A CONVERSATION ABOUT CHRISTMAS

by Susan Davies | Photo via

What does Christmas mean to me? When I was young it was all about the presents under the tree, the games and the books. In primary school, Christmas was about singing in the school choir, acting in nativity plays and the season of advent, as we prepared for the birth of Christ. Decorating the Christmas tree was always fun; choosing the ornaments and placing the angel at the top. The Christmas day lunch consisted of turkey, pork and ham; or oysters, prawns and crayfish.

As I became older, buying presents for school or work Kris Kringles became part of the Christmas tradition. Christmas Eve in Melbourne always involved tuning into Carols by Candlelight on the TV, watching Marina Prior, Denis Walter, Humphrey B Bear, Tina Arena, Anthony Warlow, Julie Andrews, Silvie Paladino and the Wiggles; with Geoff Harvey leading the orchestra. Then we would head off to Midnight Mass and listen to the beautiful sounding church choir.

The Myer windows are a popular attraction at Christmas and the Bourke St Mall is full of shoppers peering in windows, watching buskers and searching for presents for the family, trying to decide which book, cosmetic, clothing, game or toy to get. Work Christmas parties are a time to relax with colleagues.