Christmas Down Under

Helen · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 15

With just one month left until the great day, I was wondering about what it would be like having Christmas in mid-summer.

Is it as commercial as back home in the wintery north, with lots of adverts on TV and the shops putting up their decorations in October?

I know most people (myself included) are not greatly enamoured with the northern winter, but there is something romantic about being warm and festive indoors while it's dark and cold outside. I find it difficult to imagine Christmas in the sun.

How do people in New Zealand feel about Chrismas time?

gordster · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 15

I grew up in NZ, so Xmas has always been a summer holiday thing for us. In the old days there was the big roast dinner and trifal (sic) at lunchtime, but not the greatest when it is 25 C! Lots of people in NZ now have more relaxed christmases, with a BBQ or light lunch.

It is commerical as hell, so sorry you can't escape that! families getting together is a strong theme at christmas as well.

The great thing about xmas though, is you get 4 public holidays from xmas to after new year, so most people will take the 2 weeks off and go camping or go to the bach (beach holiday home).

I am leaving the UK in 10 days for Xmas at home. I did xmas here in the UK last time, and not the same. People seemed to get so stressed out about having a 'good' xmas, and saw strange sights like 50 people queing up to collect their pre-order ham/turkey-guys, that's why you pre-order, so you don't have to que up!

Xmas shopping can be stressful in NZ, but it is seem as a nice break to take easy and catch up with your family. I am looking forward to it. I'm sure you will get used to it, and some of my British friends in NZ said it was funny at first, but they like it now.

dan-ish · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 9:35 am Post subject: NZ Xmas

Christmas in New Zealand is a beautiful thing! True enough it is weird, but that is half the fun. What I really like are the Christmas cards with pictures of summer scenes on - no snow to be seen!

As for the commercial aspect of it, I thought that it was marginally less commercial in NZ, and I worked at a shop (Kathmandu outdoor gear).

The BBQ on the beach was a highlight cool

Merry Christmas, y'all!

Helen · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 19 Nov 2003 Posts: 15

Thank you for your replies gordster and dan-ish. I have only been using the internet for a few months now Embarassed

and I still marvel at how it is possible to get so much useful first-hand information, so quickly, from people with such a wealth of experience.

I hope you don't mind if I persist with my inquisitiveness and ask why you returned from New Zealand to England dan-ish; and why you left New Zealand for the UK gordster?

dan-ish · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 1:11 am Post subject:

Well, H. Bowen, I am from fair old England originally and only lived in NZ for a year or so on a year out from uni. It is a spectacular country, and one day I will live there. fingers crossed

I went to Oz, Fiji, etc on the way home and NZ comes out head and shoulders above the rest in terms of somewhere to live - even if everything is the other (wrong?) way around.

Bit of a shame about their rugby team though Wink

Zed Not Zee · Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2003 10:29 pm Post subject:

we toured nz last nz summer. we were amazed that so much of the displays used in the shops were pine trees, snow, sleighs and holly. it seemed so out of place with the warmth and sunshine.

gordster · I'll Hang Around A Little Joined: 23 Nov 2003 Posts: 15

Whay did i come to the UK, well I work in a specialised field, and there is more work here for me, but just landed a job back in NZ, so only one more week on this crummy island