Holidays With Beachwalk Hop

In our house, Christmas is an especially busy time. DD#1 celebrates her birthday on the 30th December and DD#2 celebrates hers on the 23rd December. Not the best timing considering in Australia it's summer. So for the first 3 Christmases we didn't travel to family. The first year I was very large and on bed rest. The second year I was still in hospital. The third year, DD#1 broke her arm and was only out of hospital on Christmas Eve.  Given that we lived nearly 20 hours away from family at that stage, well... you can no doubt guess.

So we created our own family traditions. Ones that continue to this day. (DD#1 turns 18 this year, so they've been going a while.)

In November, I design our annual Christmas Card, order everything and cut out whatever is required. Then one night, we set up at the table and make our cards. It's precision but fun. Everyone jokes about their particular card. It's also a nice way to share the lead up to the festive season.

Last year we made these natty little Plum Pudding Cards. Alas this year, I think we may need to forgo that.

Our Christmas build up starts on the 24th, when we clean like mad things. Everything (and I mean everything) is washed and we have been known to even approach the dog with the vacuum (Just kidding!). Sides and windows sparkle like glass.

By five in the afternoon, I'm ready to settle in with a glass of wine downstairs and salad and chicken, ham and prawns. We decided many years ago that we couldn't face making a mess on Christmas eve after all the cleaning so it's throw away plates and only enough to use in one go.

The kids watch the NORAD Santa Tracker (http://www.noradsanta.org/) But by about 10.30 we all just want to go to bed. Mind you, the parents need to hang out just a little longer. Cherry Ripe, Cherries and Coke go on the side for the Jolly Father Christmas... We want him refreshed but still within the legal limit! 

Now over the years, we've found Father Christmas to be a seriously mucky man. He comes in, shedding "snow" everywhere that has magic properties... But there is a rule. Santa Sacks first, so as we settle in with coffee and glasses of icy orange juice, around the lounge, the sacks are handed out. 

We still live a long way from family, so we video the presents, talk to the viewers (usually family) and share the tidings.


For us, it's a cooked lunch of roast duck, pork and our favourite veggies. Brussel Sprouts, Potato, Pumpkin, Sweet Potato, peas and carrots. The meats Mr Nix cooks on the BBQ (I'm in charge of breakfast only... consisting of Croissants, Bacon, Eggs, Tomatoes and Fried Mushrooms.) Of course, in Australia, there are a multitude of ways to celebrate Christmas and I hope you've enjoyed looking in the window of our Christmas celebrations. 

But I can't help wondering... I wonder how Johnathon and Davina would spend their Christmas? Maybe that's a story for another day? Would they be in Paris? Or London?  It's interesting to think how the characters that we create would pass the special day? 

Anyway, don't forget to check out my latest title - In fact, if I get say 30 comments, I might write a short vignette about their first Christmas and upload it to my blog here on Christmas... as a gift to you, my readers.

A Bar In Paris

Ever considered a naughty weekend?  A “Hook-Up” with no strings?

What does a woman do when she’s turning thirty? She takes a sexy weekend trip to Paris looking for commitment-free sex. Or, that’s what Davina Chalmers does, anyway.

Enter Johnathon a tall charming Englishman. How can she possibly resist his charm and that dimple?

But what starts out as a lark quickly becomes so much more. But how does

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