As Stephen has mentioned, on Christmas Eve I did my annual craft. I am not the world's most artisitc person, but I feel I ought to try, so I went to the local bone carving place, to carve my own necklace. I chose the pattern and then traced it on to a piece of beef bone. The man in charge cut out the general shape and then let me loose with a drilly thing, to carve out the details. After that I spent an hour sanding the carving and then finished it off with wet sanding and polishing. Lo and behold, my own necklace, of a traditional Maori fish hook (symbolises authority and leadership and safe travel over water).
By the time I had finished carving, the weather was glorious and we spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the sun. In the evening, it was time for the Christmas BBQ at the hostel. The owners provided meat and beers and everyone else bought salads. There was a huge spread and we filled our little tummies. After eating, Santa arrived, wearing the requiste sunglasses! Excellent fun.
After the BBQ, Stephen accompanied me to the local church for Carols and Communion. As an atheist who can't sing, this was hardly the place for him, but I appreciated him coming with me. We left church at about 11.30pm and walked back to our hostel. I was worried Stephen wouldn't sleep because he was too excited about Christmas, but he was out like a light and we didn't wake up until 10am on Christmas Day.