Our Opinion – Christmas Magic

I was having coffee with ‘the real Santa’ in Ōrewa last week (see story p23) and he commented that this year people appear to be getting Christmassy earlier than ever.

My Christmas tree is already up at home – several weeks before I’d normally take a deep breath and fish out the boxes of decorations. This year I couldn’t wait to splash the tinsel around. 

It makes me think a bit about 100 years ago – the roaring 1920s, where I imagine everyone was ready for a bit of fun and frivolity after the war.

For many of us, Christmas is providing light relief and a chance to think about and share gifts with the ones we love – whether they can be with us this year or not. 

Of course, for others it means more stress piled on at an already stressful time. How to make it joyful for the children on a budget already stretched to breaking point?

Hibiscus Matters hopes that although times are tough, some of us will still be able to give to others less fortunate.

Our annual Buy Local Give Local campaign started last issue and donated items are beginning to come in. They can be placed, contactless, under the Christmas tree set up in our office. 

Everything donated will make Christmas special for local people who are struggling – distributed via the Hibiscus Coast Community House’s foodbank, Love Soup and Whangaparāoa Police station’s Christmas parcels (see story p39)

Over coffee, Santa told me that this Christmas, more than ever, it is a time to celebrate magic – the perfect antidote to fear and uncertainty.

We are hoping that magic will happen, as it has in the past, under our Christmas charity tree this year.