Christmas Around the World: Australia

 I've lived in many different countries but nothing beats a Christmas in Australia!

Australians are a fun loving bunch of people and Christmas is a time to relax and have fun with friends and family. 

Christmas preparations start as early as late October and by early November all stores are stocking Christmas trees and decorations. Most people start decorating their homes in late November (some even earlier!) but there is no set traditional date for decorating your home in Australia - everything is very relaxed. 

December is the first month of Summer in Australia, which means Christmas is HOT! In December Australia experiences some of its hottest temperatures ranging from the mid 20s Degrees Celsius (70 Fahrenheit)  to above 30 Degrees Celsius (86 Fahrenheit). The temperature means people spend their Christmas mornings down at the beach in some places and in other areas families stay inside with their air-conditioning on. 

The heat also dictates what type of food is eaten at Christmas time. Cold food is often the order of the day, due to the warm weather, with salads and seafood popular foods. Some people as so keen to get their seafood for Christmas they will line up at fish shops at 4 am on the day click here to read more!

Sweet treats include trifle and pavlova (soft chewy meringue base with cream and fruit on top). Chocolate treats are still enjoyed but because of the warmth of Christmas day, most chocolates will melt if not kept in air conditioning or the refrigerator. 

Carols by Candlelight is one tradition that Australians love. Every Christmas each state and territory hosts its own Carols by Candlelight and it is also shown on television on Christmas Eve. 

Children place Christmas sacks or stockings out for Santa and because Australia is one of the first places in the world to start Christmas Day, Aussie kids know Santa will visit them first!

Australian children love to sing an Australian Christmas song called Six White Boomers (click to watch it below). 

Christmas time also coincides with the end of the school year in Australia (late January to Early December) so Christmas concerts are often mixed with end-of-year celebrations and school graduations. 

You can find out more about Christmas in Australia in the Christmas Around The World: Australia pack where you can download maps, posters, brochures, flyers and these cute paper dolls to make.