christmas, heartlessly apply logic to illogical festive traditions and generally destroy the innocence and magic of Christmas. And despite 25 December really being a pagan celebration of the winter solstice, adopted by early Christians we still like getting lot of lovely presents! No "Bah, humbug!" here!
World’s weirdest: Meet the Christmas tree worm, the creature covered in feeding tentacles
Meet the bizarre underwater worm that looks like a Christmas decoration and sees through its gills.
11 totally ridiculous high-tech gifts billionaires can buy this Christmas
From personal aircraft to sports teams, here’s what billionaires will be buying each other this Christmas (with some more modestly priced alternatives for the rest of us).
The science of sales: how to survive Black Friday with change in your pocket
With the annual buying bonanza in full swing, Hayley Birch has scoured science journals and sought advice from a psychologist to help you shop smart.
How to prime your hunger hormones to avoid over-indulgence this Christmas
Breakfast or no breakfast on Christmas day?
James Webb Space Telescope: Make a DIY ornament for your Christmas tree
Download our free templates and make your own JWST ornament!
Could anything really make Rudolph’s nose glow red?
It's not impossible...
Follow Father Christmas around the globe this Christmas Eve with NORAD’s Santa Tracker
The North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating the 65th Anniversary of tracking Santa's annual yuletide journey.
Christmas with the in-laws: A psychologist shares practical tips to minimise stress during the holidays
Affective labelling and scheduled escapes: the psychological tactics you need for a merry (and sane) Christmas.
The ultimate Christmas gift list for gadget and tech lovers 2022
Stuck for gift ideas for your nearest and dearest? We've got you covered with a selection of the hottest gadgets and high-tech goodies of this year.
DIY Christmas wreath: How to make your own Jupiter-themed garland
Pick your favourite planet and turn it into a wreath!
Quick science-backed tips to improve your Christmas cocktails
Dr Stuart Farrimond explains how to add a simple splash of science to your festive drinks.
How to build the ultimate snowman, according to science
Not all snow is created equal.
Left Christmas too late? Here are the best sub-£50 gifts to fill a stocking
Christmas is rapidly closing in but there is still time to secure some last-minute presents if you've been putting it off.
Is it healthier to eke out my Christmas chocolates, or eat them all in one massive binge?
Go on, treat yourself.
Could you cook a turkey by dropping it from space?
Oven decided to break on Christmas Eve? Desperate times call for desperate measures.
Seven tips to make your Christmas greener
A poll by WWF found some 64 per cent of UK adults who celebrate Christmas will try to be more environmentally friendly this year.
What happens to your body after eating Christmas dinner?
One Christmas meal could fuel a 1.7-day hike in the Himalayas - that's a lot of calories to burn!
If you ate your Christmas chocs too quickly and swallowed some foil, would you die?
Couldn’t even wait to rip off the shiny wrapping and consume the chocolatey goodness beneath? It’ll be ok, hopefully it will ‘pass’.
Why do Christmas crackers go bang?
Crackers: the only time you can have family fun with gunpowder in the home.
How tall can a Christmas tree grow?
The 'Christmas Tree' can refer to various different species of tree, but which of these is biggest?
How fast would Father Christmas have to fly to visit every child in the world?
It's no small feat to travel 160,000,000km, to visit 200 million children, in 800 million homes, in only 34 hours... Luckily Santa has magic on his side.
How to keep Christmas fun: Best games to play virtually
Here’s how you can keep the fun in Christmas, even if you have to keep your distance.
Bah, Humbug! | Why positive thinking is overrated
Practising positivity isn't all it's cracked up to be - in fact, sometimes it's worth introducing a little pessimism into your life.
A scientist’s guide to life | How to survive a hangover
As the party season enters full swing, University of Bath health Psychologist Sally Adams explains how to survive the repercussions after a night of drinking.