For Anyone Wondering What Christmas In Australia Is Really Like, These 30 Tweets Should Give You An Idea
Spending Christmas with another family is a bit of a challenge. The music playlist is not what you expected, the food doesn't taste like what you're used to, and you don't feel that confident interrupting the person who is talking nonsense. Everything is the same, but different. But imagine the holiday season on the other side of the Earth... It's blazing, Santa is wearing shorts, and the neighborhood python popped into your house to say hi. Yes, I'm talking about Australia. For your understanding of one of the most popular celebrations in the world, here are some tweets that sum up what it is really like in the Southern hemisphere.
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OMG that is the best ornament ever and I need one. Also why can't a cute ass Koala sneak into my house? All I get are silverfish and spiders. Highly disappointed. Then again I wouldn't want an Aussie spider either. I've seen pics.
Koalas are almost good enough to make all the other terrifying animals in Australia not seem so bad.
According to WhyChristmas, one of the largest Christmas information sites on the web, in Australia, Christmas comes in towards the beginning of the summer holidays—Children have their summer holidays from mid-December to early February, so some people might even be camping at Christmas.
"The temperature is normally in the mid to high 20 degrees Celsius; this makes it good weather to head to the beach or just the outdoors generally at Christmas time," the founder of the website and Christmas-loving web designer James Cooper told Bored Panda.
Cooper said Christmas in Australia is full of what we consider traditional Western Christmas items, like trees, wreaths, and, yes, fake snow. "Although the latter is rather odd, it's also part of a proper Christmas for many Australians."
A fan?!?! Are you joking? It's going to be 42C tmrw, which is 108F. A fan is NOT ENOUGH!
What the northern hemisphere doesn't understand is that we have Christmas during the summer... meaning, it's just parties and beaches
As an Australian, we have Christmas trees as Christmas trees, but I get the idea...
Dani, a marshmallow maker from Sydney, confirmed the weather on Christmas Day is usually hot, but said it was a bit cooler and wetter this year. "We have had rain lately with humidity of 90%," Dani told Bored Panda.
"Because I've grown up with hot Christmases, I'm used to it being portrayed differently in the media. It is strange, though, because we all have large meals with hot, traditional food despite not being the weather for it! Lots of turkey, ham, and baked goods."
On Christmas Eve, many Australians rush to fish markets to buy fresh seafood for Christmas Day. Some like to have the 'traditional' Christmas pudding, but there might also be cold desserts like pavlova and trifle.
Most families try to be home together for Christmas and eat the main meal at lunch. They might have a cold Christmas dinner or a barbecue with seafood such as prawns and lobsters along with the 'traditional English' food. Families normally exchange presents on Christmas Day too.
Depending on the weather, Dani's family either sit outside in the backyard for Christmas lunch or inside with the air conditioning keeping them cool. "There's also lots of fresh seafood like oysters and prawns. Our fish markets are open nonstop in the days leading up to Christmas due to the demand—you can go and buy seafood at 2 am!"
"Carol singing concerts are very popular in Australia," Cooper explained. "Every state capital will have a Carols by Candlelight service/concert and they're broadcast on TV. There are also outdoor Christmas pageants and firework displays, etc."
On Boxing Day, people tend to visit their friends and often have barbecues with them at the beach. To top it all off, there's a famous yacht race from Sydney to Hobart, Tasmania, held on Boxing Day as well.
Now, I don't know if any of the gazillion creatures that can kill you in Australia take the holiday season off, but so far, Christmas sounds like a blast in the land Down Under!
Back to the roots! This is actually how, centuries ago, the first ever Christmas trees in Alsace were put up! People hung them from the ceiling because they had little room in their houses and in order to protect the goodies on the tree from mice.
isn't it cuz they have cats that mess everything up?
Load More Replies...I somehow think though it is his way of showing us as the other side of the planet ..from the North Pole..
How to protect your ornaments from feline and canine exploration....maybe.
Creative, the cat can't climb it, the dog wont jump on it, and the kids will cry because their presents are stuck to the ceiling..OH and Santa has a headache as well!
My aunt was from Australia and they used to hang their very expensive real trees upside down in the basement to preserve it for the next year. She said this is how they did it in Australia.
Drinking 2500 cans of VB is way more ridiculous than making a Christmas tree out of them.
Tell me about it, please excuse my language but I hear it often nicknamed vaginal backwash.
Load More Replies...The man said "Me and some mates love drinking VBs, and two to three mates have been bringing empty cans over here every week for the past 14 months." And on top of that this tree serves a purpose Mr Boyd said the tree is helping to raise money for charity Alzheimer's Australia and he will be collecting donations for the cause until the rest of December.
Did you ever think that just maybe he didn't drink them all but had others collecting them for him? Benefit of the doubt, people!
Awww birbs. 10/10 would boop. A lot of Americans put bird ornaments on their trees. Actually, my family has an entire tree dedicated to bird ornaments. But this is waaayyyy better
Credit ..it IS an outside tree..beautifully decorated with the prettiest stars and baubles.
Yes, you would not mind 5cm teeth in your flesh because it's not venimous.... Yeah. Dogs and bears are not venimous... i don't want to try their bites either. "ok it's not venimous" LOL
Load More Replies...I went to Moreton Island(Queensland) in winter, snakes should be hibernating so i went for a walk near blue lagoon bare feet. Suddenly something moved near my feet: it was a carpet python, he was not sleeping lol. I just walked off very slowly to not scare it and took some pictures while walking back. It was awesome!
Perfect colors to hide. photos10-5...1008dd.jpg
my grandparents have a diamond back that lives in their shed they dont own it though
Not too sure why he has the tree on the sand? The tide is going out hopefully?
I didn't know white kangaroos existed. This is so cool. Beautiful animal. 🙂
I have a Aussie version of the night before Christmas from my uncles ex
40 degree (Celsius) days is what Christmas is to me! If it was cold, it would feel like the middle of June and not Christmasy at all!
I was thinking earlier on how for half of the globe's population, Christmas movies don't represent anything to them whatsoever. Basically Christmas is what Hollywood says it is and anyone that doesn't have snow on that day isn't living a "normal" life. I live in the UK and yet I know that it's time there were more Christmas movies that represent everyone in the Southern Hemisphere!
Load More Replies...Heck, I live in America and most of those Christmas movies aren't what happens where I live. I have lived here for 34 years and have never experienced a white Christmas
It's going to be 42C Christmas Day! Too hot to do anything except eat, drink, swim and sleep.
So accurate! Yet we still send Christmas cards and use wrapping paper with snowmen on them and some people spray fake snow around their windows.
For those who didn't learn Geography at school, Xmas happens in summer at South Hemisphere. So, no snow, no ice skating, no fireplace with socks. Just hot weather, Open aire barbecues (Argentina "asado"), some panettone to keep traditions in order and lots of summer fun!
Most of the population are in the Northern Hemisphere (about 88% says Alexa). We Southerners have to put up with them wearing snow jerseys (what the heck?) and bouncing through the snow, while we enjoy our sunny Christmas barbies and braais (same thing, I'm in South Africa).
When I was little (60+ years ago) my aunt brought me a toy koala back from Australia. I still remember and miss that koala. I loved it so much, one day it just disappeared.
Of course, the few casinos that exist here are exceptions - they're basically independent states beholden unto their own laws.
Load More Replies...Xmas in Argentina: 35 Celsius degrees, good wine by the pool!
Actually I think it’s because he saves the best til last and wants to get the bad stuff over and done with first. (Just kidding, love you Australia! Apart from your snakes. And your spiders. And your unbearable heat. And the long flight. And-)
XD i have never seen a snake and ive lived near the country my entire life! sure our housed are infested with spiders, but some are harmless and most are more scared of you! i do agree with the heat though, omg it gets sooooo HOT like you can go out in shoes because your feet boil and sweat takes over. but you cant not wear shoes because the ground burns your feet. i would love to see a white christmas though. imagine all the snow if i went to Canada! sorry if this is long. AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE OI OI OI
Load More Replies...Santa wings down from the North Pole to New Zealand to commence his calls, where snakes are not a problem! Then he flies across the ditch.. big spiders, many snakes, bitey crocs and feral piggies to dodge. he does to get to you in the USA much later
No! It's like eating liver BEFORE dessert, so you get good flavor last.
Oklahoma was just in the upper 50's on Christmas Eve, Christmas is about 40, lol. That's degrees Fahrenheit. I remember Christmas as a kid where we played outside in our shirtsleeves.
Load More Replies...And then there's "summah" in Australia with torrential rains and gales.
Yep plus shelling them and disposing of the shells in a potential 100 degrees heat is a pain! We dig a hole in the garden and bury them .Great for the plants. Or stuff them in the freezer until garbage collection day
It's that in most other places in the world too. Especially if you're having to entertain awkward relatives .
USA, mostly it’s about presents and visiting family. Drinking happens but it’s not a drinking holiday like Mardi Gras or St Patrick’s Day.
Load More Replies...cuzzzzzzzzz aaiiy dooooooont drinccc... hehehehh *hic* .... np srsly. im 12
Load More Replies...The guy who rates benches should like this one. I hope it has a plaque.
That's Canberra, the capital of Australia. That particular spot is about 1 mile from Parliament House.
I fell in love with the eucalyptus when I was down there. Still makes me nostalgic and slightly home-sick to see one, even if it's only a branch. Beautiful trees!
You probably can't sit in the bench because of ants. Found that in every picnic spot we went to.
I live in Canada and to be honest, I think I might like to give Christmas in Australia a go. The snow and ice get old really fast!
Does anyone know where I can find that wallpaper?!?! I want it!!
Nevermind, I have found it....well a different perspective of it tho. Feel free to save the image as your own if you want. Merry Christmas! :) severnoe-s...721c28.jpg
That machine is a BEAST. Mine is slightly different with the cooler on the top so I could have more room for a better video card and MORE FANS!
He does? Ok, sometimes I know he needs a surfing holiday down under too, but no kangaroos pull the sleigh.. nah... the reindeer still rule!
in Argentina too, although tecnically its spring here, but 24C at 1am
Someone taught me that 28C equals 82F so one can estimate from there. Unless you know.
Load More Replies...I haven't seen a Christmas Beetle like that before except in a greeny iridescent colour.
When and where? I have not seen one for years in NSW ( Sydney /Blue Mountains).
Load More Replies...Where I live, those are called June bugs as that's when they show up.
Ugh we have those in Florida, they are so crunchy and get everywhere
There used to be large beautiful iridescent Xmas beetles in my youth. I think they have been put on the extinct list now.. they were stunningly coloured. These are just brown https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FUt1ZuN51UN8%2Fmaxresdefault.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%2FUt1ZuN51UN8&tbnid=omNv2q8vLyNMtM&vet=12ahUKEwi-i4bxnuvtAhVrLbcAHUPcAMAQMygLegUIARDtAQ..i&docid=iUmgcpmSwQ9wpM&w=1280&h=720&q=australian%20xmas%20beetle&client=safari&ved=2ahUKEwi-i4bxnuvtAhVrLbcAHUPcAMAQMygLegUIARDtAQ
Too hot for roasts. Oh I couldn't even imagine trying too cook one! It's 42C ffs!!!!!
I'm American. What's wrong with seafood/fish for Christmas? Someone please explain?
25 celcius is too hot for me but i live in Canada lol
In Australia is it dry or humid with that heat?? That temp is not much different than the desert parts of the US, try that heat with 90% humidity, welcome to the south!
It depends what area of Australia you’re in, it can be either dry or humid. But the majority would be dry heat.
Load More Replies...South African here. Can confirm. Except that in Cape Town Christmas is normally bloody freezing (current temp: 21 degrees and it looks to be only 24 on Christmas Day). Explain that please.
are you talking fahrenheit or celsius? Because if it's celsius then you should know that 24 C is hot for our summer and I slightly hate all of you))))))
Load More Replies...Same in Brazil. Too hot for me year round, but especially for Christmas.
Parow, Cape Town here. I figure that 2020 is giving us a mild Christmas as a nice present. Wait for January / February. Then everything melts.
In Australia I would think you were lucky if it was 'just' spiders. Although they may be as big as cats.
Do people really think Jesus was born in a snowstorm? (He only became a white European during the Renaissance . . .)
No, they don't. The image of a snowy Christmas comes from Charles Dickens's writing; around that time in England they had a few years in a row when it snowed at Yuletide. The images just stuck!
Load More Replies...On the news in the UK today, it said that some areas of Australia could have a white Christmas. Is that really possible?
Do they still have the "Aeroplane Jelly?" (I have an old Ted Mulry Gang flexi with the advert on it!)
Load More Replies...Swiss roll? In the UK for our trifles we use specific "lady's fingers" which are like a dry sponge finger, then we cover in booze, jelly, custard and cream. :P
British Trifle is so much better than Aussie Trifle: lots of booze, NO gelatin.
Forget the booze on the bottom layer. Pour the jelly over the cake, let it set. Add a couple of layers of different flavour blancmange. Add whipped cream and grated chocolate. Drink the booze
It only gets better when the roll gets soggy from the melted ice cream.
Load More Replies...Large bowl. Sponge cake on the bottom, pour over sherry. Layer of fruit, layer of cold custard, layer of whipped cream, sprinkle grated chocolate all over the cream. Forget the jelly!
Load More Replies...Swiss roll isn't used in our house. We use lady fingers (aka lady fingers, aka savoiardi). Much lighter and nicer.
As an Australian, any Christmas movie with snow is automatically American.
As a American any movie with more than 2 spiders is automatically Australian
Load More Replies...There is one Aussie one on now Bec.. Sunburnt Outback Santa or something ..very usual outback style..half funny.
I will literally be spending Christmas Day on the beach with my family. Can't wait.
Everyone thinks all of America is snow, and some parts are, but only once in my lifetime has it snowed in my hometown in Arizona! We (sadly) feel your pain Australia!
It's the sack inside of boxed wine. Once wine is drunk you can blow up the bag and use it for a pillow. Some people even use the wine filled goon sacks to play wheel of good. Kinda like spin the bottle but you tie the goon sack to a hills hoist (rotary clothesline), spin the clothesline and whoever the goon sack lands on that person has to have a drink.
Load More Replies...The are referring to the song 'How to make gravy' by Paul Kelly
Load More Replies...they're talking about a song/Aussie ballad called Waltzing Matilda. It is sung sentimentally about a very base topic, which is good Aussie humour. A lawman is finds a homeless man (swagman) who has stolen a sheep to eat, but the man drowns himself rather than be arrested. Lots of old Australian terms used like billabong for watering hole, Coolanba tree, jumbuck for sheep etc
Yup Christmas in the southern hemisphere is hotter than hades. Its lovely, beach, champagne, and swimmimg...
You forgot the Santa Neighbourhood Run, where Santa rides on the back of a fire truck and throws lollies at people! (or is this just in my neighbourhood?) Too bad it was cancelled this year for me :'(
This reminds me a lot of Puerto Rico. Christmas is HUUUUGE there. They make like a month long celebration. Christmas in PR is like six months of the year tbh. 😆 Anyway I made a pact with my fiancé that were moving Christmas to Jan 25 from now on instead, just because it’s colder and more snowy / no package rush / feels more like Christmas / usually people still have lights and decorations still up. Just feels better that way!
Welp, there you are rest of the world! It was weird when I first moved to the land down under but You get used to it
All the pictures with the Koala bears were the best part of this article!
Are you used to having Christmas in summer? asking as a Canadian
I used to work for a craft store and I always thought the "Christmas in July" trend was started for crafters that need to start their work early in the year. Now I wonder: Is Australia where/why Christmas in July actually started?
I got my aussie friend to go through these with me and she agreed and laughed her ass of with EVERY SINGLE ONE XDDD
Yup Christmas in the southern hemisphere is hotter than hades. Its lovely, beach, champagne, and swimmimg...
You forgot the Santa Neighbourhood Run, where Santa rides on the back of a fire truck and throws lollies at people! (or is this just in my neighbourhood?) Too bad it was cancelled this year for me :'(
This reminds me a lot of Puerto Rico. Christmas is HUUUUGE there. They make like a month long celebration. Christmas in PR is like six months of the year tbh. 😆 Anyway I made a pact with my fiancé that were moving Christmas to Jan 25 from now on instead, just because it’s colder and more snowy / no package rush / feels more like Christmas / usually people still have lights and decorations still up. Just feels better that way!
Welp, there you are rest of the world! It was weird when I first moved to the land down under but You get used to it
All the pictures with the Koala bears were the best part of this article!
Are you used to having Christmas in summer? asking as a Canadian
I used to work for a craft store and I always thought the "Christmas in July" trend was started for crafters that need to start their work early in the year. Now I wonder: Is Australia where/why Christmas in July actually started?
I got my aussie friend to go through these with me and she agreed and laughed her ass of with EVERY SINGLE ONE XDDD
