Matilda Green, Matt Heath & Leigh Hart share their Variety Christmas traditions

For Untidy Podcast host Matilda, spending time with family has always been the best part of this time of year. One of her fondest holiday memories is simply playing games outside.

“We had minimal presents, but I remember feeling this warmth inside me and thinking, ‘My family loves me and we’re all together.’ It’s a really nice memory.”

But in recent years, family has also become one of the biggest stressors. Both she and husband Art have divorced parents who are spread across the country, so balancing time with everyone can be complicated.

“Logistics have taken over the joy a little bit,” she admits.

“We’re obsessed with making sure everything is even and our time is fairly split.”

Matilda, who has sponsored a Variety child for four years, knows that pales in comparison to figuring out how to feed your family. That is why she is extra motivated to support the charity’s seasonal appeal.

“If you’re in a position to donate, you have the power to take stress off another family. That is such an incredible gift. Christmas is about helping those who need it.”

Growing up on Auckland’s Waiheke Island in the ’90s, the 35-year-old noticed many children lacked easy access to food. She also saw they often went without basic necessities.

It has always made her grateful for the life she has. Now she is a parent herself to Milo, six, Autumn, four, and Penelope, two, she wants to ensure they learn that same lesson and become generous people.

“As they get older, I want to do the City Mission Christmas, I want to do food banks, so they understand that Christmas is really about giving to other people,” Matilda explains.

Happily, becoming a mum has helped bring some of the wonder back into the holiday. Matilda and Art, 36, have loved sharing traditions from their childhoods, and creating new moments for their close-knit unit.

“We whistle up the chimney on Christmas Eve, and say good luck to Santa and the reindeer for their journey,” she shares.

“And we eat fish and chips on Christmas Eve.”

For as long as he can remember, the Newstalk ZB Afternoons host has been obsessed with Christmas. His earliest memory is staying up late with one of his sisters to sneakily try and catch Santa red-handed.

Matt says that for him, it’s those simple family moments that encapsulate the joy of the holiday.

“We used to all sleep in my big sister’s room on Christmas Eve,” the 52-year-old recalls.

“I feel like in my life, I’ve never got back to that feeling of anticipation. You’re trying to sleep but Santa’s coming and he’s going to leave a stocking full of toys. That feeling is so intense.”

Now a father to teenage sons Charlie and Barry, Matt is passing on that passion – whether they like it or not!

“I punish my kids for the whole of December by playing them horrific Christmas music and making them watch festive movies. I love it.”

While he feels lucky he can create a special holiday for his family, Matt still remembers the moment he realised the season isn’t a happy time for everyone.

“There was a kid at my primary school and I remember he was describing his Christmas to me. His family weren’t together – he wasn’t sure where he was going to be. I realised how lucky I was. I couldn’t wrap my head around the fact his Christmas wasn’t going to be this time of wonder and joy. In fact, he was feeling a bit of shame about it.”

The memory has stayed with Matt. It is one of the reasons he has teamed up with Variety to help Kiwi families in need.

“If those who are in a good situation can share a bit of that magic so other people don’t miss out, it is an incredibly good thing,” he asserts.

In recent years, Matt has taken control of the holiday menu. And one dish that always makes it on the table is a special tribute to his mum, who passed away almost a decade ago.

“Even though we grew up on a farm, my mum was a vegetarian. While we were all eating meat, she would have a lentil roast. So that’s one piece of food that we always have.”

While some look forward to how many gifts they will have under the tree, the spirit of generosity and community is foremost in the SnackaChangi founder’s mind during the festive season. He sees it as a chance to better oneself.

“It ignites a part of you and reminds you of the person you want to be every day of the year,” Leigh says.

“Without being Grinchy about it, I’m trying to say to my family, ‘Let’s do less food – let’s simplify it.’”

Though he enjoys the holidays, Leigh admits most years don’t live up to the high expectations he has for the day.

“I’m always disappointed,” the 55-year-old tells. “My mum’s really into it and she’s trying to be perfect, so we go into it with that attitude. But then life admin gets in the way and we never quite nail the perfect Christmas we have in our heads.”

Leigh’s unease about the commercialism of the season has been present since he was a teen. But the disparity in what the day means to some people really hit home when he became dad to now-teen daughter Sophia and son Sammy, 20.

“You see the kids’ expectation, and you’re at the shopping mall and you look around and you can see the fear in the eyes of some parents trying to deliver on this expectation. For some people, it’s the saddest time of year.”

That’s why the longtime Variety ambassador hopes Kiwis can find a few spare dollars to help families have a special meal.

“Food is such a big part of Christmas. There are so many kids who go hungry all year round, but it’s even more obvious this time of year. It’s important to remember that Christmas is about giving.”

His traditions today are classically Kiwi – whitebait fritters and Champagne for breakfast, and pavlova for dessert. Yet Leigh vividly remembers the celebrations of his childhood.

“I have fond memories from the past when I was younger, living in Peru, in the Andes,” he shares.

“I suppose as a kid, Christmas was more about the occasion and less about the gifts. Christmas Eve seemed more of a big deal. When I moved to New Zealand when I was about 10 or 11, the commercial aspect seemed to grow each year.”