Christmas then and now...

Can you remember when you were young? The excitement of Christmas? The presents? The family meals? The hot summer sun? Today we are blogging about the way we celebrated Christmas when we were little compared to the way we celebrate now…
 
Christmas when I was growing up and now is our blog this week. 
When I was little I would have all my family over for Christmas and we would have lots of food and great fun together.
My Pa would come with Grandma and Sarah my sister would be there with mum and dad. There would be many gifts under the tree I would be the first one to open the presents and then watch everyone else open up their gifts. This special day was the happiest day for me as I had all my family with me and would have the best lunch. Ham on the bone, chicken, pork and roast vegetables and for dessert we would have pavlova and plum pudding with custard and cream.
Our Christmas tree was covered in lots of decorations and ribbons with lots of lights on the tree and I would help mum to decorate and try not to tangle the lights. This is such a fun and happy time shared with all.
This year for Christmas I don't know what we will be doing but I am sure it will be as good as the last Christmas get together.
Signing off for now, have a fantastic Christmas with your families, Nick.
 
I was a little boy mum giving me a presents for Christmas and we get to the Santa photo too.  When I was a big boy I would go to the shopping centre to get stuff for Christmas.
I have been making the Christmas tree decorations and it was good fun.
This year we are going out for lunch with my nana and poppy for Christmas lunch. 
We will be giving each other presents, it will be fun.
This is Korey signing off and wishing Happy Christmas to everyone.
 
Today's blog is now and then Christmas.
When I was a little girl I loved Christmas time. I have the best memories full of happy moments, excitement and of course lots of presents. I always found it hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve because I was just too excited and couldn't wait for Santa to come visit. Before bed I would leave out some milk and cookies for Santa and a carrot for the reindeers, sometimes even some candy canes. When I woke up I would run to mum and dad's room and wake them up so we could go look at the tree together. I would get presents from Santa, mum and dad, friends and family, my brothers would also get presents. I loved spending the day with my family and it was usually held at my house. My mum makes the best Christmas lunch with roast pork and roast veggies, she makes yummy crackle which is my favourite! We also have Christmas ham which is also yum, roast lamb and salads. Mum makes Christmas pudding and a few other desserts as well. Our family tradition is to watch Christmas movies together which is really nice. My Christmas as a child was amazing and I have good memories, but my Christmas now really hasn't changed much.
I love Christmas it's my favourite holiday. I'm looking forward to Christmas this year and my presents, I will get heaps. I like to be a Christmas angel and superstar.
This is Claire signing off, see you next week.
 
 
Dear readers, this week’s topic is Christmas then and now. Let me start by telling about Christmas then and now for me. It is now so different from when I was younger. When I was younger it felt very magical to me because I remember waking up and going to wake up my parents and my sister and being really happy and excited about opening Christmas presents. The night before writing our Christmas letters to Santa and telling him what we wanted for Christmas was really fun and exciting too. Now Christmas I am older and it feels like an emotional roller coaster and stressful. Now I need to remember and think what  to buy for my family as Christmas presents. Now, going to the shop is a different story and don’t even get me started on how busy, crazy and crowded the shopping centres are. That’s why I do my shopping one month earlier every year now. 
Written by Charlotte 
 
When I was a child growing up in Jakarta, Christmas felt magical. My parents took my brother and me to a “Snowing Christmas with Snoopy” meet and greet at the mall. I still remember the photo from that day, and the fake snow falling outside the mall. They were selling lots of Snoopy merchandise, and my mum bought me a Snoopy colouring book, a pencil case, and a mechanical pencil. The mechanical pencil was actually a Christmas present, so it wasn’t really a surprise  but I still loved it so much.
At my school in Jakarta, we had a belated Christmas celebration after New Year. I enjoyed watching people sing, dance, and act in the Christmas drama. Only students who liked performing joined in, so it was fun to watch. For lunch we got fast food like KFC, Popeyes, and A&W. We also received goodie bags filled with snacks and a little gift, like a lunch bag or something we could keep.
When I moved to Melbourne, Christmas at school felt different. Every class from Prep to Grade six had to perform at the Carols Night. I didn’t like being the centre of attention, but I’m still proud of myself for participating with everyone. Classes were called in random order, and even the teachers performed. After the performances, all the families had a picnic. My parents, brother, and I sat together with my relatives, eating snacks and drinking soft drinks.
Back then, my family also visited my relatives’ house for Christmas. We exchanged presents, and I remember my cousin loved writing letters to Santa. One time she showed me she got The Wiggles SingStar game. While waiting for dinner, my brother and cousin played PlayStation, and I just watched them.
Nowadays, Christmas feels different. I usually attend the Umbrella Support Christmas party. Their parties are always successful. Last year, some of my friends sang Christmas carols as they enjoyed being the centre of attention. We also got presents from Santa, and there were games and crafts. I honestly prefer the Umbrella Support party over work Christmas lunches, because it feels more lively and fun, not just sitting and chatting.
Christmas with my family is quiet now that we’re older. It’s usually just my parents, my grandma, and me at home.
I like sending my relatives in Australia electronic Christmas cards because it’s easy and I don’t need to buy cards or stamps. My relatives in Indonesia also send me Christmas greetings and stickers, even though most of them don’t celebrate Christmas. They’re very thoughtful. I do have one aunty on my mum’s side who celebrates Christmas, but she is usually busy during the season.
What is your favourite thing about Christmas? Tell me in the comments please!
Thank you very much  it’s Jacinda signing off.
 
When I was little I liked Santa but then I pull Santa beard and I realised they’re fake Santa. I was like “oh you’re fake and middle of age” I remember Santa's helper was fake.  Oh come on. Anyway, it’s Christmas still so I have to get in Christmas picture oh lord.
TJ
 
Dear readers, how are you today?  Today's topic is what Christmas was like when I was growing up and I have chosen to write about when I was little. At Christmas time my Aunty and Uncle and my cousins, Nan and Grandad would come to my house and the house was all decorated. The table was set up with decorations and so was the tree and presents under the tree. We opened some of our presents and then it was time for dinner. For dinner we had roast chicken, roast pumpkin, mash potatoes, veggies and yorkshire pudding and gravy. For dessert it was sticky date pudding with ice cream and warm custard. This year I have no idea what Christmas will be like but I am still looking forward to presents under the tree and spending the day with my family. 
Christmas time as an adult is so different from when I was a child but I still love Christmas and I can't wait for it to arrive, because my birthday is the month after it. 
Readers what will your Christmas be like? Will it be stress free and on budget? I asked Google for some ideas to keep Christmas stress free, plan ahead and get organised, set a realistic budget, delegate tasks, set boundaries and say no if you need to. 
Bethany
 
When I was a little boy we didn’t really celebrate Christmas but my mum would cook a special meal and sometimes we had friends come for lunch.
Now I am an adult we go to my sisters house and she cooks us a special meal. My support worker takes me shopping to buy Christmas gifts for my family and friends. This year is a bit sad as my mum won’t be here but I will be celebrating with my dad, sister and her family and my friends. 
How are you celebrating Christmas?
From Ben