I guess because we all get caught up with work Christmas seems so far away and yet not so. Yesterday we were invited to four Christmas parties which reminds me that the festive season is drawing near. Indeed, this is a time when family and friends begin to think about celebrating together. I have ofrten thought that perhaps we Aussies do not approach Christmas as enthusiastically as the countries experiencing the winter months. After all, it is hot and humid here where as they live amongst the snow flakes and the jingle bells however, when we look at what Christmas means to each of us it can be just as exciting here as anywhere.
Over the years Jand I have taken the best of our family Christmas' to create our own special family Christmas so that no matter where we are, Christmas with our children woulod be something to look forward to. Infact, one of our best Christmas Days was spent in Darwin, Northern Territory. Now it simply does not get any hotter or more humid that up in the tropics. The residents there await the commencement of the cyclone season and with the build up of the humidity one almost wishes that wew were anywhere but Darwin.

As Christmas time approached J and I decided to make Christmas as exciting as possible seeing as we were so far from the extended family. I looked around and thought that perhaps this was the ideal opportunity to have Christmas lunch out at a special place. In Darwin there are many larger hotels and so we located and booked Christmas lunch. Our children were 6, 7 and 9 years of age at the time so it was important to keep the atmosphere festive and family orientated

Christmas morning arrived and it was a sunny day with three very excited children. Because Darwin is such as transient place there were many other families with the same idea of eatting out and come Christmas Day we all arrived at the Atrium Hotel and headed towards the Ballroom where the festivities were to take place. On arriving there Santa's elves met us at the front door to mark off our names and to assure the children that Santa was going to arrive some time in the afternoon if they were good.

The ballroom was beautifully decorated and there was a band playing Christmas music up on the stage. To the children's amazement there was the biggest Christmas tree that they had ever seen sitting in the center of the ballroom with a nativity scene surrounding the base of it. I instantly knew that J and I had made the correct decision as to how to spend Christmas Day; the atmosphere was wonderful.

One of Santa's elves introduced herself and led us to our table which we shared which another family whose children were similar ages. The children immediately launched into conversaqtion as to what they had found under the Christmas tree at home earlier that morning and before we knew it, the first of many courses arrived at the table. Everyone dug in with relish and chatted excitedly inbetween. The band wondered the floor playing to families and frriends any requests they may have had and several sing alongs started up.
After a main course of traditional turkey, ham and veges, there was a break as silence desended over the ballroom, all 350 people hushed to see what was about to take place. A booming voice hollered "Ho Ho Ho" and screams went up everyhwere as the children realized that Santa had arrived. Yes indeed, Santa was accompanied by helpers and more elves who assisted him in draging in a sleigh full of gifts. One of the helpers called the names of the children who were each given a gift appropriate to their age. The hotel had requested this imformation when J and I booked. When it came to Alex and Ben's turn it was quite obvious that Ben was having difficulty in making his way up to the stage so two elves picked him and Alex up and swung them both up to theor shoulders for the rest of the trip to Santa's lap where they had a photo taken with him and received a present. The excitement was tangible and the smiles and hugs were everywhere.
Of course, it was soon time for Santa and his helpers to head back to the north pole hwoever, one of the hotel managers announced that staff were happy to take the chilren up to the swimming pool so as all Mums and Dads could have dessert and coffee followed by dancing. Well J and I didn't have to be asked twice and the children were at a stage where a good swim would slow them all down. We had a lovely afternoon. My doubts about being so far from the extended family were well and truely gone. Indeed, that Christmas taught me that no matter where we are, Christmas Day is only what we make of it. These are the special times that leave lasting memories to share.
Our family had three more Christmas' in Darwin which will keep for another blog.