Merry Christmas!

’Twas the lead-up to Christmas, and all through The Big Issue, we’re celebrating the season with warmth and Big Wish Yous. Melbourne vendor Con is our cover Claus, helping to spread the joy of The Big Wish You: an annual compilation of vendors’ messages of gratitude, reflections on the year that was, and their hopes for 2025. Across an extra eight pages, it’s an edition packed with stories capturing every facet of the most wonderful time of the year – Scrooge himself couldn’t resist.

More highlights in this edition:

• From Xena: Warrior Princess to wildlife warrior activism, Lucy Lawless reflects on growing up in New Zealand in her Letter to My Younger Self.
• In the ultimate musical test of father–son bonding, Art Garfunkel Sr and his son Art Jr reconcile their tastes for an eclectic new covers album.
• Stars Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult sink their teeth into the Gothic desires of revamped vampire movie Nosferatu.
• In her annual Christmas column, Melbourne vendor Mariann B ponders the importance of perspective – especially in the wake of open-heart surgery.
• In The Big Picture, photographer Paul Zizka shows a badass Santa climbing, skating and conquering the Canadian Rockies in his spare time.
• In Tastes Like Home, MasterChef’s Simon Toohey suggests a saucy, savoury veggie centrepiece for your holiday table, in the form of his fabulous-looking Stuffed Whole Pumpkin.
• And in Ozzities, we’re serving up a slice of Pavlova: that fluffy, delicate dessert designed for holidays Down Under. Just don’t tell New Zealand.