Surviving Christmas

Can you survive Christmas without killing your family? Thread went to the Parenting Place to a fundraising evening, for Bethany Centre for new mums, to hear Anya Brighouse and Allison Mooney share ideas on making the silly season fun...

Over a hundred women gathered in the stylish and contemporary foyer of The Parenting Place in Greenlane, Auckland on Thursday 12 November for wine and supper to be entertained and informed with hot tips, of both a relational and aesthetic nature. The night, as well as a good time out with the girls, was raising awareness and fundraising for Bethany Centre. The Centre, run by Salvation Army, assists pregnant women and new mums who otherwise would not have any support around them by providing residential care, antenatal and postnatal.

Guests were greeted by the festive sight of three tall Christmas trees on the stage, ready to be adorned with decorations. Interior stylist Anya Brighouse had the crowd warming to her like chestnuts over a log fire with her stories of her children and one-legged reindeer, as she spoke with self-deprecating humour on how her family does Christmas.

With down to earth tips that save money, she decorated the three trees with three looks: a monster tree with Resene test pots painted on brown paper by her children and stapled into pillowed shapes stuffed with newspaper; a tree hung with 50 cheap decorations spray-painted a uniform red; and a third tree with stars (Google "star shape", print and cut out) made from Madder and Rouge striped fabric glued to card with spray adhesive.

Below: not a partridge in a pear tree, but close; Anya sets a summer table with guest name tags tied with brown string to green pears on white plates and fresh petals scattered on the table. A wire candelabra is wrapped in green ivy, in front of her monster tree. "Ignore your husband's rude remarks ladies; we do this for us, not for them!"

Anya endorsed "keeping it simple" and sticking to two meals on Christmas day, with a cold lunch prepared the day before. She says her date cake (seen below in mini cupcakes) is "better than crack."

Next up, Allison Mooney spoke on ways to understand personality to make Christmas better, including how to speed read what people are really saying, and even what to buy the different types for Christmas. Allison had guests move into four corners of the room depending on whether they were Playful, Peaceful, Powerful or Precise personality types, and what this meant in how we relate. Turns out unsurprisingly that I and all my friends were Playful types (talkative extroverts) who unfailingly marry Precise types; list-making, introvert men!

The Christmas Event at The Parenting Place donated profits from ticket sales to Bethany Centre and was attended by the centre's representatives Leanne Adams (Manager) picture right below, and Jenny Caston (Programme Coordinator).

They received beauty products for the new mums who are resident at Bethany Centre, gifted by Impact PR (Olay and Pantene), Goode PR (Organic Surge), Pead PR (L'Oreal), and BDM Grange (Clarins). Both managers were thrilled at the generosity of each of the companies. Leanne said "The girls will be over the moon… they will be incredibly overwhelmed and the variety is fantastic.” They commented about the “significant contribution" made and were very grateful.

Leanne spoke of a situation last year where they gave the mums Christmas presents and one, on receiving a gift, commented that she couldn’t remember the last time she’d ever had a Christmas present in her life. Leanne mentioned that the backgrounds of the girls vary a lot, but all would be incredibly excited by the gifts.

So, guests at The Christmas Event got to make Christmas a little better for new mums, as well as learning ways to survive Christmas in our own homes, how to read our family's personality traits - and speaking of little monsters-  even make great Christmas trees. Now that makes for a happy holiday, for everybody.

Bethany Centre is seeking gifts for the children, such as books, clothes and toys for babies or young children, gift wrapped with age and gender noted. For details contact The Parenting Place on 09 524 1387.

Words Megan Robinson
Photos Beth Peters