Dear Listener,

I don't know when or if Money Box has ever been broadcast on Boxing Day before - the last time 26 December fell on a Saturday was 1998 when I was on Radio 5 Live and before that 1992 when I still had brown hair. And 1987? 1981? Just don't know. But I suspect not.

This year we are on air right through Christmas with Money Box every Saturday and Money Box Live every Wednesday neatly stepping between public holidays.

But - and forgive us - although we are on air on Saturday we are not live. We will all be snuggled up with our loved ones cooking sprouts and arguing if 'biz' is allowed in Scrabble - preferably all three. Because our end-of-year special has already been recorded. So, for once, I know exactly what will be in the programme.

On Saturday you will hear me and my panel of experts discuss housing - prices, mortgages, buy to let, first time buyers, and auctions. Last year's panel will all be held to account for their predictions about 2009. And we let them stick their necks out and tell us where house prices will be at the end of 2010. Prepare to be surprised.

If you want a break from washing up you could spend a quiet half hour doing the Money Box Christmas Quiz. There are twenty fiendish questions from the Money Box Torquemadas. You could shout them out and get the whole family guessing!

After that you could move on to the alternative quiz from our colleagues on More or Less? - the programme that doesn't just like numbers, it lurves them. Half the questions but is it twice as hard?

Make sure you have finished both by the time we are on air at noon on Saturday, and repeated (again as usual) at 9pm on Sunday (longer to do the quizzes) or of course anytime on the web (as long as you need to do them both). Or download the podcast and secretly listen while everyone is watching Christmas television.

Also on our website you can tell us what you want Money Box to look into in 2010. As well as all the usual stuff like watching videos, finding out more, and reading transcripts.

Best wishes for Christmas. Back live on 2 Jan.

Paul

e-mail Paul Lewis