40 Years of Carols
Your readers may well be interested in the activities of this group.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Beach Haven Carollers spreading Christmas cheer around many venues on Auckland's North Shore.
With a wide range of singers with mainly theatrical, choral and opera backgrounds the group puts on a polished programme of Carols and Christmas music, with some pizzaz, as they entertain and engage residents at retirement villages, rest homes, hospitals, shopping malls and this year, the Devonport Ferry Terminal.
It's a fun group without any religious affiliation. We just enjoy performing and the Christmas festive season provides a wonderful opportunity to do just that.
Started by Beach Haven resident, Colin Campbell, members come from all over Auckland and eagerly await the "season" to start each year.
Venues this year include Te Mana Hospital, Lady Allum Village, Highgrove Retirement Village, The Poynton, Parklane Village, Bert Sutcliffe Retirement Village, The Orchards, Devonport Ferry Terminal, Northbridge Retirement Village and Hugh Green Care Home.
Suellen’s sweet Christmas tradition
The festive season is always a great excuse to indulge your sweet tooth, and this time of year poses the perfect opportunity to bring a real showstopper to the Christmas table.
For Suellen’s family, that showstopper is Croquembouche, an impressive tower of cream puffs bound together with spun sugar that is popular at weddings in France and Italy.
What began as a birthday treat at a local French café has become a cherished Christmas tradition for Suellen and her 17-year-old twin granddaughters, Ellie and Sadie. Every year, the trio gather in Suellen’s apartment at William Sanders Village to cook this festive dessert - a holiday highlight they all treasure.
Click read more for the recipe.
Worst Xmas ever?
There's a a lot of planning that goes into Christmas day and sometimes things just don't go to plan. But it can be a good thing - a family mishap or hilarious memory that you can laugh about in Christmases to come.
Whether you burnt the dinner or were stranded at an airport...
Share your Christmas mishaps below!