Christmas in Australia
Australian Christmas is not different
Australians celebrate Christmas s all the European or American countries celebrate Christmas in their respective countries . The only difference is that of weather there, Christmas in Australia is not snowy as this is not cold weather in December in Australia. In fact, Christmases experiences summer during December. The temperatures are quite comfortable and different from most other places in United States of America or European countries as the mercury stays within 24 and 35 during this period. Only the state of Tasmania is a little different from other provinces in Australia.
Australia is special among most major Christmas celebrating countries
Christmas is different for Australians in the sense that for most of the Australians this is beginning of summer holidays. End of the school session gives students to celebrate the Christmas in a very grand style with lots of zeal as they go out for fun travel to different places for surfing, riding shopping and some of them even go to New Zeeland to celebrate an early Christmas.
As we all know that Australia is very big in size but has a very small population of fewer than twenty million people and even these twenty million are not the native Australians but consist of people from all over the world. These people come from almost every European country and most Asian countries. With almost five million Australians born in other countries the texture of customs, rituals and way of celebrations take a different shape, custom and look altogether different depending and mixing upon their own cultures. Most Australians appreciate and enjoy such diverse and different ways of Christmas celebrations.
The changes in celebrations
The changes in ways Australians are finding during last thirty years or so, before that they were celebrating Christmas as per original British style as the English way of Christmas was the traditional way of the festival. Until thirty before every thing was almost English style typical Christmas but as the outsiders kept coming in and with migrants have become part of the continent that changed the celebrations as well as people form other countries particularly from Asian have different eating style and ways of keeping relations.
For native Australians the meaning of Christmas are changing at every passing Christmas as the traditional foods being replaced by menu brought by migrants from their countries, the traditional dinners giving ways to picnic in front yards and backyards with Barbeque replacing traditional turkey although typical foods like Chicken, duck etc are still there to be part of the menu. However, the old styled family parties may have replaced by gathering of friends and becoming fun parties with lots of heavy and expensive exchange of gifts but one big point is common that this is still the best occasion to enjoy and have fun with loved ones. Almost every one spends Christmas Eve getting ready for Christmas Day with offices having Christmas celebrations and parties although these events may take place earlier as most people want to go on leave in December.
Santa Claus may look different
I find it funny when people suggest that now Santa Claus should be replaced with snowman to bring some difference to the weather besides the dress Santa wears for the occasion sends streams of sweat down the spine. Seriously, I am planning a letter to Santa to change into some thing cozier and cool. He is too overworked bringing gifts for our children so heavily attired. I hope that would happen soon as some people have already started doing that while playing Santa. Maybe you see Santa in a casuals this Christmas day or night. However, Santa would be able to bring more gifts for children as he would have lesser weight in shape of clothes or he may come driving a truck full of gifts for dear children. Now more children can have a joy ride with Santa as his sleigh has lesser space.
Christmas in Sydney
I live in Sydney whenever I am in Australia where the first ever Australian Christmas was celebrated by British Governor with other guests mostly administrators from different departments. They had a dinner royal with old rare wines but the natives, mostly prisoners were no parts of the celebration who were allotted the regular diet of bread as usual. Now the things have changed entirely as the Lord Mayor shares a Christmas message and Santa Claus comes to attend all the way from North Pole.
Sydney considered as the best shopping area during Christmas transformed totally with every Plaza, shopping malls and galleries converted with a new look with all wooden furniture polished, buildings painted and stalked well with different new varieties for needs of every one including the lavish buyers with planned shopping to last minute customers. The market stocked full of garments, food and gift items to cater to every need and pocket. Although most people know and avoid over buying but this festival is some thing different altogether that inspires them to whatever they can put on their shopping carts.
Most people are busy preparing for big day
This is beginning of the festival season allover the world and festivals fever is catching on, on most of us. Companies have started their strategies and announcing special offers and discounts to bring more people to flock the markets. In fact people have already busy updating their shopping lists. Children are most anxious to have their wish lists included in the lists prepared by parents so that they are not left behind while the actual day comes. Most people are preparing the lists of friends and gifts for them. The list of friends for the Christmas Eve has already started taking shape. Children taking an active part doing the decoration work in place with great excitement.
The homes are also having a new look with decorations already planned, order for Christmas tree placed and decoration items almost ready, although in Australia the trend of Christmas tree is not as popular as in American or European societies where the snow falls regularly.
Australians are true Christians
Australians know the true meaning of being Christian and celebrate Christmas with true values of as the Christians should celebrate the festival in its traditional way and with the message of peace the son of God Jesus Christ choose for them. On Christmas Day, as everywhere else Christians do celebrate Birth date of Jesus Christ according to traditions of their church. As we know that Catholics generally attend midnight mass, that begins at midnight and leads to Christmas Day. The Australians may belong to different churches, always make it a point to attend a midnight prayer session and then they get a few hours sleep after their hectic Christmas Eve. They always try to getup in the morning to make it to church to attend the mass with friends and relatives.
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