CHRISTMAS
There ’ s nothing like the festive season for bringing families and friends together . Whether it ’ s a barbecue by the beach or gathering round a dinner table laden with all the treats and trimmings , everyone celebrates Christmas in their own special way .
intouch Magazine has taken a sneak peek behind the Santa stockings of a few of the region ’ s most well-known residents to find out just how they plan on making merry this Christmas .
JOEL GRIFFITHS
The former Newcastle Jets striker and Golden Boot winner made the dream of every Hunter football fan come true when he helped his teammates clinch the 2007- 08 A-League title . Now he spends his time making Hunter homeowners happy after swapping the football field for life as a mortgage broker with Aussie Home Loans , The Junction .
Where do you celebrate Christmas and who do you celebrate with ? What is a traditional “ normal ” Christmas Day for you ? This year we will spend Christmas in Brisbane , most of my family live up there and we normally take turns , this year it is their turn . Normal Chrissy would be around family , opening presents and eating way too much . Love it . Turkey and ham are the mainstay Christmas meats - which do you favour and why ? Wow , that ’ s a tough one , I can ’ t neglect either of them , it ’ s a dead set dead heat .
What else is usually on your Christmas menu and what is your favourite festive food to indulge in ? Prawns are a must , must leave some room for dessert , though , not fussy when that comes around . Do you have any particular Christmas family traditions ? Santa makes a surprise entry , I ’ ve been in that suit before but will think twice pending the Brisbane weather . What ’ s either your 1 ) most special OR 2 ) craziest ( you choose ) Christmas memory ? Most special would be spending Christmas with your kids for the first time , nothing beats Christmas morning when they run into your bedroom at first light yelling “ Santa has come .” If you could make any changes to Christmas traditions what would they be ? Compulsory that you leave Santa a present . If you could invite one extra guest to Christmas this year - who would it be ( dead or alive )? It would have to be the birthday boy ( Jesus ), I would throw him one hell of a birthday bash .
Lake Macquarie City Council Lord Mayor Councillor KAY FRASER
This will be Cr Fraser ’ s first festive season wearing the Lord Mayor ’ s robes after she was voted into the top job at Lake Macquarie City Council during the September Local Government elections .
Where do you celebrate Christmas and who do you celebrate with ? What is a traditional “ normal ” Christmas Day for you ? We rotate
Christmas celebrations around the homes of family members – this year is my turn to host . It is a very traditional sort of Christmas . This year we will have four generations represented , with my grandchildren and two of their great grandparents . Turkey and ham are the mainstay Christmas meats - which do you favour and why ? We have all the traditional meats and trimmings and they are all lovely – but I don ’ t think you can go past ham as a Christmas treat . What else is usually on your Christmas menu and what is your favourite festive food to indulge in ? We all contribute to lunch and my Chinese sister-in-law , Ying , always brings something a bit different and non-traditional to the table , like spring rolls or Asian fritters . Her dishes are always fresh and delicious . And my Italian mother-in-law , Dea , is a fantastic cook . Her tiramisu and rice salad are to die for . Do you have any particular Christmas family traditions ? We like to play darts and cards after lunch or have a round of Balderdash .
What ’ s either your 1 ) most special OR 2 ) craziest ( you choose ) Christmas memory ? About 10 years ago we had a Christmas lunch at my house where all of my siblings were present . I am the youngest of five , and we are all scattered now – two are in living in Queensland and one in Sydney – so it is difficult for us all to get together at Christmas . That was a very special year . If you could make any changes to Christmas traditions what would they be ? I wish there was less pressure to buy presents and spend money and more emphasis on families and loved ones being together and reconnecting . Exchanging gifts is lovely , but it shouldn ’ t be the focus of Christmas and buying presents certainly shouldn ’ t cause hardship and stress . If you could invite one extra guest to Christmas this year - who would it be ( dead or alive )? I think it would be nice to have the opportunity to welcome someone into your home who didn ’ t have family or friends to share their Christmas Day .
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