When our food department, who have been busy planning festive recipes for months, informed me we’re only six weeks out from Christmas, you could have knocked me over with a candy cane. It creeps up on me faster every year! Thankfully, from this issue up until the big day, they’ll have us all sorted every step of the way – starting with amazing bake-ahead ideas (page 38) for all things gingerbread, mince pies, and even a delicious gluten-free fruit loaf. Meanwhile, shout-out to AFLW and WNBA legend Erin Phillips (page 8), who has retired after blazing a trail for women’s sport. I remember watching her run rings around the blokes in AFL legend ‘Slowdowns’ in Adelaide when she was just a teen! Go well, Erin. Happy reading. Editor…