As Christmas approaches, the anticipation builds—intense preparations, gift shopping, and then there’s the parties. Amidst the rush, it's easy to get swept away by the excitement and forget the true essence of this time: being present in the moment.

On the day itself, everything can feel like a whirlwind. We see Christmas as a virtual finish line to the year and we race full pelt right up till the day. We move from one activity to the next quickly and without really thinking. But it's in the moments that the magic truly happens. Whether it’s sharing laughter around the dinner table, the warmth of a really great conversation, or the simple joy of a good hug. These are the memories that remain long after the decorations are put away.

As a child the moments I remember most were those early morning rummaging through our Santa sacks. My most memorable Christmas was when I received a Baby Alive. My own real baby to look after. I can still conjure that “new toy” smell. I have distinct memories of waiting on the front porch for my Nan and aunties to arrive. A champagne coloured Holden Torana rolling down the driveway filled with people who had nothing but love for all of us. Those people are no longer with us, but the moment is etched in my mind forever.

In our home, we have always made a huge deal of Christmas and all the traditions which go along with it. On Christmas eve, we have make a point of sharing a low key dinner at home to fill out the “Red Book”. We go around the table and each family member tells their peek and pit for the year. The thing they loved most and the hardest time for them. We set goals for the year to come and write them down and we all have fun looking at our goals from the previous year and reflecting on whether or not we managed to achieve them.

YES we still put out the Santa sacks for our children well into their 20s on Christmas Eve. Santa still comes and the reindeer take a bite out the the carrot. We do take extra care to make sure the tree, the table and all the food are as beautiful as can be and our day is filled with family and dear friends and lots of love and laughter always. Time is fleeting and I want to make every moment special.  

Being in retail I have found I do need to make a conscious effort to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. We all work right up until Christmas even so taking a breath to embrace the now is crucial. It’s a time to put down the phone, step away from the to-do list, and savour each interaction. Because it’s in these moments—full of connection and love—that we find the real spirit of the season.

Together, let’s create a tapestry of memories that remind us that the joy of this time is not just in the celebrations, but in the real connections we share.