Read the Winter issue of Rhiwbina Living online here

It’s that time of year again when the excitement of the festive season builds. The village is aglow with twinkling lights, the windows of our shops proudly display their finest offerings and the children talk incessantly of the magic number of sleeps left before the big day.

We meet some of Rhiwbina’s youngest children who share their precious letters to the big man himself and their all-important wishes for Christmas.

On the other end of the scale, we talk to the oldest resident of the Garden Village, who with help from her daughter reflects on the past 97 years living in Rhiwbina.

This time of the year is busy for us all, but for one Rhiwbina figure, perhaps the busiest that can be. We meet our local postman who has dedicated the past 30 years to delivering Rhiwbina’s post with a smile and a friendly wave.

As the bitter, easterly winds arrive, we tend to hunker down and spend more time indoors. We share some ideas for making our homes extra snuggly to keep warm and cosy, and to enjoy the beauty of being inside.

With gifts aplenty to buy, our villages are the best places to find the perfect gems as gifts. We showcase some of the finest on offer. It’s also a fabulous way of supporting our local businesses who are the heart of our village life.

For those who want to give a gift a little different, we highlight other ways to show your appreciation for loved ones. So, if you’re really stuck for a present for someone who seems to have everything, take a look at our guide to find a present ‘outside of the box’.

Food is a big part of this season and enjoying home-made goodies is perhaps one of the greatest joys of this time of the year. We share some ideas for delicious treats for the perfect Christmas Eve supper.

Someone has to win our fabulous two competitions and St David’s Hall have once again shared their generosity with us by offering tickets to both the ballet and to an uplifting and fun Sing-A-Long.

There is a heartwarming short story to enjoy and a more light-hearted view of the run up to Christmas. So, as the busy days draw nearer to the crescendo of Christmas, pour yourself a glass of your favourite tipple and take some time to fully savour all the treats this issue has to offer.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy 2019.

See you in the Spring!