Christmas in the southern hemisphere occurs during the summer. I have only had one Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere, but in a non-snowing country. But generally Christmas is seen as a winter holiday, so all the decorations, media, TV still have a winters theme, except a few odd local posters, advertisements down in the southern.

Since summer is here, students and children have a longer school holiday over this time period. While children over there may get 2 or 3 weeks. Students here get 2 – 3 months. Students also get 3 times 2 other weeks off as a holiday break during the year.

As most stores and work places are closed during Christmas, we have to find other things to do, its a nice unique day of the year. We call family and friends over, to spend the day doing the following:

For the last few years, we have always gone to a restaurant to have breakfast (there is a 10% price increase during Christmas for almost all restaurants).

After that, we would head to the beach. This day would be the busiest day for any beach around here, as almost everyone is on holiday and have no where to go, and especially since it is summer! A great way to spend part of your Christmas every year.

Then at night we have a BBQ, after watching American television, I have learnt how the tradition is over there, but its just not the same. The closest thing to our night meal is ham.

Presents are mainly given to children, and the present factor of Christmas is not very strong. Friends may gift each other. People rather treat Christmas as something entirely different from the North.
People know that you should open presents on Boxing day; the day after Christmas, (I’m not sure if the northern open on Christmas day or Boxing day). But many still just open on Christmas.

The decorations include Christmas trees, house lighting and things to stick around the house. Probably about 60% of all house holds bother to put any decorations up.

Day light savings ends during the summer, meaning we have more daylight before it gets dark.

Although I find Christmas here special, I still wish to spend at least one Christmas in the snow!
Merry Christmas!