MY AUSSIE CHRISTMAS

Six of the best things about Christmas for my family in Australia

MY FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Today I'm making a list (and checking it twice!) of what I love about our family Christmases in Australia. I've chosen my top six favourites that always remind me it's Christmas time - and (funnily enough) none of them have anything to do with giving or getting "stuff" - it's more to do with all the little things that make me feel Christmas-y.

CHRISTMAS WEATHER

We don't have a white Christmas - it's always REALLY hot here in Australia - right in the middle of our Summer - and we're all in sundresses and shorts. The airconditioner is blasting and if there's a backyard swimming pool involved then we're even happier. No fluffy socks and sipping hot toddies here - we're all outside with a cold drink and a sunhat. One Christmas we even ended up having family Kendo sword fights in the backyard.


CHRISTMAS TREE

A lot of people like cutting down trees and bringing them home to decorate. We tend to go for the store bought variety and for me it was always the bling-ier the better. Our previous tree had it's own colour changing fibre optic tips and then we'd add in the lights strung through it as well - you can never have too much twinkle on your tree. Now days we've downsized our tree to this lovely one that I call my "fairy Christmas tree" - I love how delicate it is - but still with plenty of twinkle - and note the POPD Christmas baubles.

My downsized birch branch Christmas tree

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Australia took a while to catch onto the American love for decorating the outside of our houses with Christmas lights, but we've jumped on the bandwagon big time these days. Nothing beats a stroll around the neighbourhood on a balmy Summer evening looking at the lights - we have a ropelight Nativity scene with a star and a string or two of Christmas lights as our contribution.

CHRISTMAS T-SHIRTS AND HEADBANDS

We don't do ugly Christmas sweaters in Australia - it's the middle of Summer here! Instead we do silly Christmas T-shirts and I'm also a big fan of Christmas headbands - this year I have a new Christmas shirt and a shiny bauble headband to keep me smiling in the lead up to the big day.
    
Christmas OCD tee shirt and bauble headband
              

CHRISTMAS MUSIC AND CAROLS

I have to have Christmas music playing while I set up the Christmas tree. From Dec 1st there's no holds barred on my Christmas CD collection - it's such happy music isn't it? And there's nothing like Silent Night or Come Let Us Adore Him or Gloria in Excelsis Deo to get me in the Christmas spirit.



CHRISTMAS FOOD

No figgy puddings, or giant roast turkeys in our Christmas celebrations. We tend towards chicken, and seafood, and ham and salads. Lots of easy to prepare and easy to bring and share food for the extended family meals. Sometimes we even lean towards a barbeque or two around Christmas Day - a great way to enjoy a warm Summer evening.  Dessert tends to be pavlova, and cheesecake, and fresh fruitsalad, and cream and icecream - cool and a delicious end to the meal. And there is always a Christmas cracker to pull for the hat and the silly toy.

some of the delights you'd find at an Aussie Christmas meal

WHAT ABOUT YOU?

Have I missed anything Aussie about Christmas - I'm sure other people would add in cricket games in the backyard or a visit to the beach. We're not that sporty or beachy but I know both are firm favourites Down Under.

RELATED POSTS



Six of the best things about Christmas for my family in Australia


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30 comments

  1. I think you’ve covered it well Leanne!! All the best to you and your family for a happy time together. Looking forward to being involved next year in your new project.

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    1. Merry Christmas to you and your family too Deb - and I'm so pleased you're planning on linking up with Sue and me next year x

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  2. Reminded me of our South African Christmas times and made me nostalgic! And pavlova! I miss that. Have a merry holiday!!!!

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    1. I love that you miss pavlova Lori - it shows that you "get" the whole Summer Christmas thing - enjoy your Christmas (even without the heat) and I hope you stop by for a visit or two next year :)

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  3. How fun! We're in New England and getting snow today so it's sweaters, hot cocoa, crock pot meals and indoor fun all the day.

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    1. It's so hard for me to imagine weather that is that cold! We never get snow or ice here in Winter and our Christmas is literally poles apart from yours weather-wise! Enjoy your indoor fun and Merry Christmas x

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  4. Yes Leanne you have described our Aussie Christmas perfectly! Merry Christmas to you and your family and here is to a fabulous 2018 including our new link party project. Enjoy!

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    1. And a blessed and joyful Christmas to you too Sue. So happy to have shared this year with you and looking forward to all that we have planned together for 2018!

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  5. I am from Portland, Oregon, USA. It all looks so familiar and I love your weather. Have a wonderful holiday.

    b+

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    1. I'm glad you can relate to it Barbara - so many in the US and Canada are at the other extreme and it amazes me to think how cold they are right now! Merry Christmas x

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  6. Brrr as I am shivering in a cold damp London I am seriously envious!

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    1. It's amazing to think how much difference there is between the hemispheres isn't it Fiona? I hope your Winter Christmas is still warm with Christmas cheer x

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  7. Not too dissimilar to a NZ Christmas, which is apparently very hot too. Not very hot nor very cold here in coastal Spain, just right to explore and have a picnic on Christmas Day. Good post Leanne, look forward to reading more from you next year.

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    1. Hi Suzanne - I am a little envious of your gorgeous Spanish Christmas - you and your husband are certainly living the dream! Have a great Christmas and I hope you come and share some posts at our linky next year x

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  8. I really should have been born in Australia. You guys have all the best bits of Christmas, but with warm weather and you eat seafood! I don't like roast dinner and veg all that much, I would much rather chow down on some prawns! Merry Christmas to you!! Xx Em Linthorpe xx

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    1. I have to admit that I do enjoy a cold Christmas spread rather than the full on roast dinner of the colder climates. I think I have to have a white Christmas before I die though - just to see how the other half live :)

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  9. Looks like Australia has completely different version of Christmas and not the stereotype that we all have come to associate with - snow and cold Christmas

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    1. No, Australia is far from traditional when it comes to Christmas - we'll be rocking it in the sunshine while the Northern Hemisphere freezes next to their fires :)

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  10. Leanne, here in Minneapolis, Minnesota it’s hard to imagine Christmas not being white with snow or bundled up in a winter jacket. However, I do remember a couple of very mild winters where we didn’t have a white Christmas at all. A mild winter for us would be absolutely bone chilling for an Aussie. Haha Have a wonderful and warm Christmas down under!

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    1. I only know about Minnesota from "How I Met Your Mother" Laurie - and it looked VERY cold! It's certainly a whole different kettle of fish for Christmas celebrations - but special in its own way too - Merry Christmas!

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  11. Hi Leanne! I live in the desert southwest of California so our winters are actually the PERFECT weather. Not too hot and not too cold. (which is why so many snow-birds show up!) My idea of a wonderful Christmas Day is getting outside and doing something active. Play golf, pickleball, take a hike, whatever. I can't imagine being stuck inside a dark HOT house either. Merry Christmas to you and your family for this side of the planet! ~Kathy

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    1. I have no idea what pickleball is Kathy - now I have to go and Google it! Thanks so much for inspiring me through the year with your posts - enjoy your Christmas in the sun and I look forward to seeing what you have in 2018 :)

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  12. On one hand I really miss an Aussie Christmas, on the other hand I was in the desert when I lived there... and I get snow this year! LOL

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    1. I still have a snowy white Christmas on my to-do list Rae - it must be a huge contrast to an Aussie desert Christmas!

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  13. Hi, Leanne - Your list is very timely for me. I love that it includes traditions and experiences and not presents. This year, my immediate family (13 of us) have planned to do 'Presence instead of Presents). This has been an easy concept for some family members, while others have been bucking it all the way. Give me strength! :)

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    1. I love the idea Donna - but it's funny how some are resistant to something that is out of their comfort zone. I bet it turns out to be a great experience and the ones who resisted end up enjoying it the most - Happy Christmas from one end of the world to the other! xx

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  14. Hi Lady
    I came here to pin this post to read this later but I was impressed to read it first.
    Guess what? my 18 year old son is currently in Australia (first time away from home) and I really wanted to hear from someone else what it is like there at Christmas time. He loves his food and I hope he gets some of his favourites. The weather sounds really on the hot side, which is the opposite of what he is used to. I'm thinking he would do some beach trips at this time to cope. Thanks for sharing though and all the best for the season.

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  15. While its not summer, here in Alabama our Christmas is sometimes the same as yours. Sometimes it is so hot you can't wear the cute new sweaters and boots that you bought. I enjoyed reading how you celebrate.
    :) gwingal

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  16. We are often in shorts on Christmas here in Texas but this year is was 31 when we woke up! Thanks for sharing your Aussie Christmas at The Bloggers Pit Stop! Roseann from This Autoimmune Life

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  17. Hi Leanne, It was so much fun and interesting to read about the Aussie way of celebrating Christmas! I pinned and share to all my social media. Thanks so much for sharing Australia with us at the #BloggingGrandmothersLinkParty. I also love the picture of the ornaments at the beach!

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Thanks so much for your comment - it's where the connection begins.