Despite their bumbling ways, they always pulled it off. But for many of us, Christmas reminds us that chaos rules our lives: out-of-control spending, too many obligations and relationship tensions ...

What a wonderful thing it is that more cruise companies are discovering this long-neglected season: I will be using my new remedy for the chaos of Christmas to full effect once again this year ...

In stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of the parade itself, the scene on the ground was quite a different story.