A festive edition!

It seems like 10 minutes ago we were merrily swaying along to Auld Lang Syne - but it's already that time of year again! And what a year it's been - with all the economic doom and gloom, it's easy to forget all the other stuff that's happened this year. Team GB made our jaws drop with their impressive medal haul at the Beijing Olympics, everyone's mum went to see Mamma Mia! at least twice, and London got rid of Ken, only to elect that bloke from Have I Got News for You... Here at Zopa, we've had our biggest December ever (and there was us thinking we'd just get to sit around eating mince pies). We featured in The Daily Telegraph and The Scotsman - aren't we going all upmarket? We've also gone all twittery - you can follow Zopa's daily musings here. And as we're feeling all festive and jolly this month, we're even giving away £50 of M&S vouchers to our most creative reader.

Did you know... that technically, it's illegal to eat mince pies on Christmas Day? Oliver Cromwell introduced the law, and it has never been revoked.

Last month, we asked you to tell us what your least favourite Christmas song was. Paul McCartney's 'Wonderful Christmas Time' was a rather overwhelming winner, or loser, depending on how you look at it. We agree! You also told us that most of you will be tightening your belts this Christmas - no impulse buying for you lot! (To see the full results keep reading and vote in one of this month's polls) We'd like to pick your brains again this month too. Click on any of the links below to place your vote: What will you be cutting back on in 2009? - Holidays - Clothes - Expensive food - Nothing at all We're thinking of holding a party for all our members in March to celebrate our 4th birthday. If we held it in central London, would you consider coming? - Yes, definitely! - Yes, as long as it's at the weekend - Yes, if it's in the week - No, I can't get to London

Did you know... that Zopa stands for 'Zone of Possible Agreement'?
We're open to offers though, and if you can think of something better (Zany octupus plays accordion? Zombies on prozac attack?) go to our forum here and let us know.
The best entry will win £50 of M&S vouchers. Now that's worth getting your thinking cap on for!

Turn your collectibles into cash AND keep the collectibles too! Yes, really! Like eBay did with second-hand goods, Borro.com has reinvented an age-old business by making short-term loans online against the valuables you already own - including watches, jewellery, art, antiques, memorabilia and even boats and luxury cars. They use professional firms, such as Bonhams and Hatton Garden Jewellers to value your goods and then lend up to 40% of that to you for up to six months. Once you pay the loan and monthly interest back, your valuables are returned to you. Brilliant! So that autographed Harry Potter on the shelf, the Ferrari in the garage, or that Rolex gathering dust can also provide you with some moolah. And, Borro are also running a First Month Free offer, so you'd pay 0% interest for the first month of any loan issued before January 31st 2009. Time for a rummage through the attic?

This month we've got a new recruit, Julia, in the underwriting department to give poor overworked Ellis and Lisa a hand... Here's what you need to know: - She has worked and travelled in India, Pakistan and Japan - and even sampled the local delicacy of raw sea urchin. - Her favourite film is 'The Blues Brothers'. - Instead of buying clothes when she's stressed, she impulse buys house plants. - After a stressful day of underwriting, she can be found cooking and listening to Classic FM.

Did you know... that Father Christmas was originally green, to signify the return of Spring?

No, we probably won't stick to them for very long, but for all those good intentions: - Be more organised: Calendars Direct - Cook from scratch:Cucina Direct - Sort out the house: Be Direct or Space2 - Eat more healthily: Healthy Direct or Healthy Living Store - Sort out the summer holiday early: STA Travel UK or LowCostHolidays.com - Learn a new language: Linkword Languages - If you've not even thought about New Year's Eve yet: Sparkling Direct

If you'd like to be interviewed for next month's edition, or if you have any good ideas for stories, please send an email to jennifer@zopa.com