In this special Christmas series, we countdown the last few days to Christmas sharing some Christmas traditions with the people who work to bring together The Central App content for you. 

Rowan Schindler is one of our reporting team at The Central App, and resident Australian. 

Originally from the small, rural Queensland town of Rosewood, Rowan relocated to Central Otago for a change in lifestyle after years living and working across Australia as a print journalist. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and what Christmas meant to you growing up…

“I grew up in rural Queensland, so Christmas to me was always 30+ degree heat. Typically we would have a big Christmas Eve party with family friends and extended family, which would go well into the night. 

“Christmas Day would be typical I guess - wake up and open presents as a family while we played cheesy Christmas carols. Then we would have a big brunch, likely with more family or friends. 

“It was usually too hot outside to do anything other than eat cold food leftover from Christmas Eve. Usually there would be a pool or swimming involved.

“Christmas always meant friends and family. We would play backyard cricket and catch up after a long year. There was always an energy or smell (and humidity) in the air which really "felt" like Christmas.”

How do you usually celebrate Christmas?

“Usually with family and friends. I love the lead up to Christmas and that anticipation. As you get older though, it kind of wanes, which is really sad. I feel like I want to bring it back. 

“If I ever have kids of my own, I vow to make it a fun occasion and have as much time off as I can to spend it with family.”

Do you have a family traditional or favourite family “thing” during Christmas?

“Christmas Eve dinner and party is my family's tradition. It's a bit more "European" style, in that Christmas Eve is probably a bigger deal than Christmas Day itself for my family. 

“What has become a tradition recently is my mum's homemade cheeses - they’re outstanding! She organises them for months beforehand. 

“My parents still live in Australia so it will be difficult being away from family for the second year running.”

What are your favourite things about Christmas?

“Family and food, and all the chats and games between. It's a great chance to catch up with family after being apart for so long. 

“My parents live on the Sunshine Coast, while one brother is in Canberra and one in Brisbane. Then my sister is in Dunedin and I'm in Central, so we are all scattered. 

“I'd love to bring everyone back together again but COVID and circumstances haven't aligned up. Hopefully next Christmas.”

What does Christmas mean to you today?

“I guess it has changed over the years but it still remains to be family and food. I think it has become more of a giving time for me. In particular I try to be giving to those around me who aren't family. I'll buy my mates some beer or make that extra effort to get to an event.”

This year, what are your plans?

“This year I will spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with my partner, Beth, and her amazing family in Alexandra. They are an incredibly warm, welcoming family and their home is decked out beautifully in Christmas decorations. 

“It will be really special because it is the first Christmas spent with my partner and her family, who have become my family, especially as I now consider this my home. It’s also my first real “Kiwi” Christmas so I am looking forward to it. 

“On Boxing Day I'll visit my sister in Dunedin and spend it with her, my brother-in-law and my niece and nephew, who I haven't seen enough of. I'll try and be a good uncle and not teach them bad habits. 

“Apart from that, I will be working (news never ends) and spending as much time as I can camping and adventuring with Beth in our time off.”