Kia ora e hoa mā,
And we made it! Summer is here once again and all those winter blues are swept away and forgotten about. The sky has never been clearer, the sand never so golden or the sea so enticing. Devonport makes your heart sing in summer.
If you’re like me, you’ll be keeping an eye out for the best gifts to satisfy the most challenging of family members and, this year, in Devonport, I’ve already sourced a few goodies from some of our newer shops, as well as from the tried and true.
What’s even better is the Devonport Community House are running four Saturday ‘Drop & Shop’ sessions so you can do Santa’s grunt work uninterrupted (or head out for a Christmas lunch sans kids). School aged children between ages 5-12 will be kept busy participating in Christmas craft activities for 90 minute sessions on Saturday 15th & 22nd of December. If you plan ahead, you’ll be able to lock them in for a straight three hours, as different activities are being offered each time. This gives you the perfect excuse to shop seaside this December, take in our epic city views, and follow it up with a dip at Cheltenham Beach. Book your sessions at www.devonport.co.nz
Hot tips for Christmas gifts this year are the fantastic stonewashed denim aprons from Bear Brothers Denim inside the Arcade, versatile three-way poncho tops from ECHO Designer Living, the RONE Oxfam Classic Blunt Umbrella from Firefly Light & Design, Perfume Workshop vouchers from Miller Road Perfumery, and the Cera Mill coffee bean hand-grinder from Chiasso. I just hope my nearest and dearest aren’t reading this or they might start to recognise shapes under the Christmas tree!
We’ll have got into the swing of it all with our Santa Parade on Sunday December 2nd, with many of our business members dressed up in character costumes handing out stickers and sweets. And, whilst I swore I wouldn’t do it again, how could I possibly resist another ride by Santa’s side with my three little elves. One of the many highlights of the job!
In the Devonport Library we’ll be erecting a very large Christmas Tree, which will be where our village locates its City Mission collection this year. At night you’ll be able to see the tree twinkling through the large eastern window.
As with any year coming to a close, we all take stock of the months just been. Just as the tide rolls in and out, each year brings ups and downs, challenges and joys, but the one thing that remains a constant, is the beauty and charm of Devonport, Auckland’s seaside village to explore.
Meri Kirihimete me te hape Nū Ia - Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
