To understand Australian Christmas traditions, you have to understand that Aussies are upside-down, seasonally, in comparison to us Americans. If that’s difficult to process, just imagine going to the beach on Christmas Day.
So, yeah. Maybe things are a little different from what most of us would suspect. They definitely don’t sing “White Christmas” down there, mate!
Upside down Christmas
To Australians, Christmas occurs in the height of summer. Imagine celebrating Christmas on the Fourth of July, and understand it. Barbecues and all — except that December in Australia is generally much hotter than July could ever be in the U.S.A.
Unsurprisingly, Australian Christmas food traditions match the Christmas food traditions of the Englishmen who colonized the continent back in the 1700s and 1800s, so there’s the occasional turkey and goose. But who likes to eat piping hot food in piping hot weather?
Modern Aussie Christmas food includes potato salad, pasta, cold snacks, and seafood. Oh, and most people celebrate Christmas lunch rather than Christmas dinner.
Sand, sun and Christmas fun
In the U.S., the very thought of going to the beach on Christmas Day would be met with shivers. Well, it’s an Australian Christmas tradition, because it’s not very bloody cold down there in December, is it? Traditionally, many families take their Christmas lunch to the beach and eat it there, staying from noon to sunset.
Not only does it beat the heck out of kiviak (the rotten auk-and-seal-blubber dish traditionally eaten at Christmas in Iceland), you swim, surf, tan, and watch other people do the same.
If you’ve ever wondered about Australian Christmas traditions and Christmas ‘down under’, wonder no more! Here are some funny, unusual, and exciting traditions that are near and dear to Aussie hearts. Who knows? You may want to start one if these traditions in your home…
Boxing Day
No, December 26 is not a day when folks get together and fist-fight using the Queensbury rules. Is it when they put things back in their boxes, or throw boxes away? No one is entirely sure why its called Boxing Day, but certain traditions abound for Boxing Day ’round the English-speaking world.
In Australia, they have the Test Match, which is a kind of cricket game; as you may know, cricket is a kind of bat-and-ball game that can last much longer (and be much more boring and confusing) than baseball.
Of course, if they’re looking for a more exciting sport, Aussies watch the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Both events are televised, and both are long since traditional. But with Australian Christmas traditions like these, it’s easy to see why many Australians prefer to go out in the backyard and play their own form of cricket using tennis balls!
Carols by candlelight
Nothing unusual about this Australian Christmas tradition — except they sing carols in shorts. Thanks to the warm weather that Aussie’s have during Christmas, they get to do their celebrating in shorts and short-sleeved tops. Different to us, but that does not take away the beauty of Christmas Eve when tens of thousands gather in the city of Melbourne to sing their favorite Christmas carols. This wonderful tradition got its start in 1937 and grows stronger every year.
Oh Christmas Bush, Oh Christmas Bush…
Yes, a bush. But this isn’t just any old bush, it is a native plant that has little red flowered leaves and is quite pretty. This is why Aussies surround themselves with it at Christmas time.
Care for Christmas pudding mate?
Turns out Christmas pudding isn’t just for the English, it’s an Australian Christmas food tradition as well. During the days of the Australian gold rushes, it was tradition to put a gold nugget in the pudding. The lucky person finding the nugget got to keep it. Today, a simple trinket will do but reportedly, they still have good luck for the year to come.
Swimming party & picnic anyone?
Because Australia is down under, their seasons are opposite of those in the United States; therefore, they get to do summertime activities during their Christmas break. Thousands go to the beach on Christmas day, have picnics or pool parties in their backyards.
Whether it’s at the beach or in the backyard, the highlight of the day is the midday meal. Much like our Christmas dinners, it consists of turkey, ham, and all the trimmings.
Santa on a Surfboard
Maybe not exactly a tradition, but don’t be surprised if you see Santa surf up to the shore hanging ten or show up at your picnic in shorts to pass out the gifts. Some Aussies go with the tradition of Santa and some choose Father Christmas. Either way, it’s exciting for the kids.
While Australian Christmas traditions are different from ours, you have to admit that family, gift giving, and love is at the heart of their celebrations.
