How is Christmas Celebrated in Australia?

How's Christmas Celebrated in Australia, you ask... Its celebrated just like it is in the northen hemisphere. Some recognize it as a religous festival, but most use it as an excuse to enjoy a little too much food and drink.

The other big difference, is that December in Australia is the height of our Summer!

Shopkeepers and retailers worship Christmas as the time of great spending. Everyone buys presents for everyone else, and the merchants rub their hands with glee. So Christmas is Celebrated in Australia in pretty much the same way in all Western countries, and in fact, pretty much all over the world as the great Shopping Festival.

What makes Australia different is being in the southern hemisphere. We're south of the Equator, so when the top half of the world is shivering in winter, we're sweltering in desert or tropical heat. If you're new to this place, it really makes Christmas different to anything you've experienced!

All the large depertment stores such as Grace Brothers and David Jones will have impressive Christmas displays with snow and reindeer, and there'll be a Santa's Grotto where the 'littlies' (children) can pose for a photo on Sant'a knee. That's all part of Christmas celebrated Australia.

People still send each other Christmas cards here, but often the Santa shown on the cards will be wearing short trousers and holding a 'tinnie' (a can of beer). We do enjoy being irreverent.

And while some families still enjoy a Christmas Dinner complete with turkey and plum pudding, many will enjoy a good Aussie barbecue and a salad. But don't forget the cold 'tinnies', mate...