Being inspiring is tiring!

By Business Chicks | Dec 21, 11 08:17 AM

We've all worked super hard this year and are looking forward to a well-deserved break. What have you got planned?

Christmas is a time for family and tradition (even if some are a bit *cringe*). Here, some of the Business Chicks team reflect on their Christmas and reveal what they get up to - what have you got planned?


Emma - Chief Chick

Worst Christmas memory... Each Christmas we get together at my aunty and uncle's house. The whole family looks forward to it (me included.) There are kids running around, loads of cousins and 'ring-ins' - it's always fabulous to see them all. I have the best family ever. The first Christmas I took my then boyfriend (now husband) to a family Christmas it all went pear shaped though. When it came time to eat, the only meat that was served was ham and seafood (eek, he's Jewish!) so we basically ate nothing there and found ourselves at Subway afterwards (the only place open on Christmas Day!) Not the best intro to the extended family, and one that they've not yet lived down.

What I'll be reading these hols... So my book list is extensive and ambitious, but let's be honest - if I even get to find the time to pick up a book (let alone read it) I'll be doing well. With two young girls (one who's still breastfeeding) my time is at a premium. But you've got to dream, right? Next to the bed is: Steve Jobs' biography by Walter Isaacson; Start With Why by Simon Sinek (I'm re-reading this); Delivering Happiness by Zappos founder Tony Hsieh (who we're bringing to Australia next year - he's a legend); Screw Business As Usual by Richard Branson; Chocolate Wars by Deborah Cadbury; Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand (read it years ago, but want to revisit) and Planet Word by JP Davidson - a book I bought for my brother for Christmas as we both share a love for language and words. I'm trying to get to it before I wrap it for him and pop it under the tree...

Wearing? No idea, but my youngest daughter Honey will be sporting these reindeer ears.



Amber - General Manager

Classic Christmas film… Love Actually.  I know it's not actually a classic but that said, it's SUCH a good romantic movie that gets you into the spirit of Christmas and appreciating your family.

Real or fake tree? Fake? NO WAY! Real trees are what make Christmas Christmas! And none of this fake Christmas tree essence either, that's just cheating. 

Favourite Christmas recipe... Definitely my mum's trifle.  Such a simple dish with custard, cream, fresh fruit and lady finger sponge, but it's the most refreshing and summery dessert around (well, aside from Pavlova)


Olivia - Director Brand and Partnerships

How are you spending Christmas day? In Margaret River, Western Australia with my family drinking exceptional wine (well it is West Australia so of course it is exceptional!) and eating lots of seafood.

Christmas album on repeat…  Christmas in Vienna with Placido Domingo, Diana Ross and Jose Carreras, my all-time fave Christmas album. I remember sitting there as a kid playing this album the week before Christmas and feeling that sense of complete festive joy- I can still find that feeling when I close my eyes and think of this music. We still listen to it every Christmas even though a few songs skip and are all scratchy! 

Worst/best Christmas present ever? Best Christmas present ever was from my older sister a couple of years ago. She had photos of my parents that had been taken in Italy in the late 70's digitally touched up, printed and framed. My Dad passed away years ago and we always had such special memories of him at Christmas time, so this present was very touching.

Favourite Christmas carol- Holy Night.


Sophie - Digital Marketing Manager

What book will you be reading? I'll be delving back into the pages of Eckhart Tolle 'A New Earth'. I relish the opportunity to immerse myself in any Tolle book since each one challenges my thinking.

Do you miss a white Christmas? Funnily enough I can only remember two white Christmases...despite each year exchanging the obligatory red robin standing on piles of white snow cards! Having mulled wine in the Sydney heat doesn't quite have the same impact as sipping on a glass of hot wine in the chilly winter... that said, I do love my seafood BBQ Christmas dinner and taking a morning dip in the ocean!

Real of fake tree? Can't beat the smell of a fresh fragrant pine!

Dear Santa  I've been a good girl this year... promise! Hubby and I have already bought each other bicycles... it's a New Year's resolution thing! We recently moved to the Northern Beaches in Sydney and are embracing a healthier pace of life.

What will be on your Christmas table? A token jar of Cranberry Sauce even though we're having seafood! It's a childhood memory after all! 


Tor - Account Manager

What food do you leave out for Santa? Unfortunately the secret is out in my family. So we all drink the beer and eat the cookies on good old Santa's behalf!

BBQ vs Turkey vs Seafood – what wins? It has to be seafood to start then I'm all about tradition. We have the lot - ham, turkey and pork!!!

How are you spending Christmas day? With my favourites!! My whole family with lots of sun, putt putt and Frank Sinatra.


Sarah - Events Assistant

How are you spending Christmas day? This year I'll spend Christmas morning in Berry (NSW South Coast) sharing a yummy brekky with Dad and the cows before driving to Nelsons Bay (near Newcastle) to spend the day with the rest of the family eating way too much but always finding room for the famous 'Rocky Road' Christmas tree.

What book will you be reading over the break? The lovely Bec in our office recommended I read Half The Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. It's completely mind blowing and inspiring me to think about what I can do to fight the insane injustices facing women and children around the world. I even have three copies wrapped under my tree to give as gifts, hoping the issues raised will both disgust and inspire those around me. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend you pick up a copy!

Real or fake tree? Real!!! Can't beat that fresh tree smell.... pine air freshener on a fake tree is NOT the same!


Bec - Marketing and Promotions Coordinator

What will be on your Christmas table? Every Christmas my siblings, cousins and relatives alike eagerly await Christmas dinner at my grandparents’ house. My grandma makes the most incredible stuffing you’ve ever tasted. We don’t even waste a large bird on it; it’s a dish in itself! We beg her to make it throughout the year but she is stubborn and only brings this miraculous dish out on Christmas day.

Dorky Christmas tradition…Well this is a bit embarrassing, but Santa still comes to me even though I’m well into my twenties. For Christmas I head back to my family home in Canberra. We go through the process of placing gingerbread and beer (That’s what Santa likes at my house) on the front porch and then hang our stockings on our bedroom doors. My sister and I still get up in the wee hours of the morning to raid each others stash too!

What book will you be reading over the break? I’m a big reader so I think Santa might be bringing me lots of books, but I have already lined up Hands Across the Water by Peter Baines.


Here some of the team celebrate the year at BLACK by ezard.


We'd love to know your Christmas tradition or what will feature on your Christmas table on the day, comment below and share what you're up to over the break...

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Karen Howes
By Karen Howes QLD | Dec 21, 2011, 10:33 AM

Our dory tradition - when we unwrap presents, there'll be a laundry basket for all the wrapping rubbish. We throw our balled up papers in from all sides of the room, and more often than not end up having a paper fight with each other.Reply

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