The End of 2008 is in sight and what a year it’s been. There’s been plenty of news to keep us all amused. We’ve witnessed some spectacular highs - Obamas speech, and enough lows to make us all more miserable than ever- yup the credit crunch.

These are the important lessons that I’ve personally learnt in 2008:

· Leaders can actually give an inspiring speech.

· Woolworth's will be dearly missed- if only for its Pick’ Mix.

· Going out to lunch is soo uncool in these difficult times. Lunch boxes are the way forward. As is knitting jumpers, drinking in the house, eating the same meal three nights in a row.. you get the picture.

· Be suspicious of anything fake, the real deal is always so much better as those who went to visit a Lapland Style Theme Park in England discovered.

· Don’t get married. A divorce gets too ugly. Just think of Heather Mills or Madonna.

· There are some lines that you can not cross as Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand soon realised.

· Don’t expect a holiday abroad this summer. Camping in the pouring rain is more popular than ever.

· Britain can actually beat Australia when it comes to sports.

· A mobile phone is a handy device to tell the world what’s going on as was seen during the Mumbai attacks.

· Be brave, go short. Well if it’s good enough for Victoria Beckham...

What lessons have you learnt this year?