PORT Stephens locals were asked about their favourite Christmas traditions, here are what they’re looking forward to.

Maryanne M, Salamander Bay: “Christmas Eve family cocktail night.”

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Indi B Nelson Bay: “When the surrounding jacaranda trees, Christmas bush and yellow coreopsis bloom, we take it as a sign to put up our tree, choosing a different theme or colour each year.

“All the snow globes, reindeers, trinkets and glittery ornaments get unpacked and strewn around the house, making it Christmasified in every room.

“We do an advent calendar of activities with visiting family which always includes a Christmas lights tour in Medowie, festive singing at the carols in Fly Point, mandatory movie binges on The Grinch, Love Actually and The Holiday, gingerbread house decorating, snow globe art, bon bon filled crackers made from toilet rolls, and wreath making.

“Santa gets his annual staple of milk and cookies while Rudolph gets a juicy carrot in anticipation of the floor load of presents.

“The actual day starts after a dawn gift exchange and Santa sacks for everyone; the floor disappears under a sea of crumpled paper, kid’s toys, books, toiletries and a few high-ticket items.

“After a beach walk, BBQ breakfast and ocean swim, we lay a beautifully festive table and cook a baked dinner with all the trimmings.

“Dessert has to be a buffet of pavlova with tropical fruits, Christmas pudding and custard and trifle that only gets better by Boxing Day.

“Poppy’s Irish cream recipe remake often gets sipped on over ice with a shortbread biscuit, a fruit mince pie or a wedge of Nanny’s milk-soaked bread fruit cake while playing board games, Mahjong or cards.”

Kim S, Anna Bay: “Christmas dinner of pork, turkey, chicken, veg and salad, followed by trifle and Christmas pudding a week before Christmas for family who can’t join us on Christmas day.

“On Christmas day we open presents followed by breakfast of scrambled eggs with salmon and ham, with maybe a mimosa on the side.

“Lunch is again pork, turkey, chicken, veg and salad followed by trifle and Christmas pudding with custard/ice cream/ cream.

“This finds us all in a food coma.”

Liane G, Corlette: “My stuffed moist turkey has been a big winner for years, so I dare not deviate from the recipe.

“Singing Christmas carols around the table from carol books by candlelight… and not one person in the family in tune.”

Kerri R, Soldiers Point: “All the cheesy Hallmark Christmas movies baby!”

Zet S, Shoal Bay: “We swap Santa’s sleigh for a surfboard.

“As I am an atrocious cook, it’s always seafood – mostly grilled prawns.

“A family tradition is firmly becoming a cricket game at Boxy Beach in the late afternoon.

“Christmas for us is a sandy affair.

“After Christmas the SUVs are packed with bikes, boards and presents as they hit the highway.

“For me it’s a ham sandwich, aircon and cricket on the TV… quiet and peaceful, until a week later when we do it all again to ring in the NY.”

Margaret F, Nelson Bay: “Christmas tree and decorations put up 14 days before Christmas and back down 14 days after – not before or after those dates.

“Presents opened on Christmas morning and a huge, cooked breakfast to ‘line the stomach’ and with champagne of course.

“Christmas dinner with family and friends and a catnap to let it digest before the next lot of food and drink appears.

“Making special memories with whomever is still up for more drinks on Christmas night.

“All very exhausting but definitely my favourite time of year too!”

Margaret H, Little Beach: “I love having traditional Christmas lunch with my hubby.

“All our families live elsewhere so we always set a place each for our mums.

“Easy, because they didn’t eat anyway!”

Jean B, Nelson Bay: “Being with my husband, our son and friends.

“Always celebrate on Christmas Eve as that’s when we had it when I was young.

“Way too much food and always good conversation and lots of love and simply… family time.”

Sue I, Shoal Bay: “Being with my husband, boys and their partners.

“Lots of decorations and lights fill the house.

This year there is a grandbaby!

“It’s a food fest.

“They love, as soon as they arrive, my cheese and bacon bread heated up in the oven (recipe passed down from my Mum).

“Pork and crackling with salad and veggies.

“Then Toblerone mousse, rocky road, Mars Bar slice and Tim Tam balls.

“One person puts on the Santa hat and distributes the presents from under the tree.

“In the background Bing Crosby is singing Christmas carols.

“Jenga played all day.

“That’s my Christmas and I can’t wait.”

By Jacie WHITFIELD