Band Aid had Christmas all summed up

The men behind Band Aid - Midge Ure and Bob Geldof. PHOTO/FILE

It's the countdown to Christmas and, even as a newbie columnist, I know it's my duty to write about the festive season.

As an'80s child, I could write about Christmas using only Band Aid song lyrics.

"It's Christmas-time, there's no need to feel afraid ..." if you've done all your shopping. If not, don't forget tomorrow's special riverside market for some locally made treats.

"Do they know it's Christmas-time at all? ..." It's pretty hard to avoid. With two young boys, we've seen a fair bit of TV about Christmas, although Mr Four is confused about when it's going to start snowing.

This is the first year he's really aware of Christmas, which makes it more fun, especially while he still hasn't developed an understanding of the financial value of gifts like some grotty teenagers you hear about.

My boys are still grateful for whatever they receive and I'm trying to teach them about the joy of giving too.

Starting with shopping for the dog, the start of a new family tradition. He's getting a frisbee and a bouncy ball, chosen by the kids.

One of my childhood heirlooms is digging out the well-worn decoration (a yellow chick made from cotton balls) I made as a kindy kid and finding pride of place on the tree.

I'm looking forward to the homemade baking my sister-in-law is doing for us. She is a bit of a master, so - along with my aunty's efforts - the family will be well catered for.

For those with less natural talent, here's a simple idea I'm going to try - chocolate-dipped frozen kiwifruit slices on a stick, a pretty easy, if messy, thing to share and marginally healthier than candy canes.

Christmas can be a hard time for families under the pump financially, so it's good to remember that sometimes it really is the thought that counts. One way to give if you're cash-poor is vouchers - give your time, babysitting or cooking dinner, or weeding the garden, or cleaning the car, or whatever it is that will bring a smile to the face.

Clean out your cupboards to make way for the new - and donate any good quality toys you have outgrown to those in need, like the women's refuge. Unfortunately, they are likely to have families joining them this season that have had to leave their gifts behind.

Or simply throw some extra groceries in your Christmas shop and leave in the donation bins.

If you are shopping, avoid the pilgrimage to Palmerston North and support local retailers - like my favourite book store, Paige's. Check out my dad Bryan's homemade jewellery at Renata's Art and Framing on Taupo Quay, and my mummy friends' Saturday morning pop-up shop, also on Taupo Quay. I challenge shoppers to make it in and out without succumbing to a purchase.

A quote to guide from author Anna Lappe: "Every time you spend money, you are casting a vote for the kind of world you want." For ethical gifts, you can't go past Trade Aid. Online, check out Project Crimson's website for stylish T-shirts, cushions and wine that support conservation in New Zealand.

Or for the person who has everything, a goat! Oxfam NZ's most popular gift is a $47 goat for families in Papua New Guinea, giving them 7 litres of fresh milk a week, to give or sell. Find something practical at the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre with a composting gift such as a worm farm, or learn about a bokashi composting system. It works well, it's cheaper and you don't need much space.

What I'm hoping for - I've already got my copy of The Luminaries, so sorted for summer reading - are tickets to Womad music festival, as it's just down the road now we live in Taranaki.

What I really wish for - safety on the roads and water, healthy, happy families and friends, sunshiney days swimming in clean rivers, and resting in shade under a picture-postcard pohutukawa, cold beer in hand, listening to the original Band Aid song ... but not too many times.