Christmas at Home: a new way to treasure tradition
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There was a time when we all thought Christmas might as well be cancelled this year.
Closed borders, limited gathering numbers…I had flashbacks to Easter, biting into my own homemade meatballs and bursting into tears because they were just not as good as Nonna’s.
But as we sail towards the end of the year, things are actually looking up. In fact, they’re far better than I thought they would be with eased restrictions, open borders and dancing, yes DANCING, on the dance floor.
2020 has brought us back down to earth, teaching us to be grateful for the things that really matter—family, friends, the roof over our heads, our health care system and workers, for example. As we head towards Christmas Day, we do so with a new sense of hope and appreciation (…especially for Nonna’s soft, perfectly seasoned meat balls).
But this had me wondering; how are we all celebrating Christmas this year?
Stylist Gerard Wilton will have Christmas hosted at home in Canberra by his mother and is thankful that most of his family from across country will be able to visit.
“I definitely thought we wouldn’t have a Christmas like we normally do. After doing Zoom calls for birthdays and other milestones it will be so nice to see people in person again. We’ll be lucky enough to have the kind of Christmas the world has been hoping for,” says Gerard.
“With such a big family across Australia, we all usually fly to one location to be together. This year we’ve added a newborn niece and nephew which is exciting, so there will be more children running around, although due to COVID, we still won’t be able to see all of our interstate family.”
Leading up to Christmas, Gerard’s role in the family is generally the organiser.
“I am a definitely a planner, I get my OCD on and get it together. I’m on group chats wrangling people, planning menus, location and Secret Santa gifting. On the day I’m still organising if I’m hosting, setting the table, cooking, counting and recounting the table settings,” says Gerard.
“Otherwise I’ll bring my dish and gifts and I’m there to celebrate!”
“This year the day will involve lots of food, lots of spoilt children (a few spoilt adults too), more food, some Bingo, which is our Filipino family tradition, played via Zoom with family overseas, more food and more games. It’s always festive family fun.”
For Gerard, Christmas is the one time of year when everyone can be together, so this year it feels particularly important.
“Our lives are all so different and busy, so to be together in the same place over a few days, especially after the year we’ve had, is so special.”
Photography: Gerard Wilton
