Celebrate With Jo

There’s always room for one more at Jo Seagar’s Christmas table. She shares favourite family recipes and talks to Emma Clifton about the importance of generosity, memories of her mum and her excitement at the prospect of a white Christmas.

- Emma Clifton

When it comes to having an attitude of celebration, Jo Seagar is really walking the talk. Midway through our interview at an Auckland club, a waiter pops a bottle of champagne for other guests, even though it’s only 11am, and Jo interrupts her train of thought to let out a cheerful “Woohoo!” at the very distinctive sound. Sitting with our far more sedate coffees (for now), we are talking about Christmas but, more importantly, the reason for the season. Faith, family and any opportunity to “get out the good cups”, as Jo puts it.

“I’m a big celebrator – it’s been part of my family DNA forever,” she says. “The idea of ‘join me’ or ‘I’ve made this for you’ – those are lovely words in our language, aren’t they? That idea of hospitality. It’s a very Kiwi thing, as well. We’re always looking around to make sure no one is missing out.”

So she’s not one to keep those good cups in the cupboard, waiting for a rainy day? “No, no, no, God, it’s rained enough,” she laughs. “In Canterbury, a lot of them got smashed waiting for that rainy day. And I think there’s a great sense of joy in the little things.”

Full festive week

This year Jo and her husband of 33 years Ross will be in Taupo for Christmas at her brother’s holiday house with a “bit of a collection” of family members. Some, including their son Guy, are arriving from overseas. They like the idea of a festive week, taking the pressure off the 25th being the make or break day of the year. “You see all these families with young kids rushing to one grandmother and then onto the next one… why not do that over the week instead? It’s one of the best tips for coping with the stress.”