With the festive season upon us for another year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics has released some interesting facts and figures on some of our Christmas characteristics.

In 2008, Santa will visit 3.2 million Australian families with children under the age of 15.

The same week that the Federal Government promises to halve homelessness in Australia, comes the news that a property owner group in Stockholm has promised to provide apartments for homeless people.

The Swedish Property Federation (Fastighetsägarna) in Stockholm has signed an agreement with Stockholm city council covering the provision of 100 apartments spread across the city.

Christmas celebrations making you want to escape?  If you're feeling the need to separate yourself from the family or housemates, a US firm can ship an instant wall system to you in just a few days.

Made from recycled, coloured cardboard, the Nomad partitioning system is designed to quickly assemble into free-standing sculptural screens, temporary partitions and display backdrops without hardware, tools, or damage to existing buildings.

The modules can be arranged in either open or closed configurations - you decide the degree of privacy and permeability needed.

When you're pulling down the Christmas lights this year, take a few minutes to stand back and see how others view your home from the street.

If you are unimpressed with the front entrance to your house, chances are your visitors will be too. So it could be time to make some changes.