The usual greetings we chant without even thinking are all replaced come December each year.
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The moment we cross paths with anyone, we ask if they are ready for Christmas and once we get over that formality, the next question is what are you doing on Christmas Day?
For most, it’s a family day. Maybe all gathering at the shack by the beach, or perhaps everyone piling around Nan and Pop’s dining table only meant to seat six but somehow 12 of you will make it work.
But an answer you may not expect is that it will be spent in a women’s shelter where mums and kids try to find a safe place to be together this Christmas Day.
Maybe they’re running from another family member who has chosen to not respect, to not love, care for and treasure those who should be surrounded by happiness all year, and especially on a special day.
A recent post on Facebook listed the ages and sex of children who it’s already known will be spending some time over the festive season in a local shelter.
Mums fleeing to these shelters don’t get to pack up any presents already under the tree. Often they can’t even pack a bag of clothes and toiletries, or pack anything.
So a call went out to our community from a young business woman asking for us to buy an extra gift this year for these children.
There were no names, no images, nothing that could identify them or what they might like or not like.
Now Christmas shopping for my own children is hard enough and I know them intimately.
I know their favourite colours, their favourite treats, what makes them laugh and what will make their eyes light up with joy.
But I don’t know these little ones. I don’t know the horror they are running from or what toys they had to leave behind.
I don’t know if there was a soft toy left in their room that made them feel safe or if when they colour in or paint, it brings them comfort.
So with three of my children, we walked the aisles of shopping centres - each of us choosing gifts to give these strangers who live right along side us.
As we shopped we talked about how important it is to be kind and to be generous when you can.
My elder daughter and I shared with our little boys that some kids don’t feel safe at home. In fact they may not feel safe anywhere.
My children learned more about the spirit of Christmas in that moment than any other activity they have been involved in.
I don’t know those mums who will find refuge in a shelter house come Christmas Day, but you will be in my thoughts and above all the families across Tasmania, I hope Santa visits you first!