CHRISTMAS FEATURE

CHRISTINE AND TONY BULL: Let it shine!

Christine and Tony Bull pulled out all the Christmas decorations, and even upcycled some with fresh paint as they created Christmas cheer, weeks in advance for this special EastLife Christmas feature. Former owner of The Lounge, who loves her new job as Welfare Co-ordinator at the Pakuranga Park Village created pure magic with a glass Christmas tree that weighs a ton, baked Christmas cookies, set up the table with a beautiful platter, candles, hand-crafted table runner, cutlery holder, jute Christmas trees, baubles and more!

What do you love most about Christmas?

We love decorating the house, nding, or making that perfect gi for each person and seeing the looks on their faces when they open their presents. I love Christmas carols, fruit mince pies but most of all I love the time it gives us together as a family which is spread far and wide these days.

Your Christmas ritual/ tradition?

Placing our family sitting Santas on the sideboard brings Christmas to life in our home, they have been a part of our family for the past 24 years. When the kids were little, I would dress them all up in their Santa suits and visit friends on Christmas Eve… now it’s nding the craziest Christmas hat or glasses to wear on Christmas Day and planning our holiday.

Best Christmas gi ?

Has got to be the ‘I love EWE’ $2 gi I got from Tony a few years ago but the gold watch I received when I was eight-years-old is very close behind as it was the year I knew for sure that Santa was real—my sister Lyn and I were sleeping in a commer van and Santa managed to open the door and ll up our sacks, and we didn’t even hear him, and there wasn’t a chimney on site!

Christmas décor tips?

A tin of spray paint does wonders to revitalise last year’s decorations. Update your decorations every year with one new quality item. Recycling Tony and Christine Bull.

and reviving items of interest is a huge part of our lives and making Christmas decorations out of things we salvaged throughout the year like shells and sacks makes each display a little di erent.

Signature dish on the festive occasion?

We have always started Christmas Day o with a breakfast. Fresh croissants, pineapple, mango chutney and ham. Delish. A Christmas meal is usually a late lunch and salmon is a favourite in our home, baked, smoked, or marinated you will always nd it on our Christmas table beside the baked ham and lamb. Trifle is Tony’s absolute favourite and thankfully my mum makes a superb dessert.

Favourite getaway?

Other than Ireland in 2014 we have spent our Christmas break on the Coromandel Peninsula for the past 30 years. We now enjoy sleeping in our Yurts and the totally relaxed lifestyle that beach life brings. We have fun playing lawn games in the park with our lovely neighbours and family.

Christmas wish list?

That all the people we know, and love have a wonderful happy, healthy and safe Christmas with the people they adore. That all the people stationed overseas come home safely and that the people who inspire us every day look forward to a wonderful rewarding year ahead. • 250gms of Philadelphia cream cheese • 2 tsp of horseradish • 1 tsp mustard (Dijon or grainy) • 2 tbs lemon juice • Half cup dates chopped • Half cup cranberries chopped • Sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together with a gloved hand.

Lay out a large piece of plastic food wrap on the bench and place the mixture in the centre, bring up the edges of the plastic wrap so that you can roll the mixture into a tight ball or log, twisting ends so that it is fully covered. Place in the fridge and leave to set for at least 2 hours before serving it.

When ready to serve, roll in toasted nuts. I use a mixture of whatever I have in the cupboard, but they must be toasted and ground in the blender.

Finely sliced spring onions or some red onion can be added if desired.

SUMMER CHEESE BALL

Damian Light: LET THE FEAST BEGIN!

After a particularly busy time leading up to the local board elections and thereafter, the newly elected Howick Local Board chair, Damian Light looks forward to spending time with his whānau, relaxing and generous helpings of Christmas ham— as well as the mince tarts that his partner Josh Harding doesn’t fancy! Light finds joy in the tradition of a Christmas Street Party with his neighbours, sharing multicultural food, warm smiles and good cheer.

How will you celebrate Christmas this year?

This year we’re heading down South, the week before Christmas to spend the weekend with my sister and her family who live in Canterbury. My whole whānau is heading down – four brothers, mum, dad, partners, nieces, and nephews. Together with my sister, her husband, and kids, it’ll be a massive family gathering. Really looking forward to it, it’ll be fun (and a bit chaotic)!

Best Christmas gi ?

In my early teens my parents gave me a membership to the Auckland Astronomical Society, which opened up the universe for me and kicked o a lifelong love of space and astronomy. There are so many incredible wonders to see, and it helps put things in perspective.

Christmas at home or away?

With most of our family here, we stay in Auckland for Christmas. We love east Auckland over summer so wouldn’t miss it!

Favourite Christmas menu?

Cannot go past the Christmas ham! We all overeat during the festive period and ham is de nitely one of the main contributors in our household. By early January we’ve had our ll and need a break, but every Christmas ham is always back on the menu!

I also love Christmas mince tarts—Josh isn’t a fan so I end up demolishing a packet (or two) by myself.

Favourite Christmas tradition?

In our little street in Northpark Botany we have a Christmas

Street Party where all the neighbours join in celebrating the year. One of our neighbours started it a few years ago and we’ve stuck with it. Given the multicultural residents in our street, this leads to a wide range of food, shared, and enjoyed together. We’re fortunate to live on a street where most residents know each other by name and celebrating the end of the year together helps keep us connected, especially given the challenges of the last few years.

More recently many of the residents in our street have started putting up lights too – not as impressive as some of the more established displays, but every year we add to it.

All I want for Christmas is?

Time to catch up with family and friends—it’s been a particularly busy year and I’m really looking forward to having some time to just catch up and relax.

Let sleigh bells ring Embracing the true spirit of the season is Sarah Blong of the iconic Paradice Ice Skating, along with husband Chris, son Alex and daughter Elizabeth – they got the sleigh out just in time for Santa to arrive. And just in case Santa wants to know, Sarah hopes there’ll be a copy of ‘Stonefields’ by Australian gardener Paul Bangay under the tree this year!

Where will you be this Christmas?

We will be spending the day in Auckland with family and friends.

Most memorable Christmas gi ?

A standout present would have to be a Christmas gi I received as a child from my favourite uncle from Australia. My uncle seemed to know what was trending and gave me a fabulous bright pink Swatch watch which was all the rage at the time and a pair of bright white Reeboks I had been dreaming of. The excitement of receiving a gi from overseas plus an on-trend gi made it unbeatable!

Favourite Christmas carol?

‘O Holy Night’ is my absolute alltime favourite!

Best Christmas?

A memorable Christmas for me was when we hired a little bach at Waiomu Bay on the Thames Coast, Coromandel. Family flew over from Melbourne and my grandmother who lived in Thames was able to join us. Our son Alex was one, so it was the rst Christmas for us as a little family. We manged to cook up a delicious feast in the simple kitchen and enjoy all being together.

Christmas disaster?

One of my many cooking disasters was the pavlova I made for Christmas lunch. It looked fabulous in the oven and rose beautifully until it blew apart. Thankfully cream held it together but it looked pretty dismal against the other stand-out Christmas desserts, sadly.

Signature Christmas dish?

My favourite Christmas dish that I make every year is the class Italian Tiramisu made with co ee, Salvadori biscuits, mascarpone and Kahlua. Homemade rumsoaked Christmas cake is also a favourite I like to serve on the day.

Typical Christmas day?

Christmas day typically starts with Santa stockings being opened, then croissants and bubbles and the Christmas carols playing. I always like to light a candle to remember our loved ones who are no longer with us. We share strawberries and champagne with my children’s Godmother and then enjoy Christmas lunch and the day with extended family. The day will usually include some fun games like croquet out on the lawn, a dog walk and phone calls to family overseas followed by watching a favourite Christmas movie at the end of the day.

Christmas wish-list?

A festive day enjoying family and friends and I’m hoping a copy of ‘Stone elds’ by Australian gardener Paul Bangay will be under the tree!