Being thankful for what we have is important; especially so in a year in which bad news may have overpowered the good.

Rather than merely being a buzzword, gratitude has been shown to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress. Whether it’s around the table at Christmas or in the lead up to the holidays, tell your loved ones what you’re thankful for, as this can inspire them to also reflect on this. It can also help reframe the year from being one of hardship to also having contained moments of happiness and opportunities.

As many of us have been separated from loved ones due to restrictions, the holidays provide an opportunity to reconnect in person. While for many of those who experienced prolonged lockdowns it’s exciting to plan a family road trip or a big indoor gathering, what truly matters is the time you spend with those you care for.

Perhaps even new traditions can be formed as you create memories together. Rather than focussing on the presents around the tree, maybe celebrate being in the presence of those you care about and make the festive season about wonderful, shared experiences.

Something I’d noticed over the past few years is the growing interest amongst our clients about protecting their family wealth. Some of this interest has been generated after I’ve raised the issue with the client, but sometimes it is the client who has raised the issue.

I decided it was an area I need to upgrade my existing knowledge and completed a 3 day intensive training course in July. While I feel my knowledge of the various issues around asset protection and estate planning was above average before the course, three days of training with industry leaders in their respective fields highlighted just how complex and important an area this is (and how much I still could learn).

Over the years I’ve recognised that we can’t do everything ourselves and I’ve always sought to learn from and interact with the leaders of a field I’m interested in.

I am pleased to say I am now a foundation member of the new Succession, Asset Protection & Estate Planning Advisers Association (SAPEPAA). SAPEPAA members comprise lawyers, accountants and financial advisors with a strong interest in helping families grow and protect their wealth.

If you feel family wealth protection and leaving a legacy is important to you, please give us a call in the new year to see how we can help you.

Something that wasn’t around when we were kids, but anyone now who has young children or grandchildren has probably experienced the mischevious activities of the elf on the shelf.

The elf on the shelf is supposedly a spy sent by Santa to check and report on whether the boys and girls have been naughtly or nice leading up to Christmas.  Of course, that’s not a full job leaving plenty of time to get into mischief.

The elf assigned to Stacey’s family hasn’t been named (they just call it Elf), Kristie’s family’s elf is called “Tinsel” and our family has Candy.

I have mixed feelings about Candy—it’s a bit of fun for Kate and the girls, but Candy has been known to hide things and paint my toenails while I sleep.

There are so many ways you can give back to the community. It’s not always about making a monetary contribution – giving your time is just as valuable.

Donating clothes, blankets or any other household items that will help those less fortunate or vulnerable is always welcome, especially at shelters for both men and women.

In recent years, gift bags or hampers are becoming increasingly popular too. It’s as simple as buying non-perishable food items or toiletries from the supermarket and creating a food hamper or gift bag.

Kmart has the Wishing Tree Appeal whereby you can purchase a gift for a child and leave it under the Christmas tree in the store.

If you’re unable to donate cash or volunteer your time, a blood donation at the Australian Red Cross is another option. They are always in desperate need of donors.

There are so many charities to choose from in Australia, but it’s also worth considering international organisations as well. You may prefer to donate locally, but if you decide to choose an international charity, your dollar will more than likely go a lot further. Especially in developing countries, where they may need clean water, medical supplies, or even infrastructure to build schools for young children.

If you donate $2 or more to a Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR), you may also be able to make a claim on your donation at tax time. Not all charities are DGRs— check at https://abr.business.gov.au/Tools/DgrListing

So, whether you’re volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen or giving a monetary donation – helping others who are less fortunate could be the best gift of all this Christmas.