"I'm Dreaming of a Beachy, Aussie Christmas"
As a kid, I couldn’t really identify with the winter visuals and snow-related activities we would see on TV or in a movie. Even being in Chicago six years now and being able to have a White Christmas, I still associate Christmas with 100+ degree days, licking my salty lips, digging in the sand with my heels for Pippis (like clams) fresh crab my Dad caught and my parents giggling. Christmas Day night would be a bonfire on the beach and fresh fish or blue swimmer crab, maybe some sausages and some pasta salad, or potato salad or if we were really really lucky -- some hot chips from the local take away covered in barbeque sauce.
Growing up in Australia, my six-week summer vacation was punctuated by the holy trinity -- Christmas Day, Boxing Day (December 26) and New Year’s Eve. These days were especially great, because we would get to play with our new toys or activity sets, stay up late and not shower before bed. The smell of smoke, the tightness of salty skin and the fullness of belly were all reminders of another awesome day at the beach.
I am taking my family down next year to experience this. It will be a little different to the celebrations of old, but I hope that I will be creating similar memories for my children. The ideal Christmas Day for me these days would be Vegemite toast and OJ or a cold glass of milk and Milo for breakfast and opening presents. Then apply sunscreen and be off to the beach for building sandcastles for a while and playing around in the water, and then some lunch.
Lunch is an effortless thrown together picnic of cold rotisserie chicken, sausages, potato salad, and grilled veges leftover from the BBQ the night before; some Sauvignon Blanc, or some good Aussie Beer (no Australian really drinks Fosters, just an FYI.) would welcome in the afternoon. Cricket on the beach, some snorkeling, maybe even some body or board surfing to really tire out the kids, and then as sunset gently makes its presence known and the blanket of stars come out, cuddling up with the hubby and a glass of wine in hand, an arm wrapped around the kids nestled together beside a small beach fire and retelling the foibles of the day, laughing and toasting marshmallows on tree sticks.
For Boxing Day, repeat the above.
New Years Eve was always staying up late and enjoying the oohs and aahs and clapping in admiration at the wonderful lightshow and colours in the sky; or watching Dad with the Catherine Wheels and rockets, again staying up way past regular bedtime. I remember the first time I saw the fireworks on Sydney Harbour; I was on a boat. I was an adult – and I still had the butterflies and anticipation like I used to as a kid. What a show, what a way to welcome in the New Year!
Vacationing and spending the holidays in Australia and the South Pacific is a completely different experience from simply traveling down for a break. Sharing holiday customs and intimate family moments with the locals at these times of year, and allowing them to invite you into theirs is an honour.
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Posted by Danielle Anderson at 12/21/2009 9:15 AM 
Categories: Australia, Australia Travel Experts Advice, Insider Tips, Postcards From The Edge
Categories: Australia, Australia Travel Experts Advice, Insider Tips, Postcards From The Edge
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