As I head into my second Christmas in a row home in Australia I’ve been reflecting on how I’ve spent the last few abroad. First it was with friends I’d made in my first year of living in London, the following years with my then girlfriend and now wife and her family in Belgium chasing that elusive white Christmas.
In that time I’ve been able to experience different traditions associated with that time of the year. Like with my wife’s family who celebrate on Christmas Eve and not Christmas Day as I did all my years growing up. I’ve also sampled mulled wine and all the goodies that come with the festivities of the Christmas markets right around Europe. And of course failed on all occasion to wake to the sight of snow falling outside my window on a chilly Christmas Day.
As I’ve gotten older I’d lost the joy of Christmas that was present when I was younger or when kids were around. Kids have this infectious effect on you as their excitement overflows into everyone around them come this time of year. Having celebrated Christmas in new ways abroad I’ve now found that exuberance again.
The fun of strolling markets with snow at my feet, a hot chocolate in hand and a chill in the air is as iconic as you can get (at least according the all the movies I’d watched growing up).
So to satisfy my love for the different ways people celebrate and to brighten everyone’s Christmas’s around the world I’d love to hear about how you plan to celebrate this year.
Are you living abroad for the first time hoping for snow, do you have a tradition that’s not the norm or would you just like to spread the Christmas cheer with a story? If so leave your reply below and help bring a smile and a warm fuzzy glow to others.
I’ve just moved from the UK to Australia with my Australian partner we we’re hoping to spend Christmas with his family in Tasmania. We spent last Christmas at my mum’s place back in the UK last year as we were living in the UK, and my partner had both his fingers and toes crossed that it would snow, but alas it wasn’t to be! I can’t remember another year when it hasn’t snowed so it was pretty unlucky.
This year is going to be totally different for me- living in Queensland i’m now having to get used to the heat and humidity at this time of year! Hopefully the Tasmanian weather will be a relief from the really high temperatures we’re having.
Lizzy at Nomad Notebook
Hi Lizzy, that elusive white christmas must be an aussie curse I think. Queensland is a place I’d struggle with in the summer, that humidity would do me in. Being over in Perth we get all the sun but without that sticky feeling. Tassie is likely to be more to your liking but imagine it still warm this time of year.
I’m spending Christmas at home this year! Home for me is Atlanta, Georgia and I’ve never had a white Christmas at home. However, I love spending Christmas in the cold weather and having tacky Christmas sweaters on. Not too exciting, but I didn’t spend Christmas at home last year (I was in Brazil) so it’s a little more special this year 🙂
Hi Hannah, having a Christmas at home after one away is a great feeling. My first Christmas after been away for the previous 4 was great. You never know what you’ve missed till you go without it once. I’d love to celebrate a Christmas in the US, always seem to be a country that goes all out for the holiday.
This is my first year living in Australia- I’m from Minnesota where Christmas is synonymous with freezing temperatures and lots of snow. To take full advantage, we are hoping to go to the beach on Christmas :).
Hi Laura, Christmas as the beach sounds about as far removed from your usual Christmas celebrations as you can get. But hey why not, especially if the suns out. I know you won’t be the only one enjoying a swim.
After having a few European Christmases – and several really lovely white ones – Christmas in Australia now seems totally wrong to me … it’ll never be the same again!
Amanda, jealous of your white Christmas. I’ve always just had wet and cold experiences in Europe so having a bit of sun works for me. Getting used to a WA now where you can visit the beach as well is an experience though.