CHRISTMAS time is perhaps the most exciting time of the year, especially if your family and friends have little ones to share the wonder with.

Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au
Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE

Santa Claus with his sack full of toys and goodies is of course every child’s favourite and a special challenge for parents of young believers.

Trimming the tree and decorating your home can bring so much excitement and magic to the holiday season.

What will you hide in the Christmas stockings along with socks and jocks?

Where do you hide the sleigh bells that your child will hear tinkling and how do you get them off to sleep on Christmas Eve, so you can put the gifts under the tree?

Creating magic at Christmas tests every parent’s metal.

Where do you hide the gifts?

How do you fit in all the shopping?

If Santa has a list of every girl and boy that’s been naughty and nice every mum and dad out there has a list of epic proportion to have everything just right for the silly season.

On the list there’s the ham, the turkey the salads and fresh seafood that will create a festive feast, not to mention all the ingredients to make the perfect pavlova, shortbread and perhaps a Lions Christmas Cake and pudding, don’t forget the chocolate money coins for inside the Christmas Stockings!

Then there’s the wrapping paper, the cards, the gifts, where to start?

As we attack the shops with battlefield precision, to find that perfect gift, we are really looking for the joy we can share, happiness and the memories that we can make.

Modern times have seen gifts become gift cards, and vouchers, but you can’t beat a well chosen gift, bought with love and care.

In the lead up to Christmas you can take the pressure off, pre-order your seafood and your ham.

What would Christmas be in a region like Port Stephens without Prawns?

Our local fishermen will thank you for buying Myall River Prawns and local seafood.

Tomaree Business Chamber President Leah Anderson told News Of The Area, “It is important in a small community like ours that we consider buying local for Christmas and the Holidays.”

She believes that while Christmas is about spending time with family it is also important to think about community.

“We were at the Carols at Fly Point doing our bit at the Rotary Club of Salamander Bay’s fundraising sausage sizzle, the funds raised by Rotary go to those less fortunate in our community, and it is important to me to be seen to be giving back to community and instilling this ethos in my children’s lives,” she said.

In shopping local you are more likely to find that special gift that is unique and will bring joy to those around you.

Like many families Leah and her children will be spending Christmas with family and interstate visitors on Port Stephens beaches enjoying all that the region has to offer.

For many Christmas is more that just the sense of family and belonging, the sharing of gifts and love it is a deeply religious time, marking the birth of Christ in a humble manger so many years ago.

There are religious services at Port Stephens Churches which will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and of course there are the wonderful carols to be enjoyed.

Of course Port Stephens rocks with live entertainment at many venues from Raymond Terrace to the Bay and it’s never too early or late to have a drink with friends and celebrate the festive season.

News Of The Area would like to remind everyone to drink responsibly and of course have a designated driver.

We would like to wish all our readers and supporters a very Merry Christmas and a happy safe and healthy New Year.

By Marian SAMPSON