Megan Gale is self-admittedly a “wearer of many hats” – dipping her toes in everything from modelling, fashion designing, acting and of course, founding lifestyle brand Your Mindful Life. In short: the mum and mogul is busy. That’s why when it comes to handling this time of year (when does one even find time to shop for gifts?), we’ll take any advice we can get – especially when it comes from one of Australia’s most successful women.
Aside from picking Gale’s brain about what is on her Christmas wishlist, as well as her two kids, marie claire wanted to know her very best tips and tricks for surviving this busy season. And it’s not hard for you to mimic them to make your own festive season, well…a little more festive. Below, Megan Gale answers our questions:
What Is On The Top Of Your Wishlist For Christmas This Year?
For me, the gift of time is a bit of a winner and a luxury. So, a voucher for some yoga sessions at my favourite yoga studio or a pamper session at a day spa would prove quite popular for me!
What Is On Your Kids’ Wishlist?
We are getting them a trampoline, which they are both pretty pumped for and also some accessories for the pool as they are both water babies.
How Do You Plan To Make Christmas Less Stressful This Year?
Both Shaun and I have quite a busy time in the lead up to Christmas so in order to make life easier we have been doing a lot of our Christmas shopping online for convenience. As I am always in and out of the house though, packages often get redirected this time of year. But as I’m doing all of my online Christmas shopping with Amazon, I’ve been using Amazon Hub as a convenient way to get my packages delivered. When you’re ordering items on Amazon, you just put in your postal code and nearby pickup points will pop up. Items will be sent there and you can easily pick up!
I discovered the Hub while recently working with Amazon as they recently launched it here in Australia. I can get my items ordered to a particular Amazon Hub of my choice – there is one just down the road from me, which is SUPER handy and also discreet so Shaun and the kids don’t see the packages and what I’ve bought them. If I also get caught up at work or have unexpected travel, my local Hub location will even hold onto my packages for a bit so I can pick them up when I return.
What Are Your Family Go-To Traditions During The Festive Season?
Christmas is a little different now as growing up it was always in Perth but we tend to switch it up and have had Christmas in different states but the goal is to get as many of both mine and Shaun’s family members together in the one spot. We always open presents first thing in the morning (since I was a kid, my job has always been to put presents into piles based on who they’re for) and then we all sit next to our pile and open the presents. Food-wise we usually start with a prawn entree, the main is usually a stuffed turkey, a glazed ham, Mum’s speciality is a lobster thermidor served in the shell and lots of roast veggies and steamed greens. Dessert usually consists of a few options, a chocolate ganache log, pavlova and a trifle.
What Is The Best Christmas Hack You’ve Ever Heard/Discovered?
I think now, being a busy working mum of two kids, online shopping is my hack and Amazon Hub is my new discovery! I’ve found these past months leading into Christmas to be so busy with my business and additional work and being Mum, that I just need that convenience of being able to jump on, order and know all my special gifts are going to be delivered securely and to areas that are convenient for me to pick up. I’m currently Christmas shopping as we speak – I can literally cover off everyone’s gifts on Amazon, it’s incredible, plus I’ve found some items here that I haven’t been able to find anywhere else! I’m heading away soon, interstate for a job, so I’ve ordered everything to go to my nearest Amazon Hub, either a Counter location or a Locker, and I’ll pick it up when I’m back. So quick and easy! You can find locations here: amazon.com.au/hub.
What Are Your Plans For The New Year?
I will be working on growing Mindful Life and looking forward to maybe creating more of an in-house team at some point. Currently, I’m wearing multiple hats and whilst that is typical for anyone who creates a start-up business, I want to give myself more time and space to focus on only a few areas of the business and delegate the rest to others. This will also allow me to be even more present with my children, something which is a huge priority for me while they are so young.
