HAVING moved from Adelaide a few years ago, I really miss the big, chaotic family get-togethers around Christmas.
Thankfully, we’ve met some fantastic folks here on the Central Coast, who’ve adopted us into their families.
Last weekend, with salad and toffee almonds in hand, we arrived at a friend’s annual family Christmas do. It was just like being with our interstate family – there were double-cheeked kisses and plates of food as far as the eye could see.
Baby’s were handed around and every generation was represented, even Santa popped in, although he did leave slightly soggier than when he arrived; which is what you get when the children get given water pistols as presents.
It’s so easy to get caught up in lists of things to do at Christmas time.
It might sound cliched, but my friend’s family dinner reminded me Christmas should be the season to give and to take a moment or two to enjoy the good stuff.
Our surrogate family, Greek might I add, does it so well with an open house, full of love and food, fun, laughter – and water fights.
Munching down on my third helping of the family’s special dish of spanakopita, while simultaneously giving Uncle Claude my toffee almond recipe, I thought how lucky I was.
I watched my 11-year-old eat five mince pies in as many minutes – at any other time of the year I’d be saying no more after two. But hey, there’s enough fruit in them to be healthy, right?
We left several kilos heavier than when we’d arrived, with smiles on our faces and a real sense of the Christmas spirit.
I believe friends can be just like family and family members can be like long lost friends, and whether your ideal version of Christmas is a snag sandwich and a cold beer in front of the television with your cat, or paper hats and bad jokes with people you see once a year, there’s much to be grateful for at this time of the year, and it’s a good time to share that spirit with others.
Be sure to stop and smell the pudding, and be thankful for Greeks bearing gifts.Star104.5FM morning show announcer Mandy Coolen (foto) is filling in for Rod and The Flack while they sun themselves on summer holidays.
(source: express advocate)
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