12 Signs You’ve Dropped In on an Aussie Christmas
Christmas in Australia can be a bit odd if you’re not used to it. Here are a few things you could expect to see
Christmas in Australia is often a family affair, but it’s increasingly common to have friends, drop-ins and “orphans” from far-away lands at the table. This welcoming spirit seems to be particularly suited to the way in which Dec. 25 is celebrated. Take a trip to Bondi Beach near Sydney on Christmas Day and you’ll see what I mean about the collective bonhomie.
An Aussie Christmas is mostly an informal event, and we tend to enjoy a course of cold seafood as much as we do a hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Plus, there’s nearly always a session of lazing outside, around the pool or at the beach, to which everyone is invited. But in case you’ve accidentally walked in on Santa wearing thongs and board shorts and are wondering what’s going on, here are 12 signs you’re in the middle of an Australian Christmas.
An Aussie Christmas is mostly an informal event, and we tend to enjoy a course of cold seafood as much as we do a hot turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Plus, there’s nearly always a session of lazing outside, around the pool or at the beach, to which everyone is invited. But in case you’ve accidentally walked in on Santa wearing thongs and board shorts and are wondering what’s going on, here are 12 signs you’re in the middle of an Australian Christmas.
1. It’s hot! The first thing you’ll notice about Christmas Day in Australia is that it’s bloody hot! But with those warm Southern Hemisphere temps come good vibes (and lots of celebratory cold drinks). What’s more, you’ll get to loll about all day with little on and possibly take a dip after lunch to cool off — or even move the whole affair to the beach.
2. There are gum nuts everywhere. In Australia, you’ll find that the smell of eucalyptus permeates the air. The source is the gum trees that are in virtually every second backyard or nature strip. Their leaves are beloved by koalas, but the nuts can be used in place of pine cones in wreaths, or for decorative touches on Christmas presents, and around the house.
3. Sports rule the day, Even on Christmas Day, Australians will indulge in a spot of sporting prowess. You could easily find yourself on a backyard cricket team playing for India, South Africa or England against the home side, or being cajoled into some other game, such as table tennis.
It’s a good thing, really, as it gets Aussies revved up for what usually is a veritable smorgasbord of sport throughout January. You’ll also be in the mood ahead of the all-important Boxing Day Test (cricket, for the uninitiated) and the start of the yearly Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race, both on the day after Christmas.
It’s a good thing, really, as it gets Aussies revved up for what usually is a veritable smorgasbord of sport throughout January. You’ll also be in the mood ahead of the all-important Boxing Day Test (cricket, for the uninitiated) and the start of the yearly Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race, both on the day after Christmas.
4. You’re sitting outside. An Australian Christmas feast is often served alfresco on an outdoor patio or deck. Quite probably, the deck is made from a common Australian hardwood, such as blackbutt, and positioned under a shady backyard tree, likely a eucalyptus.
Table decorations usually reflect the casual approach to the day’s proceedings, so you may be pleasantly surprised to see native blooms, such as rusty-colored banksias or vibrant red Christmas bells (Blandfordia nobilis), gracing the center of the table instead of holly and ivy.
See more of the Christmas decor in this Adelaide home
Table decorations usually reflect the casual approach to the day’s proceedings, so you may be pleasantly surprised to see native blooms, such as rusty-colored banksias or vibrant red Christmas bells (Blandfordia nobilis), gracing the center of the table instead of holly and ivy.
See more of the Christmas decor in this Adelaide home
5. The first course is seafood. An Australian Christmas lunch or dinner doesn’t have to include seafood, but it often will. Some love seafood so much that it may indeed be the only course offered for the Christmas meal. But most Australians prefer their cold, fresh prawns, slices of salmon or freshly shucked oysters as an entrée, followed by a traditional hot meal of turkey, pork and ham.
6. Door wreaths are made from native Christmas bush. Nothing says Christmas in Sydney better than a wreath made from, or vase filled with, local native Christmas bush (Ceratopetalum gummiferum).
Characterized by small bright-red flowers and lush green leaves, it is sold just before Christmas by florists north and south of Sydney and is often fashioned into wreaths designed to grace front doors. It grows in the bush along the eastern seaboard of New South Wales and is a popular decoration throughout the state.
Make a Long-Lasting Eucalyptus Holiday Wreath
Characterized by small bright-red flowers and lush green leaves, it is sold just before Christmas by florists north and south of Sydney and is often fashioned into wreaths designed to grace front doors. It grows in the bush along the eastern seaboard of New South Wales and is a popular decoration throughout the state.
Make a Long-Lasting Eucalyptus Holiday Wreath
7. Kids are nagging to get their swimsuits on. Activities that include water are never far from the minds of Aussie kids on Christmas Day. Whether they plan on jumping in the pool, surfing at the beach, squirting each other with water guns in the backyard or simply running through a garden sprinkler, kids can’t wait for the main meal to end so they can don their swimsuits and get splashing.
8. Your neighbors can’t turn their lights on till 9 p.m. Depending on where you live in Australia, the sun won’t set until anywhere from 7 to 9 p.m. This means the kitschy displays of Christmas lights we have begun to see popping up throughout the towns and suburbs of Australia can’t be fully appreciated until the sun sets.
Traditionally, bleary-eyed kids are dragged around the neighborhood late into the night so they can gaze upon the creative presentations by their neighbors. These will often show how natural snowmen and Santa can look on a hot summer’s night. It’s more fun than you can poke a sparkler at!
Traditionally, bleary-eyed kids are dragged around the neighborhood late into the night so they can gaze upon the creative presentations by their neighbors. These will often show how natural snowmen and Santa can look on a hot summer’s night. It’s more fun than you can poke a sparkler at!
9. Decorations are tinkling; cicadas are humming. The sounds of an Australian summer are many, but one that signals Christmas is just around the corner is the sound of cicadas belting out their mating call. The male cicada’s song is the loudest any insect can muster and can become almost deafening as the heat of the day intensifies.
You’ll also know you’re at an Australian Christmas Day event if you hear the sound of tree decorations tinkling in the breeze. There aren’t many cultures that celebrate Christmas by decorating their gardens, but since Aussies often eat outside, it makes sense that any cheery indoor decor extends to outdoor areas as well.
You’ll also know you’re at an Australian Christmas Day event if you hear the sound of tree decorations tinkling in the breeze. There aren’t many cultures that celebrate Christmas by decorating their gardens, but since Aussies often eat outside, it makes sense that any cheery indoor decor extends to outdoor areas as well.
10. You’re wearing a sun hat rather than a Santa hat. “Slip, slap and slop!” is a sun-safe warning that Australians take seriously, no matter what they’re doing — even spending Christmas Day at home. With the intensity of the Australian summer sun, wide-brimmed hats are going to be a more common sight at Christmas than sweaty Santa hats.
“Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat” is one way Australians combat skin cancer, so don’t be surprised if you hear this phrase called out to you several times throughout the Aussie holiday season.
“Slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, and slap on a hat” is one way Australians combat skin cancer, so don’t be surprised if you hear this phrase called out to you several times throughout the Aussie holiday season.
11. You get to laze about like a lizard on a hot rock. Even when there are no nearby water features to cool off in, you’ll find that many Australians like to chill out between the Christmas midday meal and dinner. It’s a chance to play with kids, enjoy your own gifts or catch some Z’s. You’ll almost always find Aussie backsides stuck to leather couches during this between-meal period too, while we watch something Christmasy on the telly.
12. It’s an all-day and night affair. Weatherwise, Christmas Day in Australia is usually fine, and even when it rains, it’s still warm. Families can (and do) celebrate long into the night and usually try to fit in a number of visits to the homes of various relatives and friends. Many will also attend a church service at some point during the day as well.
All this activity could prove stressful, and no doubt it is for some, but you might not notice. Generally everyone is so full of good humor — and good food — that they take it all in stride.
Browse more Christmas stories
All this activity could prove stressful, and no doubt it is for some, but you might not notice. Generally everyone is so full of good humor — and good food — that they take it all in stride.
Browse more Christmas stories