As someone who’s spent countless Christmas Days on the sun-drenched shores of Australia, I can tell you that our festive season looks quite different from the snowy scenes you might see on traditional Christmas cards.
Swapping Snow for Sand
While the Northern Hemisphere bundles up in winter coats, we Aussies are slathering on sunscreen and heading to the beach. December marks the beginning of our summer, with temperatures often soaring past 30°C (that’s 86°F for our international friends).
Our Christmas morning typically starts with a refreshing swim at the local beach, followed by what I reckon is the most quintessentially Australian tradition – beach cricket. There’s nothing quite like trying to catch a ball while dodging sunbathers and keeping an eye out for the incoming tide!
The Great Aussie Christmas Feast
Forget the hot roast dinner – our Christmas spread is a beautiful blend of traditional and tropical. While some families still brave the heat for a hot lunch, many of us have embraced the cold seafood feast. Fresh prawns, oysters, and Moreton Bay bugs (a type of flathead lobster) are essential players on our Christmas table.
- Fresh seafood platters with king prawns and oysters
- Cold ham decorated with fresh pineapple
- Crisp summer salads bursting with mangoes and avocados
- The iconic pavlova topped with fresh passionfruit and summer berries
Pavlova – The Crown Jewel
Ah, the pavlova! This cloud-like meringue dessert (yes, it’s Australian, not Kiwi – don’t @ me!) is the highlight of our Christmas feast. Topped with whipped cream, fresh mangoes, passionfruit, and berries, it’s the perfect light dessert for a hot summer’s day.
Backyard Traditions
As the day winds down, you’ll find families sprawled out in backyards or on verandas, playing cricket, having a splash in the pool, or simply relaxing in deck chairs with a cold beverage. The sound of cicadas and kookaburras provides nature’s soundtrack to our festivities.
Boxing Day: The Celebration Continues
And let’s not forget Boxing Day! While others might be nursing their Christmas food comas, we’re either heading to the MCG for the Boxing Day Test match or gathering around the telly to watch the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Christmas Down Under might not feature snow or reindeer, but our sun-soaked celebration is just as magical. There’s something special about watching the sunset on Christmas Day, with sand between your toes and pavlova in your belly.
So next time you’re dreaming of a white Christmas, why not consider a golden one instead? Our beaches are waiting, and there’s always room for one more at a Christmas BBQ!
Written by Julian Di Benedetto
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