Batty

You've just solved a dilema for me I was looking at my Xmas decorations yesterday and wondering if they would look silly without frost and snow outside. But I love them and definitely don't want to leave them behind. Thanks.

Batty

Over the last 10 years or so I've spent Christmas either in Holland with my inlaws or Ireland with my family or just the two of us. I much preferred the ones with the inlaws as they're just such relaxed people. I try not to get too caught up in the commercialsim of it and Christmas for me is about the people i'm around. So this year I'll be with the inlaws again and even though we might be on the beach instead of looking out at snow like last year I am looking forward to it.

Biddy

Sounds nice - apart from the inlaws bit - mine will be thousands of miles away - brilliant! Hopefully this Christmas will be spent with immediate family, maybe a few new friends, BBQ, wine, beach, discreet tinsel and tree and suncream!
Mmmm can't wait

Tayberry

As I said, it wasn't a roasting hot Christmas last year-certainly not BBQ weather either. Hope it is nicer this year.

ElizabethC

Hi Biddy

Christmas in NZ tends to be when families get together - a time I really enjoy. At our house we always have a decorated tree (but no other decorations), plenty of Xmas lillies, chocolates and nuts. We usually have a cranberry stuffed turkey, glazed ham and all the trimmings, fresh strawberries,raspberries, bosenberries and cream, a good old trifle and a xmas pud for my husband.

Mint &strawberry champagne cocktails usually finishes us off especially if we're outside and it's a hot day! And of course BBQ for tea.

So bring the tree holder and tinsel!

Gill and Rob

We have now been in NZ for 2 Christmas's. The first one was the traditional BBQ with friends. We only had a rather plain tree up and no decorations.

This year we went for the full monty roast turkey and all the trimmings. Dissapointed with the turkey, more like a big chicken. We had all the decorations up and the place looked lovely........when it was dark on a night time, during the day in the bright glarring sun, we looked like a family of clampets, the sort that in the UK keep their decorations up ALL year round. 2 days after christmas and they were all packed away for the folloing year.

Gill

shepslady

Im sure you are all correct in saying Christmas in NZ is more low key than those in The UK but you do have to keep in mind its a completely different season. Hard to make it feel like Christmas with snow etc but more & more people in Christchurch at least are starting to decorate their houses both inside & outside. As for the big traditional christmas dinners etc many families still do them but its really hard to enjoy a big meal like that in the heat so an outdoor barbecue etc seems to be a trend a lot of families go for today. My favourite meal on Christmas Day was to have all the family over for a christmas breakfast where we cooked bacon, sausages & ham on the barbecue served with fresh croissants, fruit & orange juice & champagne. It was an easy way to have my family all together leaving them the rest of the day free to visit other family. Once the children had partners of their own & we ( their parents) seperated & found new partners etc it was just so hard to for the children to spread themselves around. Having breakfast with me left them two other meals to spend with their Dad & their partners families. Christmas isnt going to be the same as the ones youve had in your home countries but then NZ isnt the same either is it? Its still a great day to spend time with your family etc & thats all that really counts. Cant believe people are saying its not very commercialised in NZ either. Of course Ive seen a different side of that too since I moved to the US & having Christmas in winter is wonderful....it really feels like Christmas but I still miss the beach & the sunshine

Tayberry

I don't think anyone was criticising the Kiwi Christmas Shepslady. It is what it is-a Kiwi Christmas-low key, less decorations, BBQ's, the sun etc. Of course it's different-it's a different country and as you say, it's a different season!! I don't understand your comment about NZ not being commercialised. I think Christmas is way too commercial in the UK. It's nuts. Tesco's have their Christmas stuff in the store late September!! There's way too much emphasis on what people are getting rather than what they are giving, which is one of the true meanings of Christmas. And I don't understand the mentality of ringing up massive bills on the credit cards just to give the kids what they want.

babybella

Agree Christmas drives me nuts in the UK, now have learnt to do as much as I can over the net. Actually going shopping is like a military operation. They called me the christmas gringe at work last year because I refused to give people I work with and see everyday a christmas card.
I always felt it was a much more relaxed affaire in NZ, I used to really like it in NZ. I hate Christmas in the UK and say every year that we should go away on holiday and forget Christmas, just way too stressful for me. Probably didn't help matters as I always do my Asda shop on line every week, forgot that everyone else would do it at Christmas, couldn't get a slot and had to go do the shopping myself. Asda on christmas eve, my worst nightmare.
KAZ

shepslady

Its cool Tayberry I didnt take it as a criticism at all was just mearly giving my account of Christmas Day in NZ is all.
My comments re commercialism thing meant that most Kiwis do think its very comercialised in NZ too but someone in an earlier posting said she/he didnt think it was! I agree with you on the mentality of ringing up massive credit card bills on kids presents etc. I knew a few people who did it in NZ but the number of people who do it here in the US is ridiculous. The one thing that gets me here is the number of really low income families who totally spoil their kids with expensive toys they cant pay for. Yards are full of outdoor play sets, the kids have the latest bikes etc & they hardly have money to put food on the table. Not only crazy but overkill too & it takes away the meaningof Christmas for me altogether.
Im torn between a traditonal northern hemisphere christmas with snow & bright lights the southern hemispheres warm sunny outdoor thing Either way I love Christmas cos it brings out the kid in me again