Christmas Traditions in Australia
Christmas
in Australia is often very hot. Whereas the northen hemisphere is
in the middle of Winter, Australians are baking in Summer heat. It
is not unusual to have Christmas Day well into the mid 30 degrees
celcius, or near 100 degrees farenheit.
A traditional
meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham, and pork. A flaming Christmas
plum pudding is added for dessert. In the Australian gold rushes,
Christmas puddings often contained a gold nugget. Today a small favor
is baked inside. Whoever finds this knows he or she will enjoy good luck.
Another treat is Mince Pies. And of course, receiving a Letter from Santa is always a treat!
Some
Australians and particularly tourists often have their Christmas dinner
at midday on a local beach, Bondi Beach in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
attracts thousands of people on Christmas Day. Other families enjoy
their day by having a picnic. If they are at home, the day is punctuated
by swimming in a pool, playing Cricket out the backyard, and other
outdoor activities.
The warm
weather allows Australians to enjoy a tradition which commenced in
1937. Carols by Candlelight is held every year on Christmas Eve, where
tens of thousands of people gather in the city of Melbourne to sing
their favorite Christmas songs. The evening is lit by as many candles
singing under a clean cut night sky. The sky with its Southern Cross
stars is like a mirror. Sydney and the other capital cities also enjoy
Carols in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Australians
surround themselves with Christmas Bush, a native plant which has
little red flowered leaves. Christmas
shopping is often done in shorts and t-shirts. At many beaches Santa
Claus arrives on a surfboard, or even on a surf lifesaving boat.
Australia's
worst Christmas was in 1974, when Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin
in the Northen Territory. More than 60 people were killed.
Make Christmas even more exciting and memorable for a child this year by ordering a very special Santa Letter.
