As the festive season draws near, the familiar pressures of Christmas planning are setting in, even for our favourite morning television faces. Sunrise hosts Nat Barr and Matt Shirvington have candidly shared their personal challenges and strategies for navigating the holidays, while also gearing up for a major national celebration.
The Christmas Countdown: Presents, Planning and Pressure
For Nat Barr, organisation is the intended strategy, though reality often has other ideas. She confessed to having started her gift shopping and has a plan in mind, but finds the task increasingly difficult as her children have grown into adults.
"Buying presents for the kids is the hardest because they're adults now," Barr explained. "It was much easier buying spinning tops when they were three years old." The mother to Hunter, 19, and Lachlan, 23, admitted she never truly finishes her shopping early, noting there's always one last item to find.
Matt Shirvington says his approach is similar, if not even more last-minute. His one act of advanced planning is securing a live Christmas tree, which has blossomed into a cherished family ritual. "I had to order the tree ahead, otherwise you're missing out," he said, adding that he now "needs that smell" of a fresh tree to feel the Christmas spirit.
Beyond the tree, Shirvington relies on his more organised wife, Jessica, and a clever family tradition to manage the festive rush for their three children—Sienna, 19, Winnie, 17, and seven-year-old Lincoln.
Stockings and Shared Gifts: A Family Solution
The key to bridging the large age gap, according to Shirvington, is the humble Christmas stocking. "The stockings are filled with very practical items as well as little toys," he revealed. This includes essentials like underwear and toothbrushes, evolving into makeup for his teenage daughters.
He also champions interactive family gifts. "I do like family gifts too, whether it's Monopoly or something else you can break open on the day, and everyone can play. It's a bit interactive," Shirvington said, highlighting the value of shared experiences over individual presents.
Closing the Year with Carols in the Domain
This festive season, both hosts are eagerly anticipating their role in a beloved Australian tradition. They will return to host Carols in the Domain in Sydney on Saturday, December 20, marking the nation's biggest Christmas celebration.
This year's event holds special significance as it welcomes a new naming rights partner for the first time in 21 years, with The Salvation Army taking over from Woolworths.
For Barr, the carols are a poignant marker of the year's end. "It's such a part of Australian tradition and marks the end of the year," she said. "Everyone just sits back and celebrates — or waves goodbye to a hard year. One or the other." She emphasised the communal aspect, noting they get to keep company with those who are alone or celebrate alongside large families.
The scale of the event is a thrilling departure from their daily studio routine. "We look out and there's 50,000 people in front of us, which is so different for us," Barr said, describing the experience as both nerve-racking and exciting.
For Shirvington, Carols in the Domain offers a priceless opportunity to connect with the Sunrise audience in person. "Carols is a really good opportunity to meet the viewers," he shared. "I just love the festive atmosphere and the spirit in people. It's a lovely community event, and it's so nice to get people together and have the opportunity to lift your spirits."
As they balance their own family festivities with the joy of hosting a national event, Barr and Shirvington's insights remind us that the Christmas spirit often lies in embracing the imperfect planning, cherished traditions, and coming together as a community.
