w w w . z i n i r i v e r . c o . z a - Zini River Estate

By stoRM cattERIck
ThE fESTIVE SEASON IS A-CALLIN’
YAY! It’s that time of year again
when we are reminded of why it
sucks to grow up! Just a few years
ago I was enjoying the adrenalinerush
feeling of running downstairs and
ripping open loads of presents, thoroughly
enjoying the spoils of my youth — these
days the only thing that I “enjoy”, come
Christmas, is the depletion of my bank
account!
It’s surprising how, at different stages of
your life, Christmas means different things to
you. As a kid it was all about the presents —
father Christmas and putting out biscuits and
beer for him, playing in the sun, holidays
and sweets, even though we knew why we
were celebrating the day. As a young adult
it was about getting the family-time over
with so that I could join my friends at the
lagoon or beach.
6 | Zini River Estate
As an adult it’s become all about family
and how much we can spoil our niece and,
recently, how I can repay my parents for all
the years of late nights and angst — and
then there’s my mom’s to-die-for cooking.
But one thing that is really noticeable is
that, without some rug-rats running around,
Christmas loses that festive, happy feeling.
The littlies are the ones who remind us
about what the “commercialised” Christmas
is about — waking up early, fun, laughter,
presents and a few bottles of Champagne
(for us obviously).
You’d think that in our household, because
we’re all adults and Mila’s at the age
where she doesn’t know what the hell is
happening, we’d be able to sleep in after
the pre-Christmas party, wouldn’t you? Not
so! My mom likes to tap into her inner child
and blast the music at about 7 o’clock in the
morning to get our lazy butts out of bed,
shouting as she goes, “Merry Christmas,
everyone!” After a few moans and groans
we’re up, watching the kids rip open their
presents and creating an almost-avalanche
of wrapping paper which threatens to
envelop the entire house, whilst the adults
unwrap their solitary Secret Santa gift.
from then on, it’s all about the food and, of
course, the party!
At the end of the day I may not be a very
“gifted” girl any longer, but I have certainly
learnt to appreciate the biggest gift of
all — that once again we are all healthy
and together and that I get to celebrate the
special day with the people that mean the
most to me… my family.
hope you have a very merry, very family
Christmas!