Nagi Maehashi’s recipe for a joyful Christmas
We talk with the food sensation about her Christmas traditions, as well as top tips from spending more time with family, and less time in the kitchen
For Australian food sensation Nagi Maehashi, creative genius behind RecipeTin Eats, the festive season is all about sharing delicious food with loved ones – and surviving the chaos of the family WhatsApp chat.
To get ready for Christmas Day, her family divides the cooking tasks to prepare their grazing feast, making sure there’s time to relax and enjoy the celebration together.
“We are all about grazing all day, so it’s not one big meal,” Nagi shares. “We spread out a giant meal from lunchtime through to late evening. It’s very seafooddominated and summer-focused.
“I just can’t go past freshly peeled prawns with a Marie Rose (sauce). I feel like it’s so Australian," she says.
“I don’t want to be in the kitchen,” Nagi laughs. “I want to be out there chatting and opening presents, so most of my Christmas recipes can be made the day before, and just reheated – or require minimal assembly on the day.”
The biggest challenge? Deciding who makes what.
“We’re all obsessed with cooking,” Nagi shares. “We literally fight over who gets to do the main dish, (as it) gets the most ooohs and ahhhhs.
“This is going to sound really strange, but I love making a gingerbread house,” she says.
“The first year I made (one) I was so proud of myself and the time it took me, and the care to transport it (to family Christmas). Then they pigged out so much on the savoury foods that when it came to dessert, all they ate was the chimney. And I was so angry because I spent so much time making it,” she laughs.
Nagi loves to turn tradition on its head as well, giving classic favourites a mouthwatering twist – her Singapore Chilli Prawns is the perfect example.
“The flavour is just phenomenal, hand on heart,” she enthuses. “The sauce is based on a traditional Singapore chilli crab recipe. We did so much research … I honestly think ours is better than anything I’ve ever had in Australia.”
“I don’t want to be in the kitchen. I want to be out there chatting and opening presents.”
“The WhatsApp thread is just back and forth, back and forth, what we’re going to make: ‘No, you can't do that. It's too heavy!’ ‘No, I'm doing that!’ ‘Don't do that. You did that last year,’ – so many arguments!
“Then, about five days before Christmas, the menu is set, responsibilities are allocated and off we go!”
FAMILY MATTERS
Christmas is all about spending time with family for Nagi, and of course, her beloved 12-year-old golden retriever Dozer is always part of the festivities.
“He’s right there beside us,” Nagi says. “He loves sashimi. He scoffs it down. He doesn’t get much during the year, but at Christmas he gets a bit more than his fair share for sure,” she laughs.
While seafood is definitely a favourite to eat for Nagi at Christmas time, her favourite treat to make in the kitchen is actually a sweet.
She says the key to mastering the dish is to leave the heads on the prawns for maximum flavour.
“You want all the juices from the heads going into the sauce. It’s like six minutes to cook the prawns tops, then you just tip it out of the pot straight into a giant bowl and everyone digs in. It's such a good one for gatherings because it’s a bit showy and everyone kind of just tucks in.
“Make the sauce the day before, cool it, put it in a container, and then reheat it in the pot, throw the raw prawns in and boom, you’re done.”
HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Surprisingly, it hasn’t been a story of success from the very beginning for Nagi and RecipeTin Eats.
“I basically took the plunge without even knowing exactly what I was going to do, so I left corporate not knowing that I was going to start a website,” she recalls. While Nagi wouldn’t describe the choice to leave her corporate finance role as rash, because it was well thought-through, she does admit the sudden move was a surprise to everyone.
“I took the plunge and it took me a year, dabbling in other things, and then I landed on recipe websites. It was just starting out at that stage, that people were actually making a living from publishing recipes online.
“I just stumbled across it; I didn’t even know what a food blog was,” she laughs.
"We’re all obsessed with cooking. We literally fight over who gets to do the main dish, (as it) gets the most ooohs and ahhhhs."
Even then, it wasn’t overnight success for RecipeTin Eats - Nagi recalls her first two visitors were herself and her mum, and comments that it’s never gone viral.
“I’ve been very fortunate that it’s been a steep growth curve, but it has been organic,” she says. “It hasn’t been ups and downs and flushes of viral traffic at all. I’ve just been slow and steady, regularly publishing, and that’s where we are today.”
BREAKING RECORDS
Even though her latest cookbook, RecipeTin Eats: Tonight broke the record for the highest first-week sales for a nonfiction title, success doesn’t sit easily with Nagi.
“It’s crazy, to be absolutely honest,” she marvels. “I remember the first public event that I did with my first cookbook. I’d never spoken publicly in this kind of forum before, and people had to pay $5 to get in.
“(Mum and I) looked out at the crowd from the back and Mum’s just like ‘why are all these people here?’ And I looked at her and I said, ‘I think they're here for me because I’m the only one here’. And she just was going, ‘why?’ and I was the same as her!
“Why would anyone pay $5, let alone give up a Wednesday evening to come and hear me speak? I’m not that interesting. And I still feel that way!”
HERE ARE SOME OF NAGI'S TOP TIPS TO SAVE TIME:
Prep your ham: “Choose recipes where you can get ahead,” Nagi says. “Even if you insist on making the ham on the day, make the glaze the day before.”
Transform that leftover ham: “You see the word hot ham and cheese and you just kind of go, ‘oh, it’s a ham and cheese sandwich’,” she says. “But these Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders are so much more! They're so good, and it’s no more effort to make 16 than it is to make one. So it’s a great one for entertaining. I cannot rave about these enough!”
Singapore Chilli Prawns
This one’s a bit of a showstopper, if I do say so myself!
SERVES 4 PREP 15 MINUTES
COOK 20 MINUTES
INGREDIENTS
¼ cup (60ml) canola oil
1 tbsp dried belachan paste, chopped into 5mm pieces
1 cup (260g) tomato passata
½ cup (125ml) sweet chilli sauce
2 tbsp ketchup or tomato sauce
1 cup (250ml) water
3 tbsp white vinegar
1.2kg large tiger or king prawns, whole, raw
CHILLI PASTE
5 long red (cayenne) chillies, deseeded and roughly chopped
2 tbsp miso paste (red or white), or taucu paste if you can find it
6 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
3 eschalots, peeled and roughly chopped
¼ cup (30g) roughly chopped ginger
TO SERVE
2 tbsp roughly chopped coriander leaves
Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
These tasty sliders are the perfect way to use up some of that leftover Christmas ham! For the full recipe and handy tips and tricks, visit the RecipeTin Eats website.
MAKES 12
SLIDERS
12 standard or 24 small soft white roll slab (23 x 33cm)
⅓ cup American mustard
350g ham, shaved or thinly sliced 250g Swiss cheese
ONION POPPYSEED BUTTER
100g unsalted butter, melted
¼ onion, finely chopped
2 tbsp American mustard
1 tbsp poppy seeds
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
½ tsp cooking/kosher salt ¼ black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Preheat oven to 180 degrees (160 degrees fan-forced). Line the base of a 23 x 33cm pan with paper.
2 tbsp finely sliced green onion
12 mantou buns, heated as per the directions on the packet, or small brioche buns
INSTRUCTIONS
1 Chilli paste - Place the chillies, miso or taucu paste, garlic, eschalot and ginger into a jug wide enough to fit the head of a stick blender. Blitz into a paste for about 10 seconds on high, then set aside.
2 Toast belachan - Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the belachan and cook, stirring constantly, for two minutes. The smell will not be pleasant at this stage but have faith! I wouldn’t put you through this if it wasn’t worth it!
3 Sauce - Add the chilli paste and cook, stirring constantly, for three minutes, until it changes from red to crimson. Add the passata and stir for two minutes. Add the sweet chilli sauce, ketchup, water and vinegar and stir to combine. Once it comes to the boil, add the prawns. Toss to coat in the sauce, then put a lid on the pot. Cook for five minutes (for medium prawns) or eight minutes (for very large prawns).
4 Serve - Tip all the prawns and sauce into a large serving bowl. Sprinkle with coriander and green onion. Pile
2 Onion poppy seed butter: Mix ingredients together.
3 Assemble base - Cut slab of rolls in half horizontally. Spread base and lid with mustard. Place bread in pan, top with ham then cheese. Don’t put the lid on yet!
4 Bake topless - Bake 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
5 Smother - Remove bread from oven. Top with bread lid, pour/spoon over butter, covering evenly.
6 Bake covered - Cover with foil, bake 20 minutes.
the mantou buns in a bowl and serve on the side.
5 Eating - to eat, spoon some prawns and plenty of sauce into a bowl. Use your hands to remove the prawn head and shell, then dunk the prawn meat into the sauce and eat! Use the mantou buns to mop up the sauce in your bowl.
Leftovers - Keeps in the fridge for two days. Not suitable for freezing.
7 Pierce for soakage - Remove foil. Pierce intersections where corners of rolls meet so pooled butter soaks into bread.
8 Bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until top is crusty.
9 Cut while hot, then serve.
COOK UP A STORM
These recipes are just a preview of all the great dishes you'll find in RecipeTin Eats: Tonight by Nagi Maehashi, perfect for catering the Christmas feast this year!
SCAN HERE TO GRAB YOUR COPY
Balancing cricket, Christmas, and captain’s duties
As the rest of us wind down and prepare to enjoy the festive season, Australian Men’s Cricket Captain and Prime Video Ambassador Pat Cummins, and his squad, are gearing up for their busiest time of year
After a decade-long dry spell against the world-class Indian test team, Pat thinks this just might be the year to break the drought.
The team is in fine shape and has really reached a level of maturity and skill that could see the Aussies romp home with the cup.
And despite the summer heat, and the difficulties of juggling work and family throughout the festive season, the Australian Men’s Cricket Captain thinks Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year.
TRUE AUSSIE SPIRIT
Knowing he and the team are such a big part of many Aussie people’s Christmas, as they settle in with plates of leftovers to watch the Boxing Day test, makes the long hours in the hot sun all worth it.
He says the ticket sales this year have been huge, and all eyes are on the Aussie squad, with plenty of commentary from all sides.
“Hopefully this is our year,” Pat says. “The last couple of times India have come out and they’ve won, and five test series always come with challenges, whether it’s injuries or the weather.
“But I feel like we’re quite well placed this year, and the guys are pretty fresh.
“It’s a big physical challenge, especially for the bowlers, and it’s big pressure. But we’ll put that to one side, and concentrate on what we need to do,” he says.
A FOCUS ON FAMILY
For Pat, and many of his teammates, one of the things that really pulls them through the gruelling days of training (and playing) is looking forward to the few days they get to spend with family over the break.
“I feel like we’re quite well placed this year, and the guys are pretty fresh.”
It’s a huge focus for team management to make families feel welcome, and with the rising number of dads in the team, it’s like one big family with all the little ones playing together while their dads get down to business on the pitch.
Asked what his favourite gifts are, it comes as no surprise that the greatest delight Pat felt as a kid was getting new gloves or a bat, and he hopes his own son, now three years old, will eventually feel that same excitement at Christmas time.
FESTIVITIES AND RELAXATION
For now though, Pat will be having a ball on and off the pitch, enjoying Christmas lunch with the team and
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their families in Melbourne, and looking forward to the odd cheat day where he can grab a meal and get comfy on the couch in front of an Amazon Prime Video movie.
Pat jokes that he might even re-watch the highly successful Prime Video series, The Test, which is a behind-the-scenes look at the redemption arc of the Aussies in the wake of the 2018 ball tampering scandal, now in its fourth season.
For Pat it offers a side of the game he’s rarely glimpsed as he’s focused on the work of bringing the team’s reputation back to its once stellar highs.
However, when he’s looking for some real down-time from the game, it’s up to the Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm to fit the bill, with Pat keen to put his feet up after the test series is over and escape to the hilarity we’ve all come to expect from former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson.
TESTED BY PAT
PAT’S TOP PRIME VIDEO PICKS
CLARKSON’S FARM
“It’s just so good, I love it.”
REACHER
“I love the books, so I love the series.”
LUXE LISTING SYDNEY
“When I’m overseas, (this show) gives me a taste of home.”
THE TEST: A NEW ERA FOR AUSTRALIA’S TEAM
“I’m in it, so I have got a bit of a soft spot for it.”
I AM CELINE DION
“My wild card pick, which I love. Amazing documentary.”
CUMMINS
Discover the remarkable stories of when challenge, crisis and opportunity met for 11 incredible leaders and achievers, as interviewed by Pat Cummins himself.
SCAN HERE TO GRAB YOUR COPY
Opposite page: Pat Cummins is proud to be Amazon Prime Video Ambassador.
The Australian Men’s Cricket team celebrate the ICC World Test Championship win in 2023, and Pat represents Aussie cricket on and off the pitch.
BRING THE BOOM:
The ultimate guide to finding your poolside speaker
It’s pool party season, which means you need the perfect playlist - and a speaker that will do it justice
Summer is here, and you know what that means … it’s pool party time! Whether you’re indulging in a traditional Aussie Christmas swim, or simply having fun with some friends, ’tis the season to dive into that pool. But before you send out the invites and retrieve your swimsuit from the back of the cupboard, you’ll want to make sure you have the party playlist sorted and a Bluetooth speaker that will go the distance.
When it comes to choosing the perfect pool speaker, there are a few key features to look out for before hitting play on your purchase.
1
SOUND QUALITY
Whether you’re all about the bass or can’t go past a catchy pop tune (we hear you, Swifties), you’ll want a speaker that produces a clear, balanced sound. And because you’ll be pumping those tunes outdoors, loud volume capability is also a must. Cylindrical speakers, like Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4, also offer 360-degree sound, so you can keep the groove going whether you’re working the barbecue, sunbaking on the deck or splashing around in the pool.
2PORTABILITY
Probably one of the key benefits of a Bluetooth speaker is its portability, so in this instance size really does matter. When tossing up which speaker to buy (literally, if you’d like, with the drop-proof MEGABOOM 4), we suggest choosing one you can easily hold in your hand. While a larger speaker will often mean a bigger sound and larger battery (and therefore longer playing power), it’s less practical when it comes to trips to the beach, park or even in the office.
3BATTERY LIFE
Thanks to those long summer days, you can keep the party going from early to late, so you’ll want your speaker to be able to do the same. The MEGABOOM 4 boasts a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that will play for an epic 20 hours on a single charge, which means it has a good chance of out-partying your guests.
“Whether you’re indulging in a traditional Aussie Christmas swim or simply having fun with some friends, ’tis the season to dive into that pool.”
4DURABILITY
Traditionally water and technology do not mix, but these days most Bluetooth speakers are more robust and less susceptible to damage. To determine a device’s water-resistance levels, look for an IP (Ingress Protection) rating – the higher the rating, the higher the degree of protection and moisture resistance. With a rating of IP67, the MEGABOOM 4 is not only splashproof, dust-proof and drop-proof, but it can also handle a full drenching. Better yet, it can float, so it really is the ideal poolside companion.
5
ABILITY TO CONNECT
For the ultimate pool party experience, consider a speaker that can be paired with multiple other speakers to create a continuous wall of sound. Using the UE Boom app, MEGABOOM 4 can be connected to other Boom speakers at the touch of the button – perfect for keeping a consistent flow between speakers inside and out to give the atmosphere that extra umph.
6APPEARANCE
We know you shouldn’t judge a speaker by its appearance, but we can’t help ourselves. Who doesn’t want a chic speaker that aligns with the aesthetic of your party theme or home decor?
MEGABOOM 4 speakers come in a range of colours – from Active Black
to Cobalt Blue, Raspberry Red and Enchanting Lilac. There’s something to suit every taste, regardless of whether you want your sound system to stand out or blend in. Better yet, they’re made of a minimum of 54 per cent postconsumer recycled plastic by weight, and designed to be recycled at the end of their lives as well. Bonus points to Ultimate Ears for their sustainability.
Now that you’ve got your Bluetooth speaker covered, it’s time to start on the playlist. How about we kick things off with the old-school favourite ‘Boom! Shake the Room’?
TIME TO PARTY
Ticking all the boxes for your next pool party-proof Bluetooth speaker, bring the boom with the Ultimate Ears MEGABOOM 4.
SCAN HERE TO GET THE PARTY STARTED
“This summer, Australian readers are set to turn over three billion pages on their Kindle devices, as Amazon’s new Kindle lineup arrives just in time for the Christmas season.”
THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS GIFT:
Summer reading gets an upgrade with Amazon’s new Kindle range
As Aussies prepare for the Christmas season, the all-new Kindle family arrives as the perfect blend of innovation and tradition
Picture this: lounging by the pool with your favourite novel, after unwrapping a sleek new reading device on Christmas morning.
This summer, Australian readers are set to turn more than three billion pages on their Kindle devices, as Amazon’s new Kindle lineup arrives just in time for the Christmas season with the perfect blend of innovation and tradition.
Whether you’re reading “A Christmas Carol” by the beach or jotting down summer memories with the Kindle Scribe, these devices promise to make this festive season one for the books.
After all, what better present could there be than thousands of stories at your fingertips?
THE POCKET-SIZED WONDER: KINDLE IN FESTIVE MATCHA
Like a perfectly wrapped present, the new entry-level Kindle comes in a fresh matcha colour that captures the spirit of an Aussie Christmas.
Weighing just 158g – lighter than a Christmas pudding – this compact companion slips easily into beach bags and stockings alike. With its 300ppi glare-free display and enhanced front light, you can read comfortably no matter the hour.
THE SPEED CHAMPION: KINDLE PAPERWHITE
Santa’s sleigh isn’t the only thing moving faster this year. The beloved Kindle Paperwhite now turns pages 25% faster, as well as featuring the largest display in Paperwhite history at
seven inches - all while keeping a slim profile that makes it the thinnest Paperwhite ever. With up to three months of battery life, it’ll take you well beyond the festive season.
THE PREMIUM PRESENT: KINDLE PAPERWHITE SIGNATURE EDITION
For those on your ‘extra nice’ list, the Signature Edition sparkles in Metallic Jade (exclusive to Amazon.com.au) and Metallic Black.
With 32GB of storage, wireless charging, and an auto-adjusting front light, it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
THE CREATIVE’S DREAM: KINDLE SCRIBE
Like finding the perfect gift you didn’t know you needed, the Kindle Scribe
revolutionises digital reading by combining a premium e-reader with an innovative digital notebook. Its 10.2-inch display, featuring uniform white borders and a paper-like feel, makes both reading and writing feel naturally festive.
The included premium pen never requires charging and comes with a soft-tipped eraser that makes writing your Christmas wish list a breeze.
Make this Christmas unforgettable with a gift that brings joy all year round – the new Kindle lineup, available now on Amazon.com.au.
SCAN HERE FOR A SUMMER OF STORIES
META QUEST 3S: Transform your reality
Instead of just escaping the summer heat this Christmas, you can escape reality from the comfort of your lounge room with the new Meta Quest 3S
The Meta Quest 3S is a gift the whole family will love to see under the tree this year, offering unreal experiences at an unreal price.
IMMERSE YOURSELF
Every member of your family will love unlocking new ways to work, play, relax and socialise, and unlike older virtual reality experiences, the Meta Quest 3S allows you to blend reality with a truly immersive experience.
Using the Quest 3S’s full-colour Passthrough mixed reality capabilities, you can be cleaning the house, watching your favourite online creators, and messaging friends at the same time with multi-screen browsing.
You can also escape reality by turning any room into your own personal theatre or gaming den, linking your Quest 3S with your Xbox Cloud Gaming library or using the browser window to watch Netflix and Prime Video.
You can even work off Christmas lunch with a virtual personal trainer in some of the world’s most stunning locations, all without going out into the stifling summer heat.
NEW WAYS TO WORK AND PLAY
The kids can get a jumpstart on the new school year with some incredible learning apps sure to ignite their love of history, learning languages, or conducting science experiments, while parents can collaborate with colleagues or host a meeting in Meta Horizon Workrooms.
After the work is done, there is plenty of scope for the family to spend some quality time playing games or working out together.
Thanks to its incredible price point, the Meta Quest 3S is the ultimate headset for mixed reality and immersive experiences everyone will love, whether it’s fun for the whole family or a way to get a much needed break from the Christmas chaos.
“Escape reality completely by turning any room into your own personal theatre or gaming den.”
SCAN HERE TO EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC FOR YOURSELF
Deck the halls
Interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer shares his top tips for making your festive decorating the talk of all your friends and family
For interior designer and The Block judge Darren Palmer, there’s no one right way to celebrate Christmas.
“Christmas is so many different things to different people,” he muses, adding that the way you decorate for the festive season is reflective of your own personality, lifestyle and values.
“That’s what you want to focus on when you’re putting your home together for Christmas – does this feel like my idea of festivities, and does it suit the people that are going to be coming into my home, and will I be making them feel the way that I want them to feel, which is hopefully welcomed, lively, full of love, full of joy, of all the gratitude that Christmas should bring.”
BRINGING THE FESTIVE SPIRIT INTO YOUR HOME
With this in mind, Darren still has some hot tips for decorating your house this Christmas in style, starting with the tree.
“If you’re using Christmas baubles and they’re different sizes, the smaller ones go at the top and the bigger ones at the bottom – and you taper them in between,” he says. “There needs to be some graduation of the size in between to break them up, but that change of scale does visually give you all the weight at the bottom and the elegance and delicateness at the top [which] looks really good, that sort of forced perspective.”
Darren also recommends picking a colour and texture palette and sticking with it throughout your decorating. This can be colours such as gold and black; blue, white and silver; or traditional greens and reds – or textures such as driftwood or natives.
This then can become your theme for the year, used with anything from the Christmas tree down to the table setting. That being said, even if you’re starting from scratch, it doesn’t
need to break the bank.
“It’s the same principle as doing a house: it’s a mix of beautiful expensive things and everyday inexpensive things,” Darren explains, adding that inexpensive multipacks of baubles and decorations from the big retailers are a great starting point for a new colour palette.
“I think if you can mix things together and have the bulk of it as inexpensive, very good stuff that you can buy anywhere, and then have a few special things you can draw your eye to, that elevates everything.”
A DELIGHTFUL FESTIVE TABLE
It’s a similar philosophy to creating a stunning Christmas table setting.
“You have your set of parameters and going, okay this is a theme for this year, this is the colour palette for this year, and then you can play that through onto your table,” Darren says.
This also doesn’t necessarily mean spending big on updating your crockery or cutlery.
“The crockery isn’t that important to me ... white plates do the job beautifully, and you can really elevate a table with different coloured metallic cutlery – so I’ve got a gold set that we use for Christmas quite often, but again it’s whatever retail is selling that you can go ‘okay, that works within my colour palette’,” he explains.
Layering a tablecloth and using linen for both it and the napkins can
“Layering a tablecloth and using linen for both it and the napkins can produce a stunning effect.”
produce a stunning effect, while Darren also strongly recommends napkin rings.
“Napkin rings and linen napkins, they look really classy on a table,” he says. “I like to get Australian natives inserted into the napkin ring, so it might be a eucalyptus or rosemary sprig or whatever is flowering at the time – just putting a little botanical in the napkin ring with the napkin on the side plate looks really elegant.”
One more essential for a festive table setting is good quality bon bons or Christmas crackers that will look stunning on the table and add a pop of colour.
“That sort of helps add a bit of a festive spirit to your table, and then leaving space for food; obviously it’s really important to elevate your food – like cake trays, giving different layers of height on your table,” Darren says, adding that height can also be added by using candlesticks, branches or blossoms.
REFRESH YOUR LIVING SPACE FOR LESS
Of course, it’s not only Christmas that is important to redecorate for – as the weather gets much warmer, many people also want to freshen up their living space with a cool and clean look.
Colour and material palettes are once again essential in this, as well as having a focal point within the room.
“That could be an art piece, it
could be the rug, it could be even just a really lovely floral bouquet – but having something that draws your eye to it, and then sort of expanding your palette out across the soft furnishing and decor, that’s the easiest way to upgrade a space whatever season,” Darren enthuses.
“By changing your decor – so that’s books, candles, diffusers, cushions, soft furnishings, rugs – and leaving furniture as they are, you can really change the look and feel of the room with the minimum amount of spend.
“That will give you a big change in direction and a change in mood in a space,” he says.
DARREN’S FESTIVE FAVOURITES
Decorating style: It’s definitely minimalist, but it’s more maximalist with [my son], very chaotic, very colourful.
Favourite decoration: It doesn’t feel like Christmas until there’s a Christmas tree!
Opinion on tinsel: I’m for tinsel – not the tinsel that you wrap around the trees so much, but tinsel icicles that are super chic, really elegant.
SCAN HERE TO EXPLORE DARREN’S PICKS ON HIS AMAZON STOREFRONT
Clockwise from top left: Christmas Concepts Pack of 5100mm Large Baubles; Plobeca Home Linen Napkins Set of 4; Real Marble Cake Stand by Balin Designs; Teemyaa Globe String Lights; 10” Christmas Party Table Favor (12 Pack).
Angus and Julia Stone share a rare musical bond, a connection that’s both deeply interwoven yet distinctively their own.
As siblings, their voices blend with a natural, organic harmony that brings a sense of warmth and nostalgia to their music.
Angus’ husky, laid-back voice blends perfectly with Julia’s airy, ethereal tones, creating a complementary contrast that is central to their distinct sound that has taken them around the world, and back again.
Their journey so far has been rich and varied – from landing a record deal and moving to London, to spending two years in LA working with super producer Rick Rubin and making music in Paris, Berlin, Egypt, and New York, before building a studio in the NSW hinterland.
CAPTURING THE ESSENCE OF AN AUSSIE CHRISTMAS
Their latest release, The Christmas Song (Amazon Music Original), captures the heartfelt essence of the season through an Australian lens of hot summer days, familiar stories and sun-soaked family gatherings.
Produced by Ben Edgar and Angus and Julia Stone, and mixed by Ellis Tucker, the track celebrates tradition, family, and the bonds that tie them together.
“We wanted to create a song that felt like what Christmas means to us now and meant to us growing up,” they share. “Hot summer days, the family lying in the sun, the familiarity of the same old stories… same old songs.
“When we wrote this, it felt nostalgic of that time, every year, where no matter what’s going on, we come back together as a family and reconnect.”
The Christmas Song captures the magic of those cherished traditions that feel like home, and in true Angus and Julia style, it’s a celebration of love, connection and the beauty of coming together.
FESTIVE
VIBES
Discover Angus and Julia Stone’s warm and natural sound for yourself on Amazon Music, including The Christmas Song (Amazon Music Original).
SCAN HERE TO LISTEN TO THE CHRISTMAS SONG (AMAZON MUSIC ORIGINAL), AND OTHER FESTIVE PLAYLISTS
Angus and Julia recall nostalgic holiday memories
Siblings capture holiday nostalgia with heartfelt new track, The Christmas Song (Amazon Music Original)
Post-Christmas clean gets an upgrade
Introducing the Wash G1™, Dyson’s first wet floor cleaner
Christmas is a fun-filled time with plenty of visitors, the whole family at home and everyone enjoying quality time together - but it all comes at the cost of a lot more foot traffic around the family home.
Take the stress out of the postChristmas clean-up this year by gifting yourself the Wash G1TM , Dyson’s first wet floor cleaner.
Dyson has long been one of the most trusted household names in cleaning, and the Wash G1TM is living up to the hype.
CLEANER FLOORS WITH EASE
With the cutting-edge performance, ease of use, and superior hygiene benefits of the Wash G1TM , you can effortlessly have stunningly clean floors, even underneath the furniture. Rather than suction power that can both complicate cleaning by having wash phases and vacuum phases, not to mention releasing unpleasant odours, the Wash G1TM cleans consistently with fresh water and uses extraction plate technology to extract dirty water as you go.
The Wash G1™ also features three fantastic hydration modes, depending on your level of mess, to create hassle-free cleaning.
BUILT-IN HYGIENE
The Dyson Wash G1TM also separates the dirty water from the debris for easy and hygienic disposal, and features a self-cleaning mode that flushes the system ready for the next use.
In addition, the intricate design of the Wash G1TM was created without sharp surfaces or crevices to lessen the unsightly and unhygienic dirt and grime build-up common in most wet floor cleaners. This means you can easily wipe all surfaces – making it the perfect hard floor cleaner without the usual downsides.
Unlike the old mop and bucket, the Dyson Wash G1TM washes floors effortlessly with clean water from start to finish, and just one litre of water can clean up to 290sq m of floor with sparkling results and exceptional hygiene.
Whether your floor needs a quick maintenance clean, the kids have
“Just one litre of water in the Wash G1TM can clean up to 290sq m of floor with sparkling results and exceptional hygiene.”
redecorated with chip crumbs or cereal, someone has spilled the cranberry sauce from Christmas lunch, or you need to deep clean tough stains, the Wash G1TM is the perfect solution for any hard floor. Do yourself a favour this Christmas and upgrade to effortless cleaning with superior results so you can spend more time making memories with your family and less time worrying about the mess.
WASH G1™
Whether your floor just needs a quick clean before guests or someone has spilled the cranberry sauce from Christmas lunch, the Wash G1TM is the perfect solution for any hard floor.
SCAN HERE TO UPGRADE TO EFFORTLESS CLEANING THIS CHRISTMAS
The ultimate toy test
Amazon Australia and Starlight Children’s Foundation partnered again this year to put the top 100 toys to the kid test while making a real difference in the lives of sick kids
Who better to judge the top 100 toys for 2024 than the kids who are going to be playing with them?
For the sixth year running, Amazon Australia once again put the items on its 2024 Top 100 Toy list to the test by the Playmakers - nine children connected to Starlight Children’s Foundation’s programs around Australia.
For Amazon Playmaker ambassador and ex-Hi-5 member Charli Robinson, the Playmakers is truly something special and close to her heart.
GIVING JOY TO SICK KIDS
Now in her second year being involved with Amazon Playmakers, Charli says she feels honoured to be part of the special initiative.
“These kids don’t get to be playful
as often as they should because they feel so unwell, so what this was doing for them was just very heartwarming,” Charli enthuses.
“A couple of the parents that I was interviewing on-camera were in tears because this is the sort of thing that children deserve to feel – just that elation, joy, excitement – and for so many children, they don’t get to have that when they’re in hospital.”
The initiative gathers nine Starlight children across the country and provides them with a selection of toys from Amazon’s Top 100, which the children then get to play with and test in a Starlight Room.
“The anticipation of us working with them is just as exciting as the day, because remembering these children spend most of their days in and out of hospitals, sometimes they’re there for months on end and
it can become very tiresome and mundane and just repetitive for them in these hospital walls,” Charli says.
“Once we come together and we’re testing the toys, I just get to support them through that, play with them, find out why they like these toys, which one stands out for them.
“The best part is they get to do it with their siblings, so you find that the kids are really relaxed, and their parents are there with me as well. We just really get to see what the kids love about these toys.”
HARD WORK DONE FOR PARENTS
The only ‘downside’ to the whole process, Charli says, is that she gets so swept away she ends up spending way too much money by doing all her Christmas shopping.
“When I see the kids’ faces light
up – and it’s always the same sort of toys that they really love – I just have to get that for my little girls,” she laughs.
“So I guarantee it’s actually taken all the hard work out of Christmas for parents, because rather than just checking out the shopping catalogue, we’ve actually made children test these toys and find out which ones they love. And I definitely saw a pattern of which ones were their favourites, so that one’s under my tree.”
This year’s top 100 has also been grouped into the current toys trends for ease of use, with categories like sport, education, quiet time, animated icons, and toys under $25 making the cut.
Check out the full list and trends at www.amazon.com.au/ playmakers2024
Amazon Playmaker Ambassador Charli Robinson.
AMAZON AUSTRALIA’S 2024 OFFICIAL PLAYMAKERS
Oliver, 10, Sydney
“My favourite toy is definitely the Despicable Me Ultimate Fart Blaster, which I can play with my brothers around the holidays.”
Maddie, 7, Sydney
“My ultimate favourite toy is the ice-cream slime kit because I can make whatever I want.”
Elijah, 8, Melbourne
“The Monster Jam truck is my favourite because I can drive it around and make it do cool jumps and tricks around the backyard.”
Tom, 9, Sydney
“I especially love the Bitzee toy as I can look after it, and it reminds me of toys I had when I was younger.”
Lucy, 5, Sydney
“I love the Barbie Dreamtopia Unicorn because when you pat it, it shines. I also love the Furby because it talks to me, for real life!”
Alice, 6, Brisbane
“My favourite toy is the Unicorn Academy Doll and Horse toy because I can brush the horse’s hair.”
Daniel, 10, Brisbane
“My favourite toy has to be the Vtech Kidizoom because it’s the first camera I’ve owned, and I love being creative”
Priya, 5, Melbourne
“My favourite toy is the Barbie because she can do anything she wants.”
A WORD FROM STARLIGHT CHILDREN’S FOUNDATION CHIEF
EXECUTIVE OFFICER, LOUISE BAXTER
“Starlight is thrilled to again partner with Amazon Australia. Amazon Playmakers … means sick kids are the stars and to see the joy this brings to them and their families … to see the way they light up … this is everything. Giving seriously ill children a moment to simply be a child and forget about the pain and stress of treatment is exactly how Starlight changes lives everyday. We cannot thank Amazon enough for giving Starlight kids this experience.”
Hailey, 5, Perth
“My ultimate favourite toy is the Plush duck because it’s squishy and I love cuddling it.”
Simple airfryer hacks for a no-fuss Chrissy lunch
This Christmas let your airfryer take centre stage in the kitchen, saving you time and turning leftovers into exciting, delicious dishes your family will love
This festive season, let your airfryer be the hero, giving you more time with loved ones by cooking tasty meals quickly, transforming leftovers into irresistible dishes they’ll adore, and reheating meals to crispy, juicy deliciousness.
AIRFRYERS AN AUSSIE STAPLE
With more than two million Philips airfryers sold in Australia, Aussies are embracing faster, healthier cooking – and with 19 cooking modes, the Philips Dual Basket Airfryer 5000 Series with steam is the ultimate kitchen companion. Whether you’re preparing a full meal from scratch or creating something from tasty
leftover ingredients, this space saving marvel will keep festive meal prep and cooking low-stress, getting you out of the kitchen and back to the party.
A MODE FOR EVERY METHOD
This advanced model airfryer can fry, bake, roast, stir fry, grill, reheat and even steam – all in one appliance. It’s super efficient too; you’ll cook up to 40 per cent faster and save up to 80% energy compared to your oven.
Thanks to its clever dual basket design (featuring 6L and 3L baskets), you can cook two separate dishes at once, perfectly synced to be ready at the same time.
CHRISSY AIRFRYER HACKS
While you can easily transform leftovers into exciting new meals with your new airfryer - think veggie fritters or stuffed potato skins - why stop there? Here are just a few excellent hacks for your Christmas: Golden roast potatoes: Parboil potatoes, then coat them lightly with olive oil and herbs (try rosemary for that classic flavour). Air-fry at 180 degrees for 20-25 minutes, shaking halfway through to get an even, crispy finish.
Honey-glazed carrots: Toss baby carrots in honey and a pinch of cinnamon, then air-fry at 180 degrees for 15 minutes for perfectly caramelised carrots.
Festive brussels sprouts with bacon: Toss halved Brussels sprouts with olive oil, salt and chopped bacon, then air-fry at 200 degrees for 12-15 minutes, shaking occasionally.
Air-fried pavlova: We hear you, but yes you can make mini pavlovas in an airfryer! Spoon meringue mixture onto baking paper, set airfryer to the lowest heat (around 100 degrees), and cook for 40-50 minutes until dry on the outside.
Anyone who’s experienced an Aussie summer knows how unforgiving our sun can be.
For Sunshine Coast entrepreneur Raph McGowan, the dangers of sun exposure hit really close to home.
After losing his sister Tess to melanoma at just 31, Raph created bakslap, an extendable applicator for applying sunscreen to hard-to-reach spots like the back and shoulder blades.
“After losing my sister, I wanted to do something innovative, as well as raise money and have events,” he says.
“I thought by having something practical, such as a way for people to apply sunscreen, but also the name being a little bit quirky would be a bit of a talking point – keeping that Australian feel to it.”
FROM IDEA TO INCEPTION
Raph was dedicated to bringing bakslap to life, relocating from Sydney back to the Sunshine Coast, determined to grow his business and raise awareness about the risks of sun exposure.
“I wanted to make sure that this was a business, a brand and a message that I could grow not only in Australia but also take overseas, and I knew that that would take full-time commitment, not something I could just do on the side,” he explains.
Aussie invention protecting against skin cancer goes global
After losing his sister to melanoma, Raph McGowan invented an applicator to apply sunscreen to hard-to-reach spots
Despite having no background in product development, Raph took on the challenge headfirst.
“Even if you have never come up with a product yourself, don’t let that stop you. You’ve always got those people with expertise around that you can draw upon.”
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES
It took two years to bring bakslap to market, with funding one of Raph’s biggest challenges.
“I realised that when you have big aspirations or a business and product and you’re wanting to get it into pharmacies and online, it takes time, it takes money,” he recalls.
The applicator went through nine prototypes before its final design and is now used for sunscreen application, shower exfoliation, self-tanning, applying medical cream and helping elderly users reach difficult spots.
THE AMAZON EDGE
The decision to launch bakslap on Amazon was an easy one for Raph, who recognised the platform’s vast reach and marketing power.
“We launched in the US in 2020, and we’ve been in Australia for almost three years now and the UK for 12 months,” he says.
“The inventory management, fulfilment, and
access to export markets has helped our business grow exponentially. Having Amazon as our partner to pick, pack and ship our product means bakslap is in the hands of our customers sooner than we could ever do on our own.”
Raph says Amazon has been invaluable in spreading the bakslap message.
“It allows us to have almost a full website within their platform and I really wanted to make sure we could use images, video and share our story. We’re really happy to use them as our growth strategy for e-commerce.”
SCAN HERE TO DISCOVER BAKSLAP FOR YOURSELF AND STAY SUN SAFE
Handpicked by influencers
Shannon Grixti
“The PlayStation DualSense Edge wireless controller is the perfect gift for the techhead in your life as it’s fully customisable and lets you take your game to the next level.”
Leigh Campbell
“I know people don’t think a water bottle is the most exciting gift but I can guarantee these are the best … I always get asked about my Owala when I carry it with me (which is always).”
Buy with confidence
For the 2024 holiday season, most of the items purchased on Amazon.com.au between Friday 1 November, and Tuesday 31 December 2024 can be returned for change-of-mind until Friday 31 January 2025.
AdrianWidjy (Places in Sydney)
“My ultimate Christmas gift will be this all-in-one air fryer oven. Perfect for entertaining as it can even cook a whole chicken [and] grill and bake as well.”
Emma Meyer (Play at Home Mummy)
“My top pick that I would love to gift this year is a Yoto Mini. This little screen-free device … allows kids to listen to audio books, podcasts, songs and stories in a totally screen-free, travel-friendly way.”
TO ENTER
1Make sure you log into your Amazon.com.au account (or sign up if you are a new customer);
2Scan the QR code to land on our competition page.
That’s it! If you have successfully entered, we will email you within 24 hours with a confirmation. SCAN
PlayStation 5 DualSense Edge Wireless Controller
Owala FreeSip Insulated
Yoto Mini
Hassle-free holidays with Prime
The Christmas season can be incredibly stressful with the balancing act of finishing up work and school for the year, parties and events, family, cooking… the list goes on. Fortunately, if you’re a Prime member, you have an ace up your sleeve!
FAST AND FREE DELIVERY
With Prime, you can skip the festive madness of long checkout lines and enjoy fast and free delivery on millions of eligible items, as well as saving big on gifts and other holiday must-haves. Plus, with Amazon Australia’s return policy you can quickly and easily arrange for returns if something doesn’t quite suit.
A WORLD OF ENTERTAINMENT
When it’s time to kick back and relax, your Prime membership has you covered. Stream all your favourite holiday movies and TV specials with Prime Video, or download free e-books to read at the beach or by the pool. You can even dance the stress away while listening to festive playlists on Amazon Music.
MORE WAYS TO SAVE
A brand new offer, Prime membership now comes with free access to 24 months of DoorDash DashPass (AU$239 value!). This will unlock unlimited AU$0 delivery fees on eligible DoorDash orders, ideal for those last-minute items.
24/7 SUPPORT
If any issues or questions come up, Amazon’s customer service is available around the clock to help Prime members – whether you need to track a package, get a refund, or troubleshoot a technical problem.
THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
So this Christmas, let Prime be Santa’s helper for a hassle-free holiday. With fast shopping, bigger savings, endless entertainment, and reliable support, you can focus on what really matters –spending quality time with your loved ones.
Enjoying your Prime membership, and want to keep the benefits? A Prime membership is $9.99 per month or $79 per year if you pay annually. Cancel anytime.
TRY PRIME WITH A FREE 30-DAY TRIAL
● Fast and free delivery on millions of eligible items
● Access to Amazon original series and films on Prime Video
● Access to 100 million songs ad-free in shuffle mode with Amazon Music
● Free games every month, plus other perks with Prime Gaming
● 24 months of free DoorDash DashPass (valued at $239) with unlimited AU$0 delivery fees on eligible DoorDash orders
SCAN HERE TO UNLOCK A 30-DAY FREE TRIAL FOR NEW PRIME MEMBERS
Christmas Gift Guide
Joseph Joseph Elevate Carousel 6-Piece Gift Set
SHI BA ZI ZUO 8-inch Kitchen Knife
MIAMIO Kissing Mugs Gift Set
NutriBullet Slow Juicer INKBIRD Wireless
Martha Stewart Gatwick 7-quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven
HexClad Hybrid Nonstick 30cm Wok De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle
Soseelnee Digital Food Scale
LOVEWEE 6 Pack Ceramic Cereal Bowls
DRDGL White Ceramic Vase Set
Amazon Echo Show 5
Foindtower Set of 2 Decorative Linen Fringe Throw Pillow Covers
TMEZON Keyless Entry Door Lock
Amazon Echo Spot
Rui Set of 6 Vinyl
Coasters
Holy Stone GPS Drone with 4K
Camera
XGIMI Halo+ Google TV Projector
RODE RODECaster Duo All-in-One Production Studio
Harry Potter by J.K Rowling 1-3 Box Set: MinaLima Edition
The Voice Inside by John Farnham and Poppy Stockell
We Who Wrestle with God by
Bake with Brooki by Brooke Bellamy
Big Jim Begins (Dog Man #13) by Dav Pilkey
EPOMAKER TH80 Wired Gaming Mechanical Keyboard
One
The Chairman’s Lounge: The Inside Story of How Qantas Sold Us Out by Joe Aston
Books&Gaming
Logitech G G29 Driving Force Racing Wheel for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4
PlayStation 5 Console (Slim) Fortnite Cobalt Star Bundle
PlayStation 5 Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
QcK Heavy 6mm Thick
Pad
Jordan B. Peterson
Here
Moment by Liane Moriarty
Kindle (2024 release) Matcha
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
SteelSeries
Gaming Mouse
XXLarge
Under $25
Sukin Gift Pack, Love Your Skin
L’Occitane Holiday Crackers Kit (Set of 4)
NEESTARTLY Jade Roller and Gua Sha Kit
Revolution Colour Book Eyeshadow Palette
NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush
Cetaphil Daily Hydrating Lotion
Minimalist 10%
Vitamin B5 Face Moisturiser
SCAN HERE TO SHOP THE CHRISTMAS STORE
LATME Ice Roller for Face, Eyes
FOREO Luna Mini 2 Facial Cleansing Brush
Olaplex In Good Repair Hair Kit
Christian Dior Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, Sauvage
L’Occitane Men’s Fragrance Collection
Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream SPF15 Lip Protectant Stick Sheer Tint in Berry
Mediheal Teatree Trouble Pads
BABE ORIGINAL Babe Lash Enhancing Conditioner
d’alba Piedmont Italian White Truffle First Spray Serum
La Roche-Posay Redermic Retinol Serum
Giorgio Armani Si Eau de Perfume for Women
COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence
DF Co. Bungee Dog Leash
Jammin’ JeRk Marinade Duo
Fashion
For him
Pemaolu Women’s 2 Piece Sweater Set
HERE
BLONGW Pilates Socks with Grips
Bsubseach Women’s Casual Beach Kaftan Dress
Speedo Women’s Eco Endurance+ Medalist One Piece Swimsuit
FEISEDY Vintage Square Aviator Sunglasses
Steve Madden Women’s Possession Sneaker
Calvin Klein Satchel Bag
Fossil Jacqueline Women’s Watch
Skechers Men’s PlacerBerwick Sneaker
COOFANDY Men’s Linen Shirt
Carrera Unisex 314/S Sunglasses
Tommy Hilfiger Parker IP Thin Steel Chronograph Men’s Watch
CASIO A168WA-1 Unisex Black Digital Watch with Silver Band
tomtoc Compact EDC Sling Bag
Calvin Klein Chromatic Hip Brief 3pk
SCAN
TO SHOP THE CHRISTMAS STORE
SOJOS Retro Oval Sunglasses
CRZ YOGA Women’s Pleated Tennis Skirt with Pockets
R.Vivimos Women’s Summer Floral Midi Dress
Picks for kids
Word Search: 30 Christmas Puzzles for Girls and Boys by Thomas C. Grand Sudoku for Kids by Santa’s Helpers Press
Christmas Sudoku 100 Sudoku Puzzles by Mark P. Grant
AUTOARK Cactus Ring Holder
Just Play The Original Giant Slinky
Battleship Classic Board Game
StockingFillers
Hasbro Jenga Game
D.M DESIGN.MASTER 6-pack 18 oz Classic Stemless Wine Glasses
Baylis & Harding Sweet Mandarin & Grapefruit Luxury Fragrance Essentials
Kiss Cat Coffee Couple Mug Set
Papi Pistachio Spread ThermoPro
ESR AirPods 4 Case
Home & Spa Hair Scalp Massager
The Vegemite Cookbook: Favourite Recipes That Taste like Australia By Vegemite
JISULIFE Portable Neck Fan
Bondi
Christmas Joke Book for Kids by James Davis
BigNoseDeer
Pistachio
WILSON NBA Alliance Series Basketball
Beer,Wine&Spirits
Tanqueray Gin & Tonic 250ml (Case of 24)
Lyre’s Agave Blanco Spirit
Hibiki Japanese Harmony Whisky
Stone Pale Johnnie Walker Blue Label Scotch Whisky
Sunset Whiskey Co. Silicone Ice Cube Trays
Curatif Sunshine State Gimlet Cocktail
Mumm Tasmania Brut Prestige
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Penfolds Max’s Cabernet Sauvignon Red Wine, 750ml (Pack of 6)
Maker’s Mark Kentucky Bourbon Whisky Nikka From the Barrel Whisky
Mount Compass Spirits Contempt Single Barrel Whisky
Huski Beer Cooler 2.0
Juniperlooza by Elouise Anders
Amadio Single Vineyard Shiraz Wine
Lautus De-Alcoholised Savvy Rosé Can
Naked Life Non-Alchoholic Negroni Spritz Cocktail
Twisted Shaker Raspberry Hibiscus Cosmo
Bundaberg Original Rum and Cola Bottles 345ml (Pack of 6)
the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
Set
