Margaret Garcia's Christmas stories turned into book

Mrs Garcia was well-known around town for putting on Christmas pageants within the Hawkesbury Village retirement home.

"Each year she would make stories to go with the pantomimes, and with the photos that I have taken over the years and the stories we put the book together originally as a photo book," Mr Garcia said.

Originally released as a hardback photo book for $70, the book has now been re-released as a paperback for the much more affordable price of $19.80.

"It was so popular that everyone wanted a copy but it was too expensive," Mr Garcia said.

Since moving to the Hawkesbury later in life, Mrs Garcia was instrumental in initiating the Kurrajong Scarecrow Festival, before moving to the Hawkesbury Village.

For years, Mrs Garcia ran craft classes for the residents of the village, and held an annual exhibition called show and tell to showcase their work.

Back in 2010, Mrs Garcia told the Gazette: "We just have the best time. Some of these people have never had the chance to show their work and it's just so good for them."

The show and tell exhibitions were also a chance for people to bring in their treasures and share them with one another.

Mrs Garcia's book, My Christmas Stories, is now available to order online at www.garciapublishing.com.au.