The Monocle Minute

We’re all obviously up to our walnuts – or baubles – in seasonal vibes but fear not: all hands on the good ship Monocle are very much living the glad-tidings dream. However, even in these bedecked halls, there can be pushback on Christmas music. “Ha, bumbag!” (as the skiing fraternity has it). So why are Christmas songs so contentious? Sure, the hackles of the innocent shopper might legitimately be raised if they’re blasted by Mariah’s two barrels in early November. But from then on it’s open season in retail land – as the jingle of a bell surely eases the Amex from its cosy hearth.

Aside from timing, people can of course be sniffy about the artistic merit of seasonal songs. Apart from John Denver’s twee-yet-depressing “Please Daddy (“Don’t Get Drunk this Christmas)”, 99 per cent of Christmas songs are fun, light and camp – ’tis not the season for Radiohead, so God rest ye not-so-merry music critics. There’s Cliff Richard and Little Big Town to celebrate the Christian story; over there – at least in the UK – are East 17, the bad-boy ghosts of boybands past, doing snug seasonal soppiness; and front and centre are Bublé and Mariah, Gaga and Cher driving their one-horse open sleigh at breakneck speed into a blizzard of perfectly serviceable Yuletide schmaltz. Artists know that putting jingle bells on pop music instantly takes their creation into a frivolous realm, even if their lyrics are singing the blues. There’s much to admire in the belief that, to quote Paul McCartney on “the meaning” of The Beatles in the mid-1960s, “Culture? It’s not culture! It’s a good laugh!” (And Saint Paul is a better artist for recording the Frog Chorus than not, despite its shitness.)

If you’d like to dive into the musical spirit of the season, tune in to a full rundown of this year’s festive pop, on Monocle on Culture (clearly soon to be renamed Monocle on a Good Laugh?) where renowned music lovers lower their guard to let in the magic of the season. So don’t stand in the kitchen at the Christmas party: embrace the Bublé. Poor chap comes but once a year.

Robert Bound presents ‘Monocle on Culture’ on Monocle Radio. For more opinion, analysis and insight, subscribe to Monocle today.

The timing and the circumstances of Chrystia Freeland’s shock resignation as Canada’s deputy prime minister and finance minister on Monday could not have been worse for prime minister Justin Trudeau. The resignation was published just hours before Freeland was scheduled to deliver the government’s autumn economic statement and has further roiled Trudeau’s already fragile premiership. It is a political loss that Trudeau can ill afford, particularly as voter confidence in him is already low.

The challenges facing the country are pronounced, from a swelling public deficit and a wide-ranging investigation into foreign interference to Donald Trump’s tariff-happy incoming administration, which already has Canada in its sights. Trudeau has fended off attempts to bring his government down in the recent past – and he might succeed in doing so again: there is a general sense of unease surrounding the populism of his Conservative opponent, Pierre Poilievre. As a former high-school drama teacher, Trudeau should have a better sense than most of when to bring down the curtain. As calls for his resignation grow louder, many will think that the time has come.

Japanese car manufacturers Nissan and Honda are in the early stages of merger talks. If successful, this new-look company would be worth $52bn (€49bn) and the world’s third-largest auto group by vehicle sales. It is perhaps the biggest public declaration – or admission – of the challenge to Japan’s stature within the global auto industry. The aim? To compete with makers of electric vehicles (EVs) around the world, particularly China’s BYD.

Earlier this year, Nissan and Honda had already established ties by creating a strategic partnership for EV and battery technology. While an official deal is yet to be announced on the merger, expectations are already high: Nissan’s stock rose 23.7 per cent after closing in Tokyo on Wednesday. Critics have expressed concerns about the potential for significant job cuts and whether this merger has been born out of necessity, rather than desire. One thing is certain, however: the two companies need to decide which road to head down – and fast.

Gallic gastronomy is a cornerstone of France’s cultural heritage but it’s the restaurants’ washed-up utensils, silverware and cookware that are currently luring eager gourmands from across the country. As part of the La Vaisselle des Chefs (chef’s tableware) scheme, Michelin-starred institutions are converting their crockery into collectables at recurring markets in France’s major food hubs, from Lyon to Bordeaux.

Those with a penchant for affordable porcelain can find everything from the late chef Paul Bocuse’s coveted truffle-soup bowls to starter plates from the restaurant of Georges Blanc, the world’s oldest Michelin-starred establishment. It’s part and parcel of the French attitude to elegant tablescaping but it’s also an eco-responsible solution to the industry’s waste problem. The next market is slated for February 2025 in Paris – perhaps it’s time to bowl over guests at your own table.

This friendly fish-shaped piece is a reinterpretation of one of French silverware maison Christofle’s 19th-century masterpieces. The original was rendered in bronze, enamel and glass – but the modern reissue offers a sleek update on the design, which is made entirely from silver. As a decorative piece, it will certainly add some French flair to your festive table this winter. christofle.com

We discuss the 10-year long development process behind the world’s first inflatable cycle helmet and how Ventete spotted the cultural shift toward active, eco-friendly commuting. Plus: how to stay ahead of trends in 2025 from business to travel and hospitality.