The festive period is giving the Island a brief respite from the rigours of the present economic squeeze, but there is the warning that "more pain is on the way".
A major departmental reshuffle is planned for the early part of 2014.
Chief Minister Allan Bell says the only way to achieve the rebalancing of the Manx budget, forced on the Island by the cuts in income, is a painful one:
Clip 1
Commissioner 'steps away' from local authority work temporarily
Lockwood wishes to 'allow legal proceedings to run their course'
New MHKs need to talk to the public more, says commentator
Alistair Ramsay on what the electorate should look for in election candidates
No prosecutions despite food hygiene recorded breaches
Twenty businesses agreed to close to address risks
Inquest opens into 12-year-old's death
Investigations are continuing into his death