Santa doesn’t just visit the children of the Albone household at Christmas.
While Leo, 9, and Hartford, 7, will squeal with delight at the treats left in front of the fireplace at their small family farm in Ourimbah on the NSW Central Coast, there will also some very other appreciative family members.
“The dogs get their own little stockings under the tree, filled with dog treats, and the donkeys get a few extra apples and carrots,” laughs Juliet Love.
“A bit of extra love for everyone on Christmas Day.”
Christmas is a joyful time for this beautiful family of four – plus a few animals!
(Image: Alana Lansberry / Are Media)The pandemic gave the foursome a chance to finally relocate permanently to the farm. And with Julie having joined husband Charlie as a presenter on Seven’s Better Homes and Gardens, they grasped the opportunity to work from home.
“It’s been great to do some filming up here,” Charlie says with a smile. “We’re getting all the Sydney cast up for a big Christmas lunch next week which will be really fun. We feel pretty lucky to have this place.”
Their own Christmas lunch will be a traditional affair with Charlie laughing he’ll likely fall asleep on the couch after an extra-large serve of Juliet’s ice cream Christmas pudding.
Their morning too will follow a long-standing tradition.
“My mum comes up here and we go to church together,” says Juliet of something she’s done with her family since her own childhood.
“Charlie doesn’t come every time – he’s usually out in the garden, that’s his church – but the kids come and it’s a very joyful time.”
“I always have appreciated being in my garden, but in 2021 I have even more appreciation,” Charlie says of what he’s holding onto most as we head into a new year.
“Being outside and being able to concentrate on that was a good way to take my mind off things. It was a godsend to me.”
“As much as it has been a challenging time for people, there have also been a lot of silver linings,” adds Juliet.
“We’ve prioritised things that are important – and for us that has been slowing down a little bit and spending more quality time with family, which as been really lovely.
“I appreciate not having to rush around all the time. And as we emerge from the past 18-months I’m going to try to be mindful of not getting too caught up in the pace of things. To stop and smell the roses.”
You can read this story and many others in our Christmas Issue of The Australian Women’s Weekly – on sale now.
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