What's it like to celebrate Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere?

Question

I'm American, so I've sometimes wondered what it must be like to have Christmas during the summer instead of the winter. In the US and many other countries in the Northern Hemisphere, the ideal Christmas is a "White Christmas", as the song goes. Do people in the Southern Hemisphere often celebrate Christmas by swimming or engaging in some other outdoor activity? Do people in Australia or New Zealand ever sing "White Christmas"?

Answer 1

I am now living in Italy, but was born and raised in Australia, so I can tell you from my experience there is a big difference, apart from the obvious that it doesn't snow. Xmas is much more commericalised in Aust, than in Europe, although as you're American cosumerism must be even more evident. There is defintely a more Christmassy feel here than in a hot climate. More emphasis is on food, and you can definitely handle eating all the excess food when you're wearing heavy coats, and layers of clothing. In Australia we would usually still have the usual turkey with all the trimmings, but we defintely don't eat as much as in hot weather your body doesn't want it! Remember that when you are wearing layers of clothes it doesn't matter if you put on a bit of weight, you can hide it, but when you have to put on your bikini and head to the beach its another matter. Italians don't just have Christmas and St. Stephen's Day (Boxing day in Australia) they also have the Feast of the Epiphany on the 6th of Jan (another public holiday) which is also an important day, so Xmas goes from the 25th dec until 6 Jan, so it is just as the song goes, the 12 days of Xmas. In Australia Xmas sales start on the 26th Dec, so really its Xmas for just that 1 day and then its all about post- Xmas sales and getting ready for New years eve. I feel there its all about consumerism. People stress way too much about the hundreds of presents they have to buy for everyone, and get themselves into debt. It can be simpler and more meaningful than that if they wanted it to be.

Answer 2

no difference...

except there isnt snow