When it comes to preparing festive fare for Christmas, Living Gems Caboolture Riverfront resident Judy Hilton is most certainly ahead of the rest especially when it comes to her delicious rum balls which are a huge family favourite.

“I only make them once a year and cure the cherries for 12 months to ensure they are mouth-watering and have a nice punch when devoured. They are rather decadent, and you wouldn’t want to drive after eating a few but the kids and my husband, Stephen, love them,” said Judy, with a big smile.

She said the rum balls are sweet because they are made with chocolate, and they freeze well. They go perfectly with her other traditional Christmas recipes which include Daffy’s Christmas Plum Pudding, Aunty Norma’s Prawn Christmas Entree, and Daffy’s Christmas Punch.

“Daffy was a dear friend of my mother’s who passed on her mum’s recipes for us to enjoy.”

Married 50 years with three children, five grandchildren and one great grandchild, Judy and Stephen have always loved Christmas with all the trimmings and traditions.

“We enjoy a hot meal and still put the sixpences in our puddings like our parents did when we were young. I’ve kept them all these years just for Christmas and there is nothing like seeing the kids’ faces light up when they get one in their pudding. It’s precious!”

Judy also cooks up a delicious caramel slice which has proved particularly popular with the kids and neighbours and so that the Christmas treats, puddings, cakes and hot meals can be part of many festive celebrations in the future, she has put together a special recipe book with all her family’s traditional Christmas favourites and handed them down to her children.

“Christmas has always been a big occasion in our family. As kids, I remember going to my grandmother’s place with my sister. They always prepared a hot roast and put the presents under the tree.

Then we’d play cricket in the backyard and by the end of the day we would be like carpet snakes, curled up and asleep on the bed before rising again to graze on the leftovers. It was beautiful and gave us so many happy memories.”

The enthusiastic home chef says she learned how to make all her Christmas cuisine from her mother and since having her own family, has enjoyed delivering Christmas with all the trimmings for her loved ones.

“It is always a lot of work for me, and the food is gone so quickly but to receive the compliments and know they enjoyed it makes everything so worthwhile in the end,” said Judy.

She said the festivities also keep the family linked together which is always special and such an exciting time for everyone.

“It truly is a family affair. The best part for me is seeing all our family together and the kids’ smiling faces when they see the rum balls and caramel slices.”

Judy is someone who likes to spread the joy over the entire year, and she does that by cooking up treats and gifting them to local gardeners, friends and neighbours.

“Doing nice things for others gives me a lot of pleasure, and the gardeners do such a good job at keeping our resort looking lovely.”