30+ Ways Christmas Is … Different, In Australia

In the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas is at the beginning of Summer.

Kylin

• Published in Christmas
• December 11, 2021

The celebration of Christmas can take many different shapes and sizes - and celebrating with another family can be a little off. Most things are just a bit different enough to make you feel a little unsteady.

The food will undoubtedly not be what you’re used to and the music is whatever the host fancies, even if that’s the Chipmunks Christmas on repeat. Not to mention, the guests can leave little to be desired and being a guest yourself, it can be difficult to have the confidence to interrupt a person spewing nonsense.

I’d imagine the celebrations on the other side of the Earth are just like that, but on steroids. The blazing heat, Christmas dinner barbeque, Santa strutting around the beach in shorts, spiders in your Christmas tree, maybe even a massive python popping in to wish you Happy Holidays.

Yeah, besides the giveaway title, we all know that’s Australia we’re talking about. We’ve gathered a collection of tweets from Aussies to help educate how one of the most popular holidays is celebrated in the Southern Hemisphere.

Being in the Southern hemisphere, their weather is the opposite of those of us that live in the Northern hemisphere. With that being said, Christmas in Australia arrives at the start of the Summer season.

According to WhyChristmas, one of the largest Christmas information websites, children have their summer vacation from mid December to early February. So, you might even catch some people camping for Christmas.

"The temperature is normally in the mid to high 20 degrees Celsius(about 68 degrees Fahrenheit); this makes it good weather to head to the beach or just the outdoors generally at Christmas time," James Cooper, the founder of the website and Christmas-aficionado web designer, told Bored Panda.

On his website, Cooper shares that Christmas in Australia is celebrated in a pretty similar way as what we’d consider traditional Christmas frills: Christmas trees, wreaths, Christmas lights and even fake snow. "Although the latter is rather odd, it's also part of a proper Christmas for many Australians."

It's nice to have some koala-tree time

Ditched the tree for a fan

Koala turned up at the wrong party

Gettin' topsy-turvy in Australia

"Hold My Beer" not this guy, apparently

Natural decorations

Do you think it wanted his autograph?

I'd sit on this Santa's lap

Dani, a marshmallow maker from Sydney, was available to confirm that the weather on Christmas Day is usually pretty warm: "Because I've grown up with hot Christmases, I'm used to it being portrayed differently in the media. It is strange, though, because we all have large meals with hot, traditional food despite not being the weather for it! Lots of turkey, ham, and baked goods."

However, where many Australians may differ from the Western traditions, Christmas Eve is a very busy day for local Fish Markets. People will line up to get fresh seafood for their Christmas Day meal.

"There's also lots of fresh seafood like oysters and prawns. Our fish markets are open nonstop in the days leading up to Christmas due to the demand—you can go and buy seafood at 2 am!" Dani said.

Depending on the weather, Dani's family spends their Christmas outside in the backyard for their Christmas lunch if the weather cooperates. Otherwise, they’ll stay inside to stay cool in the air conditioning.

"Six White Boomers" rings a little different in the U.S.

Even Christmas movies are different

Looks like everyone partakes in those awkward Christmas family photos

Can you even drink eggnog without liqour?

You can do it, it's just not comfortable

Gotta warm up those muscles before hitting the cold Northern Hemisphere

So hot. So dry.

Crustacean feast

Some Australians will have a cold Christmas dinner, while others will barbecue with seafood such as prawns and lobsters, along with the 'Traditional English' food.

For dessert, there are those who like to have the more traditional Christmas pudding, but there may also be cold desserts like pavlova and trifle.

Cheers, mate

What a gorgeous day

Making due the best they can

Do the kangaroos pull the surf board?

Nice and toasty

Of course there are beetle invasions for Christmas, it's Australia

Not everyone is on board for Christmas seafood dinner

That's WAY too hot - 104 degrees!

Nothing like sweaty balls to unite people

Holiday AND National cheer

Spiders even hide in Christmas trees

That's about 61F here in the States

Doesn't sound very appetizing at all

Winter Snow = Christmas

Not all, but mostly

Christmas carols are a hit

"Carol singing concerts are very popular in Australia," Cooper explained. "Every state capital will have a Carols by Candlelight service/concert and they're broadcast on TV. There are also outdoor Christmas pageants and firework displays, etc."

Relaxing on the beach for Christmas sounds lovely

Surfs up, Santa

Great view

Like their English counterparts, Australians also celebrate Boxing Day. Boxing Day was traditionally a day for employers in England to give bonuses of money, leftover food or old clothing to their employees.

Now it’s mainly celebrated as a sort of ‘bank holiday.’ For Boxing Day most people use this as a bonus day to spend with their friends and family, often barbecuing at the beach.

To add to the fun, a famous yacht race from Sydney Harbour to Derwent River, in Hobart, is held on Boxing Day as well.

Which would you prefer - snow or warm beach day?

Too hot, much too hot

Looks like a little slice of paradise

Australian style, if you will

Gorgeous clear skies, warm sandy beaches. I could get used to a Christmas like that

All in all, Christmas in Australia sounds pretty banging.

Summer fun along with holiday cheer and presents? Heck yes.

If only Australia wasn’t the home of the most dangerous and deadly animals (sharks, crocs, 21 of the world’s 25 most deadly snakes, spiders of terrifying size, etc etc), and the main risk for taking a holiday vacation was a gnarly sunburn. Be sure to share with your friends and family, and maybe next year plan your holiday under the sun!

Kylin