Christmas in Australia

Many people think of Christmas and think of snow, cold weather, and heavy clothing, but not in Australia. Australian Christmases are quite different.

Weather is the major difference between the stereotypical Christmas and an Australian Christmas. While Christmas in New York, London, or Paris may be accompanied by snow, Christmas in Australia is accompanied by sun. Christmas is celebrated during the Australian Summer and temperatures on Christmas can sometimes reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Instead of building snowmen on Christmas day, Australian children may actually go surfing.

Storms play a major role in Christmas around the world, and the same can be said for Australia, just different kinds of storms. While New York may be blanketed under several inches of snow, Australia could be getting rain, or worse. Past Christmases in Australia have provided floods, hailstorms, brush-fires, and cyclones. In terms of weather, the worst Christmas in Australia had to be Christmas 1974. On that day, Cyclone Tracy tore through Darwin, in the Northern Territory. More than 60 people lost their lives in the storm.

When the weather cooperates, the beach is a popular destination on Christmas in Australia. Some Australians choose to celebrate by having Christmas dinner on the beach. Thousands travel to Bondi Beach on Christmas day. Those on the beach may even be lucky enough to catch the arrival of Santa Claus. Santa won't be arriving by sleigh though. Santa Claus makes visits to many beaches and arrives via surfboard or lifesaving boat. Another popular tradition is enjoying a family picnic on Christmas. The majority of Australians however choose to spend the day at home, with family.

Swimming on Christmas may sound like a ridiculous idea, but many children do just that in Australia. While the adults prepare the Christmas meal many children spend their time swimming, or playing cricket in the yard. Children in Australia participate in a very traditional practice, writing letters to Santa Claus. Christmas is a big time for Children around the world, but in Australia, there's an added bonus. As Christmas falls during the Australian summer, the holiday season marks the end of the school year for many Australian children.

A traditional Australian Christmas dinner isn't much different from Christmas dinners prepared elsewhere. Many families have turkey or ham, and sometimes both. Seafood, duck and pasta could also be present at dinner, accompanied by salads and deli meats, all in large quantities. An array of desserts might also be present, including ice cream and chocolates, pavlovas, mince pies and flaming plum pudding, with a hidden surprise. During the Australian gold rush a golden nugget was hidden inside the plum pudding. Today, the gold has been replaced with a special treat which is said to bring the finder good luck.

The actual celebration of Christmas in Australia, like elsewhere, starts well before December 25. Decorations are purchased and hung, and they're the same style of decorations used in the United Kingdom and United States. Yes, even though Australians are wearing shorts and t-shirts, in the decorations, Santa Claus is wearing his usual red and white suit and is waking in snow. The same scenes are depicted on Christmas cards, which are also popular in Australia and the price of a Christmas postage stamp is less than the price of postage for a standard letter.

Due to the weather, Christmas television programming isn't as popular in Australia. Summer is considered re-run time as television ratings aren't kept during the summer and many people are enjoying the good weather. Christmas programming is shown however, with re-airings of classic Christmas themed movies that are shown in the days and weeks leading up to Christmas, as well as, of course, Christmas day.

Christmas Eve in Australia is much like Christmas eve around the world. Stockings are hung, gifts are placed under the Christmas tree and a snack is left for Santa Claus. Families leave Santa a treat of biscuits, Christmas cake, milk and sometimes alcohol.

Christmas morning begins with the opening of presents and then extended families gather for their meals, whether it be a hot meal at home, a picnic in the park, or, maybe, a buffet on the beach.