Christmas is always an expensive time of the year but in the midst of a global recession, we are all feeling the pinch a bit more.

Countless parties, demands for the latest games console or hot new toy and pressure to make the day perfect mean its impossible to get through the holiday season with your bank balance unscathed.

Earlier this week, charity Save the Children warned that hundreds of thousands of Scottish families will fall into debt to make ends meet this year.

So the Glaswegian took to the streets to find out if people in Glasgow have cut back on their spending in the run-up to the big day.

Glasgow's 2014 Commonwealth Games is hoped to be the biggest event the city has ever seen.

But organisers have admitted this week that the cost has shot up by £81million, taking the total bill to £454 million for taxpayers.

Are Glaswegians still behind the Games despite the shortfall?

Next week marks the annual date we always remember - the 5th of November.

In recent years, it has become known more for rogue fireworks being set off by youths and photos of horrific injuries to people and pets as a warning to play it safe.

But should shops be stopped from selling fireworks and leave the colourful explosions to organised events such as the annual public display on Glasgow Green? David Andrew, 49, a joiner from Partick, said: "I just think organised fireworks events are safer. I go to them myself, usually.

"Fireworks are too dangerous to be sold to the public. Too many children are getting their hands on them.

"And they're better when organised anyway."

Readers have their say in swine flu after first fatality

Swine flu rocked Glasgow this week after a city woman became the first person in Europe to die from the virus on Sunday.

Jacqui Fleming, 38, of Carnwadric, gave birth prematurely more than two weeks ago and had underlying health problems when she was admitted to Paisley's Royal Alexandra Hospital.

The first death from swine flu comes after the number of people contracting the virus soared dramatically. But many people remain divided as to just how serious the pandemic really is.

We find out why people voted and why they didn't

LESS than a quarter of Glaswegians bothered to cast their votes in the European Elections.

The world of politics has been rocked in recent months with revelations of MPs claiming extravagant expenses and questions raised over the leadership of the Labour Party.

But this week's European election results showed only 23.9 per cent of Glaswegians bothered to vote.

Westminster MPs scandalously milking lucrative expenses, the House of Commons Speaker forced out and the Government arm twisted by Joanna Lumley to let gallant Gurka soldiers live in Britain.

Is it any wonder Tory leader David Cameron is demanding an immediate General Election to clear the air of a stinking smell of sleaze polluting Parliament in London? Prime Minister Gordon Brown said such an election would lead to chaos particularly if the Tories won. But would a General Election really be the disinfectant to sanitise Westminister? We asked people in Glasgow if they wanted an election now expecting a tumultuous "Yes".

The Squiggly Bridge - the latest crossing over the River Clyde - was formally opened to the public a week ago.

This unique S-shaped crossing was designed to link Tradeston on the south side of the river with the International Financial Services District and the city centre. It has already proved a big hit with pedestrians and cyclists thanks to its striking design and improved links. But some have criticised the construction as a waste of cash when pedestrians could easily use the nearby George V bridge to cross the Clyde. The Glaswegian took to the streets to ask visitors and residents what they thought of the newest addition to the Clyde.

Award-winning Crosshill service is hailed by locals

It's hardly surprising that Crosshill was named Scotland's "Best Town and City" post office judging by the reaction of its customers. The Glaswegian quizzed six customers about their local Post Office and everyone gave it both thumbs up. Locals admitted they were also pleased just to have access to a nearby post office following a wave of closures in recent years.