Ah Christmas.

There is something magical about this time of year, I think it is because it is a forced pause in the madness that is my life. A day when the world stops, even just for a day - and family comes together. 

And Christmas in Central is just that bit more special - lake time, leftovers on the BBQ, late night strolls looking at the Christmas lights.

Growing up, Christmas was a three day affair - and a lot of time spent in the car. 

Christmas Eve in Invercargill with my Grandmother where we decorated her blue Christmas tree and drove around town to see the lights. Christmas morning my siblings and I would try to sneak into the lounge to see what presents awaited us, before we piled into the car to go to Dunsdale Picnic area near Hedgehope for a Christmas picnic with all of the cousins.

There we would jump in the swimming hole and play swingball - even when it rained (it was Southland after all.)

Christmas Day at the lake has become a family favourite.

Then once we had stuffed our bellies and were about to succumb to our food comas, we would be bundled into the back of the car to head to Roxburgh where we would spend Christmas dinner with my Dads side of the family.

Boxing day was Christmas 2.0 with the rest of the family arriving for lunch together. The cousins would open presents and whatever the weather, the slope of the lawn was perfect for afternoons on the slip n’ slide, followed by sneaking berries from Grandad Jim’s garden and walks to see the Roxburgh Christmas tree lit up on the hill.

It was quintessentially Kiwi and something I look back on with fondness.

Today Christmas looks very different.

My children are (almost) grown, so plans are made around their summer work schedules, and we stay in one place rather than spending hours in the car. The lake and BBQ’s still feature - still very Kiwi - but it is a smaller and more relaxed affair.  

We have started our own traditions - chocolate dipping pretzels and making mint slice truffles with the kids. Anyone who knows me well understands that’s as domesticated as I get - but it's also become a core memory for our kids.

Chocolate dipped pretzels are a Christmas tradition.

However, I am really aware that my experience of Christmas, past and present, is not the same for everyone.  

I have heard it said your experiences are amplified at Christmas - sense of community, hope, laughter. That’s great but what about those experiencing loneliness, sadness and financial struggle?

Whatever Christmas looks like for you, my hope is it is a day where you experience joy, peace and community. A day where you can put aside things that may be weighing on your mind and take a moment for you. It may be as simple as dipping your feet in the lake, reading a book in the shade (fingers crossed the forecast is wrong!) or wishing your neighbour or friend a Merry Christmas.

We would love to see and hear how you celebrated Christmas this year - email us your photos and captions to [email protected] by 6pm on Christmas Day - don't forget to tell us where you are and who is in the photo (first and last names) and they may feature in our Christmas Day wrap on Boxing Day.

Here at The Central App the team are taking a well earned break - we have already prepped some stories for the holiday period and some of us will be popping in from time to time for a story or two.  The full team will return on January 6.

But don’t worry about missing out on important or breaking news, we’ve got that covered with some of our amazing wider team still on deck.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and safe and happy New Years.

From The Central App team.