'Tis the season to be with whanau

Christmas can be a time for family cheer ... or it can be a time of violence.

The Salvation Army is familiar with the financial struggle faced by people over Christmas.

"They're worried about if they've got enough food to last the year or whether or not they can give their children a toy on Christmas," says Whangarei Salvation Army community ministries manager Irene Crook.

Last week, the Army gave 130 Christmas hampers to Whangarei families. On Christmas Day it will put on a lunch for between 120 to 150 people at its Aubrey St premises.

A Whangarei Women's Refuge worker, who asked not to be named, said a combination of financial stress, alcohol and family gatherings sometimes led to domestic violence.

"We've been flat out busy," said the worker. "It's hard to say what each Christmas is like. I'm anticipating it's not going to slow down. There's a lot of tension in the air.

"Christmas can bring up a lot of family history and that can contribute to stress. If people just focused on the kids, it's all about the kids, it'd be better."

The worker said women in danger should call 111 or the women's refuge helpline. Help is available at any time of the day or night, the refuge worker said.

In 2005, Manaia Primary Health Organisation health promotion manager Ngaire Rae was part of a group who created a stress-buster campaign called Forget the Bling, Do the Whanau Thing, focussing on ways people could enjoy Christmas without spending a lot.

The campaign has since been taken over by Mental Health New Zealand, which also runs a Facebook page offering tips on how to enjoy a low-cost Christmas.

Ms Crook had similar advice on surviving Christmas: "Sing carols, smile, slow down, spend less money on people and more time with people," she said.

Meanwhile, crime can add to the stress of the season so people are warned to take extra security precautions.

Householders should lock up securely if going away, and let a neighbour or someone else know how long they will be gone and whether anyone is expected at the address in that time.

Safety tips include not leaving packaging from gifts or new appliances, for example, on the footpath, ensuring spare keys are not hidden in obvious places, making sure boats, cycles, fishing gear and other summer paraphernalia are secure and checking on neighbours' properties if they are away.

- Emergency numbers: Te Puna O Te Aroha - Whangarei Maori Women's Refuge (09) 437 2127, Whangarei Women's Refuge Crisis (09) 437 6576 or National Helpline 0800 REFUGE (0800 733 843); Lifeline Northland (09) 437 5055 or 0800 437 5055. Salvation Army Xmas Lunch, 3-7 Aubrey St, Whangarei, starting with carols at 10am, with lunch after.