KRISTY Hanson and her family have only been living in Port Macquarie for about three years, but that's been long enough for them to create a tradition.
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In the week leading up to Christmas, the Hansons and their neighbours in Lady Nelson Drive join forces and celebrate the festive season with a street party.
It's the chance for the children to play on the street and a chance for the adults to sit around, consume a few beverages and spend time around the barbecue.
"We've done it every year since we moved here. The kids give out lollies to people who go past and we sit under cover," Ms Hanson said.
"I actually purchased the lollies and the clear bags for the kids last week in preparation for it."
As preparation for Christmas Day, Ms Hanson said the family had come up with their own way of counting down.
"At our place we do what we call 'Elf on the Shelf' which is an elf that creates mischief and helps count down all the way until Christmas. The elf also takes letters to Santa but he also does all sorts of things like put post-it notes throughout the house," she said.
Last year the street party was held on Christmas Eve, but after staying up until the early hours of Christmas Day, Ms Hanson felt it was practical to bring it forward to December 23.
"We had the party on Christmas Eve last year, but then we were up until 5am on Christmas morning putting trampolines and soccer nets together and by the end of it we were pretty merry," she said.
"We thought it would be a good idea to bring it forward to the 23rd because the kids were just up too late last year."
Ms Hanson said as many as six of their neighbours were involved in the street party which also gave them the opportunity to showcase their Christmas light displays.
"Because we're still working we don't have that much spare time to put too many lights on the house, but we've got good coverage."
paul.jobber@fairfaxmedia.com.au
