Kidaddle for Christmas

One doesn't need to be the original earth mother to feel like one's made an effort for Christmas. A few gestures have set the tone for me, and made me satisfied that I am putting the spirit back into the occasion:

Make simple things like rum balls and cheese biscuits with the kids.

Let the kids decorate the Christmas tree, and only fiddle with it after they've gone to bed.

Hand make the gift tags (this year: paper patchwork and they look beautiful).

Wrap the presents in brown paper and let the kids decorate the packages.

Take the mother-in-law and kids for a drive around the Clem Hill Christmas lights.

Talk husband into putting up a few token lights on the front verandah.

Organise home Carols by Candlelight - a few candles in paper cups, a song sheet of the kids' favourite songs and get the kids to dress up and act out the Nativity (easy plays for kids downloadable off the internet ... and one feels so pure for teaching them the story of Christmas).

Purchase of a Nativity set for the lounge room coffee table (last time I looked, all was in place in the barn, except for the animals who had migrated to a nearby coffee table and were standing one on top of each other in a circus formation!).

Kidaddle to Wee Jasper

http://the-riotact.com/?p=16918

Eye Like Carrots has drawn my attention to Wee Jasper ...

Kidaddle to Narooma

OK so it might involve driving a bit further along the coast from Bateman's Bay, but my summation is that it is worth it. It was late November, just before the surprise cold snap, and we were staggered to find ourselves the only people on the beach at 10 o'clock in the morning.

Narooma seemed to me to satisfy all tastes:

Children: interesting board walk, "Australia" rock, spotting a seal lolling beside the breakwater,

helping Dad scrape oysters off the rocks, really good fish and chips, playgrounds ...

Dad: eating oysters straight off the rocks, great fish and chips, the steak at the aptly-named Steak & Oyster Bar at the top of the hill on the main street, bracing surf.

Mum: fresh air, sand-between-the-toes, oysters, oysters, oysters, interesting shops.

We stayed at the Island View Resort (Big Four Caravan Park) and we wanted for nothing - which at $208 for four people in a cabin for two nights was pretty impressive. Do it - but take our advice - go in February-March or October-November if you want to avoid crowds and high season pricing.