Nandini Millar Posted December 13, 2018 Share Posted December 13, 2018 Hello everyone. This year's Christmas could be our last Christmas in UK. It's exciting but at the same time I think it's going to be different experience altogether to have Christmas in summer haha. In England it's freezing cold now. How did you find your first Christmas in summer ?? Will be lovely to hear about your experiences. Me and my family are thinking to settle in Brisbane. I am thinking temperature will be really high in December. By the way merry Christmas in advance everyone 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unzippy Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 It's bloody weird! A life time of associating Winter with Christmas is very hard to break. Getting a sweat on decorating the tree and then having to put the aircon on... Happy Christmas! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickyNook Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 It is weird. I will have been here for 40 christmases this year and I still find it weird. But of course I didn't grow up here. My kids, who did grow up here, find Christmas in summer quite normal and just as special as a wintery Christmas was to me when I was a kid in the UK. I always think it's just like a particularly long, long weekend where you get to eat too much. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 My 4th xmas in Brisbane. Did a couple of hot christmases in Asia but over 50 cold Christmas’s in England. I am out of step with almost everyone else from the UK as I much prefer it being in summer. But I don’t over-indulge in food at Christmas. It makes no sense to do so here. We also don’t do any cooking on Xmas day. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 Have lived for the last 25 years in hot countries, 10 years in Brunei and 15 years in Queensland, a hot Christmas is now my normal, only spent a couple back in UK in that time. Apart from one Christmas when we had seafood, we have the full traditional Christmas meal. No intention of changing. The spirit of Christmas is just the same, a houseful of family and friends and waifs and strays. In Brunei unless someone wanted to be on their own someone would invite them, and while my son was at uni here we invited a couple of international students to join us. The difference here Is that we start with a late leisurely breakfast outside and a swim in the pool. Eventually when the meal is ready late afternoon/early evening unless it’s raining we eat outside, and stay at the table till late, loving the warm evening under the stars. It’s magic. There is very little that I miss from an icy cold ( I hardly dared to go outside on the icy pavements the last time I was there as I had a badly broken arm) over commercialised UK Christmas, yes it is getting worse here, but I do miss hearing a lovely Salvation Army brass band playin Christmas carols. Having written the above we spent last Christmas in a rental in the Southern Highlands which was quite chilly 14’ and we had a log fire every day which was a pleasant change. That’s the answer for anyone wanting a change from the heat. Wherever you are, however you celebrate, have a wonderful Christmas. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 9 hours ago, unzippy said: It's bloody weird! A life time of associating Winter with Christmas is very hard to break. Getting a sweat on decorating the tree and then having to put the aircon on... Happy Christmas! I can hardly guess sweating while putting the tree up and you need aircon to cook it down haha. In here I turn on the fireplace and over there aircon. It's complete opposite. I Merry Christmas again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 8 hours ago, NickyNook said: It is weird. I will have been here for 40 christmases this year and I still find it weird. But of course I didn't grow up here. My kids, who did grow up here, find Christmas in summer quite normal and just as special as a wintery Christmas was to me when I was a kid in the UK. I always think it's just like a particularly long, long weekend where you get to eat too much. 40 Christmases and still weird haha. I associate Christmas with snowfall and I think I am going to find a bit hard to feel Christmassy for a while in the sun. I use fake snow to make Santa footprints but I guess I might not need that anymore over there. Let's see. I guess barbeque works as well for Christmas. It's going to be very different. Or maybe still a roast dinner Thank you for sharing your experience.Merry Christmas again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 7 hours ago, Gbye grey sky said: My 4th xmas in Brisbane. Did a couple of hot christmases in Asia but over 50 cold Christmas’s in England. I am out of step with almost everyone else from the UK as I much prefer it being in summer. But I don’t over-indulge in food at Christmas. It makes no sense to do so here. We also don’t do any cooking on Xmas day. 50 cold Christmas in England haha. I love snowfall on Christmas day and no other day. It's too cold and annoying plus all the cold and flu. Nice to know you enjoy Christmas in summer. Does the temperature in Brisbane goes up to 40 in summer? Sounds relaxing to enjoy doing any cooking Have a great summer Christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 6 hours ago, ramot said: Have lived for the last 25 years in hot countries, 10 years in Brunei and 15 years in Queensland, a hot Christmas is now my normal, only spent a couple back in UK in that time. Apart from one Christmas when we had seafood, we have the full traditional Christmas meal. No intention of changing. The spirit of Christmas is just the same, a houseful of family and friends and waifs and strays. In Brunei unless someone wanted to be on their own someone would invite them, and while my son was at uni here we invited a couple of international students to join us. The difference here Is that we start with a late leisurely breakfast outside and a swim in the pool. Eventually when the meal is ready late afternoon/early evening unless it’s raining we eat outside, and stay at the table till late, loving the warm evening under the stars. It’s magic. There is very little that I miss from an icy cold ( I hardly dared to go outside on the icy pavements the last time I was there as I had a badly broken arm) over commercialised UK Christmas, yes it is getting worse here, but I do miss hearing a lovely Salvation Army brass band playin Christmas carols. Having written the above we spent last Christmas in a rental in the Southern Highlands which was quite chilly 14’ and we had a log fire every day which was a pleasant change. That’s the answer for anyone wanting a change from the heat. Wherever you are, however you celebrate, have a wonderful Christmas. Yes me too. Would love a nice roast for Christmas as it feels right also Christmas in the Southern Highlands sounds amazing. Lots to explore and lovely to hear all your experiences. It's nice to see snowfall here on Christmas day but I want it all gone and evaporated the very best day. I slipped easily on snow all the time it's annoying and don't like it hehe. Now I have started to worry as we have snowfall forecast over the weekend already. Hope you have a brilliant Christmas and enjoy. Merry Christmas again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gbye grey sky Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) 6 hours ago, Nandini Millar said: 50 cold Christmas in England haha. I love snowfall on Christmas day and no other day. It's too cold and annoying plus all the cold and flu. Nice to know you enjoy Christmas in summer. Does the temperature in Brisbane goes up to 40 in summer? Sounds relaxing to enjoy doing any cooking Have a great summer Christmas No. The highest temperature I have experienced here in 3 summers is 38C. Christmas is typically between 28-32 daytime max with nightime min between 18-22. Late afternoon rain or thunderstorms are quite common between Oct-Mar but it has been really dry here the past few weeks. From January to March it reaches the low to mid 30s most days and low 20s by dawn but humidity does make it feel warmer than that. Edited December 14, 2018 by Gbye grey sky 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 3 minutes ago, Gbye grey sky said: No. The highest temperature I have experienced here in 3 summers is 38C. Christmas is typically between 28-32 daytime max with nightime min between 18-22. Late afternoon rain or thunderstorms are quite common between Oct-Mar but it has been really dry here the past few weeks. From January to March it reaches the low to mid 30s most days and low 20s by dawn but humidity does make it feel warmer than that. Oh ok that's good news then. I thought it could be easily higher than 40 most of the time in summer. Few of my friends have been telling me that North lakes is a good area. Since I have 2 small kids I thought it could be a bit too hot for them if the temperature is easily beyond 40. Thank you again to your input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulya Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 A cold Xmas would be very odd but then in saying that it snowed in Canberra on Xmas Day in 1963, and 1987. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 14, 2018 Author Share Posted December 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Bulya said: A cold Xmas would be very odd but then in saying that it snowed in Canberra on Xmas Day in 1963, and 1987. It's nice to know that cold Xmas could be odd too. I think a sunny Christmas would be quite nice but not very sure whether it would still feel Christmassy but I will always go for the sunny one rather than the cold chilly one. Christmas feeling might develop soon enough as well 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skani Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 2 hours ago, Bulya said: A cold Xmas would be very odd but then in saying that it snowed in Canberra on Xmas Day in 1963, and 1987. Can't speak for 1963....but certainly not 1987. I stayed with my sister in Canberra that Christmas and it was hot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 On 14/12/2018 at 03:04, Nandini Millar said: Hello everyone. This year's Christmas could be our last Christmas in UK. It's exciting but at the same time I think it's going to be different experience altogether to have Christmas in summer haha. In England it's freezing cold now. How did you find your first Christmas in summer ?? Will be lovely to hear about your experiences. Me and my family are thinking to settle in Brisbane. I am thinking temperature will be really high in December. By the way merry Christmas in advance everyone It's taken my hubby a long time to 'like' the warm Christmas .. he used to say that for Xmas Day and Boxing Day he wished it were cold. Myself and the children have embraced it and we found we developed new traditions - Xmas Eve dinner and Xmas day brunch outside (we always have our Xmas dinner in the evening). lazing by the pool and just relaxing. My daughter did say that what she loved about her first Xmas's here were that we didn't cart them off to see relatives on Xmas day - that they could enjoy/play with their gifts. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulya Posted December 14, 2018 Share Posted December 14, 2018 12 minutes ago, Skani said: Can't speak for 1963....but certainly not 1987. I stayed with my sister in Canberra that Christmas and it was hot. Confusion on web as to whether it was ‘87 or ‘77? I always thought it was Boxing Day but can’t remember the year. Definitely after ‘76, when I moved here from Newcastle (NSW). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toots Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Over my lifetime I've spent Christmas in various countries. Experienced heat and humidity, snow and dull, wet weather. None of them bothered me one way or the other. It's the company that matters. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouDYorkie Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 I find it a little surreal in Brisbane, all the shops will play Christmas songs and you might see Santa (in flip flops), then you go outside into amazing warm sunshine [emoji4] I used to do a full Roast Dinner for Christmas but in Australia I stick a joint of meat on the bbq (and maybe a potato bake although that takes a lot longer), then we jump in the pool with a drink until it’s cooked then we sit outside and have that with some light foods I prepped earlier, interesting salads, etcI also find we get lots of Christmas Dinner invites.....so despite not having family here permanently, we have a big bunch of friends who don’t want us to be alone at Christmas [emoji4] 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 15, 2018 Author Share Posted December 15, 2018 11 hours ago, Toots said: Over my lifetime I've spent Christmas in various countries. Experienced heat and humidity, snow and dull, wet weather. None of them bothered me one way or the other. It's the company that matters. Yes definitely. As long as we have our family and friends it should be all very meaningful and enjoy the day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 15, 2018 Author Share Posted December 15, 2018 3 hours ago, LouDYorkie said: I find it a little surreal in Brisbane, all the shops will play Christmas songs and you might see Santa (in flip flops), then you go outside into amazing warm sunshine I used to do a full Roast Dinner for Christmas but in Australia I stick a joint of meat on the bbq (and maybe a potato bake although that takes a lot longer), then we jump in the pool with a drink until it’s cooked then we sit outside and have that with some light foods I prepped earlier, interesting salads, etc I also find we get lots of Christmas Dinner invites.....so despite not having family here permanently, we have a big bunch of friends who don’t want us to be alone at Christmas Awww that's so nice you have amazing friends out there. They are the familieswe choose seeing santa in flip flops could be quite funny haha. Not very sure what my kids would say to that. It's going to be surprising and funny for them. I like the way how everyone seems to enjoy drinks by the pool and have a very relaxing day. In here we can't do anything outdoors esp Christmas time. We could easily catch cold and flu or even get worst if we were already struggling with it. Anyway have an amazing Christmas again and next year we intend to see Santa in flip flops haha 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 Merry Christmas to you! I could do with some snow about now, we're in Brisbane and it is hot hot and humid... sticky and horrible unless you are under a fan, in a breeze or in air-con... preferably all three It's fine tho, just different. The UK 'does' Christmas better in my books. I love the crunchy cold snow and bitter wind (yes really!) when it is accompanied by Christmas lights and a warm house to come home to. Hearing Christmas songs here feels weird, there's the usual rush around for presents and bombardment of adverts for presents... from 1 November onwards. You can of course have a roast, we will be - however, many people have seafood and gorgeously inventive salads, exotic fruit and cold champagne! (well that was our last Christmas anyway). There is a hotly contested 'best Christmas lights' competition where houses go 'all out' - you can literally get bus tours to see all the gardens lit up. We visit one or two with our young child - they love it! The optimism is a bit infectious. It doesn't matter where you have Christmas really - as long as you are with people (family or friends) that you love and get a bit of peace at the end of a busy year. All the best for you and your family's journey. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted December 15, 2018 Share Posted December 15, 2018 10 hours ago, Ozzie said: Merry Christmas to you! I could do with some snow about now, we're in Brisbane and it is hot hot and humid... sticky and horrible unless you are under a fan, in a breeze or in air-con... preferably all three It's fine tho, just different. The UK 'does' Christmas better in my books. I love the crunchy cold snow and bitter wind (yes really!) when it is accompanied by Christmas lights and a warm house to come home to. Hearing Christmas songs here feels weird, there's the usual rush around for presents and bombardment of adverts for presents... from 1 November onwards. You can of course have a roast, we will be - however, many people have seafood and gorgeously inventive salads, exotic fruit and cold champagne! (well that was our last Christmas anyway). There is a hotly contested 'best Christmas lights' competition where houses go 'all out' - you can literally get bus tours to see all the gardens lit up. We visit one or two with our young child - they love it! The optimism is a bit infectious. It doesn't matter where you have Christmas really - as long as you are with people (family or friends) that you love and get a bit of peace at the end of a busy year. All the best for you and your family's journey. We live by a lake and most of the houses have a display of lights on the back of our houses, and on the fences, a few are amazing, so we get a lovely double display with the reflection on the water. It’s really lovely. I find the spirit of giving to charity at Christmas so good here. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 16, 2018 Author Share Posted December 16, 2018 14 hours ago, Ozzie said: Merry Christmas to you! I could do with some snow about now, we're in Brisbane and it is hot hot and humid... sticky and horrible unless you are under a fan, in a breeze or in air-con... preferably all three It's fine tho, just different. The UK 'does' Christmas better in my books. I love the crunchy cold snow and bitter wind (yes really!) when it is accompanied by Christmas lights and a warm house to come home to. Hearing Christmas songs here feels weird, there's the usual rush around for presents and bombardment of adverts for presents... from 1 November onwards. You can of course have a roast, we will be - however, many people have seafood and gorgeously inventive salads, exotic fruit and cold champagne! (well that was our last Christmas anyway). There is a hotly contested 'best Christmas lights' competition where houses go 'all out' - you can literally get bus tours to see all the gardens lit up. We visit one or two with our young child - they love it! The optimism is a bit infectious. It doesn't matter where you have Christmas really - as long as you are with people (family or friends) that you love and get a bit of peace at the end of a busy year. All the best for you and your family's journey. Hehe you love the bitter wind that's nice to know. I went out shopping today in the wind and I had to race back to my car trying to get away from it haha. It's just too cold couldn't feel my hands Going out to see lights sounds amazing. My kids would love that. I worry a bit about the humidity in Brisbane hope it gets better though. I would live to experience having seafood and lovely exotic salad on Christmas day. I think I would just feel like a birthday party haha. Of course it's Jesus birthday haha. It's always going to be nice as long as family and friends are there. Hope we get to meet and know each other when we get to Brisbane. Merry Christmas to you again and thank you for your wishes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nandini Millar Posted December 16, 2018 Author Share Posted December 16, 2018 3 hours ago, ramot said: We live by a lake and most of the houses have a display of lights on the back of our houses, and on the fences, a few are amazing, so we get a lovely double display with the reflection on the water. It’s really lovely. I find the spirit of giving to charity at Christmas so good here. Woww sounds amazing. I wish I live by a lake too. It must be so beautiful. Are you in Brisbane? Sounds like you are doing such a good job work giving to charity. Spreading love and joy merry Christmas to you again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramot Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Nandini Millar said: Woww sounds amazing. I wish I live by a lake too. It must be so beautiful. Are you in Brisbane? Sounds like you are doing such a good job work giving to charity. Spreading love and joy merry Christmas to you again Sunshine Coast, best place to live!!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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