“The best change in tradition when we came to New Zealand was starting to eat ham – it’s my favourite!”

“We also have lots of noodles, because we believe this helps you live a long life.”

September, when Mum puts up the Christmas tree and hangs up stockings. We all start going to church regularly. While studying, I’ve been going to the Holy Name church in North Dunedin.

My dad always puts on movies like Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas (1999 and its sequel from 2004). As our family is spread across New Zealand, this together time is really special.

Food is the most important part. After Christmas Eve mass we celebrate with Noche Buena, a midnight feast. After prayers, we sit down around a table full of round fruit – in our culture, this represents good luck. Fruits like apples, melons, blueberries, oranges are assorted on round plates. We also have lots of noodles, because we believe this helps you live a long life. The best change in tradition when we came to New Zealand was starting to eat ham – it’s my favourite! After church and after midnight, we open gifts.

On Christmas Day, family friends come over for lunch – it’s massive and might include a barbecue. We have spaghetti, which is much sweeter than the Western version. Mum makes a lot of desserts too; my favourite is her leche flan.

Any plans for the new year?

After watching the fireworks at midnight, my parents turn on all the lights in the house – it’s symbolic of bringing light and happiness into the house for the year. My brother and I put coins in our pockets and jump, so that it brings us good fortune and we continue to grow. Mum will buy new fruits to put in the fruit bowl – I think the number corresponds with the year – so in 2022 she will put in 22!

We might go camping at Lake Tekapo this festive season, as I’ve never been with family and my parents haven’t been there. I’d like to make it a new tradition. Knowing my mum, she will leave the lights on at home – for good luck.