Jan n Neil

It certainly does for us, and we like that. Is it the weather, or is it the attitude? We did not miss the hype last year, our first Xmas here, and we are enjoying the relative lack of "in your face" this year. I do have a turkey for Neil in the freezer, we have Xmas parties at work, and we sang carols and we have a tree, but it still feels more in proportion, if you know what I mean. Your thoughts?

Jan

Am Loolah

Yep, absolutely. It's hard to get your head round initially, but this is going to be my 4th Christmas here and it'll be much like last year except we're now separated and sharing the kids ...

Wake up, do pressies, go beach around midday with friends, kyacks, boogie boards, surf boards, bottles of bubbles. Saunter home around 5pm for BBQ with friends and neighbours.

Awesome! No kitchen duty!!!!!

cookie2b

Iv struggled to get my head around a warm summers xmas.....until now! You've just completely sold it to me!

LukeandJo

I enjoyed my NZ xmas summer when I was there the first time.
The weather doesn't make a xmas IMO.

shirl

I still find it hard for Christmas in the sun even after what is it 4 years here come the 19th December!! However, having said that there is no pressure to produce the big dinner and get so stuffed that you can't move! This year I will be spending Christmas with both my sisters ( not done that since we were wee little children!!) My UK sister arrives this weekend and my other sister lives here anyway! We are having cold dinner with salad, spuds cold cuts etc. In the garden, weather permitting! down in Timaru! Then back home for New Years and away for our annual holiday 2 days later! I think because most places shut down for Christmas/New Year forced holidays and lots take their annual leave it doesn't seem that there is too much pressure on christmas cause everyone wants to get away on holiday whereas in the UK most people stay home and sit by the fire and stuff themselves silly! After all, its just ONE DAY! Then the shops are open again on Boxing Day! Enjoy the festive season everyone!

saoghalbeag

Hmm, maybe it's ChCh?? A friend was just saying that to me last night - that she didn't think they "did" Christmas as much here - but we are from Queensland, so that doesn't help the weather argument!!

I think it's more related to family and rituals. When I was in the UK I loved the idea of Christmas in the snow (as it should be according to all the carols and traditions) but it never, ever had that Christmas 'feel' about it. Last year we had Christmas in China, which was cold and snowy, and they go CRAZY for Christmas decorations, but it still wasn't quite right.

This year I'm in NZ and although it's warm...it's not the same.

I think the missing element (as much as they will annoy me on the day lol) is family. Plus, for me, coming from a small town - there's also the added aspect of 'heading home' for Christmas, knowing you'll see the old faces in the street, and all the catching up.

Can't wait to get there, even though I'll probably spend the whole time lying in a pool of sweat and longing for the cold!!

pricklykina

It takes me a while to realise that the time is upon us.
I make sure that the tree is up early though.
I like that there isn't the same madness. I use the month to prioitise catching up with people. For me that is what the season is about.

Then it's church on Christmas eve.
the big day is low key ..presents, lunch from the barbie, games outside hopefully
Boxing day has turned out to be my favourite as there's less pressure and easy to catch up with people

MattandJax

looking forward to our first christmas here. really low key for us compared to UK. but that sus me down to the ground. i used to get quite stressed and panicky leading up to it all.

and our lovely neighbours have just invited us round to theirs on christmas day, to join their family gathering, which is so sweet of them.

so our plan is to open pressies, go for a champagne brunch picnic on the beach, and off to the neighbours BBQ in the afternoon....

bliss!!!

Persephone

Yes it definitely doesn't feel like Christmas to me, just doesn't feel right when it doesn't get dark until 9pm There does seem to be less effort put into Christmas generally, it does feel more low key over here.
For me it is a mixture of the 'wrong' weather and not being around family and friends.
Mr S's family doesn't exactly make much of an effort; I shouldn't say this but I'd rather spend Xmas alone than sit around in silence [and sober]watching cricket...

Batty

It's taken me a while to get my head around it but I like it now. I was never a big fan of Christmas day (I much prefer Christmas Eve with the sense of excitement associated with it) and the 'wrongness' of it to us is only because that's what we've grown up with and are used to - half of the world has never known anything other than a warm Christmas. If you live in Auckland you must go see the lights in Franklin Road. That'll give you some Christmas spirit!

bourbon-biscuit

I'm a fan

Christmas is one big exhausting hype in the UK followed by several depressing months weather-wise. Here it's more low key, you get all that time off when the weather is decent and there's no let down afterwards

I think over here Christmas is in proportion, much less commercialised, much more about hanging out with family and friends.

Jan n Neil

Couldn't have put it better myself!

Jan

Matewx

I agree too!

When i was in the UK, I'd always get homesick at Xmas time.... I'd be working n away from my family...

Now... I'll still be working but it SO doesnt feel like Xmas... Like it!

Loolah - I still expect my present to come through in due course.... xoxo

Jan n Neil

we will have to meet up for a crimbo pint whilst u are in ChCh


Neil

CAN2NZ

Oh yes. I agree that Christmas doesn't feel quite the same. I put it down to the fact that Christmas is not suite to this time of year in the southern hemisphere. Where we come from the weather cools down, the nights get darker and lights begin to appear on the houses. Then just before christmas a little snow might fall. It gets very exciting with kids wanting to enjoy the snow, going out and looking at the lights, decorating our own house. Here, it just doesn't happen that way. We see very few decorated houses and of course it isn't dark early enough to be able to enjoy houses with lights. I find I just look forward to the warm weather and being able to have some time off. Christmas gets a bit lost too without any extended family around.