Maybe some games afterwards, a few phone calls to relatives, and a quick check on the state of the back-yard cricket pitch before Boxing Day.

How many of these will you tick off on December 25? 

For Captain Zoe Lippis, the dinner will be with her co-workers, the phone calls will be carefully scheduled across timezones, and the cricket match will be arranged to avoid the worst of a scorching 50 degrees.

Originally from Launceston, Australian Army legal officer, Captain Lippis is on deployment overseas, with only a few weeks to go before she returns home for some time off.

She said choosing to join the army has given her “wonderful opportunities that complemented my legal training and allowed me to do something outside my comfort zone”.

“It’s an ever-changing dynamic, you’re constantly responding to different issues and that really helps you to very quickly make decisions and gain … lots of experiences,” she said.

“The biggest challenge has been being away from family and friends and [my] support network, so to overcome that you quickly develop your own support network with the wonderful people you’re working with here.”

Despite her location, Christmas will still be festive in the company of her army co-workers.

“It can be quite extreme here so I can’t wait for Tassie … but I’m looking forward to a lovely Christmas Day here,” she said.

And while Captain Lippis will miss out on the family dinner in Launceston on December 25, she said her mother is already planning for her upcoming return.

“Mum is planning a second Christmas, I’m informed, so I’m very excited about that,” she said.