AUSTRALIA

In Australia, Christmas comes at the beginning of the summer holidays! Children have their
summer holidays from mid-December to early February. Christmas in Australia is
celebrated on December 25 in mid-summer. It is normally very hot. The temperatures
can be up to 35 degrees Centigrade. Many families are on their annual holiday at the
beach enjoying the sun, sand and surf.

DECORATIONS:

Many families cling to many of the old traditions such as Santa Claus, Christmas cards,
Christmas trees…Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of 'Christmas
Bush', a native Australian tree with small green leaves and cream colored flowers. In
summer the flowers turn a deep shiny red over a period of weeks.

MEALS:

A traditional meal includes a turkey dinner, with ham and pork. A Christmas pudding is
normally added for dessert. In the Australian gold rushes, Christmas pudding often
contained a gold nugget. Today a small souvenir is baked inside. Whoever finds this
knows she or he will enjoy good lunch. Another treat is Mince o Meat Pies; it is a
typical meat cake. Australians often have Christmas Crackers at Christmas meal times.

Another great Australian meals is very present on these special days is a barbeque.
Most people go and visit their friends and often have barbecues at the beach. This is
called Boxing Day. Some Australians have their Christmas lunch or dinner on a local
beach. For example, Bondi Beach in Sydney. Other families enjoy their day having a
picnic. If they are at home, they normally swim in a pool, play cricket in the backyard
and enjoy many other outdooractivities.

TRADITIONS:

The most important traditions are Australian Carols. Australians hang wreaths on their
front doors and sometimes go out Christmas carol singing on Christmas Eve. The warm
weather allows Australians to enjoy a tradition which commenced in the 1930s.
“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 candles under a clear night sky. For example, Sydney and the other
capital cities also enjoy Carols in the weeks leading up to Christmas.