Festive season tips and traditions

CHRISTMAS AND THE FESTIVE SEASON ARE FAST APPROACHING, AND WHILE IT’S WONDERFUL TO CATCH UP WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, IT IS ALSO A TIME OF STRESS FOR MANY.

It’s likely more people will be moving around the country to be with loved ones, with larger Christmas and holiday gatherings on the cards compared to the Covid-impacted Christmases of recent years. Another consideration this year will be the increased cost of living for food, gifts, and fuel. So, we decided to ask the Ruralco team for their top Christmas tips and traditions to help ensure this year’s festivities are a wonderful time for all.

• Keep it simple and enjoy some treats with family and friends. • Plan your vege garden to be in full swing so you can enjoy lovely freshly picked produce over Christmas. • Many hands make light work so get everyone involved and most importantly slow down and have some fun. • Start a new tradition, last year I bought the family Christmas vests. • When my children were younger, I started my Christmas shopping at Labour

Weekend or throughout the year when sales were happening. • Look out for any Christmas savings type clubs where you can be putting a little aside throughout the year to make that grocery or gift buying a little easier. Or use pre-purchased grocery vouchers for your summer holiday. • When travelling to your Christmas destination or on your summer holiday, make sure you have plenty of rest stops, and if you are travelling with children map out toilet and playground stops. • Don’t forget to check your vehicle before travelling; make sure your have secured your load and you have topped up your windscreen fluid to keep your windscreen clean and improve visibility. • When there’s a lot of adults coming together on Christmas Day, each person buys a small gift of a nominated value (we do $30 gifts). Males buy a gift for a male,

and females a gift for a female. Then we put all of these together and each person selects a present. It means everyone gets something without going the expense of buying loads of pressies. • Every year we place a children’s present under a charity tree from each of my children. It’s been a family tradition started when I was a child, and now I’m doing it with my children. • I always have a set of glasses wrapped in case you get an extra person turn up on

Christmas Day (glasses can be for a man or lady). For a gift for an extra child, I always have an extra book and Santa lolly sack. • Pre plan your Christmas menu and share the menu with your family so everyone can bring something. Give each family a list of what the need to bring and then confirm with them the week before Christmas. • If you have children coming of all ages, ask the older children to create games that can include everyone. • Use good quality paper plates – it saves on washing up and helps with clean up. • Set a time that lunch or dinner will be served so your guests know when they are required. • Remember you don’t need to prepare two meals; there’s always leftovers from dinner. • Don’t forget to leave Santa and the

Reindeer out a treat. • Make sure you take your Ruralco card wherever you go to fuel up or to shop.

But most of all, remember Christmas is a time to enjoy each other’s company, have fun, share the load, and enjoy the day!