Xmas

GREIG_J · 01-10-2007, 04:29 PM

does anyone know how aussie celebrate christmas? i mean is it a big thing out there like here in uk. family get togethers turkey. or do they just go off to the beach for a barbie. thanks john & michelle.

kdal · 01-10-2007, 04:42 PM

Hi John & Michelle
We spent last Christmas in Australia, arrived there in the 1st December into Brisbane and then spent Christmas and the new year in Adelaide.

To me it didnt seem as big as it is here, we were in the Barrier Reef about 2 weeks before Christmas and the hotel had a tiny little white christmas trees with not much on it, then we went to Melbourne, here we did some Christmas shopping and I couldn't believe that the shops were almost empty!! It was a pleasure to do the Christmas shop! We left Melbourne on Christmas Eve for Adelaide.

I felt they were not so big on the decorations as we are and I suppose it felt strange having nice weather at Christmas, although Christmas Day was too cold to eat outside so we ate inside. We did have a Turkey and all the trimmings but we stayed with my sister. We were supposed to meet some of their friends for a barbie breakfast at the beach but too cold for that.

New year was fab though with lots of fireworks going on...

I suppose everyone does things a little different might depend on the individual and want you would like to do for Christmas.

Regards

p.s. when we were in Brisbane there was a lovely row of houses and they all had christmas lights and reindeers outside their homes which made it feel more like Christmas.

Stuju · 01-10-2007, 10:12 PM

Hi Greig j
I has my first christmas here in oz last year -
i did find it very different to back home, there just wasnt the hype that there is back home with the tv adverts (from october) the music in the shops- the decorations in the malls where very limited and they do not decorate the streets like we do in the uk.
To most of the aussies i know its just a time for a break from work chilling out on the beach with beer and having to buy presents - which most seem to do at the last minute.
No big build up to christmas and a totally different feel - but all the same i had a good time and when i go back to the uk to vist i would like to go for a christmas.

Rachel83 · 02-10-2007, 07:04 AM

This year will be my first Christmas in Oz too, I can't wait!

I think it really does depend on the family as to how it is celebrated, I'll be with my OH's family who apparently always have lots of people round and have a barbecue in the their garden which backs onto Sydney Harbour. But I think it's a lot more laid back than in the UK (like most things over here!) no sit down meal, more a bring your own and get on with it with everyone pitching in rather than one person doing all the cooking. They tell me it's always hot in Sydney on Christmas day which will be strange!

Should be an experience!

mandy1 · 02-10-2007, 09:41 AM

Hi
We spent Christmas/New Year 2005/6 in Perth and as others have said it was quite understated by Uk standards. That to me however was not a bad thing at all as I get fed up with having the xmas stuff in the shops from October onwards (i think it spoils it).There was a big parade in Perth city centre with camels, nativity etc.. and the atmosphere was lovely with families bringing chairs, wine, picnics etc.. We went to the Beach on Christmas morning for an hour and then we had a full traditional xmas dinner with all the trimmings. Whatever you do you'll enjoy it and the only thing we missed (well kids & me not hubby-lol) was going to a panto!
Mandy x

johatts · 02-10-2007, 09:51 AM

On our first Christmas here , we went to family (some of which I hadnt met up til then!). We had cold turkey, salad etc and played in the garden with water pistols! Bit weird when you are used to getting round a table in your sweatpants with the heating on and all the doors closed! Plus I worked a shift in my nursing home.

For my 2nd Christmas, I had mother in law here so we stayed at home, well family did. I was working an afternoon shift again!

For our 3rd Christmas this year we are going back to family for lunch! Thenw e are going to go to a beach, let the dog run around, go home and drink ourselves into Christmas night! I am NOT working this year. I am also a "christmas day baby" so it will be great to celebrate my birthday properly! I mean: not working, and with a BIG drink! I just cant get used to the hot Christmas....too weird at the moment?

Has anyone EVER got used to it?

ali · 02-10-2007, 10:18 AM

xmas stuff has started appearing in the shops here in Perth. Our daughter wants a turkey dinner on xmas day - but as we never ate until after 5pm in the UK we'll go to the beach whilst the turkey is cooking!!

Ali

ali · 02-10-2007, 10:28 AM

We brought both our xmas trees - not seen the black one yet - will have a trip down to big W

Ali

Rue 66 · 02-10-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ali

We brought both our xmas trees - not seen the black one yet - will have a trip down to big W

Ali

We are looking at importing stuff into Oz but thought Christmas Trees (artificial ones) were not allowed in, or decorations, unless you have a special import license??? Has anyone taken their Xmas decs and stuff over recently? Especially as ours is a biggun (the tree that is??) and we were stood for 4 hours on Sunday morning at a car boot trying to sell it - no takers!!!!!

Thought I would write this in a festive green!!!

Gill, Phil and Harry

johatts · 02-10-2007, 11:03 AM

We used to have real trees in the UK so that wasnt a problem but we had a plastic Xmas wreath in our boxes and that had to be destroyed!

We bought a fake tree here (Big W have a lot to answer for!). Ours is a big greenie one with 4 lots of lights that are already entwined on it. $ pieces, slot together, plug in and switch on!

Plug `n` play!!!

I love Christmas! Shouldnt we have a Brissie Christmas drink????