Get to know the Christmas tree

At this time of year the word goose has certain connotations and, even if it's on the menu, don't forget its living kith and kin. Buy birdseed for the post-Christmas-dinner walk. Stale bread is a poor substitute, but if it's all you've got, soak it before you go feeding. Hungry birds will gobble up more than is good for them and dry bread swells up and causes tummy ache.

A sign of the ...