Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Since moving to Australia in 2022, my outlook on Christmas has changed —  dramatically! All my life I have loved celebrating the festive season; surrounded by family, or in most cases friends, I enjoyed every aspect of Christmas, more than anyone I know — the sparkling lights, big tinsel-clad tree, Christmas dinner, and of course presents — lots, and lots of presents! However, times have changed and so have I.

Christmas down under is a million miles away from Christmas in the UK. The biggest difference is of course the temperature. Currently, we are sweltering in over 40-degree heat, and it is set to get hotter by December 25th. The last thing you want to do is stand in a hot kitchen, cooking a 'posh Sunday roast,' even in an air-conditioned villa.

Last year I cooked for everyone, a proper Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings, and I won't be doing it again. Despite loving a good old roast, it's just too hot to bother — cold meat and salad are far more preferable. Top tip in Australia:  just keep it simple, that way you save time and money. You can still enjoy Christmas without a full on banquet!

I have certainly become more canny with money, living in Perth, it's a case of having to be. Darrell and I are relatively well off, but the cost of living is extremely high here. Despite not having to worry about where the next dollar is coming from, I have still learnt to be frugal, especially where Christmas is concerned. 

I am a member of several loyalty schemes and collect flybuy points from Coles Supermarket, where I do my weekly shop, and other retailers who take the same loyalty card. The points I save, pay for Christmas in its entirety — presents and food, leaving me with more money for holidays and going out. Today I am more aware of money, and no longer frivolous, as I was in the past. In all honesty, my years living in Portsmouth taught me how to save and work hard; since 2015 I have changed a lot. Enjoying life is now my biggest priority; life is about me and Darrell and not wasting our time or money on hangers-on! 

Don't go mad at Christmas if you can't afford it, save your money, or like me — loyalty points, throughout the year and only spend what you can afford. Of course, I am more lucky than most, I no longer have a family to buy for and without kids of my own, I don't have to shell out too much cash at this time of year. Even so, I will always keep my purse closed, until I absolutely have to open it. God, I really do sound like Scrooge don't I, but when you are as old as me, you have learnt a lot over the years, most of it the hard way.

However you spend Christmas this year, have a good one! Send cards to family and friends; none of this nonsense about not sending them, and giving the money to charity instead, because you and I both know, you won't be giving that money to good causes. It's just a lazy excuse not to send any. Receiving cards is such a wonderful thing, it means someone is thinking about you wherever you are, and that is the most important feeling in the World, better than any expensive present you receive!. 

​Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!