Before you start, Parade has heard all the arguments – a fake tree is easier, cleaner and you can also use it again next year.

But, there is something about the smell and look of a ‘real’ Christmas tree that just means it’s ‘really’ the festive period.

Parade is already aware that her four-legged furry family members will probably pull decorations down, and perhaps climb the tree’s branches, but for Parade all the pain will be worth it.

ON the subject of Christmas, Parade wanted to quickly drop into a central business district shop on Howick Street on Saturday, but with the festive crowds out in force simply could not find a parking spot.

Parade will admit first up she is not a local and has lived in Bathurst for eight years.

When she first moved to this great city, she giggled to herself that people desperately tried to find a perfect car park right outside the door of the shop they wanted to visit.

Coming from Sydney, Parade was all too familiar with parking blocks away from the shop she wanted to go to and then walking the rest of the way.

But, just eight years after moving to Bathurst, Parade has become accustomed to parking a lot closer and couldn’t believe how many loops of Howick Street she did on Saturday, all the while shaking her head at the busy streets and lack of parking.

AND speaking of being a relative newcomer to Bathurst, Parade will admit summers here are much, much better than on the coast.

Each year the humid Sydney summers left Parade frazzled in more ways than one – her hair would frizz and the humidity would leave her feeling drained and uncomfortable.

And, while Bathurst’s temperatures are just as hot, the lack of humidity has quickly turned summer into Parade’s favourite season.