I am a curious little bunny and I like to know what others get up to for Christmas. I was able to catch the lovely Tania McCartney and Shari Wakefield {who you met during the Tea with JT series} as well as Ellen Harvey, Serina Huang and Kim Fischer {who contribute here on the the RiotACT regularly}. I asked them 5 Christmassy questions below. Make yourself a cuppa and come and have a snoop with me into these lovely women’s lives.
Where will you be Christmas day?
Tania–Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast. We’ll be dividing time between a beachside apartment, my sister’s house and my bestie’s house, both in the hinterlands. I can already feel the serenity and the sunshine. I’ll be mopping it up like a sponge.
Shari–I’m spending time with my family – because when all the presents have been unwrapped, turkey gobbled, wine swilled and pudding eaten, it’s family in good health that keep the season Merry and bright.
Serina–I will be in Melbourne, spending time with my Dad. I have been looking forward to it all year, but it is kind of weird like being a school girl again as I will be going from totally independent and autonomous single mother to relying on dear Dad for transport. And of course, learning to live by his household rules. I grew up in Melbourne, although moved away later, and spending the festive season there brings back so many happy childhood memories.
Kim–Celebrating a quiet Christmas at home with the kids.
Ellen–In Sydney, with family, spending a lot of time in the pool.
What is your favourite thing about Christmas morning?
Tania –Breathless anticipation. The squeaks of children. Coffee under the tree. Shiny stuff.
Shari–I love watching the joy of Christmas morning through my babies’ eyes. My eldest is really grasping the concept of Santa this year and even asked him specifically for a green bike. Last year, when we visited the Sids and Kids lights display in Civic it blew his mind. It makes you remember how amazingly magical Christmas can be when you have children.
Serina–The delight on my boys faces (6 and 3) when they wake up on Christmas morning to discover that Santa has been there. Priceless.
Kim–Watching the undiluted excitement of my children, and hoping that they will remember their childhood Christmases as happy memories of family, fun and summer.
Ellen–Eating breakfast at the table -presents are not on our minds because they’ve probably been opened, there is no stress around the ‘main meal’ of the day, and it’s not so hot that you can stand to sit still for thirty minutes to enjoy the company of the people around you.
What is the worst thing about Christmas?
Tania–The glaring absence of people who are no longer here … and really should be here.
Shari–Running out of champagne, blue cheese or fresh prawns… this will be my first Christmas in a long time where I won’t be pregnant or heavily breast feeding so I am really going to enjoy a drink or two.
Serina–Christmas Kitsch. I dislike the excess of gifts without a purpose, and the piles of wasted Christmas wrapping paper and packaging. I know that my kids will lose interest in half of the things people give them within weeks if not sooner. I try to put my value into spending quality time with them and doing things as a family rather than just ‘stuff’. They are looking forward to visiting the Aquarium, Scienceworks, playing at the local park and swimming.
Kim–Knowing that it is a day that can be painful and very difficult for many people. It is a day where feelings of loneliness can be amplified and regrets about the past can be dwelt upon.
Ellen–The stress that comes with it. There are so many balls in the air, and I am a terrible juggler.
What have you asked Santa for?
Tania –I was going to say Jo Malone but I couldn’t wait for Santa’s sleigh, so her fragrances are already in my house causing my eyes to intermittently roll into the back of my head in sheer delight. So I’ll say: rest. And the ability to eat 400 fruit mince pies without gaining a single gram. Not sure Santa will deliver on that one.
Shari–We do KK’s in my family and we all give three suggestions for the person to work with. This year I have suggested summer bedlinen, a gift voucher to Seafolly or Tigerlily so that I can purchase a new cossie, or something from Mimco {you can never go wrong with a piece from Mimco}.
Serina–Nothing! Each year my sister, my Dad and I make a donation to charity in lieu of a present. This year we are supporting #LetsGiveEveryoneaChristmas organised by Unitingcare Kippax. I helped distribute hampers last year and was humbled by the experience. Many people are doing this tough and Christmas can be an emotive time when you are surrounded by pictures of happy families eating expensive foods and distributing lavish gifts. But I AM going to lash out and buy myself a new handbag at an op shop in Melbourne.
Kim–For my friends and family to be happy, and for people to treat them with kindness and respect. Also a new hair straightener!
Ellen–I’m still waiting on that treehouse I asked for when I was eight. (Note, there wasn’t a tree in my backyard when I was eight, and there still isn’t a tree in my backyard.)
Ellen Harvey
What is one of your 2016 goals?
Tania–To continue my dedication to calm, slow living, no matter how wonderfully hectic my work and family life becomes.
Shari–To get wicked abs like you Jenny! I loved your Instagram snap shot. Umm.. your tummy is amazing after growing five amazing little ones – where are your stretch marks? Sadly, or maybe not, you won’t find be finding shots of my belly on my Instagram account – although you’ll probably see lots of food that will hinder in said ab achievement.
Serina–To pay off my mortgage by Christmas 2016. OK, a bit ambitious but not entirely impossible. Can I nominate two? I also want to get a book I am working on published.
Kim–To start running in the Ginninderra parkrun at John Knight Park. And of course, to get elected to the ACT Legislative Assembly!
Ellen–To write more for myself than other people.
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Shari has me cringing at what she wrote about my Instagram picture. I was promoting a spray tan place… I highly recommend spray tans for giving yourself a self esteem boost. It seriously slips 10kgs from your body in few quick squirts! And Serina, I am married to a mortgage broker so I am loving your goals for 2016! Go you! Tania, I am totally planning on not gaining a gram this season too. You crack me up!
What about you? How are you spending Christmas and what are your 2016 goals?
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