Christmas in Australia

Christmas in Australia, hot, dusty, drought, bushfires, santa claus, fake snow, lights, gifts, the nativity, and the wish for rain.

Christmas in Australia is an unusual mixture of the traditions of the Northern Hemisphere combined with unique Australian ingredients – cold buffets, seafood, ice-cream Christmas puddings, heat, dust, drought, bushfires, Australian Santa Claus, fake snow, daylight savings, barbeques, swimming, the beach and travellers can expect an unusual blend of the traditional with a unique Aussie feel.

Christmas in Australia is hot and of course it does not snow – anywhere...I remember having Christmas in forty-degree (100F) heat and my family trying to have a traditional meal, hot and uncomfortable. Many families still try and have turkey or ham with all the trimmings, followed by hot Christmas pudding and custard; it is all a bit much unless we happen on a cool day. More and more families are letting go of the traditional Christmas lunch and having a more uniquely Australian meal. Our favourites include a cold buffet with salads followed by fruit and ice cream or for some families seafood is the favourite.

When it is really hot we sometimes abandon our homes for the local swimming pool, park or the beach and have a Christmas picnic. No matter how we celebrate in 2006 there will be in the backs of our minds the dreadful bush fires in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania and the continuing severe drought. Our thoughts are with the Australians struggling on the land, fighting for their homes and praying for rain. A hot Christmas is what travellers expect in Australia, but the drought and the fires may be a surprise. If you are in Australia for Christmas take note of travel warnings and stay safe.