Cash only? Cards only? I went into a couple of establishments recently, and they both proudly boasted their preferred payment method as if it were a moral imperative. It got me thinking: which way is the better way—card or cash? So, Ronster, what’s your preference? These are the sorts of pointless questions that keep me awake at night!

Here’s another thing. Sunday is the dreaded Fahrplanwechsel —the changes to bus and train timetables that regularly occur at the end of the year. I’m not going to go through the changes here—in fact, I haven’t even looked. But it is a good idea to check your regular routes just in case there has been a change. There is nothing worse than waiting in the cold for a tram that will never arrive—like I have on numerous occasions.

Have a great weekend, and…

Give my love to the city.

It’s a funny time of year this. There is plenty going on but most of it involves Christmas and i’m pretty sure you already know about the Illuminarium, the Wienachtsdorf and all the other Christmassy things that are already in full swing. But there is still a few gigs, a party and, of course, a shopping opportunity.

Friday: Etherial Electronica with Natascha Polké

Saturday: Party on the move with «The Tram»
Sat & Sun: More Shopping Ops At Tanzhaus
Sunday: Keep on running at Silvesterlauf
Sunday: Porridge Radio play Mascotte

A deeply intimate and highly cinematic documentary featuring the Dalai Lama, who offers practical advice for navigating the 21st century's challenges and shares his timeless wisdom on achieving inner peace and happiness. Now in theaters

London is a tough city to live in but Natascha Polké cut her teeth there, holding a residency in the legendary Roundhouse. Since then she’s brought her etherial electronic sounds, haunting vocals and dreamy compositions back to Switzerland, performing at some major festivals and in Hive, a club i’m sure you all remember fondly, if hazily! This Friday Natascha is hitting the stage at Exil so get your tickets in and get down there.

I know this sounds weird but felling a tree had been on my bucket list for a long time, and this year, i finally satisfied my inner lumberjack. Armed with an axe, plenty to drink, and accompanied by a colleague, I headed to one of Zurich's Christmas tree plantations to fell my own Christmas tree. After a sweaty 15 minutes (which felt more like 45) and with 10 blisters on my hands, I proudly shouted, «Timber!»

If you’re wondering where and when you can try your hand at cutting down a tree in Zurich’s forests, or where you can rent one or have it delivered to your doorstep, here’s everything you need to know.