This is my last day in the office until New Year, so I’ll only be blogging if something really big happens. In the meantime, here are a few scientific Christmas events around town, to get you in the festive mood…

The World of Chocolate
22 December, Natural History Museum, 12.30 pm
Like one of Homer Simpson’s daydreams, botanist Vilma Bharatan explores the land of chocolate. More prosaically, learn about the botany, history and medicinal properties of the cacao tree, before consuming unfeasible amounts of the brown stuff over the festive period.

Will it be a White Christmas?
23 December, Natural History Museum, 12.30 pm
Doubtful. But come along and here the tricks of the forecasting trade from the Met Office.

The Natural History of Reindeer
28 December, Natural History Museum, 12.30 pm
The science behind Santa’s pets. Questions that need to be asked: how do such wingless mammals overcome gravity, and how does Rudolph produce sufficient red fluorescent protein to power his nasal navigation?

Grand Christmas Steam Up
29 and 30 December, Kew Bridge Steam Museum
The Victorian pumping station works up a full head of steam. Learn how to relieve pressure, if you’re about to boil over through entertaining relatives this Christmas.

Have a merry Christmas everyone.