Christmas in Australia

2 Christmas' in Australia and not something that is easy to adjust to.

Coming from the UK the tranditions were: Huge roast dinners with all the trimmings, pigs in blankets, fresh veg and everyone doing the food shop on Christmas eve but wondered why the pigs in blankets had all gone. Huge queues at check outs. Those Christmas pantomimes full of adult humour that kids just don't understand but leave the grown ups howling with laughter. Mulled wine, Christmas lights- there's always one cul-de-sac who go all out and light up the street. Christmas eve boxes with wooly socks and warm pajamas, reindeer hot chocolate cones and new mugs to drink it from. Wet, dark nights- 4pm and it was dark. Heating whacked to the full, condensation on the windows. Gosh it is so different in Australia.

Now we have been here 2 years. We have still stuck with UK traditions but I think next Christmas we are going to do it the Aussie way. Morning on the beach, afternoon in the pool. Christmas eve boxes- milkshakes and zooper doopers (ice lollies), new swimmers and goggles. We have stuck to the English traditions for 2 years running but I can not do another year of 5 hours in the kitchen in 500000 degree heat making sure I baste the ham every half hour. Sorry kids- next time it's sausage sizzlers on the BBQ and posh icecream.

This past Christmas we did go to the beach for an hour and met with friends, that was odd- kids body boarding in 28 degree heat as we sipped our bucks fizz.

Fun fact: Australia celebrates a 2nd Christmas in the winter months (July). Imagine it- Santa's singing, Christmas markets, movies on the beach on the big screen, Christmas crafts. Super bizarre but we love celebrating Christmas twice in a year!

I'm here for it all. Time to make new traditions!