As long as he does what it says on the tin you'll be fine where as I got the reject tin. At least where my true family are concerned what you see is what you get, so I'm looking froward to having a proper Xmas with them.

Do you ever get used to Aussie Christmases?
No. Thereya go that was straight to the point, eh.
My opinion; you never, never, never get used to it. Me, I just make the best it.
Cheers from this little ray of sunshine

Hey Dorothy, I am with you on this one. This will be our 3rd xmas in Australia (if we are still here by Xmas), and the first 2 were awful. I spent last Christmas Eve bawling my eyes out and spent most of xmas day in bed feeling very depressed.

I guess like you coming from having Christmas in Canada, there is no comparison to the Christmas's in Australia. I miss the dark nights and all the houses lit up, I miss having tons of family around, I always had my tree up the first weekend in December and house decorated, not here, don't even bother with a tree.

I miss watching National Lampoons Christmas Vacation on TV, and its a Wonderful Life, I miss snow falling on Christmas eve, and a roaring log fire going. I tried making my usual xmas dinner last year, but it was too bloody hot, and our aircon in the house was not working well... so gave up.

Well who knows, we might be back in Canada before Xmas this year, as OH is out of work, and if doesn't find something soon, we have decided to give up on Australia and move back to Canada.

Cheers

Karen

Absolutely. I've been on the Dorset coast for 6 years - it's far less grey than the rest of the country and it's slightly warmer too. I rarely have to take ice off my car windscreen if i'm parked on the drive.

In an ideal world though - I'd make it warmer still. It's one of the main reasons I want to emigrate - I hate being cold

"Dance of the Flaming Arseholes"
Havn't seen this done since my para days.... very funny to the right minded ppl

I grew up in Dorset and would definitely agree.

Although my parents now live in Cornwall and reckon they've got even more of a micro-climate down there!

I LOVE the heat when i am at home, but hate summer at work - weeks spent living in the desert at 40+ with millions of flies is not fun.

Nope. Miss the smell of a proper xmas tree

by the time Christmas is here I will be over it.

Today I went to pick a single item up from Tesco- carpark was gridlocked, people were really aggressive and there were "christmas' items everywhere, carols etc- it is still early November.

Maybe christmas in Oz is less commercialised because it is summer. Here it is used to give people something to look forward to, and it is heavily commercialised. And it is getting dark at 4.30pm.

You know what? If I wasn't working this year I would pay for a flight just to come home for a couple of days. A Christmas back home would be sooooo good, I can't take leave at Christmas because of my job but given half a chance I would

Thats the crux I reckon - whats important to you. I still remember feeling öuch" when I heard the phrase "This is what Christmas is all about, having all your family here" - my first Aus Christmas, been here 6 weeks.....the person that said it had no idea what they were saying, but it really hurt. And now, knowing this year I will be 24 hours away from the people I want to spend Christmas with, I know I don't have it all, but that's just life, I have to accept it. I also know that they all have their own lives and they will have a great Christmas anyway - which is just as important to me

Walked out to the car this morning and was hit by the first humidity, only mild but my heart sunk further when the neighbour opposite has erected a huge plastic christmas tree in their lounge window, hellooooo its november 8.

Heat and Christmas for me just dont go

Bit late then Chrissy stuff has been in the shops since late september Just puts you off really, chrissy anywhere stuff should come out after Dec 1 IMO.

Mind you its not dark by 4.30 pm, however it is light now just after 4.30am

Well if you can take a long Sickie I'll put you in my suitcase...as I'm sure I'm going to have a fantastic time however won't offer for next year as think I'll have 2 weeks in a weird and wonderful place.

Gee - was it said to wound you? After all, you were part of their family then - if it had been said in earshot of me I would have seen it as welcoming. If it was said to wound then you were/are better off without them. In any case, you want to spend time with your family around you, so you both have the same opinion.

Agreed about 1 Dec - Christmas starts with Advent.

I can't say I've noticed aisles of stuff in the local supermarket.

I know exactly what you mean, a stab right at the heart, very insensitive comment. I work hard at Christmas here for the kids, but I wish we were having a UK Christmas with our loved ones.