Christmas in Australia has its own charm. It doesn’t involve building snowmen or curling up by a warm fire like in other parts of the world. Instead, summer weather starts reaching its peak around Christmas, allowing for lots of fun outdoor celebrations and unique local traditions.
If you’re used to hearing about snowy, cold Christmases, it might seem difficult to make the most of an Australian Christmas. Rather than looking at it as unusual, think about all the fun new Christmas traditions you can try to make your Australian Christmas uniquely you.
1. Christmas Lunch Outdoors
Warm weather is the perfect excuse to enjoy beloved holiday traditions outdoors. Have your family and friends gather for lunch outside. Everyone will have more space to spread out and enjoy a beautiful day, and you can offer outdoor games and activities for guests to enjoy before and after lunch.
2. Seafood on Christmas Day
Heavy, hot roasts might be cozy for a chilly Christmas, but Australian’s weather gives an opportunity to mix things up with a fun seafood meal. Seafood dinners are great for sunny days while still offering a bit of luxury. Prawns, oysters, and salmon are just a few popular seafood dishes for holidays.
3. Backyard Cricket
With more opportunities for outdoor activities, backyard cricket is the perfect game to set up. It’s a great way to bond and stay active before a meal or gift exchange. Plus, it’s easy to play a casual game that includes children and beginners.
4. A Trip to the Beach
For anyone who loves the sun, Christmas in the sand sounds like a dream. If you live near a beautiful beach, consider taking a family trip for part of the day. Soak up the sun and splash around in the water before returning home for a Christmas feast. Just make sure you check the weather to ensure you’ll get a dry, hot beach day.
5. Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight is a classic Australian tradition that started in Melbourne. Locals gather in parks or other public spaces to sing Christmas carols and enjoy live performances under the lighting of candles. It’s a beautiful, interactive experience that many families plan to attend at least once every year.
6. Pavlova for Dessert
Pavlova, a meringue-based treat from New Zealand, is a great choice for Christmas dessert. Its light, fruity flavour pairs perfectly with a warm Christmas celebration. Adding colorful fruits to the top also makes it a beautiful display until it’s time to enjoy it.
7. Christmas Lights Around the Neighbourhood
Christmas lights are magical no matter where you live. In addition to putting up your own festive lights, consider taking some time to visit streets known for elaborate light displays. Seeing Christmas spirit all over your area is sure to brighten the mood of you and your family.
8. Kris Kringle or Secret Santa
Buying gifts for a long list of people can be overwhelming. A gift swap like Kris Kringle (also called Secret Santa) can take away some of the stress by turning gift giving into a fun game. Among a group of friends, family members, or co-workers, everyone draws a name and gets a special gift for that person. Then, you can schedule a party to exchange all the gifts.
9. Giving Christmas Hampers
If you’re looking for more traditions centered around gifts, consider adding a Christmas hamper to your list. Christmas hampers, like the beautiful collections from Milly & Henry, include a variety of snacks, drinks, and other treats wrapped up in a luxurious presentation. It’s a fun way to surprise family members, friends, employees, or clients with a thoughtful gift.
Since hampers include a variety of products, you can bundle different surprises every year. Your loved ones will start looking forward to your annual Christmas hamper, trying to guess what exciting presents will appear inside.
10. Boxing Day Celebrations
The traditions don’t have to stop on Christmas. Many Australians also plan something special for Boxing Day. Enjoying leftovers, relaxing with family, hosting a game night, watching the Boxing Day Test, or visiting the beach are all great ways to enjoy the day after Christmas. Choose an activity that you and your loved ones are sure to look forward to.
Start New Christmas Traditions
Try one of more of these Australian Christmas traditions to help make your holiday season even more magical than before. Once you find activities that you can’t get enough of, you can continue them year after year to help make your Christmas experience one of a kind.