Pardon the pun but I love this saying. It’s not often that we have million dollar co-operatives encouraging us to leave the retail chains behind and come together as a community, creating and hand making gifts for our families and friends in wonderful local surroundings. Well this year Southbank gets creative and invites you and your family to join in the Christmas spirit of hand making gifts, saving money, time and creating an opportunity to come together as a family and a community. South Bank have even created your own lounging areas with “Under The Trees”, a two week long picnic area set up with a themed marquee for shading, old favorite lawn games such as badminton, chess and table tennis along with my favorite and as strenuous as I want to get on a picnic- quoits! There will be free acoustics every night starting at 6pm and you are welcome to bring your own picnic foods or purchase specialty items designed to be eaten on the green from the local restaurants. How many times have you received a gift made by a friend, colleague, child or family member? It’s a different feeling to ripping open the plastic wrapping to a generic replication of something that we don’t really need only to stack it in the cupboard with all of the other generic repetitive objects that we thought we needed and wanted last year. Made with Love: A South Bank Christmas, is a wonderful and refreshing venture that Southbank are running from 10th to the 23rd December. Ever been to those handmade markets and marveled at the talents, well with a little guidance from some crafty professionals you can join in the Christmas Craft studio at South Bank and come away with an amazing collection of creative gifts such as screen prints, lino etchings and paper prints, cards and handmade gift boxes, learn the art of Japanese flower brooches, folding decorations or kumihimo braiding. For the kids there is “messy monkeys” where they can cut loose to make a mess and really get creative and you don’t have to clean it up. Other tempters for the young ones is puppet and sock monkey making while you are perhaps hand dying your own scarf or up-cycling some recycled bits and pieces to adorn this year’s tree with unique decorations care of “Reverse Garbage” in West End. There will be cooking banners with beautiful Christmas bites and recipe brochures being handed out. As most of the classes take only 20 – 25 people you will need to book in and for a small fee you will be delighted to take home with you a new found love for all things hand made and made with love. For further information, booking details, times and dates click on http://www.visitsouthbank.com.au/the-love-story. Grab the family, loved ones and friends and join in this year’s true celebration of Christmas.