Every parent knows what it’s like to watch your children open their presents on Christmas morning – the excitement as they rip off the wrapping paper and their joy at discovering what Santa has brought.
For James Stewart, the sight is one of the great gifts of the holiday season.
But as his daughter Scout, 10, whom he co-parents with his former partner, actress Jessica Marais, gets older, her understanding of the holiday goes beyond the material things.
”I used to love how amazed she would be to get presents,” the 47-year-old tells TV WEEK.
”But we’re starting to work out that when you give gifts [not just receive], you get a Christmas feeling too.
”Sometimes she’ll talk through what she’s thinking of giving… It’s nice to watch her grow up; it changes a little each Christmas time.”
James is particuarly close with Ray Meagher and Matt Evans.
(IMAGE: TV Week)This season doesn’t just bring fun for the family, but a chance to be together, uninterrupted. With a busy production schedule, James and wife Sarah Roberts, who played Willow Harris in H&A, are ready to embrace summer.
”My girls and I are going to go on a holiday after Christmas – I can’t wait for that!” he says.
”But holidays often feel a bit short.”
Although there’s no rush to get back to Summer Bay just yet, the actor says he and his castmates are extremely close – particularly Matt Evans and Ray Meagher – who he continues to joke with during our photo shoot.
”The three of us lads represent different generations, and I suppose different generations that watch our show,” he says.
”And I learn from both generations. I’ve learnt so much from Matt just in terms of music, and training… I get inspired that someone his age can focus and listen and be really well spoken and cool! And I never stop learning from Ray. We’re Queenslanders – we’ve always got something to talk about.”
James with his daughter Scout.
(IMAGE: Instagram)So as 2022 ends, James hopes his daughter will not only learn about the gift of giving, but what the season is truly about.
”To be kind to others,” he says with a smile.
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