In Australia, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas when the thermometer’s rising, school’s ending and the beach is beckoning. Indeed, with December 25th in the middle of Southern Hemisphere summer, Christmas feels different than in America. However, no matter where you roast your lamb, the spirit’s still the same. Nonetheless, if you’re in Australia and inclined to celebrate like a local, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind…
For instance, the holiday’s “Chrissy”—you send Chrissy cards and buy Chrissy prezzies. Don’t hang a skinny red stocking above the fireplace; do hang a good-size pillowcase at the end of your bed (just hope you don’t get coal!) As for Santa, he’s more of a red-shorts and flip-flops guy, with a surfer ‘tude—which works, as you’ll probably be at the beach (if you’re not at a backyard BBQ). For dinner—actually, lunch—look for classic roast lamb and plum pudding, plus fresh seafood and seasonal produce. Of course, every table needs Crackers, festive paper-wrapped cardboard tubes with jokes, paper hats or goodies inside. (Tip: to open them, grab a partner, pull the string and wait for the pop). Then it’s time for Chrissy pudding (and for one eater, the discovery of the lucky silver coin). Finally, no Christmas season is complete without a carol or two. Head to your town’s Carols by Candlelight singalong, or get your song on at home. Choose from solemn favorites like “Silent Night,” or, if you prefer, Jingle Bells:
Dashing through the bush, in a rusty Holden Ute,
Kicking up the dust, esky in the boot,
Kelpie by my side, singing Christmas songs,
It's summer time and I am in my singlet, shorts and thongs Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way,
Christmas in Australia on a scorching summer's day, Oh!
Jingle bells, jingle bells, Christmas time is beaut!,
Oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty Holden Ute.
Legend:
Holden – locally manufactured GM vehicle
Ute – Pick up
Esky – Cooler
Kelpie – An Australian dog breed
Thongs – Flip Flops