Lifestyle: Enjoy season's simple pleasures

Gingerbread houses are back in vogue.

Christmas means many different things to different people. When we were kids it was great, the build up to Christmas was simple. We finished the year on a good note at school with our prizegiving and end of the year concert, exchanging Christmas cards and laughter as we looked forward to our holidays.

We couldn't wait, long lazy days in the sun, swimming down at the river then later the beach, horse riding, sailing, BBQs, and lots of family and friends time. Dad would always choose a tree for us to decorate. I can still smell the sweetness of the Luciana trees that we had from Taihape days. That was always my favourite, both in shape and smell, far nicer than the pines we get today.

We would wait in anticipation for Christmas day, people in for drinks and a slice of cake and the general buzz of Christmas.

The night before Mum would put out sherry and Christmas cake for Santa and in the morning it was always gone and presents left under the tree. We never knew what to expect, it was always a surprise and some years Mum and Dad must have laboured for hours. Especially the year Jacqui and I got twin dolls beds, painted white and stencils on the headboards.

Mum had made each bed sheets and blankets and sets of dolls clothes. We were always in and out of Dad's shed so how he managed to keep the making of the beds a secret we will never know.

It was simple! Life was fun and full of surprises. Now as an adult, I have the pleasure or pressures, depending on how you look at it, of trying to keep things secret and trying to recreate the magic we had as kids. I must admit I don't do it justice, but perhaps that's looking at it through the eyes of an adult and not those of a child.

I haven't felt much like Christmas this year until a week ago, when I walked up the Avenue to post my mail. It was early morning so there was no one about and what a delight. Several of the windows in the Bridge block and the next block up had the most beautiful window displays. Mainly traditional Christmas displays with beautiful colour and surprises wherever you looked. There is a lot to decorating a window successfully in getting the right balance of colour and product right.

And let's face it, not all business have products that look great in Christmas displays, but it is nice to see the effort. Although I was window shopping because it was 6.30am, I'm sure it's a draw card for people to want to go back and look beyond the window. I know it's not just those two blocks but ones further up the avenue as well. Well done to everyone who has made the effort, it was certainly a pleasure.

This year Kyle Dalton, from the Whanganui Regional Museum, asked if I could help put together Santa's Grotto. It was the first time the museum has had Santa visit and he sits waiting for young ones to visit in his majestic red coat trimmed in fur.

He is between the Blacksmith and shop in the Old Wanganui part of the museum from 2.30pm to 4.30pm, so pop up and say hello.

We had a lot of fun putting the grotto together in Christmas past and maybe that was because it brought back a flood of childhood festive memories and where the grotto is situated has long been a favourite of mine to visit. Thanks Kyle for asking.

My niece this year has been decorating her own home and making gingerbread houses as gifts and I spied one in one of the shop windows. I used to decorate gingerbread houses. They are so much fun to make and give as a gift.

So with the school year finished, Christmas shopping done - well, almost done - presents wrapped, menus sorted for the day and food preparation started - what else is there to do?

On that cheery note, I'd like to thank all my readers and clients for a great year. Sit back, relax and enjoy Christmas with family and friends. Live well, learn plenty, laugh often, love much. Season's greetings.

Terry Lobb is an interior/kitchen designer and personal colour and style consultant who takes a holistic approach to living with colour, texture and style - email: terry@terrylobb.com; website: http:// terrylobb.com