Four Christmas seasons overseas may not be enough to qualify me as an expert, but it struck me as I scrolled through my photos from the last few days of December that an Australian Christmas is a very different thing from one celebrated in Pittsburgh. Using photos from this year as a guide, I share in this picture post several traditions we have been happy to be part of during the past few years.
1. Singing carols under the streaming sun of a lengthy summer twilight.
2. A stroll on the beach on Christmas Eve
3. Ham on the bbq. Bonus points if the chef wears togs (or bathers, boardies or swim trunks depending on your location) while he works his magic.
4. Fresh salads for Christmas dinner. Halloumi, watermelon and mint salad not only has the correct color scheme, it is delicious. (You can find a description and a recipe here).
5. Seafood, and lots of it. This year we added Moreton Bay Bugs to the platter of prawns and oysters. They are something like a lobster or a crab.
6. Christmas crackers on a pretty table and the requisite paper crowns.
7. Pannetone. We fight over the leftovers.
8. Piles of beach gear. Instead of "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire," it's Havianas, hats, and beach towels.
9. Beach Cricket.
10. Laughter.
11. Friends who take you in and adopt you when you are far from hearth, home and extended family.
A different Christmas than here for sure! It looks like a wonderful way to celebrate.
Posted by: Aunt Marion | 01/05/2014 at 05:17 AM
Thanks Aunt Marion. Your Christmas was especially beautiful however. I hope it warms up in New Brunswick soon.
Posted by: Christie | 01/05/2014 at 07:11 PM
looks like a real 'beaut!
Posted by: Crystal Keller | 01/08/2014 at 06:53 AM