Christmas is coming and the free range, sustainably reared goose is getting fat. We've got lots of good ideas to help you enjoy the festive season without it costing the Earth. Have a look here, for some good ideas.

We do like our food here on Downsizer and there are many articles with great ideas for preparing for the mid-winter feast. There's a fantastic guide to making delicious hand-made chocolates, Instructions on how to make a very superior pork pie, and children will love helping with these yule logs. On the forums we've been discussing how to make stollen and debating the best way to make mince pies.

After all that eating you'll want to work it off. Here's what you can be getting on with down on the plot in December. And keep an eye out when you go for that walk after Christmas dinner, a quick forage and you might find something to eat on boxing day.

We've also had some good ideas for making gifts and some really different cards that double up as baubles.

Wherever you are, and whatever you are doing you can be sure that we here at Downsizer wish you a very merry Christmas.