CHRISTMAS is family time for dairy farmers Paul and Lisa Mumford, who live at Won Wron in Gippsland.

But Christmas Day starts at 4.30am in the milking shed.

Paul Mumford grew up on the dairy farm next door to the property he now calls home.

Christmas morning began with a pillow sack of presents at the end of his bed. Paul and his siblings played with their new toys until their parents returned from milking.

After high school Paul worked in a bank but returned to the dairy property, once owned by his grandparents, 18 years ago.

He has three children, Jess, 18, Chloe, 16, and Bryce 15.

"My Christmas memories are similar to my children's - waking to a sack filled with presents and Mum and Dad milking,'' Paul says.

"Like my parents, Lisa and I do the minimum on the farm on Christmas Day. We feed and milk the animals in the morning and afternoon and that's about it. After milking in the morning we have a cup of tea with the kids and unwrap the rest of the presents under the tree.''

At Christmas Day lunch this year there will be about 30 people at the dinner table, because Lisa's parents and siblings from Queensland will be at the farm.

"Lunch is always a traditional roast followed by plum pudding,'' Lisa says. "We have lunch on the table by 1pm, so we are ready to milk again at 4.30pm.''

Boxing Day was also a special time for the Mumford family. Paul remembers cousins gathering at a stream under the gum trees on the farm for a picnic.

"Us kids played in the creek and there would be 40 people there,'' Paul recalls.

"This Boxing Day we'll also have a big gathering but we'll relax around our pool. Christmas is one time when we can take it easier for a day or two.''