GOV.UK ensures that UK government digital services are on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even on Christmas day.

You may be surprised what advice and information you can find, and what government services you can use over the festive period:

• when you light your nativity candles, be careful – read some fire safety tips for the festive season

• driving to visit family for Christmas? Make sure your car is taxed. In 2013, over 8,000 people applied online for car tax on Christmas day

• if it’s snowing or there’s ice, find out which roads your council will grit

• finding out where the roadworks are to improve your Christmas travel plans

• support British farmers by eating a genuine British Christmas dinner

• need a last minute gift idea? How about a personalised number plate?

• Christmas Eve is the most popular day to propose. Are you planning to use the day to pop the question?

• do your tax return. Up to 1,773 people completed their tax returns online on Christmas day last year

• find out what your Christmas bin collection dates are for all that wrapping paper

And finally, if you keep reindeer, there are deer keeping rules you must follow, even if you only take them out for seasonal work once a year!