Mum's Santa stocking rule stops kids asking for expensive gifts
A mother explains how telling her children Santa only brings stocking fillers changed Christmas, reducing pressure and fostering gratitude. Discover her simple family rule.
A mother explains how telling her children Santa only brings stocking fillers changed Christmas, reducing pressure and fostering gratitude. Discover her simple family rule.
The Duchess of Sussex reveals her family's sweet festive rituals in California, including leaving carrots for reindeer, as the Sussexes celebrate another Christmas away from UK royals.
A look back at the iconic figures from film, music, fashion and literature who passed away in 2025, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton and Giorgio Armani. Their enduring legacies continue to shape culture.
An exclusive look at the 2025 spending habits of Guardian readers reveals a move towards travel, culture, and sustainable goods. Discover the data driving consumer change.
President Donald Trump has signed legislation renaming Washington's Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The move, part of a spending bill, has ignited debate over politicising cultural institutions.
The Taliban has demolished Kabul's iconic Ariana Cinema, a symbol of Afghanistan's cultural history. See the images and understand the impact of this erasure.
A writer's scathing critique of the forced frivolity of White Elephant gift exchanges. Discover why this holiday ritual of disappointment and theft should be made extinct this festive season.
As Britain's first musically-trained PM since Heath, Keir Starmer must move beyond talk to rescue a cultural sector crippled by funding cuts and inequality. Will he seize the Hodge report's blueprint for change?
A new survey reveals millions of Brits are breaking Christmas dinner traditions with chips and baked beans, but Londoners cling to Yorkshire puddings. Discover the festive food revolution.
Explore the fascinating history of the Christmas tree, from Roman Saturnalia to Norwegian church floors. Discover how the Norway spruce became a festive staple and its surprising practical uses.
German journalist Carolin Würfel explores why a simple greeting causes national anxiety, linking it to history, language, and a fear of superficiality. Discover the cultural roots and the hope in younger generations.
The National Museum of Libya in Tripoli has reopened with a lavish ceremony after 14 years of civil war closure, aiming to foster unity and showcase the country's rich heritage. Discover the treasures inside and the challenges that remain.
Discover four ingenious Elf on the Shelf pranks from a creative mum, plus a time-saving app that uses AI to create magical elf scenes for your children.
Actor Jonathan Groff shares how performing on stage transformed his relationship with his stammer, offering an inspiring story of personal and professional triumph.
Discover an immersive cultural holiday with Sweden's Sami people, learning ancient reindeer herding skills. Book a unique Arctic adventure for 2025/26.
For decades, a bizarre rumour claimed European women visited remote Ladakhi villages seeking 'pure Aryan' babies. We uncover the imported myth's impact on the Brokpa people and their fight to reclaim their true identity.
Discover the standout films, books, and music from past years that captivated UK audiences in 2025. Our critics reveal their favourite hidden gems.
The Guardian wants to hear from UK readers about their 2025 Christmas plans. Are you embracing the festive season early or holding back? Share your story and thoughts on the holiday spirit.
London's iconic but bewildering Barbican Centre is set for a £451m renewal. The project will tackle leaks, poor signage, and maze-like layout to create a fully accessible cultural hub by 2032.
As Moldova begins EU accession talks, a shift from dry bureaucracy to cultural outreach—from influencer pie-making to pan-European TV—could be key to building genuine solidarity and identity.
The UK government is asking the public to nominate traditions like cheese rolling and Burns Night for UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list. Submit your ideas by February.
Food writer Yasmin Khan faced legal threats over her cookbook title 'Sabzi', a common word for vegetables across South Asia. Her case highlights wider issues of cultural appropriation and trademark overreach in the UK.
Margaret Atwood, Ian McKellen and Richard Branson lead a global call to free imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti, echoing the campaign that freed Nelson Mandela.
A rare 1899 wax cylinder recording of Palawa woman Fanny Cochrane Smith singing in a lost Tasmanian Aboriginal language has been preserved. Listen to this vital piece of cultural heritage.
A six-year-old's 1883 letter to Santa, found in newspaper archives, shows children's festive wishes haven't changed in 140 years. Discover the origins of this UK tradition.
A decade-long struggle with reusable advent calendars reveals the impossible quest for fairness, festivity, and usefulness. Discover why one parent now starts planning in July.
Discover the quirky festive rituals of Guardian writers, from ice-skating at Hampton Court Palace to 'intermittent wrapping' and bizarre mermaid ornaments. Find your new Christmas tradition.
A community choir in Coffs Harbour performs 'Black Smoke' in the Gumbaynggirr language, a powerful act of cultural preservation. Discover how music is reviving Australia's First Nations heritage.
Discover how the Gumbaynggirr Giingana Freedom School is revitalising language and culture, with student attendance soaring above the national average. Read the inspiring story of its community.
Discover the most unique and artful Christmas presents for 2024. Our guide features a Traitors cloak, Britpop Trumps, a Gilbert & George swear box, and more quirky gifts for the culture lover in your life.