'What's your favourite nostalgic Christmas tradition? Your answer tells me everything.'

Thanks to our brand partner, COLES

Let's be honest: no two Aussie Christmas mornings look quite the same.

Some families jump out of bed to the sight of Santa's "footprints" stamped across the tiles, half-eaten carrots beside a quickly scribbled note of "I loved the cookies, thanks!"

Others wake to the sweet, unmistakable smell of ham glazing in the oven and the slightly frantic rustle of someone realising they forgot the custard… again.

For some, Christmas is all about the joy of giving and gathering, of passing around platters and pulling crackers, all beneath the hum of fans and the jingle of Mariah Carey.

But here's the thing: whatever festive routine you and your family lean into, be it dessert for breakfast, beach cricket before lunch, or arguing over the right way to hang the tinsel, it quietly says something about you. No matter what your Christmas morning looks like, the one thing that makes it all easier is having everything you need in one shop. Coles is that place: the ham, the desserts, the snacks, even that last-minute custard — all sorted so you can actually enjoy the day.

So what is your Christmas archetype? Let's dive in.

The ham carver.

You're the patient one. The precise one. You probably even Google "spiral ham carving" the night before, just in case Aunty Pam tries to swoop in on your sacred duties again this year.

For you, the festivities haven't actually begun until the carving board is out and the Coles Finest Triple Smoked Ham is glistening on the table — that deep mahogany rind promising the bold, rich beechwood smoke flavour you know everyone will be raving about. The ham is your masterpiece, your moment, and you know it's the real centrepiece, because ham leftovers are basically Christmas currency for sandwiches, salads, and midnight fridge raids well into January.

The secret pride you take in picking, prepping, and glazing "your" ham means you're likely the family organiser, the safe pair of hands, the keeper of the traditions (and the person who insists on just "one more thin slice" long after the pudding's been cleared).

You're all about comfort and making sure no plate leaves the table without at least a taste of that triple-smoked perfection.

The early riser.

Raise your hand if your internal alarm wakes you up at 5am, even as a fully grown adult, ready to check if the Big Man himself has stopped by. If you're knocking on bedroom doors before sunrise, coffee in one hand, camera in the other, yep, you are that person.

You live for the anticipation and the magic, just like Santa's own secret sidekick. You're the family's chief memory–maker; the one who keeps the flame of childhood wonder alive, no matter everyone's age. If someone's holding a phone, snapping reaction shots as the stockings are opened, it's you.

That "Christmas magic" gene you have? It makes everyone feel a bit more enchanted, a bit more together, and (even if only for the morning) just a bit more childlike, no matter how many decades you've been at the table.

The dessert-for-breakfast fan.

There's something a little rebellious about Christmas morning in your house. The moment someone suggests a cheeky bite of dessert before any "real" food has been served, your eyes light up. Because why wait? Today isn't about the rules.

You're an agent of joy. A firm believer in treats, in pleasure, in savouring life's moments (and its pastries) whenever you feel like it. And since Coles went ahead and created their Brown Butter & Jamaican Rum Fruit Mince Pies — a delicious fusion of brown butter shortcrust pastry, filled with a medley of sultanas, currants, some zingy citrus peel, and infused with Jamaican rum — it's like someone wrote your entire Christmas wish list in edible form.

You sample every sweet offering at the table "for research", and are first to volunteer for cleanup (purely so you can sneak an extra mince pie or two).

The unwrapping enthusiast.

If your heart skips a beat at the mere rustle of wrapping paper, and you approach gift opening as a contact sport (ripping, tossing, squealing, and occasionally losing a present in the aftermath), Christmas is your main game.

You're the joy-bringer and chaos-lover, all at the same time. You probably organised the family KK, making sure no one got the same person as last year. You collect bows, make hats out of paper marked for the bin, and manage to squeeze every bit of delight from each gift no matter what it is.

You're the one coordinating the matching Christmas outfits, including the dogs. You speak in puns and say things like, "It's time for Prosecc-ho-ho-ho." You are, in short, the human embodiment of Christmas energy.

The pudding purist.

If your ideal Christmas moment involves leaning over a perfectly steamed pudding, dousing it in rich sauce and inhaling deep, you are the undisputed nostalgia queen. You're delighted the Coles Toffee, Date & Ginger Pudding is ready in just 90 seconds, and by the time it hits the table, you're first in line — its rich date sponge, subtle ginger and sticky toffee sauce delivering all the nostalgic Christmas vibes you could wish for.

You run lunch like a full-blown operation. Is anyone allowed in the kitchen? No. Can anyone ask what time the food will be ready? Also no. Is everyone around you expected to read your mind and pre-empt your needs? Yes.

You're about legacy and ritual. You know which sauce goes with which slice, and have a story to go with every mouthful ("Remember when Gran used to hide silver coins in the pudding?"). For you, food is memory, and every slice brings the family together.

The quiet resetter.

Between the courses, the games, and the mountain of gifts, there's always one soul quietly ferrying dishes to the kitchen, wiping down surfaces, and wresting open the jar of cranberry sauce for round two. If this is you, you are the unspoken glue of the day, a bringer of calm, comfort, and clean benchtops.

Your Christmas tradition is less about spectacle, more about atmosphere. You know that behind every magical moment is someone making sure the bins get emptied, and the gravy doesn't burn. You're the family's gentle nerve centre, championing the art of keeping the day on track but never missing a beat of the action. We feel you. We see you. We are you.

The lunch 2.0.

For you, Christmas lunch isn't over until there's ice cream on the table, ideally something nostalgic with a grown-up twist, like Coles Christmas Salted Caramel & Brandy Snap Ice Cream. This mascarpone flavoured ice cream swirled with gooey salted caramel and dotted with crunchy brandy snap pieces makes each bite a festive surprise. One scoop, and you're right back to childhood, but with a little dash of sophistication. Because on a hot Aussie Christmas, what could be more perfect than a bowl of this?

You're the cool, adaptable type, the problem-solver whose motto is "there's always room for one more scoop." You love a crowd, you love a surprise (like a brandy snap in your ice cream? Yes please) and you're not above sneaking seconds behind the fridge door. You're the one who has a post-lunch siesta in the form of a nap, before gearing up for round two.

Maybe you're actually a bit of each. So here's to all the nostalgic, hungry, jolly Christmas celebrators. May your table sparkle, your pies be sticky and your memories last until next year's triple smoked ham.

Which one are you? Whichever Christmas archetype lives at your house, Coles makes it easy to bring it to life. One trolley, one less thing to stress about, and a lot more time to actually enjoy the day.

Explore the Coles Christmas range and shop with Click & Collect or delivery to your door.

Minimum spend $50. Subject to timeslot availability, order cut off times and T&Cs apply.

Feature Image: Getty.

At Coles, they're dedicated to offering you quality solutions through their Coles Brand product lines. These are created with their teams of product developers, chefs, nutritionists – and, of course, their trusted Aussie farmers and suppliers to make sure each one delivers on flavour, consistency and safety. From everyday essentials to gourmet food, they're constantly listening to what you want to see on the shelves and innovating to bring you products and ingredients you need and love. So, you can feel good knowing their Coles Brand products are crafted with care and attention to detail to help you and your family live healthier and happier lives.