Celebrating Christmas

Christmas means different things to different people, yet many who celebrate it share the same feelings about why and how. Here’s what some of the Cantabrians Metropol has featured this year have to say:

Phil Mauger, Christchurch Mayor

“Christmas is a special time of year that I really look forward to because it’s usually the only time when I get to relax with all the family around, and I just love that. Chrissy and I like to keep things simple, so this year we’ll be up at the family bach with all the kids and grandkids. I’ve being going to the bach for 62 years.
There are 16 of us so there’s a bit of planning that goes in before we head away as you can imagine. We always open presents round the tree in the morning. There’s no sleep-ins for us because the grandkids are up at the crack of dawn. Then I’ll be in an apron cooking up a storm on the ‘barbie’ and we’ll have our Christmas lunch at a big table set up outside on the deck. We’ll be hoping for a nice, Kiwi summer’s day so after lunch we can head out and play some beach cricket and run around a bit, and then have a swim or two to cool off.
It’s been a busy year for me with the mayoral campaign, and I’m looking forward to spending time with my family, recharging the batteries and coming back refreshed and ready to serve the people of Christchurch, which I’m so proud to do. Happy Christmas to each and every one.”

Joy Reid, Broadcaster & Philanthropist

“I know it’s cliché, but I LOVE Christmas. I always have, but since becoming a mother it’s added an extra level of anticipation as the Christmas magic comes alive through my three kids. You can’t help but smile as the excitement builds in their world – Santa, cheeky elves, advent calendars, Christmas Eve service, nativity dress ups, Christmas parties – you get my gist. The thing I find can get lost in their Christmas fairy tale is the true magic of the season – selfless giving. It’s so easy to get caught up in the commercialised story (and general busyness) and forget to prioritise the joy that comes with simply serving and giving to others. It’s scientifically proven that the joy of giving lasts longer than the joy of receiving, but convincing my children of that is a slow [ongoing] process.  I need them to know that their Christmas experience is a privilege not everyone has, so we have some traditions in our household – including a kindness advent calendar (each day they donate a pantry item to our local foodbank), buying gifts for less privileged children their own age, and delivering Christmas care packages to the hospital. It doesn’t feel like much, but I’m trying to enhance my children’s Christmas experience, in the hope that it will bring about an even truer Christmas magic.”

Phil McGoldrick, Celebrity auctioneer

“A common plaintive cry at this time of year is “Where did those 12 months go?”
Is it me getting older, or is this complex, complicated and challenging world of ours spinning faster and even out of control? If possible Christmas should be a time to ‘opt out’ or ‘hop off’ and really chill, take stock of the year that has been, and plan for 2023 to be better and more fulfilling.
Christmas is an opportune time to strengthen and rebuild family ties. Strong and stable families are the basis of healthy communities. It is certainly a time for giving, but priority should be given to giving love and time to all those who are, or should be, close to us, and small yet pertinent gifts that reflect that love, but like all matters re Christmas, in moderation. More importantly this is a time to recognise that not everyone
is as fortunate as you, so it is a great opportunity to share some of that good fortune with the various members of our community who would otherwise face a bleak Christmas season and beyond.
I am off to the lake to escape commerce and screens, so I will see you in 2023.”

Bridget Hope, Director – Magpie Style

“For any fellow retailers reading this, you will totally relate that Christmas can feel like one big finish line.
This year I am not hosting Christmas at my house, and I am so, so happy about it.
I just get to eat it, drink it in and enjoy – with close family around me. I am so looking forward to sitting back, taking stock and relaxing – like so many of you after such a full-on few years.
For many, Christmas Day can be quite a lonely time and I always think about that on 25th.
People who have recently lost loved ones or may be estranged from their own families, for whatever reason.
I think it’s a good opportunity to reach out to those people so they don’t feel so alone on what is such a family-focused day. I always find that on Christmas Day you find yourself reflecting about the past year, and thinking about what you would like to do differently next year.
For me, it’s going to be spending more time with the people I love, injecting fun moments into my every day, and having a laugh with colleagues. I’m also hoping for a team movie night, planning a date night, making time for friends, and stopping to smell the roses a little more. We will see.”

Margie Foster, Inspire Me co-founder

“The biggest thing for me at Christmas is quality family time, catching up with all my whanau. Then it is all about the Rs – resting, relaxing, recharging, and realigning. Reading is one of my Rs. This is the only time when I can escape into a good book, and maybe even finish it.
I especially enjoy being out in the sunshine and warmth with family, and being able to give to others, whether it is my time or something else. I love the whole giving process, especially making time to help others. Time is such a beautiful thing to give.
Seeing what my mates get up to at Christmas and New Year is a pleasure and can inspire me and help me to inspire others. On another front, I enjoy all the sparkle of Christmas, such as getting the tree, putting on decorations, and wrapping all  those presents.
With Christmas comes family traditions and fond memories of times gone by, happy times such as making ham sandwiches, and drinking Baileys Irish Cream with my late father, who was Irish. It’s about keeping those traditions alive, appreciating the highlights and helping people to overcome any lowlights.
We’ve been stuck in New Zealand the last years, so this year I’ll be in Noosa, enjoying an Aussie Christmas with prawns on the barbie, Champagne and family.”