HB Today - Christmas in Hawkes Bay 2022

Wrapup

in Hawke’s Bay 2022

Decorations-spoiltforchoice

Everyyearweseemtopushthe boundaryjustthatlittlefurtheraway from atraditionalChristmasbutthen theclimateheredoesn’tlenditself verywelltosnow,robins, roaringlogfires andmulledwine.

Jandals,BBQs,beachesandlong,cool drinksaremorefittingtoChristmasinthe southern hemisphere.

The religioussignificance,whilecrucialto many,isbecomingmoreirrelevantandnow Christmastendsto representlongsummer holidaysandpresents.

There’sa wonderfulchoiceofbaubles, decorations,trees,andnoveltieswithboth traditionalandmorecontemporarythemes. Christmasgoodiesappearearlierandearlier intheshops whichisgreatforextended shoppingtimesbutalso abitintimidating forthosewhoprefertoleaveshoppinguntil closertoDecember25.

Choosing acolourthemeforyour decorationsisthefirststepinyourplanning. Classiccoloursare green, redandgold whilecontemporaryandtrendingcolours thisseasonaregreen, rosegoldand perhapspairedwithteal,old roseand cranberry.

Optionsfortreesrangefromminitable toptreesinallsortsofmaterialsincluding feathers,glassandmetaluptoeightfoot pineartificialtrees.Thenthereare minimalist treesshapesconsistingofLEDlights,fibre optictreesandblackChristmastrees!

TheBayhas anumberoflivetreeoutlets forthosewhopreferthe realthing-you can’tbeatthesmellof afreshtree.Lights areincreasinginpopularitywithhuge choices,especiallyintheLEDranges.

Poweroptionsincludemains,batteriesand foroutdoorssolarpower.Cutelights,multi colouredflashinglights and warmwhite lightsarebut afewoptions.

Lightsinthegarden,saywrapped around atreetrunk,alwaysadd aromantic ambiencetoyoureveningorfunction.

Christmastreeornamentsorbaubles nevergooutoffashionbuttherange

availableishugewithsnowmen,jewel encrustedbaubles,kittens,MickeyMouse, birds,butterflies,swans,deerandmartini glasseshittingthestoresthisyear.Baby’s firstChristmas,alongwithpersonalizedcat anddogtrinkets arealsopopular.

Candlesandcandleholderscanadd anelementofwarmthandanextralayer

ofinteresttoyourdecorations,alongwith somegorgeousaromas.It’spossibletobuy artificialcandlesforthoseconcernedabout firerisk.

Don’tforgetyourwrappingpaper,gift tags,cardsforfavouritepeople,Santa sacksandcrackers(bonbons),andother littletreatslikespecialteatowels,ovenmitts andcuddlySantabears.

Themagicofa HastingsChristmas

ByChrys Ayley

Forthelast22yearsHastingsDistrict councillorKevin Watkins,73,hasbeen bringingabundantChristmascheer totheHastingscommunity.He,and fellowhelperRossSweatman(akaSanta) setaboutrevivingsomeChristmasmagic in2000whentheybuilt asleighwithtwo reindeer,riggedup asoundsystemand drovearoundafewstreetsinHastingsin theleaduptoChristmas.

Kevinwas ahousemoverbytrade andRoss atalentedwoodworkersothey

thoughttheycouldbuild asleighbetween them.Theyimportedtwodeerfrom Indonesia, Ross dressed up as Santa and Kevindrovethevehicletowingthesleigh. “The responsewasincredible,”Kevinsays. InthepreviousyearsKevin,whoearlier hadbeeninvolvedinmakingfloatsforthe HastingsChristmasparadesinthelate80s andearly90s,constructedhisfirstfloat. TheparadesceasedandKevingottheidea todrivearoundcity“Therewasnothingin Hastings;itwas abitof avacuum.Itwas abasiceffortwiththreebigcandlesat theback.Peoplewouldwave,smileand occasionallytoot.”

ThemagicofChristmasgreatly influencedKevinwhenhewas achild andheclearly remembers“thebeautiful thingsthatwerehappeninginHastings,for example,Roach’shad acaveandbeautiful displaysforthepublic.”Itwassomeof thismagichewashopingtobringback tothepeopleofHastingsbuthewasalso influencedheavilybyhisfatherthelate Victor Watkinswhowas amemberofthe HomeServicemen’sAssociation(HSA).This association representedthosewhoserved inNewZealandduringWW11and Victor hadservedintheNewZealandAirForce, basedatOhakea,asaflightmechanic.

Inthe1950s it wastraditionthatHAS membersthrew abig Christmasparty,ina hiredhall,forallthelocalmembersandtheir childrentogreetSanta.Butin1957,when Kevinwaseight,theychangedtheplanand decidedtotakeSantatomembershomes insteadtogreetthechildren.

Accesstotrucksandshedswasno problem as Victor wasacontractor. Kevin recallstheritualofwashingthetruckon aFriday,coveringitwithanoldtarpand puttinganoldsofaonthebackwitha comfortablechairforSanta.Thetruck wouldbedecoratedwhilethevolunteers

werepliedwith liberalamountsofbeer.Allan HughesofColumbusRadiowas amember andhe’dbring aloudspeakertoattachto thetruck.

OnSaturdayat9amSantawouldarrive andgetonthetruck, afewkids,including Kevinsatonthesofaandlookaftertheice creamandlolliestohandouttomembers children.Therewereheapsofkidswho receivedpre-arrangedgifts.“Icanstill remembervividlytheexcitementofSanta arrivingintheirstreetsandtheloudspeaker callingouttheirnames,Kevinsays.

Asthedayworeoncupsoftea gaveway to“somethingwith alittlemoretaste”and thedrivinggot alittlefaster.Thedayended withanother roundofcompulsorycheer.

Afterthesuccessoftheirventurein 2000KevinandRossDecidedtheyneeded twomorereindeerandthen alocalperson helpedthembringinanotherthreesonow theyhadseven reindeer!

Morereindeermeantthat anewfloat hadtobebuiltand atrailerwasgiftedin approximately2006/2007.ThelateBill Elmsconstructed asteelsub-structure, Rossbuilt anewsleigh,theyacquireda newsoundsystemanddressedupthe sleigh.“Itlookedprettystunning.”They installedcloseto5,000lightswhichwere runby abrandnewgenerator.

Santanotonlytoursthestreetsof Hastingsbuthestopsoffathospitals, elderlycarehomes,kindergartensand streetpartiesandtourstheCBDatlunch times.Themaximumkilometrescompleted oneyearwas1,800kilometres.

Recentimprovementsinclude anativity sceneatthe rearofthe floattocarrythe messageaboutChristmasbeing aChristian festival.Sponsorshelp redecoratethefloat everyyearand aHastingspetrolstation hasassistedtowardsthecostforthe lastfewyears.KevinandRossarehighly

Thislovelytraditionislikelytocontinue

puttingsmilesonthefacesoftheHastings community.

P.S.Santaalwaysstartshisjourneyon29 Novemberandfinisheson23December.

RossandKevindoingthe roundsinHastingsDecember2019.

Ross SweetmanakaSantaandKevin Watkinsphotographedinlate November2007.

appreciativeofalltheassistancegivenby sponsors.

whileKevinandRossstillthoroughlyenjoy

Thefinishing touches

TheChristmastableis aplaceof celebrationwherefamilyand friends cometogethertosharea meal.

Whetherit’sa relaxedfamilybarbecue or aformallunchfor alargegroup, afew finishingtoucheswillmakeallthedifference.

Choose acolourthemeforyourtable thatmatchesthethemeyouhavechosen throughoutthe restofthehouse-traditional redandgreen,white,silverorsomething morecontemporarytomatchyourartificial Christmastree.

Brightenthetablewithcandles,napkins, Christmasplattersand acentre piece.A centrepieceis agoodwaytofocusthe table.Makeyourownbyaddingornaments, pinecones,flowers,fruit,ribbonsor garlands.Christmasbaublesinthecentreof thewreathwilladd aspecialbitofblingto yourprizeattraction.Living in NewZealand isanopportunitytocreatedecorations moresuitedtoChristmasinthesummer time.Whynottry anaturallooksuch asdriftwood,seashells,freshflowersor pohutukawa?

Anotherideaistousestrandsoffairy lights, arow of glassvasesfilledwith candlesonthetableandglitterorstars sprinkledonthetabletocreate amagical atmosphere.There’sa fantasticrangeof LEDlightsavailablerangingfromwhiteto blueinplentyofshapesandsizes.

Keepthetableclothortablerunner brightandsimpletomatchyourtheme withoutdetractingfromthedisplayyouhave created.Simpleisoftenthemostelegant, especiallywhenyouhavelargeplatters offoodanddrinkstoplaceonthetable. Napkinscanbejazzedupbyusing clipsor

pinsorturnrings intonamecardsforyour tablesettingsifyouhave alargegroup.

TheKiwisummerChristmaswouldn’tbe completewithout amealoutdoors –move thetableoutsideforanalfrescomealand

dressupthetabletolooksummeryand warm.Stemlesswineglassesareagood idea,orplastic,asthey’remoresolid and lessliabletobreak.Ifyoudon’twanttouse plasticcutlerywhynotheadtothelocal

opshopandbuycharminglymismatched piecesfor arusticlook?Lightsome citronellacandlestokeeptheinsectsaway andpop apotplantorfreshflowersonthe tableas acentrepiece.

Christmasin HastingsCity

Santa’s SummerHoliday

HastingsCityBusinessAssociationisbringing ChristmascheertotheCBDthroughtheirfestiveand funcompetition,runningfrom21Novemberto18 December,‘Santa’s HastingsHoliday’.FindSantain eightdifferentspotsaroundtownandjotdownwhat activitieshe’sdoing,alongwithwhatyouwantfor Christmasforyourchancetowinyour Wishlist tothe valueof$1,000!

PLUS,scananySantaQRcodefor achancetowin aninstantspotprizefromlocalbusinesses,including aBIGprizethatchangeseachweek.Thesewillbea JumbuckStardom 4burnerBBQ,anOutdoorsArctic CoolerBox, a12FootSpringlessTrampolineanda Camp &Beach BundleallsponsoredbyCreatipix, HastingsHIVE,OxygenPropertyManagementand RadioHawke’sBay.

Christmaswishlist

SantaandhisElveshave returnedfromtheNorthPoleand willbevisitingHastingsCitythisDecember!Comealongtothe MunicipalBuildingat Toitoi -Hawke’sBayArts &EventsCentre tochattoSantaaboutyourChristmaswishlist,snap aphoto andenjoysomefunfestiveactivitiesthatareboundtosparkthe Christmascheer.

ThisyearSantawillalsohave agivingtree,wherethecommunity cansupportthe Women’sRefugeChristmasAppealbydonatinga gifttosomeoneinneedthisChristmas.

Other CBD Activity

PopalongtoAlbertSquaretoseethegiant reindeer from 3December-22December.

Santa’sworkshopprojectionwillalsoberunningat AlbertSquarefrom3 December-22December7.30pm –11.00pm.Comealongandviewwhat’shappening in Santa’sworkshop.

Whynotmake anightofitandviewthe reindeer,the projectionandthefestivestreetlightingthengoonto enjoy abittoeat?There’splentyofchoicenotfarfrom AlbertSquareinHeretaungaStreetEast,QueenStreet Eastandbeyond.

TheCBDis amagicalsightdayandnight.

The Westerman’sBuildingandHeretaungaStreet EastalwayslookprettyatChristmas.

Giant reindeeratAlbertSquare. CourtesyHastingsDistrictCouncil.

Headto HavelockNorth

HavelockNorth Villageis getting readyforChristmasandifyou’re lookingtogiftlocal,youmustmake timetopopoutandexplorethe locallyownedandoperatedboutiquesand specialitystores.

Withmagicaltoyshops,stunning homewaresandsuperbclothing retailers galore,thereisa giftforeventhemost difficulttobuyinHavelockNorth –talkto thefriendly retailersinstoreand theywillbe abletohelpyoufindtheperfectpresent.

The VillageChristmastreeisgettinga makeoverthisyear,theHastingsDistrict Councilisprovidinganewtreeand decorationstoaddextrasparkletothe towncentre,thetreewillbegoingupearly December.

Forourlittlestlocals,theHavelockNorth BusinessAssociationhascreated amailbox

forletterstoSanta,whichwillbeinfront oftheI-siteuntiltheDecember 4–Village elveswillhavethelettersdeliveredtothe NorthPole WorkshopviaNZPost -so,a replyfromSantaarrivesbeforeChristmas. ThePrintHousehaskindlyprovided festivepostcardsthatcanbedecorated and amessageaddedorkidscanpopin acustomletter –allthedetailsincluding Santa’sWorkshopaddresscanbefoundon @LoveHavelockNorthsocialmedia.

Theendless Villageeateries,cafesand barsarelookingforwardtowelcoming localsandvisitorsfortheirholiday celebrations –a gift voucherforfood,drinks andgoodtimesisalways apopularsecret Santagift!

OnSaturday 3December,Christmasis gettingkickedoffonDonnellyStreetwith freeChristmasornamentdecoratingfrom

12 –3pmatBlackboardJungle.Thiswill befollowedbyChristmascarolsonthe VillageGreeneventhostedbyStColumba’s PresbyterianChurchfrom 4–6pm.Both eventsareexpecting avisitfromSanta.

There’salsosomethingfunpoppingupin the Villagefrom8–11December andthat’s thenewlocalPicnicCinema,anoutdoor cinemaatthe VillageGreenPlayground showing amixofnewandclassicmovies forthewholefamilytoenjoy.Checkout picnic-cinema.co.nzforallthedetails.

HeadtoHavelockNorth.co.nztoexplore allthelocalbusinesses.

Celebratewhat’son intheBay

ChristmasArt &CraftBazaar

29November–24December2022, 9.30am–4pm,CommunityArtCentre, 106RussellStreetSouth. TheChristmasBazaaroffershundreds ofhand-crafteditemsforsalefromlocal Hawke’sBayartisans.

TremainsChristmasLights

The TremainsChristmasLights extravaganzaisafirmfavouriteonthe calendarsoftheHawke’sBaycommunity eachDecember.Homes,gardens, shops,andbuildingsaretransformedinto Christmaswonderlands,decoratedto celebratethefestiveseason.Lightswill

berunningfromthe 1st –22December. Mapsforself-guidedtourswillbeavailable onthewebsitewww.tremains.co.nz/Tickets forbusescanbepurchasedatyourlocal TremainsHawke’sBayoffice.

Hawke’sBayChristmasatthe Park

Saturday 3December3pm-9.45pm, Mitre10Park,Hastings. PropertyBrokersChristmasattheParkis afreeandannualfamily-friendlyChristmas concert.There’savarietyofentertainment foradultsandchildren.Gatesopenat3pm, children’sentertainmentstartsat4pm,and continuousstageentertainmentbeginsat 5pm.Theeveningfinishesat9:45afterone

ofthemostspectacularfireworksdisplayin Hawke’sBay.A varietyoffoodvendorswill beonsiteandyouarewelcometobring yourownpicnicbasket,butnoalcohol.

DannevirkeChristmasParade

12noonSaturday 3December2022 startsfromthesouthendofHighStreetand finishesatMcPheeStreet.

DannevirkeFantasy Cave

pop-up

AttheFountainTheatrerightafterthe ChristmasParadethenDecember 5to December16from2pm-4pm.December 17,10am-4pm.PhotoswithSanta$5.

Checkoutallthedisplaysonthewayto meetSanta.

HarcourtsChristmasParade (Napier)2022

Sunday 4December1pm,free. Santa’scomingtotownfortheHarcourts ChristmasParadeandwecan’twait!The 2022paradewillbejam-packedwith Christmasthemeddisplaysandfloats -and ofcourseMrClaushimself!

Thiswillbefollowedby aChristmasFiesta inCliveMemorialSquarewhere youcansee Santainhisgrotto. WatchalltheParade actionfromEmersonStand Tennyson StreetsinNapierCity.

CommunityChristmasCarols

ontheGreen

Sunday 4December,4-6pmatthe

HavelockNorth VillageGreenPark

Featuring:– Kohasausagesizzle,Santa visiting,giftsforthekidsandforyour entertainment

BayCities’SymphonicBand,meninBlack, jazzensemble,JoyfulNoiseSingers,Kapa HakaandCarolSinging.

NorsewoodChristmasMarket

Saturday10December10am-2pm. Atthe WopWops,75-79HovdingStreet, Norsewood.

TaradaleChristmasMarket Day

Saturday10December,Gloucester Street, Taradale,10am-2pm.

FreeParkingfortheDayin Taradale. Varied stallsfromcommunitiesaround Taradale eg TaradalePrimary,RedCross, Taradale Rotary. Keyentertainment:Harcourts Santa’s Grotto,facepainting,balloons, bubbles,StJohns,NZFireBrigade,NZ Police,liveChristmasmusic.Comeand enjoy avibrantGloucesterStreetwhichwill befunandbringjoyforthewholefamily.

CHBChristmasCarnival

Friday16December2022from4-8pm. RuataniwhaStreetwillbeclosedtothe publicandtherewillbemarketstalls,kids ridesandgames,entertainmentforyoung andold,facepainting,foodtrucks,vintage fireengineridestoandfromtheevent, Santa,Santa’sCaveandmuchmore.This eventisfreetothepublic,and everyoneis invited.Localbusinesseswillalsobeopen forlatenightshopping.

FiestaofLights

Saturday17December2022toSunday 8January2023includingChristmas Day.9pmto11pm

Foodtrucksandpicnictablesatthegate. TomoanaShowgrounds,Gate3,Kenilworth RdorGate 4KaramuRoadNorth,

Hastings.$7Under 3free.Freeparkingin theshowgrounds.EnterGate 3&4.New Year’sEveonly. $5VIP onlineparking. EntryGate1 https://www.fiestaoflights.co.nz/

CarolsinCornwallPark

Saturday17December4-6pm

Along-standingHastingstradition,this eventis aperfectopportunitytorelaxwith friendsandfamilyinthebeautifulsurrounds ofCornwallPark.Aswellasenjoyinglive musical performances,attendeeswillbe abletotakepartincarolsingingwithlots morehappeningforthekidstoenjoy.Bring apicnicordineatthefoodtrucks. Allinformationcorrectattimeofgoingto print.

Courtesy Hastings District Council

Giftsthat giveback

Christmasis atimeofgivingand alsoofgoodwillwithplentyof opportunitiesforlocalstogiveto thevariousChristmasappeals inHawke’sBay.NapierandHastingswill berunningtheannualChristmasCheer appealsandKmartwillalsoberunningtheir Wishing TreeAppealwhichisAustraliaand NewZealand’slargestandlongestrunning giftcollectionAppeal.

For almost30 years Kmartstores havecollectedgiftandcashdonations fromcustomersandthepublic whichare donatedtotheSalvationArmytogive to Kiwisinneed.Seewww.kmart.co.nz/ kmartwishingtree/fordetailsofhowyou cancontribute.

Anothercustomwhich involvesbuying agiftforsomeone lessfortunate,generally in adeveloping and/orpoornation, is becomingpopular.The WorldVisioncharity hasopportunities for peopletogivea selectionofgiftssuchasachicken, agoat, avegegardenorabee hive and many more.Thisis agreatwaytobuy agiftfora friendor andhelp someonetruly inneed.

Closertohome thereare shopssuchas TradeAid thatsell awonderfulselectionof handmade products. TradeAid is asocial enterprisehelpingtalentedpeoplearound theworldimprovetheirlivesthroughfair trade.

Thecompanyrepresenthundredsand thousands of small-scalefarmers and artisans inAfrica,Asia,LatinAmerica, PalestineandthePacific.Beautifulartisan handcraftsanddeliciousfoodproducts suchascoffeeandchocolateareavailable, perfectfora uniqueChristmas gift.

There areplentyofwaystohelpwildlife andnatureincluding sponsoringanimals at variouszoosaroundthe country.Thenthe SPCAisalways gratefulforgiftsoffood for animalsthroughouttheyear.Why not add themtoyourChristmasshoppinglist?

TheNewZealandRed Crosshave severalsuggestionstohelpothersincluding buying aTasteofCultureonline.Thisisa

collectionof recipesandstoriesbyformer refugeesnowlivingin NewZealand. www. redcrossshop.org.nz

KiwiChristmas Bookscollectsdonations ofbrand newbookstogifttoKiwi kidswho wouldotherwise gowithoutatChristmas time.ThousandsofqualityKiwibooksare given to childrenand youngpeoplewhose familiescannotafford to buytheirown.See

www.kiwichristmasbooks.org.nz/ forhow youcanhelp.

Thereare severalunusual thingsyoucan doforyourfamilysuchasgivingthegift oftimeandattention! Turn offall phones, computers andtheTVandenjoy agood old-fashionedChristmas wherepeopletalk, laugh and playsillygames.

involvedwithdifferentprogramsinthecommunity tohelpbringthistopass.TheFlaxmereChristian Fellowshipisalso astrongadvocateforthe JewishPeople’srighttoexistasanindependent andsovereignstateontheirhistorialancientland inIsrael.

Have apawsome Christmas

Mostfamiliesown acator adog orsomeotherfurrycreaturelike arabbitorguineapigandit’s nicetobeabletotreatthemat Christmas-theyarepartofthefamilyafter all!

Contemporarytrendsincludegivingyour pet aChristmasstockingfulloflittletreats fromthepetstore,dressingthemin abow tie, acolourfulribbonor aChristmashat.

Forthosewhosendcardsorelectronic greetingsit’sa niceideatoincludeyourpets inthefamilyphototoo.

Whilehumanstendtooverindulge infoodandbeveragesthereare certain

foodsthatarehazardousortoxicforpets. Thebestruleisnottofeedthemhuman foodandavoidbones.Chocolate,raisins, grapes,currantsandsultanas,alongwith Christmascake,mincepiesandchocolate raisinsarea definiteNONO.

Notallpetsaresociableandit’seasyto befrightenedby new people,crowdsand noisesoalwaysmakesurethereisa quiet placeforyouranimalsto retreatto.

SeeingkittensplayingwithChristmas treesisadorabletowatchbutkittensand puppiescanwreakhavociftheydecideto climborplaywith atree.Somakesureyour treeanditsornamentsaresecureandwill

nottopple.

Ifyouareconsideringbuying anew petatChristmasmakesureyouthinkit through.Christmasisbusyandnotthebest timetointroduce anewmembertothe household.They’recutebutcanyouafford itanddoyouhavethetimetoattendtoa pet.Perhapsit’sa surprisethatcouldwait untilthefestivitiesareoverandthefamily settled?

Careforyourpetsthissummer

Gettingoverheatedcancauseheatstroke whichcouldultimatelyleadtothedeathof yourpet.Theold,overweightandthose withmedicalconditionsare morelikelyto

sufferheatstroke.

Avoidthehottestpartofthedayand takeyourdogfor awalkineithertheearly morningorintheearlyevening.

It’sa messageweoftenhearbutevery summerthereare casesofanimalssuffering andevendyingfrombeinglockedinhot cars.Neverleaveyourdogaloneinyour vehicleoronthebackof aute.Evenifthe windowsareopenoryouparkintheshade ananimalcansoonoverheat.

Makesureyourpetshaveplentyof shadeandclean,freshdrinkingwater.

Christmasat yourCathedral

InadditiontoourusualSundayServicesof8amand10am: 27thNovemberfrom8pm FromDarknesstoLight Thechoirleadsuswithadventcarols as we looktothelightthatJesus bringsintothe world.

11thDecemberfrom5-6pm AServiceofRemembrance Areflective servicetoremember those whohavedied,especiallythose whodiedduringthelastthree yearsof Covid.Moreinfoonour website.

18thDecemberfrom7pm NineLessonsandCarols Sing your favouriteChristmasCarols andhearthetraditionalChristmas readings.

ChristmasEvefrom6-7pm Children’sMangerService Especiallyforthe whole family ComeandtakepartintheNativity Story.

ChristmasEvefrom11pm MidnightMass WelcomeChristmaswithour MidnightMassService.

28BrowningStreet,Napier. Tel:068358824 /021754 161 www.waiapucathedral.com

ChristmasDayfrom8-9am Early BirdChristmasService AnearlytraditionalCommunion ServicewithChristmasCarols.

ChristmasDayfrom9-10am ChristmasServiceatOrmond AfamilyChristmasServicewith CarolsinourbeautifulOrmond Chapel,84Napier Terrace.

ChristmasDayfrom10am TheBirthofourLordJesusChrist CelebrateChristmaswith afull ChoralEucharistandCarols.

It’sallabout thefood!

DewaldBothawasinfor avery pleasantsurpriseinlateOctober whenhewasannounced recipientof aspecialawardatthe HastingsHeretaungaLionsClub Young Achievers AwardCeremony2022.

Thespecialawardsaidthat“thisyoung manisnot aheadboy,a topacademic oreven astudentthatcompletedyear 13atschool,neverthelessheis aYoung Achiever,andis aworthyrecipientof thisspecialawardandsomeonethathis parents,willbeextremelyproudof.”

Dewald,20,leftHastingsBoysHigh age17.“IwasdecentacademicallybutI didn’tknowwhat Iwantedtodo.”

Heleftschoolhavingfoundworkon ablueberryfarmandpushedhimself physicallyworkinglonghoursand completingseveralindustry related courses.Eventually,feelingsomewhat directionlessheapproachedMahifor Youth*whohesays “areawesome”.He gained aforkliftlicenceandundertooka defensivedrivingcourse,allforfree.

ThenRe-Source, alocalcharity thatconnectspeopleandcommunity organisationsinneedwithessential prelovedgoods,waslookingfor avan driverandDewaldwasofferedthejob. Sincethenhe’sneverlookedbackand thoroughlyenjoyshiswork.“It’sso rewarding,”hesays.

Dewaldhasfoundhisdirectionand motivationandisstudyingafterhours orhisNCEAlevel3.Hehopestostudy physiotherapyatOtagoUniversityin2024.

Dewaldwasonlyfourwhenhemoved withhisparentsfromSouthAfricatoNew Zealand.Thefamily,wholiveinHastings, comprisemumanddadAsonicaand Pieter,anolderbrotherandtwoyounger siblings.

Thewholefamilywillbetogether thisChristmasandtheyspendtime connectingwithfamilybackinSouth Africaand,likemanyKiwi’s,enjoy aBBQ inthegardenwhichiscalled abraaiin Afrikaans.

Dewald’seyeslightupwhenhe’s talkingaboutfood.Thefamilybuytreats includingbiltonganddroëworsandthey eat abitofeverything:steak,ribs,chicken andpap.Papis akindofporridgemade frommaizemeal.“Icouldeatmountains ofthat.Dessertisalwaysmelktert(milk tart),that’sa classic!”

Theyplaygames,pingponganddarts, inthegarageandit’salsobecomea family traditiontowatchthemovieDieHard. Somehow,Dewaldalwaysmakessureit’s histurntoplacethestarontheChristmas tree.

*Mahi for Youthisa wrap-around supportserviceforHastingsyouthaged between16-24yearswhoarelookingfor apathwaytoeducationoremployment.

CuzetteEngelbrackt, afamilyfriend,DewaldBothaandhismotherAnsonica Bothaattheawardsceremony.

Christmascaketraditions aroundtheworld

ChristmascakeisanEnglish traditionthatbeganasplum porridge.It’smadewithrich, moistcurrants,sultanasand raisinswhichhavebeensoakedinrum.Ifa Christmascakeiscoveredinicing,itisquite commonforittobedecorated –modelsof houses,offirtreesorofFatherChristmas.

AScottishspecialtyisthe“Whisky Dundee,”whichoriginatedinDundee,and ismadewithScotchwhisky. It’s alightand crumblycake,andlightonfruitandcandied peel-only currants,raisins,sultanasand cherries.ThereisalsotheScottishblack bun,of asimilar recipeusingwhiskyand oftencarawayseeds,eatenonHogmanay.

Coinswerealsooccasionallyadded toChristmascakesaswellasChristmas puddingsasgoodluckpieces.Thesewere silver3dpieces,orsixpences,sometimes wrappedingreaseproofpaperpackages.

In Yorkshire,Christmascake,aswith othertypesoffruitcake,canbeeatenwith cheese,suchas Wensleydale.

Acakethatmayalsobeservedat ChristmastimeintheUKisknownasa “YuleLog,orchocolatelog”.Thisis aSwiss rollthatiscoatedinchocolate, resembling alog.

TheChristmascakelargelydisplacedthe previouslypopularTwelfth-nightcakeduring the Victorianera.

Othercountries

IntheUnitedStates,somepeoplegive fruitcakesasgiftsatChristmastime,but theyarenotcalledChristmascakes.In Canada,however,thesamecakeisinstead

called“Christmascake,”atleastamongthe English-speakingmajority.

InIndiaAllahabadicakeisfamousfor itsrichtasteandtexture.Manysmaller andmoretraditionalChristianbakeriesadd alcohol,usuallyrum,inthecake.

InSriLanka,Christmascakesuse treacleinsteadofcanesugarandinclude spiceslikenutmeg,cinnamonandblack pepper.

InJapan,Christmascakeistraditionally eatenonChristmasEve.Thecakeissimply aspongecake,frostedwithwhipped cream,often decoratedwithstrawberries,

andusuallytoppedwithChristmas chocolatesorotherseasonalfruits,anda SantaClausdecoration.

InGermany,Stollen, atraditionalGerman fruitcake,ispopular.DuringtheChristmas season,it’salso called Weihnachtsstollenor Christstollen.

InItaly,Panettone, asweetsourdough breadwith adistinctcupolashape,is traditionallyeatenatChristmas.Itcontains raisinsandcandiedcitrusfruitandis preparedmeticulouslyoverseveraldays.

InFrance,inBelgium,inSwitzerland, inFrenchCanada,inLuxembourgandin

Lebanon, aBûchedeNoëlisthetraditional Christmascake.

InCyprus,itisservedonChristmasDay. It’sthefirsttreatthelocalsservetotheir guests.CypriotChristmascakeismuchlike theUKequivalent.

Source Wikipedia

Sample some localbrews

Hawke’sBay produces alarge quantity of New Zealand’sapples so it’snosurprise that it is rapidly gaining areputation as acentreof excellence for cider.Hot on cider’sheels arecraft beers and ginger beers, with and without alcohol, that arebeing produced in everincreasing numbers

Many businesses areofaboutique naturewith products available at events suchasthe Farmers Market, the cellar door, selected watering holes and supermarkets. The distinction between craft beer and other

beers basically is that they aremanufactured by small scale or boutique breweries rather than multinational corporations.

Local companies producing cider include Edgebrook Cider which makes a real English style cider.Paynters has been in the fruit business for generations and specialise in creating cider with real cider apples using cutting edge production techniques. Three Wise Birds, another local company,manufactures an exciting range of ciders using apples grown in Hawke’s Bay: products include Summer Fling and

Bach Life and there’sachampagne style cider,Scenic Reserve, made in the Methode Traditionnelle way using Braeburnapples.

There’snoshortage of locally made craft beers with awide selection available from the Hawke’sBay Brewing Company,Napier Brewing, Brave Brewing, GodsOwn and the Zeelandt Brewery.Christmas is the ideal time to gather aselection and sample with friends around aBBQ

Forthose who prefer bubbles there’sa selection of locally made bubbles created using techniques such as Cumulus

Methode Traditionnelle by Alpha Domus. Locals know that there’sa wonderful selection of local wines available at the cellar door and available at local wine merchants white, redand rose.

Juice is another Bay speciality with several companies producing quality orange and apple juice. An excellent way to enjoy Christmas brunch is to celebrate with champagne and orange juice. ABuck’sFizz is made of two parts champagne to one part orange juice.

Brave Brewing owners Gemma and Matt Smith with their Bottle Rocket EPAwhich made the top 30 in the New World Beer and Cider Award.

Hops ready to be harvested at GodsOwn Brewery

FestiveSalmon Cheeseball

Difficulty:Easy

Serves:8

Preparationtime:15mins Cookingtime:N/A

Ingredients

100gofRegalColdSmokedSalmon 150gcheddar,grated 150gcreamcheese 1tbspcapers,finelychopped 1springonion,finely chopped 1/2cupeither;pecanorpistachionuts, roughlychopped 1/3cupeither;cranberriesordriedfigs, choppedfinely

1tspn Worcestershiresauce Handfuleither;thymeor rosemaryleaves, chopped

Method

Pullthecream cheeseoutofthefridge 15-20minutesbefore youstartmaking thecheeseball.It’seasiertomixwhen thecreamcheeseissoft. Gratethecheddarcheeseandsetaside. Finelychopspringonion,capers,fresh herbsandnuts

Addthecreamcheeseinto amixingbowl. Loosenitupwith aspoon.Addingrated cheese,springonion,capers,freshherbs, nuts,cranberriesand Worcestershire sauce.Mixwith aspoonuntilitallsticks togetherandingredientsareallmixed well.

Line asmalltomediumbowlwithcling wrap.Carefullyplacecoldsmoked salmonpiecesontopoftheclingwrap.

Trynottheleaveanygaps. Spooncheesemixtureintothebowl. Gentlypressdownintothebowland smoothoverwith aspoon.Foldoverany salmonhangingovertheedges. Tipupsidedownonto aplate.Carefully liftthebowlandclingwrapoffthesalmon

cheeseball.Arrangecrackersaroundthe cheeseball.Garishwithpomegranate, rosemaryandthyme. Servestraightaway.

CourtesyofRegalSalmon

Cranberry and PomegranateGlazedHam

Withspicedcranberryandorangesauce Serves:4-6

Preparation Time:10minutes

Cooking Time:1hourand10minutes

Ingredients

1wholeNZhamonthebone

1cuppomegranatejuice

4tbspcranberryjelly

1staranise

1cinnamonstick

2tbspbrownsugar

Peelandjuiceof 1orange

2cloves

Method

Preheattheovento180°C.

Carefully removetheskinfromtheham, ensuringtoleaveallofthefatbehindto maximiseflavour.Using asharpknife,score thefatin acriss-crosspattern.

To makethesauce,placethe remaining ingredientsin apotandbringto asimmer. Cookforfurther10minutesonlow,stirring occasionallysoitdoesn’tburn. Usinga pastrybrush,paint athird ofthesauceover theham.

Placethehamin adeepbakingtrayand cookintheovenfor 1hour.

Whilethehamiscooking, returnthe rest ofthesauceto asimmerandcookfora further10minutes.Removefromtheheat andusing afork,takeoutthestaranise, cloves,orangepeelandcinnamonstick. Allowthesaucetocoolandthickentoa jam-likeconsistency.

Oncethehamiscooked, restcoveredwith foilfor10minutes. To serve,slicethick piecesanddrizzleoverthecranberrysauce.

OrangeMarmalade& SweetSoyGlazedHam

Ingredients

1NewZealandLegHam

1smalljaroforangemarmalade

½ cupsweetthicksoysauce

1Tbspsoysauce

1Tbspbrownsugar

Method

Preheatovento150°C.

Preparetheham Removethehamrind.Leave as muchfat onaspossible

Scorethefatwith asharpknifealltheway throughtothehamin acrosspattern.For fullinstructions

Placeonwirerackin aroastingdish. Mixtogethertheglazeingredientsand brushontothescored fat,makingsureto getinallthescorelines.

Placeinthe ovenandbakefor 1hour. After 1hour, youcangrillthehamonhigh for3-4minsifyouwant amorecharred appearance.Becarefulasitwillburn quickly.

RecipesandphotocourtesyNewZealand Pork

Light &tasty Christmasdesserts

Chocolatemousse

Ingredients

2largeeggwhites 120gcastersugar 500gstrawberries,hulledand roughlychopped 450mldoublecream 1tbspicingsugar

Method

Heatovento120C/100Cfan/gas 1andline alargebakingtraywith parchmentpaper.Whisktheegg whitesusinganelectricwhiskor mixeruntilthey reachstiffpeaks, thenaddthesugarin3lots, rewhiskingtostiffpeakseverytime. Spoonscoopsofthemixture ontothebakingparchment,cook onthebottomshelfoftheoven for1hr –1hr15minsuntilthe meringuesarecompletelyhard andcomeoffthepapereasily. Leavetocool.

Blitz1/3ofthestrawberriesto make astrawberrysauce.Ina largebowlwhiskthecreamwith theicingsugaruntilitjustholds itsshape.Roughlycrush ¾ofthe meringuesandtiptheminwith thechoppedstrawberriesandstir, thenswirlthroughthestrawberry sauce.Placeintobowlsthen crushthe remainingmeringues, sprinklingthepiecesoverthetop.

Ingredients

45 gdarkchocolate 125 gcreamcheese 4tbspcastersugar Afewdropsvanillaextract 1egg 300mlcream

Method

Meltchocolatein abowlinthe microwave,orset aheatproofbowlover asaucepanwith alittlebarely-simmering waterandstiruntilchocolatemelts.

In asmallbowl,whipcreamcheesewith 21/2tablespoonsofthecastersugar andvanillaextract.

Separatetheeggyolkandwhite,putting thewhitein agreaseproofbowl.Whip eggwhite,thenbeatinthe remaining sugarin3-4lots.Don’tmakeittoostiff oritwillbedifficulttomixwiththeother ingredients.

In asmallbowl,whip250mlofthe creamuntilit’sa similarconsistencyto theeggwhites.

Mixmeltedchocolateandeggyolkinto thecreamcheesethenimmediatelyfold ineggwhites, andlastlythewhipped cream. Work quickly.Spoonmixtureinto glassesthenchill. Beforeserving,lightlywhipthe remaining creamandplace aspoonfulontopof eachglass.Dustwith cocoaandserve.

Aimtobe sustainable

Formanypeopleindevelopednations Christmasisatimeofexcesswith fartoomuchfoodanddrinkand giftsgiventhatarenicetohavebut oftenexcessive.Fortunately,thisyear, morethanever,attentionisturningtothe harmwearedoingtotheenvironmentand consciousnessisrisingaboutthe resources wearemisusing.

There areplentyofthingswecando thisChristmasto reducewasteandprotect theenvironment.Whynot choose arealChristmas treeanddisposeofit thoughtfully(ie recycle),or betterstillbuy arealone in apotorgrowyourown. Realtreeshelpto remove carbonfromtheairwhile theyaregrowing,andare a100%biodegradable, renewable resource,unlike theirplasticcounterparts.

Forthosestillwanting anartificialtree buy agood qualitytreesothatitwill lastmuchlongerthana cheapertree.Consider buying LED Christmaslights astheyuselesspowerthan incandescentbulbs.

Treescanalsobe madeoutofallsortsof articlesfoundinsideand out:make atreeoutof driftwoodortwigsand decorateitwithshellsor repurposescrapwoodor usestencils.Decoratea

ladder,use ahouseplant,use removable tapeegmaskingtapeandsticktothewall in atreeshape,cutandshapea cardboard box,paint atreeonwrappingpaper.Really there’snoendtothecreativeideasyoucan comeupwith,especiallyifyouinvolvethe kids.

Decorationscanbemadeorbought butpreferablymakethemathomefrom recycledwood,fabric,glass, pinecones,

walnuts,twigsandwool.

Isgiftwrappingnecessary?Getintothe habitofsavingpapersoitcanbeused again.Orbrownpaperandstring,old newspaper,ateatowel,pillowcase,fabric remnant,paperbagorbiodegradable wrapping.

Whenbuyinggiftstryandsupportlocal businessesandbuyethicalproducts,such asFairtrade,ifpossible.Whenbuyinggifts

makesuretheyaredesignedtolast.Handmadegifts,especiallyfoodarealways appreciated.

Christmascardsaredecliningin popularityasemailbecomescommonplace butforthosewhostillenjoysendingand receivingcardswhynot re-purposeold cardsormakeyourown?

Sourceyourfoodlocallyanddon’tover buy.Vegetablescraps(notmeat) shouldbe compostedwheneverpossible.

Irresistible chocolatetreats

ChocolateFudge

Threeingredients,one bowl, amicrowaveand five minutespreparationtime willgiveyougreatchocolate fudge, firsttime,everytime.

Ingredients

400gsemi-sweet chocolatechips 1cansweetened condensedmilk 2tablespoonsunsalted butter

½cupnuts,toasted (optional)

Method

Linea 20 x20cmbaking dishwithaluminiumfoil. In amicrowave-proof bowlmeltthechocolate andbutterwithmilkfor1 minuteonhigh. Stirtocombine.If notmelted,repeatin 30-secondintervals.

Spreadthemixtureevenly inpreparedpan.

Setatroom temperatureorina fridge.

Variations:

Usewhitechocolatebuttonsandadddriedcranberriesandtoastedhazelnuts. Adda teaspoonofliqueur.

RockyRoad

There aremany recipesfortheclassicfavouriteRockyRoadandplentyofalternative ingredients:popcorn,digestivebiscuits,softjellies,an assortmentofnutsbutmost importantlymarshmallows.

Ingredients

900gramsmilkchocolate 1/2cupshreddedordesiccated coconut 1cupmacadamianuts,halved 250gramspinkmarshmallows, halved Mini TurkishDelights(180gbag), chopped

Method

Line alarge roastingdish,approx 28 x23cmwith bakingpaper andsetaside. Breakupthechocolatepieces. In alargemicrowaveproofbowl andmicrowavein30second bursts.Stirevery30seconds untilchocolateismelted.Add thecoconut,macadamias, marshmallowsand Turkish delighttothemeltedchocolate andfoldtogether.

Spoonthemixtureintothe prepared roastingdishand smoothwith aspatula. Gentlyshakethe roastingdish tosettlethechocolateand ingredients,thenplaceinthe refrigeratortosetovernightoruntilcompletelyset. Removefromthefridge20m Sliceintosmallpiecesandserve.

Crafta Christmastreeforest

Useasoft,lint-freeclothtorubthestain ontothetrees.ColoursusedwereResene ColorwoodEbony,Touchwood,Matai, Teak andRockSalt.ReseneColorwoodstain comesintwosmallhandysizes,whichare greatforprojectssuchasthis.It’sa good ideatowearrubber /siliconglovesforthis job.

Usewoodgluetoattachthebaseand trunkstothetrees.Allowthegluetodryfor acoupleofhours.

Paint colour

•ReseneColorwood –Ebony, Touchwood,Matai,TeakandRockSalt.

EquipmentNeeded

•Scrapwood(Iuseduntreatedpine)

•Mitre saw

•Sandpaper

•ReseneColorwoodstains

•Cloth/rag

•Rubber/silicongloves

•Woodglue

Forthisprojectscrapuntreatedpine woodwasusedbutyoucoulduseany wood.

Startbycuttingyourwoodintotall trianglesandtreeshapes.Sanddown any rough edgeswithsomemediumgrit sandpaper.Usewoodgluetoglueany treesthataremadeofmultiplepieces together.Takecarenottogetanyglue onthefrontfaceasthewoodstainwon’t adheretoitaswell.

Cutoutsomesmallbasesand“trunks” fromsomemorescrapwood.Stainthese thesamecoloursasthetrees.

Ifyouwant aslightly more glossyfinish, youcouldrubonsomeReseneDanska TeakOil.

HabitatbyResene http://www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/