jellibaby

This is our second Aussie Xmas except last years was a none event as we only just moved in to our rental on the 23rd and had a free turkey which came with the Fridge / Freezer from Bing Lee and that was pretty much our Xmas. Didn't know anyone - didn't get to see anyone but did spend some of Xmas Day on the beach - then it rained! Don't get me wrong we ADORE Aussie and it might have started off a damp squib but the year has been awesome.

Anyway - we've started early with the shopping - got the fake 6' tree, got about 5 boxes of baubles and a few other little twinklie hangy things - got the 280 LED tree lights - got the garden stake lights and also the XMAS pudding!

Here's the question - what will YOU be doing by way of Aussie celebrations this Xmas Day and how will it differ to anything UK past?

We have 3 UK friends visiting and 3 friends from PMQ on the day so 8 of us in total. We're thinking of a BBQ around the pool - any ideas on food? Not really wanting to do the roast Great British thing but will have the pud cos that's the best bit. Won't be off down to the beach cos the council BBQs are free here so there will be a bun fight for them. Might venture into the ocean though in the morning - that would be real refreshing.

Just wondering if any ex-pats have started their own unique Aussie Crimbo traditions?

jimbo_d

getting pissed, aussie and english xmases are pretty much the same really, just i'll be getting pissed in 40 degree heat which makes it all the more pleasant, and the hangover all the more unpleasant...

quoll

Probably being very restrained, trying to compromise a Christmas lunch for a bunch of vegetarian Seventh Day Adventists and a couple of paleo (organic meat and veg) eaters in a smallish family get together in Ballarat - probably in an apartment that we need to book. If it is anything like the Christmas we had there a few years ago, the sleet will be coming in horizontally or, alternatively it could be hot enough to fry the meat out on the verandah without benefit of any cooking appliances if it follows the trend of another Christmas we had there quite recently.

Cheetah7

Mr PP will more than likely be working so I guess I shall have a few cold beers and watch the cat and dog fight like cat and dog which they seem to be good at

Just try and adapt to it all I guess with it being my first one and all.

emelems

Think we're going to go to the beach after opening the pressies... tho, in the true aussie manner that I've heard so much of, we have just been invited over to spend it with the family of the caravan park that we stayed in whilst we were looking for our rental.. hows that for friendliness?!!!

Am going to get a tree and might even make a chrimble pudding.. seriously won't be doing the roast dinner.. will save that for next year.. one year on and one year off is my plan!

Em x

ABCDiamond

Roast Beef and Yorkshire pud with the family.

Cooking will be done outside in the Hooded BBQ, to keep the house free from too much heat.

Will almost certainly eat outside too, and those that wish can jump in the pool.

The Roast Beef and Yorkshire pud will be a change for us as its normally Prawns and other various seafood, and cold chicken or turkey.

moneypenny20

No idea. It's not on my radar yet.

Pollyana

WOrking All I need is a good East Coast Low Pressure area like last year to make it perfect

jam76

God only knows!!

I (+missus) will have been in the country for all of 25 days by then...

It won't unfortunately be a family affair but I'm sure we'll find something to do, even though it may not feel xmassy as a typical UK one. (i.e. Cold weather et al!)

Dorothy

The usual. Sleep in a bit, have brekkie, open some presents, lunch then to the beach for a swim before coming home for bbq dinner. Afterwards it's next door for an evening with the next door neighbours in the spa with some bubbly.
My kids love Christmas because they get champagne with the orange juice at breakfast and my son (12) is allowed to have a glass of beer and my daughter (14) is allowed a glass of sparkling wine when we go next door .

Hutch

I will be patrolling my local beach in the red and yellow.

rabsody

Back in Blighty with all my family, having a proper family Chrissy!

Hutch

Right down to the 3pm snooze on the sofa with The Italian Job flickering away on the goggle box in the background, bright purple paper crown all skew-wiff?

rabsody

hell yeah!

p.s. actually in my family it's usually an apres-lunch boogie to the beatles or the stones or something (or captain beefheart/steely dan if my mum is feeling particularly vengeful!). four generations, pissed, and attempting to dance to the beat - haha! .... then a snooze.

Desire

Back in the Uk .... Maidstone Kent with family and friends