Have Yourself a Merry Yuletide Feasting, the Australian Way
Although a relatively young nation, Australia is very progressive, and without a doubt a thriving, abundant and rich modern country.
So many things one’s heart desires – like accessories, appliances, gadgets, rideables and gifts, furnishings, and food, like fruits, they’re ready for the picking. And this guide to an Aussie Yuletide is packed with enjoyable activities and more. Absolutely! as there’s always something for anyone and someone that is really fun-filled.
It’s really easy to get right into the holiday spirit
In case you’re visiting or if you’re new to the country, you may be wondering what Christmas looks like ‘Down Under.’ Well, here goes. Mark your calendar.
Christmas in Australia is celebrated on the 25th of December. On this day, presents are exchanged, and lunch or dinner — or both, is shared.
It is a given that Australia is a multicultural country. Many families here would also celebrate Christmas on the eve of December 24th, just as they do in other parts of Europe. And it doesn’t stop there.
The day after Christmas is also important – it is what Australians call Boxing Day. Should the day after Christmas falls before the weekend, the following Monday is declared a public holiday, otherwise known as a “long weekend”.
Curious about beavers already? Let’s get to know popular Australian Christmas traditions:
Australians love to celebrate Christmas. Exchanging gifts One Australian tradition and activity where families enjoy big lunches with all the trimmings is exchanging gifts. Since Christmas falls during the summer, barbecues, seafood and outdoor games like cricket are popular proclivities. Precisely because it’s summer, many Aussies converge around pools or at the beach for a leisurely tan.
Some families do their own version of fun activity a bit by going on a leisure trip around town or up the hilly terrains for some summer nature adventure, riding separately their Mearth S Pro, Mearth RS, and Mearth GTS electric scooters. Come to think of it, it is one thrilling joyride outdoors, happily bonding with the family.
Some Christmas Happenings across Australia:
Sydney is packed with fun, free events during the festive season. Highlights include the Lights of Christmas, where incredible digital stories like “Home”, inspire closeness, and togetherness is projected onto St. Mary’s Cathedral. For some last-minute shopping or to simply enjoy the tradition of a market, The Rocks Christmas Markets are running every Saturday and Sunday in December. Live entertainment amid colorful decorations keeps the holiday spirit buoyed.
In Melbourne, the Federation Square transforms into a Christmas Square in December where there are food stalls to sample and Santa Claus’s Big Workshop to explore and of course, the ever-present 16-meter brightly lit tree. And then there’s more! Highlights include the famous Christmas projections, with animations lighting up the State Library of Victoria, Melbourne Town Hall, and Princes Bridge. Live street art along Hosier Lane decorates the streets with festive scenes, courtesy of very creative artists.
It’s picnic time in Brisbane, with free and live performances at the Festive Beats at the South Bank Parklands. Queensland offers a cozy evening, with choices of holiday or blockbuster movies, certainly for free at the South Bank Christmas Cinema.
Adelaide has its own version. A Christmas Festival at the city center hosts a wide range of events alongside free performances by Festive Sounds under the enormous tree in Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga.
Scrumptious Traditional Australian Christmas food – always warm and festive
While every Aussie family can make their own spin on the traditional Christmas food, the celebration usually revolves around the barbecue — seafood (especially prawns), meats, or vegetables — served with fresh salads, sauces, and bread. For dessert, the mouthwatering Pavlova comes with fruit and cream, pudding, mince pies, fruit cake, and every variation of trifle you can possibly think of. Australians just love it!
Did you hear that? It’s Kris Kringle, also known as Gift-giving in Australia
The tradition of Secret Santa or Kris Kringle is very popular in Australia. The general idea is to set a spending limit, then each person picks a name out of a hat and keeps it secret. You buy a gift for that person, stick to the price limit, and place it under the tree. This way, no one knows who the gifts are from, but everyone gets a present.
Never forgotten. Keeping in touch with family and friends overseas
Sending small gifts and holiday cards to one’s family across the seas and hosting a virtual party via zoom is something altogether new, but it’s one heartwarming way to keep the family bond and connection alive, in real-time. Organizing a gathering of loved ones – near or far, as you all enjoy your respective meals over zoom, and later cap it with a light, festive movie viewing in sync, where families can watch.
As the saying goes, there’s no place like home
The Christmas Holiday is the perfect time to unwind and relax with your nearest and dearest, to gather and recount fond memories, and share warm food, lovingly prepared. Amid simple or basic preparations, the festive trimmings as they are called, cannot replace the joy of being present, being alive, and being there for each other, hugging, exchanging gifts, and wishing everyone Merry Christmas.
Our loved ones…they’re the ones that truly matter
And like the first family that welcomed a newborn babe in swaddling clothes lying on a humble manger, one starry night, let good tidings reign: ‘Peace on Earth and goodwill to all mankind.’ The universal celebration that began over 2,000 years ago will never cease to bring wonders in this technology-riddled world. The very reason why we place above else those that we hold dear is that they’re ties that bind us to our humanity and His Divinity. The Season’s greetings to all.
