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Monday, 28 December 2020

The Christmas in Australia edition


A few years ago a visitor to my blog commented:

"The opposite seasons in Australia always blows my mind. Here, we are just gearing up for winter.
So why don't I ever hear about hot temperatures in Christmas songs? Do Australians not sing? Or maybe the US is just too far away to hear Australian artists?" 

So I thought I would show you some of our Aussie Christmas.

Yes it is usually hot here in Australia on Christmas Day. Where I live in the south west of Western Australia it was 38 Celsius on Christmas Day and it didn't cool down till very late in the day, and in our capital city Perth it was 40!
But many of us still eat a traditional roast Christmas dinner and pudding. Crazy hey? It is a tradition that our ancestors brought from the UK. 

But others love their seafood, cold ham, salads and pavlova. And of course there has to be something cold to drink. No egg nog or mulled wine or hot chocolate for us! 

I also make little puddings - so simple, and the apricots in our back yard are starting to ripen. I love this time of year with the stone fruit so plentiful. 


After Christmas lunch we usually flop on the lounge in the air-conditioning and watch a movie or play a board game. For many back-yard cricket seems to be the thing to do. 


Many people head to the beach, if not on Christmas Day, then they go on Boxing Day. If we go out in the boat we might be lucky enough to have a dolphin swim up to our boat. You can do a dolphin tour at The Dolphin Discovery Centre in Koombana Bay. Lucky for us there are plenty of opportunites to 4WD along the beach to get away from the crowds. 

As well as a wreath on the front door, and a Christmas tree in their house, many people put up lights outside their house too. We enjoy going around before Christmas to see them. Also in Australia we have Christmas Carols by Candlelight events. Though sadly this year they have been limited or gone on-line due to the pandemic. I didn't know that Carols by Candlelight is an Australian event started 83 years ago! 

This year I made Christmas cards and some baubles filled with dried wildflowers 


And of course after all that eating we need to go for a walk The Leschenault Estuary is not far away and we see some stunning sunsets. 

And yes there are Australian Christmas songs: I must admit many of our Christmas carols and songs come from colder climates with snow. But we do have our own too. Have you ever heard of "Six White Boomers" and we have an Aussie 12 Days of Christmas. I've just found this link - 

But for an authentic look at an Aussie Christmas, I do like Ronan Keating's version of '"Summer Wonderland" - although the countdown at the beginning is from New Zealand. You can hear it here - 


So there you have it - a little look at an Aussie Christmas. Thanks to Mandy and Justin from With Love travel blog - http://blog.youreverydaytraveler.com/

Wherever you live and whether or not you celebrate Christmas, the thought of hope for the future from Jesh from All Seasons blog puts it perfectly -
"Christmas is for me all about light in darkness. Light always conquers."

I think that is very relevant for us all over the world today. 



Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you and yours are safe and well and have been able to spend time with your loved ones this Christmas. 

I value your comments and look forward to hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return. Have a wonderful week.  

I am linking up to the link-ups below. Please click on the links to see fabulous contributions from around the world - virtual touring at its best!
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16 comments:

  1. Carol @Comfort Spring Station28 December 2020 at 19:55

    Looks like a gorgeous place to celebrate Christmas! Happy New Year!

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  2. Rain 28 December 2020 at 23:07

    Great post Jill! Happy Holidays! I always wondered how the Southern Hemisphere celebrates! The food looks delicious and I just love seeing Christmas lights!!

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  3. Rose L29 December 2020 at 04:23

    Sounds like you have some similar celebrations. I love the idea of the dolphin experience.

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  4. Angie29 December 2020 at 09:24

    Jill - thanks for sharing some of the traditions of an Aussie Christmas. There are many similarities: games, movies, going to see the lights, and walking as a way of working off the calories! Thanks so much for faithfully linking to Mosaic Monday, and Happy New Year! I am full of hope about 2021!!!

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  5. Veronica Lee29 December 2020 at 21:07

    What a gorgeous place to celebrate Christmas!

    Happy New Year!

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  6. Peabea Scribbles29 December 2020 at 22:58

    Oh, I much love your Christmas better than here. It was extremely cold and travel for at least one of my children's family to come and vist on Christmas Day for a bit made me nervous. They did make it the 40 minutes here and back home, but slow going. We had a very, very white Christmas, but it can now all go away. lol Loved seeing how your holidays went. Have a safe, happy, healthy, and wonderful 2021.

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  7. Junie-jesh30 December 2020 at 01:36

    Love the wreath you made, Jill! Because the weather here is so opposite on Christmas, there are not many outdoor activities, other than a walk, or staying in a cabin, or hotel, and seeing other people's Christmas lights. In the past, there were many Christmas parties for friends or work, where you could show off your pretty dress and have fancy food:) Of course not this year. About music, there are sooo many artists and groups here in the States that do a new collection every year of Christmas songs. My sense is that is why we hardly hear Christmas songs from outside the country.Your food looks delicious:) and thank you for sharing with All Seasons your Christmas day! Also wishing you all the best for the New Year, and that it may be an easier year for all of us! Jeah

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  8. Fun6030 December 2020 at 01:38

    Thank you for this insight into an Aussie Christmas. That is the first time I have heard Summer Wonderland and I thoroughly enjoyed it. After this year I feel sure 2021 will be full of joy. Happy New Year.

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  9. NCSue30 December 2020 at 06:23

    Absolutely beautiful!
    Thanks so much for sharing at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2020/12/going-buggy.html

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  10. Jackie and Joel Smith30 December 2020 at 14:20

    I loved this look at Christmas Down Under. It is so very different living in a world that isn't bone-chilling cold nor covered with snow at Christmas, we are learning. But sure do love the traditions here and love seeing how similarly we all celebrate! Happy New Year!!

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  11. EricaSta30 December 2020 at 15:16

    Enjoyed reading here for a last week in this year.
    Wish you and your family a happy and healthy NEW YEAR 2021.

    All the best, Heidrun

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  12. Tamar SB30 December 2020 at 21:09

    So fun to learn your traditions. Happy new year!

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  13. betty-NZ31 December 2020 at 05:31

    Thanks for sharing your Christmas with us :)

    A fantastic addition to 'My Corner of the World' this week! May the new year bring you great things to photograph!

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  14. Pauline31 December 2020 at 07:58

    Christmas any other way wouldn't be the same. We're a cricket in the backyard family, otherwise everything is the same as yours.

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  15. Spare Parts and Pics2 January 2021 at 07:55

    Love your photos, and the Summer Wonderland video. Happy New Year to you and all the best in 2021!

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  16. Jeanne4 January 2021 at 06:05

    Fun learning about Christmas "down under!" Happy New Year!

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I hope you have enjoyed your visit to my blog. Thank you for stopping by and for taking the time to comment. I read and very much appreciate every comment and love hearing from you. I will try to visit your blogs in return.