Stone Fruit - Mangoes and Nectarines in the house! My kids also say the first sign of the air-conditioning in the house (usually November) makes them feel like Xmas is here.

No longer have to go shopping with four children but I hear your pain LDL! My mum always babysat for me & now they are adults it is just token fun gifts as mostly they need $$$. I like markets for unusual gifts & if visiting country antique or craft stores through the year I might put some items away. My side of the family do hamper gifts each year which is home made fudge, pickles, jams, sauces, preserved lemons, dukkah or whatever they like to make in bulk. We take one of each item & end up with a hamper of goodies, it's great! My hubby's family put in together to sponsor a well or goat etc through World Vision which is also great! NO stress!

Over the years I have improvised Christmas trees depending on our circumstances. When we were living in the middle of renovations a surveyor's tripod became a quite respectable tree. Later, in a small apartment, a few evergreen twigs hung on the wall in the form of a tree worked fine. The next year we had an ornamental bamboo in that same spot so that became the tree.

coming from a northern country to Australia, I miss the white Christmases. A white decorated theme makes me feel at home and brings back happy memories whilst experiencing a non-traditional hot Christmas.