by Mary Johnson
We’re a pretty diverse group at Beyond Performance, with the majority of us coming from different parts of the world. Funnily enough, as a team it didn’t occur to us that we should stop to think about our diversity and how we may need to be politically correct at this time of year. However, we know it’s a hot topic for many out there, so here are our top three tips to ensure an inclusive and enjoyable season:
- Expand your knowledge of other cultures. There are a variety of celebrations happening at this time of year across the world, so it’s a great excuse to get to know our colleagues and friends in a different context.
- Speak your mind. With just around half the population declaring an affiliation with Christianity in New Zealand (2013 Census), a lot of people are not celebrating Christmas in its official capacity! So if you’re in the other 50%, don’t be afraid to speak up and put forward your ideas on how to enjoy the festive season.
- Embrace it! No-one in New Zealand can avoid this Christian celebration at this time of year so just enjoy it and use it as a good excuse to reignite relationships with friends and family.
So, in keeping with our own advice, we thought it would be fun to share how each of us will be celebrating Christmas in our own little diverse ways.
Yanka, our lovely South African, celebrates on Christmas Eve rather than on the 25th which stems from her maternal Dutch heritage. Presents are opened, the family gather to sing carols and her grandad (a pastor) gives a touching sermon. The family still spend Christmas day together, but it will be a low-key family lunch (no doubt allowing them to recover from the day before!)
Alison, a born and bred Kiwi, celebrates with a classic Kiwi BBQ Christmas lunch, along with as many of her family as possible. Everyone brings a plate, loaded with anything from paella to smoked salmon and they cook turkey on the Weber - served with truckloads of salad. However, the traditional Kiwi Pavlova is not a favourite at the Marshall household. They much prefer a Raw Kitchen cheese cake or Tiramisu instead. No one has yet been admitted to hospital for over-eating, which is quite a surprise considering how much is consumed! By late afternoon Ali and her husband are already planning their escape – they can’t wait to jump on-board their boat and sail to off to Waiheke to recover for a week!
Being married to Ian, who has fond childhood memories of a relaxed Christmas, camping in the sunshine with family, Clare has had to adapt her traditional British Christmas. She did try the traditional roast once but nearly burnt the kitchen down! So BBQ it is and then down to the beach for a swim. However, one UK tradition she has managed to keep alive is the Santa Sack – which still brings out the kiddie in her 25 year old stepdaughter!
Compared to other religious festivals, Christmas is, comparatively, quite a small affair in India where Andrea comes from. There are only about 2.3% of Christians but, due to the large population, that still equates to over 25 million people! Coming from a massive family, it takes some time for Andrea to celebrate. Her family preparations start weeks before Christmas, as she makes massive batches of culculs and rose cookies to share with the neighbours - whether they are Christian or not. A visit to church kicks off Christmas Day and then it’s a mammoth tiki tour of family house visits for breakfast, brunch, lunch, second lunch, dinner…that’s a lot of celebrating! And turkey is not on the menu – instead it’s chicken curry, coconut rice, duck vindaloo and roast pork. Sounds so delicious - I think I’ll have to invite myself round to her house to sample them.
And me? Well I’m arguably the most diverse of the group being part English, Portuguese and Chinese. Having a Chinese mother meant a table filled to the brim with Cantonese dishes, including my favourite roast duck. It’s a great excuse to bring the family together but we’ll be saving our biggest celebrations for the Lunar New Year in January/February.
Wherever and however you celebrate this festive season, we all wish you fabulous and safe end of year festivities!
