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Plus some ideas for easy (and green) last-minute presents

By Julia Stephenson

I live on the King’s Road in a flat high in the rooftops next to Peter Jones.  My study overlooks the haberdashery department so every Christmas I have a bird’s eye view of the festive furore and tinsel tussling within.
 

Peering down into the congested streets below I wince at the scurrying female beasts of burden laden down beneath tons of Christmas shopping as they dodge livid 4 x 4 drivers, furious OAP’s driving tiny hatchbacks and angry white van men making Christmas deliveries.
 

I can’t help but notice that while most of the women in festive meltdown (and it is only women) look and sound just like me — even down to the precise shade of Harbour Club blonde — I am not of them at all.

The principle of the Three Truths brings into balance the material and spiritual aspects of life. But does it have a practical application to our lives in the 21st century? Eddy Canfor-Dumas explains

Fear not — help is at hand. For the GOCE satellite views Earth's gravity in high definition.

'But it's just a game!' Jason, a pale, spotty teenager, yells at his Mum.

'What kind of game keeps you awake continuously for three days, truant from school and missing all your meals?' Mum begs to know.

'But I'm competing with the top guy in the world over in Korea, Mum! He stays up for two weeks straight. I'm a lightweight compared to him, but my score's really up!

''What about your friends in the real world, meeting girls, studying for your exams...?' Mum asks.

'Oh, fuck off!' Jason's hand is glued to his console as he stares into the blipping, trippy screen.

Mum has never been told to 'eff off' by her 13-year-old son before.

Author and headmaster of Wellington College Anthony Seldon places the happiness and wellbeing of his pupils at the centre of his school's curriculum - with startling academic results

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