Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have Christmas in Australia? Would it be too weird if it was hot and not cold (or in England's case chilly and damp) Would turkey and tinsel and mince pies still be in evidence? What about the Queen, and arguing with the relatives over board games? Wouldn't we miss these Christmas essentials?
Our annual nostalgic yearning to recreate the Christmas we remember as a child is inevitably disappointing. Those relatives you only see once a year - well there is often a good reason for that. We don't even send cards anymore, the postage is prohibitive, and isn't that what Whatsapp is for?
Father Christmas actors up and down the country report toddlers asking for I phones and I pads for Christmas, and Toys 'R' Us are going bust.
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| Understated festive outfit |
I 've had a couple of Christmas's Down Under, and I can highly recommend it. Suffice to say the Christmas trees, presents and all that jazz are still in evidence, but without the oppressive necessity to max out the credit card, or descend into a sad drunken mess on the pavement after the office party risking hypothermia as you wait two and half hours for an ambulance to A&E. You can just lie on the beach with a hat over your face until you feel a bit better.
Aussies are much more laid back than us angst ridden Brits. If you want a barbie on the beach - well have one. You can feel the sun on your back and everyone is pretty smiley. Aussies don't knock each other to the ground in an effort to secure a flat screen TV from ASDA on black Friday. That's crazy, right?
The main difference is of course, the weather. Our complicated, dour, insular British tendencies are partly a product of our shocking weather. Everyone knows that a warm climate equals more outgoing, louder, less introspective personalities. In my experience travelling the world, this theory still holds generally true. Waking up every morning to bright blue skies and certain sunshine definitely does make you feel a lot more relaxed and generally happier. Everyone says you would get sick of it, but my friends emigrated to Perth over six years ago and they haven't got sick of it yet!
However, it's an English Christmas for me this year. I'll be staying right here in Newcastle, see my brother and my friends who are all very dear to me, get tipsy on Baileys, and not worry about being productive for a few days. There are people suffering around the world, and I am not in that position, so I'm lucky. I
would like to see the Remainers and the Brexiteers perhaps laying down their arms and having a game of football across enemy lines. I'm not going to hold my breath on that one though.
