Who shrunk the Griffin’s Sampler box? Rethinking a Christmas favourite - Kim Knight

Kim Knight joined the New Zealand Herald in 2016 as a senior lifestyle journalist. She holds a master’s degree in gastronomy and prefers a krispie to a pink wafer. LIFESTYLE OPINION Towards the end of any given calendar year a reporter’s thoughts turn to lists.

From now until the resumption of normal January transmission, many column centimetres will be devoted to explaining the year you have just endured. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, and if you’ve yet to read a power ranking of those times it’s only because an editor has yet to assign it. Least loved and most loathed.



First rate and third rate. Best television shows, novelty socks and sunscreen. Worst Christmas songs, shopping malls and advent calendars.

One November I was instructed to phone 15 famous people including the Prime Minister and ask: “What is your best advice for last minute gift giving?” I have been a little bit afraid of Helen Clark ever since..