Tis the season to be merry on the beach or around the barbie for a feast. Don’t forget your Esky and necessary provisions for health and mental wellness. A menu of light eating until the evening meal will free up energy for cooling that would otherwise be used in the digestion of a bulk of calories. 

For fast hydration, top-up your Klean Kanteen, Nalgene or Hydro-Flask with ambient temperature water. All cold foods and beverages must be heated to be consumed by the body. Cold stuff on a hot day is deceivingly counterproductive. Some drinks are better cold, especially the carbonated and adult types of beverages.

Stretch your Yeti and keep coldies cold with a long-neck, slim or stubby holder. You can have them personalized, team designed, or monogrammed to keep wandering hands from your precious. Unique bottle holders and can coolers keep things cold for the slow-sipping types who want to “pace themselves”.

When roaming, stay within your lotion's sun protection factor (SPF) range. Stay hydrated. You may not realise that reapplication of SPF lotion is needed every hour or as per recommendations. One application in the morning and you will be crisp by noon, in the hospital by sunset. It covers up or it puts the lotion on again.

Our active kids keep us active, and traveling to sports venues and events keeps us moving. I am thankful for the new thermal materials science and market applications for easy portable fresh water, snacks, and juices. The days of foil-wrapped warm sandwiches soaked in melted ice are over. I am impressed by the thermal value of the Eskimo Ice Box. 

What is in your Christmas pudding? Or do you prefer a trifle? My mouth waters when I type the word pavlova. I have nothing but happy feelings associated with the crisp crust and marshmallow center. Bring it on. I could happily eat myself into a comfortable sugar coma on only pavlova. 

Is your home filled with the sound of the Sydney/Hobart, Melbourne Cricket Ground, or silence because everyone is at the movies and shopping? I could do with a day of Christmas movies and a somewhat potato-like existence. Is there a doctor who would prescribe that? 

Survey results show we leave our home cities less than 10 days per year on average. Make the most of those days. If they cannot be frequent, they should be all the more special for everyone. Then consider flipping the work/life balance to life/work. 

I have decluttered our home with a continual process of using it or losing it. If something even gathers dust, I question why it is stationary. I am joking but we must create space and time for festivities that bring you and others together or it won’t happen. 

A good time rarely drops out of the sky and slaps us in the face. Be that slap for a close friend or family member who needs it this holiday season. Metaphorically.