The Good Stuff Guide Issue 3 : 2013 by Pip Lincolne

Welcome to Issue 3 of The Good Stuff Guide, It’s packed full of cute (mostly locally sourced) stuff to gift this holiday season and some things to make and snack on too. This year we are staycationing, eating yum stuff and hanging out with family and friends. I’ve got a few bits and pieces on my wishlist this year

1. moving house 2. staying healthy 3. finishing off my book artwork and projects 4. resting up a bit They seem totally doable, right?! #ithinksotoo Hoping you and your favourite people enjoy the holidays and have heapso nice times! Thanks for reading! x pip (meetmeatmikes.com)

Sweets… CHOC-MALT TRUFFLES

AS A CHILD I WOULD FIND ANY EXCUSE TO WHIP UP A BATCH OF ANYTHING THAT CONTAINED CONDENSED MILK. THESE ARE A VARIATION ON CHILDHOOD RUMLESS RUM BALLS.

THOSE

IF YOU ARE VEGAN YOU COULD TOTALLY SUBSTITUTE SOY CONDENSED MILK AND VEGAN BISCUITS FOR THE SUGGESTED INGREDIENTS. BUNDLE THESE UP IN LITTLE BAGS FOR FRIENDS OR GIVE THEM BY THE JAR-FULL!

One 250g packet of Malt O Milk biscuits One 395 g tin of condensed milk 1 cup of coconut ¼ cup of cocoa PLUS 1 extra cup of coconut for rolling the truffles Put the biscuits in the food processor and blitz until crumbed. Add all other ingredients (except the extra coconut) and process well. Roll into balls and then roll in the coconut. Allow to set for a few hours. Eat them up!

Sweets… VANILLA APRICOT BITES

THESE ARE A. EASY TO MAKE B. A DELICIOUS GIFT C. RADLY APRICOT-Y D. FUN FOR KIDS TO MAKE E. ACE WITH A CUP OF COFFEE F. REALLY YUM…

250g dried apricots Half a 395 g tin of condensed milk 1 cup of coconut PLUS 1 extra cup of coconut for rolling the truffles Put the apricots in the food processor and blitz until finely diced. Add all other ingredients (except the extra coconut) and process well. Roll into balls and then roll in the coconut. Allow to set for a few hours. Eat them up!

Sweets…

THE KIDS’ FAVOURITE CAKE

ANYONE CAN MAKE THIS CAKE. IT JUST REQUIRES AN ARTISTIC, MAXIMALIST EYE AND A SWEET TOOTH. NOT FOR EVERYDAY, GRANTED, BUT GUARANTEED TO BE THE VERY FAVOURITE CAKE ON CHRISTMAS DAY (IF YOU ASK THE KIDLETS!)

MAKE THIS CAKE You need: One packet of Betty Crocker cake mix, baked as per instructions One quantity of buttercream icing (1 cup of margarine, whipped with ¾ cup of icing sugar and a slosh of vanilla until smooth) Lollies Kids Make the cake and cool it. Ice it nicely. Decorate. The End!

Picnic… SUMMER SALMON SUSHI BOWL

SUSHI IS DELICIOUS, BUT SOMETIMES WE CAN’T BE BOTHERED TO DO ALL THAT ROLLING AND SLICING UP. THIS RECIPE DESCONSTRUCTS THE ELEMENTS AND IS NOT ONLY THE MOST DELICIOUS (AND MY VERY FAVOURITE) MEAL TO EAT… IT’S 238 MILLION TIMES EASIER THAN REGULAR SUSHI. WIN! FOLLOW THIS RECIPE, OR ADD THE SUSHI-BITS THAT YOU LOVE ATOP YOUR RICE AND CRUNCHY VEGETABLES.

1 piece of salmon (200g or so) 1 sliced avocado 1 small cucumber, peeled and sliced or julienned 1 carrot peeled and grated or julienned 1 cup of sushi rice bottled sushi dressing Prepare the rice as per the instructions on the packet. Season it well with sushi dressing! Dressing is good! Spread the cooled rice out on a nice platter (or serve into individual bowls!) Top the rice with grated carrot, cucumber, sliced avocado and neatly trimmed and thinly sliced salmon. Optional extras: pickled ginger, black sesame seeds, coriander, diced tofu Serve with soy and wasabi Serves 2 hungry people

Picnic… SMASHED PEA PICNIC ROLLS

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT PICNICS IS RISING TO THE CHALLENGE OF TAKING NONBORING, DELCIOUS THINGS TO SNACK ON. SMASHED PEA PICNIC ROLLS ARE SUPER EASY TO PREPARE (MAKE THE FILLING THE DAY BEFORE, IF YOU LIKE!) AND YOU CAN ADD SOME GOATS CHEESE OR SEMI DRIED TOMATOES OR A WEDGE OF BRIE… WHATEVER YOU FANCY, REALLY! YOU CAN ALSO HAVE THIS ON LITTLE TOASTS IF YOU ARE HAVING A FANCY PART AND NEED SOME DRINKS-Y BITES!

200g frozen peas 100g goat’s cheese a handful of fresh mint a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme one clove of finely crushed garlic a good slosh of extra virgin olive oil a slosh of red wine vinegar salt and black pepper 6 or 8 nice bread rolls Cook the peas until tender. Cool under a cold running tap and drain. Pop the peas in the food processor (or use a hand mixer) and puree to a rustic paste, adding the garlic, mint, olive oil and vinegar. Spoon into rolls (or into a container and TAKE sliced rye or other yummy bread!) and garnish with as much goats cheese as you like, salt and pepper and more herbs.

NB: I added some golden fried shallots and chilli to mine. You could do that too! These are also delicious with some crispy bacon atop the peas! Or some roasted red peppers or semi-dried tomatoes. Go NUTS!

Picnic… SUMMERY SPAGHETTI

YUM. MAKE THIS. TUMBLE IT ONTO A PLATTER. COVER IT WITH FOIL AND TRANSPORT IT TO YOUR FAVOURITE PICNIC SPOT (OR THE DINNER TABLE) FOR THE BIG REVEAL. THIS DISH IS DELICOUS HOT, BUT EQUALLY YUM COLD. POP THE CHERRY TOMATOES AND SPOON THE PEA PESTO MERRILY. THIS DISH WAS INSPIRED BY ROHAN ANDERSON OF WHOLE LARDER LOVE.

500g of spaghetti : 500g of frozen peas (cooked until tender) : 1/2 jar of goats cheese (about 160g) : 700g of cherry tomatoes (or other small tomato variety) : 1/4 cup of good quality extra virgin olive oil : 1 good slosh of good quality balsamic vinegar : a handful of fresh herbs (I used thyme, basil and parsley from my garden) : sea salt : freshly ground black pepper Toss the tomatoes in the olive oil, sprinkle with half the herbs and roast on a medium-high heat for about 20 minutes (until softened and colouring up a bit!) Make the Pea & Goats Cheese Pesto: In a food processor, blitz the cooked peas and the goats cheese (with a few spoonfuls of the oil it comes in - or a good slosh of extra virgin olive oil) and some salt and pepper, until it makes a rustic paste. Put a big pot of salted water on to boil. Cook the spaghetti in the boiling water for about 10 minutes or until al dente. Take the (now ready!) tomatoes out of the oven and sprinkle with the balsamic vinegar, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. On a big platter, put the just cooked, drained spaghetti. Tumble the roasted tomatoes and their Â and juices on top of the pasta. Strew the herbs on top of it all. Season with salt and pepper oil (and a titch more olive oil) Serve the pesto in a bowl alongside so people can help themselves and be sure to have lots of bread on hand to mop up all those lovely flavours. serves 4 - 6

Picnic… MAKE & TAKE TUNA BAKE

THIS IS AN AWESOME MAKE AND TAKE. PICNIC FOOD DOES NOT ALWAYS NEED TO BE SANDWICHES AND THE LIKE. WHIP UP THIS ODE TO THE 1970s AND SHARE IT WITH YOUR COMFORT & NOSTALGIA LOVING PALS. (EQUALLY GOOD AT HOME FOR AN OLD SCHOOL LUNCH WITH SOME LEMON WEDGES AND ICY DRINKS!

1 tbsp butter : one peeled onion : one stick of celery : 1 tbsp flour : 1 cup of milk : 1/2 cup of cream : 1 cup of grated cheddar cheese : ½ cup of mayonnaise : one 400g tin of corn kernels : one 425g tin of tuna in oil (drained) : 1 cup of breadcrumbs (I make mine in the food processor after I blitz the celery and onion - no need to rinse the bowl because the onion/celery makes the crumbs even more delicious!) : 1 tsp of paprika Preheat the oven to 180/360 degrees. Blitz the onion and the celery in food processor until finely diced. Melt the butter in a large fry pan. Sauté the onion and celery until the onion softens. Add the flour and cook for a minute or so. Stir in the cream and milk. Cook until the mixture boils and begins to thicken. Take it off the heat and stir in the drained tuna, the corn, the mayo and HALF of the cheese. Pour into a large baking dish. Top with the breadcrumbs and the rest of the cheese. Sprinkle over the paprika, some salt and freshly ground black pepper. (I like to add some fresh thyme at this point, too!) Bake for 25 minutes until the top is golden and crunchy. Serve with a green salad, fresh herbs, some grainy toast and slices of lemon (or a good slosh of Tabasco)

Holiday shopping… GIFT GUIDE

THINGS I LIKED THAT YOU MIGHT LIKE TOO!

gifts for kidlets

THE BIG BOOK OF ANORAK BY ANORAK MAGAZINE

PRINTABLE FINGER PUPPETS BY CURMILLA $5.50

BEARY CUTE BEAR CAPE COSTUME BY SPARROW AND B COSTUMERY $58

SHIPPON ANIMAL PLANTERS VIA PULP CREATIVE PAPER $22

REMOVABLE WALL DECALS BY LOVE MAE STORE $various

ORGANIC MOUNTAIN LEGGINGS BY THIEF & BANDIT $47

WILD FRIENDS TEE BY LITTLE HORN $22

TIGER SNEAKERS BY FEIYUE $89

gifts for kidlets

SYLVANIAN FAMILIES SWAN BOAT SET VIA BIG DREAMS $20

SNOWY BY LITTLE SCRUFF VIA WILD AND MINI $30

CARNIVAL CLOWN MONEY BOX VIA LARK $40

NANOBLOCKS (HIPPO!) VIA SHORTIES $10

SHADOW PUPPET SET BY MOULIN ROTY VIA BIG DREAMS $35

FLAT OUT FRANKIE UNICORN HEAD VIA MILT AND JOE $30

WONDER TENT BY SUCH GREAT HEIGHTS $299

CRAY LEGGINGS VIA TINY PEOPLE $40

gifts for foodies

HERB BAG BY HARVEST HAVERSACK $33.60

NEON CANISTERS VIA LARK $69.95

CAT PLACEMATS BY JULIA WINE $18.63

THE SET TABLE VIA METROPOLIS $35

SET OF JAM & PRESERVE LABELS BY HANNMADEWITHLOVE $28

DONNA WILSON ON THE ROCKS JUG VIA SAFARI LIVING $78

FLOWERBOMB PLATES VIA LARK $19.95

MOSAIC PRINT COOLER VIA A QUIRK OF FATE $40

gifts for the ladies

MINI PLANTERS VIA LOVE HATE $20 EACH

HAIR SERUM, OWL SOAP & LIP BALM GIFT SET BY SEVENTH TREE SOAPS $37 (VEGAN)

KIRRA DRESS BY OBUS $349

PARIS IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA PENCIL SET BY MISS POPPY DESIGN $12

STAMPEL WALL HANGING VIA DAGMAR ROUSSET $300

FLUORO NECKLACE BY SHUH $75

gifts for her

PINEAPPLE DRESS BY STOLEN GIRLFRIEND’S CLUB $170

FACET BEAD NECKLACE BY LOVE HATE $55

HANDMADE LEATHER SANDALS BY AND ATTORNEY $230

HUNDRED WATERS EARRINGS BY VICTORIA MASON $160

gifts for bloggers

BLOG TEMPLATE BY CAKED DESIGNS $20

POLAROID Z2300 10 MEGAPIXEL CAMERA WITH PRINTER TRY EBAY FOR THE BEST PRICE! APPROX $200

NEON PENS BY LAMY VIA LARRYPOST $32+ ALSO IN GREEN + PINK!

MOTEX LABELLER VIA MADE590 $20

NAIL STICKERS VIA MADE590 $10

PORCELAIN ANIMAL RINGS BY AND MARY AT THEO 25 GBP

PARCEL PACKING KIT BY ASK ALICE VIA NOTEMAKER $40

DIGITAL CREATIVES SURVIVAL GUIDE VIA METROPOLIS $45

gifts for the fellas

CEREAL KILLER SPOON BY EAT CREATIONS $11

TOASTY LEATHER WALLET BY LUXFORD STREET $37

WORD OF THE DAY CALENDAR BY KYC DESIGN $33 HAPPY BOXING DAY EVE CARD BY BREAKFAST TIME $4.80

CUTE BUTT CLUB STICKERS BY GIRLIEPAINS $8

YEAH SCIENCE BITCH! CROSS STITCH PATTERN BY YOU MAKE ME SEW HAPPY $3

GUIDE TO URBAN MOONSHINING VIA METROPOLIS $40

GLOW IN THE DARK ZOMBIE PLAYSET VIA MADE590 $30

gifts for the fellas

DIY UKELELE KIT VIA THIRD DRAWER DOWN $48

AREAWARE TORCH VIA MR KITLY $80

PENDLETON CAMP BLANKET VIA THIRD DRAWER DOWN $180

TROPHAEL PAIR OF PRINTS BY HYPERKIT AT THEO 45 GBP

SLING SHOT VIA DOUGLAS AND BEC $32

crafty… SUMMER CRAFT PROJECTS

Crafty… WATERCOLOUR GIFT WRAP

THIS IS A REALLY FUN PROJECT TO DO WITH FRIENDS OR WITH SOME KIDS. PAINT AND SWISH YOUR WAY THROUGH A REAM OF TISSUE PAPER… LET IT DRY ALL OVER THE HOUSE (DON’T WORRY, IT DRIES REALLY QUICKLY!) WRAP YOUR GIFTS IN PRETTY, PAINTERLY STYLE!

Here's what you need: 20 or so sheets of regular white tissue paper tubes of watercolour paint (I used the inexpensive student paints) sponges, water, clean work surface cloth for cleaning hands/surfaces clothes drying rack to hang drying paper on Splotch your paint onto the paper and then use the sponge to make designs, stripes, feathery prints... whatever you like! You can dampen the sponge to help thin the paint. (Not TOO damp, though!)

Crafty… ZALI ZIG-ZAG BLANKET

A SIMPLE ZIG ZAG BLANKET FOR YOUR FAVOURITE COSYLOVING PERSON. A HOOK, SOME YARN AND SOME TIME IS ALL YOU NEED TO WHIP UP THIS CUTE BLANKIE!

make this

Crafty… CROCHETED CHAIN DECORATION

MAYBE YOU MADE PAPER CHAINS FOR PARTIES WHEN YOU WERE A KINDER KID (OR MORE RECENTLY?) THIS IS A WOOLLY, LONGLASTING VERSION OF THOSE CHILDHOOD PAPER CHAINS. MAKE LOTS OF CROCHETED (OR EVEN KNITTED) SKINNY RECTANGLES AND THEN LOOP THEM ALL TOGETHER AND STITCH INTO PLACE!

Using 8ply yarn and a 3mm hook – or whatever you prefer… Chain 9 stitches Skip the first stitch and double crochet once into each chain until the end of the row *Double crochet once into each chain until the end of the row. Chain one* Turn repeat pattern between * and * until your rectangle measures approx. 10cm. Make as many of these as you like. Sew the first rectangle into a loop using matching yarn. Loop the next rectangle link through the first and stitch together neatly. Continue like this until your chain is the length you prefer.

Crafty… EASY NANNA BAUBLES

THESE ADDICTIVE WOOLLY BALLS ARE THE PERFECT FESTIVE PROJECT FOR THE BEGINNNER CROCHET ENTHUSIAST! CLICK THROUGH FOR THE COMPLETE HOWTO (WITH HEAPS OF PICTURES TO HELP YOU ON YOUR WAY!)

IMAGE CREDIT: JOHN LAURIE

tributedolls.com celebrating life and the potential for life Â

OUR HOLIDAY WISHLISTS

THINGS PEOPLE LIKED THINGS PEOPLE REMEMBERED

WISHLIST MICHELLE CRAWFORD stylist . author . foodie

We've had such a long winter, even as I write this in late November, the fire is blazing to warm the chilly house. I can't help dreaming of those warm summer days to come in late December that we'll spend camping on Bruny Island. We'll be pitching a tent and making it cozy with vintage blankets and soft stripy roll up mattresses. At night we'll light candles and lanterns and spend balmy nights by the fire cooking under the stars. We'll need a big pot to cook delicious feasts and a big enamel tea pot for lots of mugs of milky earl grey. And extra long sticks to toast homemade raspberry marshmallows. We'll take a little canoe to explore the lagoons and waterways nearby. After we've been swimming or reading or going for walks we'll light the campfire and grill fish over glowing coals, or maybe bake potatoes. With our bellies full and our toes sandy, we'll fall asleep happy to the musky scent of mozzie coils and the soothing lull of the nearby ocean waves. I can not wait.

WISHLIST Stripy roll up mattress These look so comfy and soft and you Â can roll them up during the day to make a comfy cushion to lean on while you read your book

Enamel Tea Pot Cups of tea and red enamel are a vital part of any camping trip. Earl Grey please.

Lantern You'll need this lantern when you're cooking dinner and you can also take it with you at night to find your way to the loo.

Old Town Canoe I would love a canoe like this one for the children to paddle around the lagoons. But maybe not so fancy.

WISHLIST RUTH BRUTEN blogger, clogger & foodie

Christmas has always been a happy time for me. A time of big family celebrations doing what I love most- sitting with the people I care about around a big table sharing food & love. A time to stop & take time to play together. My childhood Christmases always meant a house overflowing with friends & family. I hope I can give the same memories to my children. I love the slow Summery days with children waking in dribs & drabs, sleepy and in recovery-mode from busy school days. I love the alarm clock being turned off for weeks & weeks. I love having all of my family by my side unhurried & together & the late nights that end when we are ready and not because of early morning starts. It is always a favourite time of year for me.

WISHLIST Here are the four things on my list for Christmas this year: Every year my kids choose a charity to give to over receiving 'Christmas money'. It changes from year to year based on what they see as most important at the time. This year it will be to the Red Cross for the Typhoon Haiyan appeal. I think this time of year is a really important time to think of others & I encourage everyone to have this conversation with their children.

I have had my eyes on this gorgeous iittala Cast Iron pot for years. So elegant, beautiful and practical. It’s the perfect vessel to cook my yumminess in.

How great are these Mister Moss plant hangers. Such a clever idea. I have been a long time admirer of Pippa's amazing work. One of the truly inspired makers out there. One of her handmade tassels would just be so great.

WISHLIST STACEY ROBERTS blogger, tutor & clever lady

I have always loved Christmas. The sleepless anticipation on Christmas eve, the getting-up-before-dawn on the big day, the excitement of bundles of presents under a wonky Christmas tree. I could barely wait until the sun came up, let alone wait until everyone had sorted themselves out ready for presents. I always tore through mine as soon as I could, alone in the lounge with my pile of goodies. No such thing as one at a time around the tree at my place! I used to put them all in a little santa sack (which was really just a pillowcase with a picture of santa and my name spelled out in iron-on felt letters), and cherished my little haul for weeks after. We didn't have much money growing up, and never got many material things, so Christmas felt like... well, Christmas, haha. For that one day we were rich beyond measure, even if all we had were cheap plastic Barbiewannabe dolls with green hair from the $2 shop.

WISHLIST The Rhythm of Family by Amanda Blake Soule from Spiral Garden I have wanted to read this book for some time, especially now my girls aren't babies any more and we need to fill our days with interesting, creative, homely pursuits. I also want to buy it from the lovely folk at Spiral Garden, because I love supporting small family businesses. Their store especially is a favourite of mine, stuffed to the gills with good lovely things. Fairy Tale Pillow Doll from Pink Nounou via Down That Little Lane Down That Little Lane is one of my favourite online stores, and they have so Â many beautiful things to choose from that often feature local, sustainable, ecofriendly items. These pillows do doubleduty by being gorgeous items for my girls, but also a story that I can read to them before bed. I think Snow White and The Princess and the Pea would do us nicely. Wonderland collection of linen tea towels from Cabo Pickles I adore these whimsical tea towels from Cate, the kickass woman that runs Cabo Pickles. Not only are they 100% linen and completely fun, but ALL profits go to Foundation 18, an orphanage in Indonesia. I also wouldn't mind the deer, but let's not be greedy... Fa ux-sn akes kin V eg an Style

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f la ts

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I love these 100% cruelty-free but still totally stylish metallic flats. They are going to look fabulous on my feet.

WISHLIST SHANNON LAMDEN designer, blogger & maker

My Summer holiday season is full of camping. Just camping. In a daggy old camper passed down from the defacto grandparents. Yep the same one they purchased in the mid 80's and travelled all over Australia in. Think lime green, hot, small - confined space, one too many kids and a dude who nicks off fishing most of the time. We hunker down for a few weeks in a national park and pretend we don’t like to shower, sleep in sandy beds and just hang out. My childhood holidays were the total opposite to this - we were all hotels and Queensland in my family - but no. Not any more. That’s a treat - most holidays we now campervan it. Yay.

WISHLIST

Camping Tea Pot So I can sit, relax and pretend I am elsewhere. Like wandering the streets of New York alone, not colouring in another Barbie colouring book with sand in my undies waiting for the two minutes noodles to boil. Wool striped Blanket Oooh, I can feel it now, keeping me extra warm in front a cozy fire. Toasting marshmallows and talking trash. Happy Camper Badge I’d give this to fisherman for Christmas. He loves being outdoors and although I whine and whine, we do have fun. And the girls love it.

Book for the single ladies I have three little girls and they all love Barbie. I know she's disproportionate and vaguely annoying, but if they saw that she camped (and rode horses - double win) they would be screaming their little lungs out! Now Barbie can camp, we've taken her to quite a few parks over the years. Her hair dreads and she ends up naked most of the time, but then so do the kids. I guess that’s why they all dig it.

Pretty Camping Stationery It doesn’t matter where you are you should still have something nice to write on! Or I could write letters to the kids when I pack up and leave in the middle of the night to get a bus outta there.

WISHLIST KATE ULMAN author & blogger

As a family we don’t celebrate Christmas, so the last week in December is always a quiet and peaceful time for us. Sometimes it feels a bit lonely to think of all the other people we know preparing for and carrying out their festivities. But mostly it’s a lovely, calm, insular time when we have nowhere better to go and nothing better to do than spend time together. Some years we plan big family activities like harvesting and braiding all of our garlic crop and other years we play things by ear picnicking, and swimming in the house dam and going wherever the days take us. Lovely balmy weather, lots of fresh summer fruit and unhurried time together are the main ingredients. And we don’t do presents. Well we haven’t done to date. But this year I’ve been thinking about including small gifts for summer solstice, which we do celebrate. Something crafty or useful or handmade. I like presents, the giving and the receiving, the thought that goes into them and the joy they bring. So why not?

WISHLIST 1. An outdoor couch. Something to laze about on on a warm summer afternoon with a good book or a crochet hook

2. A vintage cooling rack. Nothing fancy. Just something with a bit of personality.

3. Beci Orpin’s new book HOME. Earlier in the year Miss Indi and I helped out with the shooting of a few projects in Beci’s book. It was such an incredible and inspiring day. In fact Indi’s and my hands snuck into one of the photos and I am dying to see them.

4. A Naughty Shorts dress. Who wouldn’t want

one of these fun, girly dresses to swan around in all summer long?

5. A small flock of merino sheep. To produce a small range of Daylesford Organics wool would be a dream come true.

6. A glass house. A glass house built onto the

front of our house would catch the sun, extend our growing season, give us a warm sunny spot to hang out in and brighten up so many of the dark issues with this house.

7. A My Bearded Pigeon Vintage World Map to hang above our fireplace. There’s just something about old maps and geography….love!

8. A natural pool/billabong. Swimming in the

house dam is great in theory but I am always a little scared of something slithering up my legs or biting my tootsies.

9. A copy of Photoshop and some private ‘for dummies’ lessons on how to use it.

10.

A subscription to Barham avocados. 12 avocados delivered to our PO box every month. Actually, I can’t wait or risk not getting this one, I’m going to order one now.

WISHLIST AMELIA CROOK foodie & blogger

New Christmas traditions are forming in my family as a new generation of kids has arrived. I'm adding to this family expansion with my first baby due in January. I feel a shift from being a participant in the magic of Christmas to being a co-creator of that sense of awe and excitement that December brings. As I reflect on the traditions I'd like to pass on to the next generation, I am drawn to celebrating how special an Australian Christmas is. Long, hot days afford us a more relaxed approach to entertaining than a traditional sit-down meal allows. A big, whole fish cooked on the barbie can feed a crowd who mingle in the backyard, each holding a cold beverage while new bikes and toys are road tested around them. Fresh red berries and sprigs of mint on a pavlova can inspire a festive spirit just as much as a heavy plum pudding. I'd like to celebrate our southern hemisphere Christmas, taking the backyard cricket and wet bathers of my childhood Christmases and pairing it with fresh, seasonal food that represents all that we have to be grateful for in Australia.

WISHLIST Outdoor Umbrella This awesome, colourful outdoor umbrella is on the wishlist as it's quite an investment, but it's super functional, and so pretty! It would draw me out into the garden even on the most scorching of Summer days. Salad Bowl Even if I'm not hosting Christmas, it's guaranteed that I'll be taking a salad to some party over the break. These funky wooden salad bowls are dipped in neon plastic for both beauty and function. Kubb Backyard cricket is great, but I love to play Kubb, an outdoor game from Sweden that involves throwing sticks and blocks of woods. Sounds simple, but it's all about strategy and good aim, and is heaps of fun. Tassel Garland The house always looks so bare when the Christmas decorations come down in January. This gorgeous tassel garland can bring some cheer all year round.

WISHLIST HAILEY BARTHOLOMEW film maker and photographer

Christmas. As a child I had the most fun Christmases. I come from a big family where Christmas meant loads of laughter and a generous amount of presents! My parents, while not flushed with cash, put lots of effort into the festive season and the lead up to it was just as exciting as the day. As I grew older though, it all started to wear on me. I became aware that this person wasn't happy and that that person was annoyed and so-andso was crying and such-and-such had just had a fight... Seeing presents go un-appreciated or people just not pitching in. Seeing that the day was a major stress for many friends and family. I started to see what I call the 'Christmas Under-belly' and I didn't like it! 'This is Christmas, people! You should all be happy and just get along!' I have since learnt lots about my own expectations and my own happiness - it doesn't depend on others being happy. This is an important life lesson that I probably will continue to learn! These days I think of Christmas as being a day to honor the loved ones in your life. To honour them with a thought or a gift. To honour them with your time, love and presence. To really see the gift of life and the people in your life and be with them. So whatever shape your family is in, however you like to celebrate, I hope you see your beautiful friends and family as they are and take time to revel in their diversity and delight in the not-so-perfect nature of life.

WISHLIST

For my kids I like this: You can never ever go wrong with Lego! I have the Lego my siblings and I had as children and now my kids spend hours and hours playing with it. They are now 13 and 10 and still get so much joy out of this simple yet creative toy! Mostly they like to build their own designer homes or creative ideas but this one looks pretty cool! I like toys that last forever and are creative so you can't beat Lego! For the tricky people: But this product is super cool. I LOVE IT! I love this product and have not stopped finding uses for it. I also love that it helps us to repair what we have and reuse rather then buy more and more! Also to be honest I end up buying lots of these types of gifts: A goat for Nanna who ends up supporting a single mum in Africa? Or maybe a chicken coop and chickens for a family in India who can now feed their kids eggs?! Having seen this sort of work first hand I can't help but want to support and buy things for people who have so little. Especially when i can't think of a much most of us really need.... We normally buy at least a few of these really useful gifts! One year we bought only these type of presents and with each card we gave a little toy animal replica to go with it. That way they still had a little something to sit on their shelf and see and remember they had a goat in Africa, chicken in India... etc

Â I think these heart vases are the cutest! LOVE everything this clever chick does.

Â I just discovered this store and I am in love with this dress!! Pineapples! Well they are perfect summer fun!

WISHLIST POPPY BARTHOLOMEW clever & creative human being!

Fun, trees, family, presents, a good joke or two, and of course Christmas carols I love when my dad gets out the Christmas records and plays carols for us. Also my parents let us have a family sleep over in the lounge room where we all fall asleep watching movies together. It is so fun!

WISHLIST I would like a bow and arrow set! And I have always wanted one of these mermaid tails!!! Yellow peep-toe Swedish Hasbeens A little instant camera

WISHLIST ZALI BARTHOLOMEW blogger & maker

Christmas to me means wonderful fun times with family and friends. Sitting around the tree and opening presents and giving them to people. Chatting, eating delicious food, seeing friends. Everything is always so delightful. I love seeing people’s reactions to their presents, the smiling faces, hugs and kisses. It’s just such a special day. And what makes it even more special is that you know that around the world everyone is celebrating this day with you.

WISHLIST I really love this case because of its adorable pattern, also, its so hard to find a cute iPad mini case since they are still so new. But i LOVE these ones. Beci Orpin’s craft book Find and Keep. I love all the artwork she does, its definitely a style I would like to work towards creating. All the colour and pretty things. Ahhh! This little rabbit lamp is SO cute. I would just love to have this for a little bedside lamp. A craft workshop with Kitiya Palaskas. She is one of my favourite artists and I just love everything she makes.

WISHLIST LEXI CAMPBELL-KENTMANN blogger & frock-wearer

Christmas is my very, very absolutely favourite time of year. My children are buzzing, I'm excited, there's so much going on, and it feels like everyone's happy. I love getting together with family and friends to celebrate. There is SO much to leave about Christmas. But my favourite part is giving gifts. I sound like a real sap, but I really enjoy the act of gift giving. I will puzzle over presents for a long time, to try and find just the right thing for each person. My husband is the king of wrapping (not rapping, please - don't get him started) so we make a very excellent team!

WISHLIST Anything from Oxfam Unwrapped:: There are so many people doing it tough all around the world. I don't need more 'stuff' - so I love giving - and receiving, knowing that someone is going to get something that will change their lives. Plus I think the Oxfam cards are funny and oh-so-clever. Who wouldn't want one?! I am one sick, sick puppy - when I exercise, I actually do care about what I am wearing. In fact, if I have something fun to wear exercising, I am more likely to roll myself out of bed to do it. Call me crazy, or just call me Lexi, but either way, if this psychology works to get me moving, then who am I to criticise? (plus the yellow on these is so joyful - yay! I am red as a beetroot and hurting myself doing this stretch - YAY!)

Ok, ok. You really want to give me something? You've twisted my arm! Victoria Mason can do no wrong in my book. She's clever, talented - and local. I adore these necklaces, the design, the colour, it's all too much! I can't stop looking at them.

Little Tienda stocks and supports Mexican artisans. All of the pieces are handembroidered and I just get such joy from that. Like someone across the world has made this?! WOW! This looks like such a special piece, and would look great with black skinnies, or a little pair of shorties (not ththeat I'm wearing little shorties - but you might!)

WISHLIST MICHELLE MACKINTOSH designer, gorgeous person

On the night of the first of December my partner Steve and I have a glass of champagne, make a lovely dinner and put the Christmas tree up. We buy a panettone and have a piece for breakfast each day until Christmas day. We plan big cook ups with friends start to organise and plan all the dishes we will be making for our family Christmases. Christmas really reminds me of my dad who is no longer with us. I spend a lot of time reflecting on Christmases when I was young, and all the things our family use to do together. Beach holidays, Nanna and grandma's cooking, finishing school for the year, bare feet, stone fruit and bug catchers. This year we will be thinking about all the people that lost their loved ones and or houses in The Philippines, and the Asylum seekers who will be spending Christmas behind bars. For us, it's a timely reminder of how lucky we are. I'd love to have a white Christmas. I find the fairytale winter Christmas so magical. All the gingerbread, mulled wine and Christmas lights and carols in the snow. It would be my dream to do this one day.

WISHLIST I would love a brother for Bronte, I'm not sure she take so kindly to the idea though ... And ... some things I designed that are out there for Christmas! I will be buying my copies from Readings Carlton Hill of Content The Little Book Room and Lark Store Beci Orpin's "Home" and The Coles Funny Little Picture book

I just love this handmade toast plate, cute and practical, and guaranteed to put a smile on anyone's breakfast face!

When I visit Tokyo, I love to pop into Uguisu store. Hiki curates a lovely range of items from her favourite makers. I love this Furoshiki wrapping cloth, and, you can also wear it as a scarf!

I would love this arrow pouch to keep all my everyday bag bits and pieces collated and sorted. Lamina screen prints all her own fabrics and everything she makes is beautiful.

WISHLIST EMMA GREENWOOD artist & do-er

I have two kids, aged 3 and 9, so really Christmas is all about them. My family isn’t too big, with a few living interstate, but most of them are happy to come to our place, as it's easier to keep the kids in their natural habitat, with toys strewn all over the house and the back yard. I always make a range of leather ornaments, and this year I’ve also made metallic leather bunting, which we are using instead of tinsel, plus I crocheted a giant wreath for the front door, which I am looking forward to putting up. We use the Christmas stockings that my sister and I had as children, and generally get a fresh tree, last year we had the added spectacle of kittens climbing the tree, which we hope will happen again this year, even though the cats are a bit older (but no wiser!) My husband has deadlines all over the festive season, so we take advantage of staying in Melbourne. I love the empty roads, the quiet suburbs and the serenity! And who could forget the Boxing Day Test cricket? Last year I rode my bike to the city on Boxing Day with the cricket on my headphones, I made a bee-line for a particularly fragrant store which sells natural bath goodies and cosmetics, as no-one had picked up on my hinting! I got a huge bargain, plus a 20km round-trip bike ride, which is a good antidote for the indulgences of Christmas lunch. Father Christmas might be bringing some new bikes this year, so I’m hoping to get my peeps out on an adventure along the Merri Creek with a packed lunch. Perfect!

WISHLIST I have too much 'stuff' in my house, courtesy of my two children, so I have decided that this year I don't need 'things' for Christmas. I am also aware of the fact that I live a fairly privileged life in a safe country with shelter, water and freedom, and so I prefer charitable gifts, donations and purchases at this time of year. Instead of ‘things’, I am opting for ‘experiences’, such as a pass for Yoga classes at Yoga Flame in Moonee Ponds. I always get Oxfam Unwrapped gifts for the adults in my family and would be quite partial to this package of Toys for children in South Africa to be donated in my name. An experience I never fail to enjoy is the eating of chocolate, and I’ve found that anything made by Divine UK is not only Fair Trade, but is also delicious and beautifully packaged. OK, I will add one ‘thing’ to my list, I have to include a lovely art book for browsing over the quiet days after Christmas. From Readings, of course.

WISHLIST SUE HALLIDAY naturopath, maker & craft curator

12 days before Christmas this year I will be moving house. So this Christmas I will be feeling grateful for having moved, for the move being over and for the possibilities of new beginnings and all the creativity that brings. I will be feeling grateful for my wonderful husband and his encouragement to take us on new adventures. I will be feeling grateful for all that I have and will be gently, nonjudgementally, re-focusing on the have's rather than the havenots. This Christmas I will hopefully be in a hammock. Wishing you all a healthy Christmas time. To all those that feel exhausted by the year, take time out, take the pressure off, lower expectations, keep things simple and above all be gentle with yourselves. To all those that may feel festively sad, may the times of sadness be momentary and interspersed with times of OK-ness. If on 25th December you are hiding under the doona, make sure you have your favourite DVD’s and treats with you. To all those that will be whooping it up in festive joy, may your joy have just the right amount of whoop-ness. Christmas comes in many forms. It is as it is. x

WISHLIST What I would like for Christmas is: A voucher for Sakura Lounge - one of the best massages I've ever had and as a massage therapist that's a fair recommendation indeed, these packages are such good value and the people there are very nice. A frangipani tree from Fitzroy Nursery - I can get one now that I'm about to move to a house with an appropriate north-facing outlook, hoorah! They are my favourite flower of all time.

A big sideboard from eBay or the like - for my new crazy 70's house, it will look super cool. A Cat Rabbit soft sculpture - because they are super ace and Cat is super nice and she has taught me lots of super things in 2013 for which I am most grateful But.... what I really, really want for Christmas is: A less challenging year in 2014 than it has been in 2013 – My-oh-my, it has been a corker! Of course there are things I can put into place to assist this - healthful things to buoy myself with as much resilience as I can possibly muster, my top 4 things would probably include: A massage every week = space for relaxation A cross trainer = convenient exercise every day A Thermomix = no excuse for not cooking super healthy things A retreat with Kate James = time out

WISHLIST KIRSTY MACAFEE photographer & maker

All those summers from childhood have kind of blended into one beautifully hazy memory. I can no longer recall exactly how old I was when we walked the retaining wall behind the Portsea front beach (trying to spot people sunbaking topless – there were plenty). I’m not sure exactly when Cal fell in the septic but I clearly recall standing on the edge looking down at him. I wonder if it could have even been a septic or if this is one of those memories that becomes more ‘real’ as it is re-told and embellished, canonised into our family folk lore*. The actual details of being sprung skinny-dipping at Erskine Falls are also a bit sketchy but the memory of the heat rising in my cheeks is painfully sharp. The familiar smell of warm asphalt, the mad dash to the milk bar for icy poles so we didn’t burn our feet, jumping off the pier, getting bitten by yabbies, the crunch of the drying couch grass under our feet, the giant street sprinklers and skating rink we used to make out on the front porch (one on the hose and two ‘skating’ in thongs). The only fact of which I am sure is who was there when each of these events occurred. Bind and Cal were always there and can now fill in the blanks on the memories that aren’t clear and remind me of the ones I’d rather forget. Holidays are about family. *Clarified after family consultation. Bindi pushed him!

WISHLIST THIS: Because I’m heavily into a feather

THIS: Because who wouldn’t want to print Polaroid style images direct from the phone THIS: Creepy yes! But I think a bit of fun THIS: Just a freaking useful thing