From the Little Star of Bethlehem to a retreat that includes a mushroom ceremony, everyone has something different in mind for the festive season. We hear what some of this year’s Get It cover-stars’ Christmas traditions and hopes are for 2023.
East Coast Breakfast Show host, Keri Miller
All comedic and sass, it comes as no surprise that Keri’s ideal Christmas would involve live music, swimming, healthy food, friends, great cocktails or a retreat and a mushroom ceremony.
“My favourite present as a child was literally anything I could use in the swimming pool; I loved that smell of fresh plastic. What I always wanted and never got was for my parents to return my siblings. I never understood why they needed three kids and really thought there was just a shop you could send them back to. At school I always participated in Christmas plays – I don’t recall having a choice. My favourite Christmas has to be the last time my brother was in South Africa and we were all together. We always play a Christmas board game. We are very competitive, so it’s always a lot of fun, and a few tears.
“Someone I’d love to meet under the mistletoe? That would have to be Cell C Sharks lock Gerbrandt Grobler. As for Christmas gifts, honestly, after Covid, I have shelved Christmas presents. If I see something I think you will like, I buy it for you and give it to you. Plans for New Year’s Eve this year haven’t materialized yet, but the days of going overboard with celebrations and waking up on the 1st feeling shocking, are over for me. So if I can, I will get to a yoga class, have a swim in an E. coli-free ocean, and set intentions for the year.
“Also, I feel like we live in such a beautiful place so I love to be around to enjoy it. My resolutions for 2023 are to be present, to be kind, to trust that I am supported and understand that whatever happens this year, I am exactly where I am meant to be.”
Durban influencer and mom, Nontobeko Nxumalo
For Nontoh, Christmas always involved church plays and the coming together of extended family at her late grandparents’ home over lunch and some good games.
“I loved playing dolls when I was a child so I was always looking forward to Christmas because it meant I could get another doll to add to my collection. I was pretty sharp as a kid and figured out that Santa wasn’t real by the time I was eight. It didn’t take away the joy in it for me though because everybody still made the effort to celebrate and gift one another and there was more joy in the actual family fun and food than anything else.
“These days, now that I am a mom and have a partner, our festive traditions begin at our own home with an advent calendar, counting down to Christmas day. We put up our tree and binge watching Christmas movies on Netflix. Queue the music and it’s All I want for Christmas is You and Silent Night. On Christmas Eve we’ll have a family dinner; exchange presents and enjoy a game night.
Cooking a Christmas lunch is a lot of work, so we always go to a restaurant for Christmas lunch.
“Something I’d like to do this year though is host a cocktail party and have my girlfriends over, but maybe I save that for the New Year celebrations. My goal for the year ahead is to prioritize my health – move my body every day and eat better. I would love to travel with my family so I hope the 2023 will allow for this opportunity.”
Award-winning dad blogger, Don Dinnematin
Dad to three littlies, Don loves Christmas more now than ever before because of the joy and excitement he sees in his kids.
“It’s my favourite time of year! Having kids just seems to make it come alive in a whole new way, and sharing that with my wife Milly (and maybe a little kiss under the mistletoe too) just makes it the most feel-good time of our lives. It takes me back to the best Christmas I had as a kid, when I got my Ninja Turtle, Donatello. It was a hard plastic figurine that stood about 30cm tall, but I wanted him so bad badly.
“This year, I’m a little more along the lines of asking Santa for a pair of binoculars. We have incredible birdlife where we live, and I’d love to be able to zoom in and appreciate the different species of birds we spot. I have always wanted to experience a white Christmas, so my ideal venue would be somewhere surrounded by snow, snowmen, lights and a cosy fireplace, but dreams aside, this year we’re hosting Christmas at our home.
“Family from near and far will join us for a day of all-around festive togetherness. It’s a day of thanks, appreciation, good food and loud music, and yes I’m throwing in a little Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano because it’s sure to stir that Christmas feeling in everybody. For the rest, we’ll be enjoying the holidays right where our hearts are, and that’s at home.
“We’ve got no plans to be anywhere else or do anything specific. I haven’t actually thought that far. I’m still struggling with the fact that 2022 is almost over. All I really want for 2023 is health, happiness and more babies. Wait. Perhaps you shouldn’t publish that!”
Fierce fashion lover, designer and mother of four, Karen Monk-Klijnstra
It’s been a lifelong dream Karen still hankers for … a white Christmas overseas with her four bambinos, a great big tree, a toasty fireplace, Christmas carols, stories and family.
“It was December 1980. I was eight. I had set my heart on a First Love Baby Doll. We had an epic holiday at the sea – Shelly Beach – with my ouma and oupa, but I missed my parents who’d stayed behind to work. On Christmas Eve, my oupa said he heard the sound of bells and was sure he saw a sled and reindeer speeding through the sky. Of course I sped outside, to see my mom and dad had arrived, making my Christmas near complete. Imagine my delight when under the tree was exactly what I’d asked for. I still have her 42 years later. It was that combination of magical things, that made her so special.
“My philosophy about Christmas is this – don’t expect any gifts if you don’t believe in Santa Claus, ha-ha! I’ve always loved the idea of an Afro-Cuban Christmas party. Balmy nights with delicious salsa and seafood-inspired treats, a lively local band and lots of dancing on a deck, overlooking the ocean. This said, as a family we’ve enjoyed many unforgettable (and funny) Christmas celebrations, from when the kids were tiny and dad dressed up as Santa and had our security camera on motion detection which brought us a good few years of make-believe magic, and a jolly neighbour who played Santa – and got tiger balm in his eyes for his sins, to a very special Christmas in Knysna (my dad’s childhood home town) in 2013 with my folks and eldest brother. We celebrated my dad’s 70th on December 16. Eighteen months later dad passed away. This taught me so much about inner voice, and chasing dreams.
“Each year, as a family, before our own celebrations, we put together Christmas parcels and hit the streets to gift people – working, alone or in need – with a little joy. Christmas Eve is celebrated at St Agnes with carols and mince pies, and Christmas Day is up early. Gifts are usually scattered all around the lounge, there’s music playing, dogs in tow and gift unravelling after which we usually head out to extended family, to continue the magic. This has been a year of extremes – emotional celebrations and enormous challenges, so all I can ask for this Christmas is to be able to celebrate it peacefully, free of angst and stress and in the company of those I love dearly. We are so looking forward to spending quality time with our eldest (who returns from her studies for the holidays) and seeing the New Year in together from our home perch with spectacular views of Durban’s skyline and a glass of bubbly in hand. My goals for 2023 are to celebrate even the smallest of things, to continue on my health and wellness journey and adopt a new approach to my sentimentality. I’d love to work on an affordable online variation to my brand, making my design ethos accessible to everyone and to travel with my entire family, to a destination that makes memories magical.”
Breast Cancer survivor and La Lucia business executive, Angelique Lynch
A girl who loves to dance, all Angelique ever wanted for Christmas as a child was ballet shoes and a tutu. And she’s never been disappointed. Except for the year she asked for a white Christmas so she could build a snowman and play in the snow with her family.
“This year I’m hoping Santa will bring us a little fur baby sister for Jinsky, our miniature schnauzer! I loved being a part of the school nativity plays as a kid! My most memorable was playing the Little Star of Bethlehem where I had to sing a solo in primary school. I’ll never forget it. We were also big fans of Christmas songs (O Holy night is still my favourite. It’s simply beautiful) and movies. I loved the classic version of Scrooge – it’s a stunning tale of redemption.
“My dream Christmas would be a grand Christmas ball with all the festive bells and whistles. The Palace at Sun City would be a perfect setting mixing old with new. Kelly Clarkson would be singing Christmas Carols from her album, Wrapped in Red, and I’d obviously meet my husband, Les, under the mistletoe. And if he wasn’t looking, it would be Elvis – he’d have me all shook up! LOL!
“Every Christmas for me has been memorable, but the most special was the one that followed my cancer diagnosis because it was surreal to be able to make it to another Christmas surrounded by so much love. As a family, we always gather on Christmas Eve to celebrate. There is something magical about being together the night before, so I am looking forward to a family gathering filled with decorations, traditional food, secret Santa and sharing stories around the dining room table, that I know will end in belly-aching laughter and special memories. Same applies to New Year’s Eve as there is nowhere else I’d rather be.
“Having recently bought and renovated our dream home, we will be spending quality time at the pool with family and having a housewarming party at some point too! Every year I set intentions to manifest the life of my dreams.2023 is all about gratitude and abundance – of health, love, life and new adventures! I am focussed on creating more space in my life to build on my health and wellness, take on new challenges that give me more freedom, develop my blog, boobs2boardroom, to inspire and support others and most of all, be present and celebrate each moment.”
Musician, photographer and creative wonder, Amy White
Sentimental and sweet, Amy has no ideal Christmas in mind other than the way she’s always celebrated – at her family home, DSTV Christmas Carols in the background and a delicious spread prepared by her two favourite chefs, Mamma Jayne and Poppa Gordy.
“I just love, love, love Christmas. I can’t stop smiling thinking about the best gift I ever got -my very first pony. His name was Ziggy! This year, I have asked Santa for a one-way ticket to Zanzibar. I will never surrender that dream. Ok, even five days would do! As kids, we were part of the cabbage patch in school Christmas plays. I still don’t know why there was a cabbage patch, but it was fun! And then, some evil little troll at school destroyed my dreams about a big happy chubby Santa and the beer and cookies we would leave him on Christmas Eve!
“I’ve grown up some since then, but I still believe in the magic of it all. Our family home becomes the North Pole Christmas Factory with every single decoration we can find and our tree is epic! We wake up early, have coffee and mince pies, followed by prezzies (these days we do Secret Santa and keep things small and joyful), then we hit the kitchen (and the bubbles) and enjoy a family lunch. Carols fill the house (I love Something About December by Christina Perri – it’s so nostalgic and hopeful at the same time) and we give thanks to Jesus for all our blessings!
“My most memorable Christmas was in 2002 on our horse farm in Summerveld – it was the last Christmas our whole family was together and I remember wishing the day would never end! My twin Meg and my cousin, Brendan decided it would be a fabulous idea to make ‘punch’ and drink it out of a vase through long siphoning pipes… let’s just say I spent the next day regretting it! Lots of ACC200, self-forgiveness and T-Rex’s 8 Week Rise Fitness Challenge work wonders for hangovers and detoxing. I have just done it, lost 7kgs and am signing up for January 2023.
“Meg and I celebrate our birthdays on New Year’s Day, so we always do something festive. Last year we both had Covid so I am hoping 2023 will be a lot kinder! My resolution is to walk away from anyone or anything that no longer serves or makes me happy and my goal is to grow our business (Equi-Floor), one horse at a time and to help heal those who need it the most!”
Entrepreneur, inspirational speaker, outdoor enthusiast, Adele Benvie
A log cabin in the forest adorned with classic Christmas décor, lights and tinsel, snow gently falling outside, a fireplace going, Christmas carols in the background, family laughing and a house filled with love … this, for Adele, is Christmas made magical.
“Christmas was always a time to be with our church family and our extended family. Because we were always at church early on Christmas day, we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve. Every year I participated in the church Christmas play for as long as I can remember. I was usually the angel, but I eventually cracked the nod to play Mary and loved every moment.
“I also loved the lights of Christmas, the sight of tinsel around the lounge and the sounds of carols playing in the background. Hands down my favourite is Oh Holy Night. I can hear this song any time of the year and it feels like Christmas for me! Because we travel a lot during the year to make memories with close family and friends, Christmas is a time for us to be with all of our extended family. We prioritise them and have loads of downtime together catching up and in preparation for the year to come.
“When it comes to New Year’s Day, we always start this off right with a big champagne breakfast with family. We all share what we are grateful for, what our hopes and dreams are, and we pray for a year ahead filled with fun, friends, family and much favour.
“If I was to sum it up, my resolutions, goals and dreams for 2023 include having the privilege of living in a year of abundance in all aspects, and to be a part of making that happen for family, friends and the community.
“I have big dreams of seeing people prosper in every area of their lives, so I will be doing my best to be an example to others and to be instrumental in making that a reality for those around me. I like to work hard and play hard, and I look forward to making lot of memories through travel and adventures with my family, as well as taking my businesses to the next level and having massive positive impact locally and internationally in helping others to thrive.”
