An Outdoor Living Christmas

Imagine celebrating Christmas in the northern hemisphere when it’s cold.. what a joke!  Can you imagine backyard cricket in the snow?  Give us an Aussie Christmas with all the trimmings: the laughter of kids at play, the smell of cut grass, the warmth of the sun, the chill of an ice cold beverage, and a belly full of A grade tucker!  With the silly season right upon us, we asked a few faces on the Outdoor Living Direct team what Christmas means to them.

Nick Hulston

Nick works in customer service in our Cheltenham warehouse/showroom facility.  If you come in on the right day he’ll be there greeting you and showing you around the stock.  When he’s not working here, he’s at uni studying law, or enjoying his spare time following the cricket or footy.

What does Christmas Day mean to you?

Christmas means spending time with family. It is always associated with a hot summer’s day, the parents sitting around the dining table and all the cousins playing backyard cricket and kicking a soccer ball waiting in anticipation for the moment of utter jubilation that comes with opening up the presents scattered around the tree.

What’s your favourite memory of backyard Christmas?

My favourite memory would be the intense sessions of backyard cricket with my brothers, cousins and uncles, full of energy prior to Christmas lunch and battling lethargically after the festival feast.

Backyard cricket – do you partake?

Its not Christmas without backyard cricket!

What’s on the menu for Christmas?

It’s usually the standard Christmas lunch. Starters with cheese and biscuits, then followed by fresh prawns with dipping sauce. The main course follows shortly after consisting of Roasted Ham, Turkey and Chicken with a vast array of roasted veggies, peas and beans.

Which items in our range do you think are the best for people to use this coming Christmas season?

In my opinion you can’t go wrong with a Kakadu pod chair, whether it be a present for a loved one or a well deserved present for yourself.  If you’re looking for something a little bigger, my new favourite lounge is the Banksia 4 piece lounge, and with the choice of Wheat, Grey Brush or Black rattans you’ll be sure to find a colour that will compliment your backyard area perfectly!

What advice do you have for anyone hosting or attending a backyard Christmas this year?

Cadbury Favourites, what to bring when you’re told not to bring a thing.

Ben Pratt

Ben works in customer service in our Cheltenham showroom facility. He also dabbles occasionally in the warehouse. In his spare time he enjoys playing guitar, surfing with mates and making coffee as a part time barista, as well as studying teaching at uni.

What does Christmas Day mean to you?

Christmas Day to me means family, classic bon bon jokes and too much food.

What’s your favourite memory of backyard Christmas?

Cooking the barbeque in boardies with dad, my uncles and my cousins, talking some junk and catching up with everyone. I also love seeing the younger cousins opening their presents and being genuinely pumped.

Backyard cricket – do you partake?

Most of the cousins are a bit older now so some of the intensity has dissipated from the game but if the willow is out then the crew will put a few overs in. A couple of the uncles still think they’re pretty crash hot so it’s good to put them back in their place every now and then ha.

What’s on the menu for Christmas?

I’ll be at dad’s side of the family up in Rochester this year so it is generally a fairly traditional set up. Ham, pork, turkey, chicken, plenty of potatoes and of course the Chrissy pudding – the works!

Which items in our range do you think are the best for people to use this coming Christmas season?

Obviously it depends on the space people have but I don’t think you can go past the Santa Fe. Deep, comfortable seats with great colour combos and enough space to seat the fam. For a splash of colour and something modern, a few Acapulco chairs would look great on the deck or in the yard to chill out with a festive glass of vino.

What advice do you have for anyone hosting or attending a backyard Christmas this year?

Keep the barbeque hot, the esky cold and the kids covered in sunscreen. Please don’t forget the bon bon jokes, everyone loves a good bon bon joke regardless of what they say!

Melissa Sparrow

Melissa, the Digital Marketing Co-ordinator here at Outdoor Living Direct, is based in our Cheltenham warehouse/showroom facility and has the role of looking after all the marketing and design! In her spare time, Melissa likes to spend time with family and friends, shopping, learning to cook and playing with her two dogs Chloe and Barney.

What does Christmas Day mean to you?

Christmas Day to me means spending time with family and friends, eating lots of food and then sleeping it off on the couch, before backing it up for round 2 at night.

What’s your favourite memory of backyard Christmas?

My favourite memory would be Christmas Day down at my Nan and Pop’s house in Portarlington. All the family would enjoy a big Christmas lunch, followed by games and fun in the sun to see through the afternoon.

Backyard cricket – do you partake?

I have in the past but I’m not very good! Shane Warne wouldn’t be impressed!

What’s on the menu for Christmas?

The Christmas menu is always traditional for us – turkey, ham, pork, veggies, potatoes, plum pudding and pavlova – all the good stuff!

Which items in our range do you think are the best for people to use this coming Christmas season?

I personally love the Acapulco replica range. Spoil your loved ones with a burst of colour this Christmas. Comfortable, affordable and they also look great. I also can’t go past the new Summer timber range. With a beautiful honey colour timber extendable table this setting is sure to please and be the ideal piece when it comes to hosting a big group of people this Christmas.

What advice do you have for anyone hosting or attending a backyard Christmas this year?

Arrive with an empty stomach! Christmas Day is the day to indulge! 🙂

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