For the majority of Jen's readers, Christmas is synonymous with winter, snow, cold and things like hot chocolate, sledding and snowmen. For those of us in the southern hemisphere, it's all about sun, sand, surf... and well, summer.
Until I was 20, I'd had as many white Christmases, as I had had summer ones. Neither was strange to me, but I always felt a little bit more Christmas spirit when it snowed.
Unfortunately, that's not an option in New Zealand, so I guess I'll just have to put up with the sunshine, and 84F weather... (I'll take or leave the 90% humidity that's hitting us at the moment!!)
(Anyone jealous yet?)
In NZ, Christmas means BBQ's at the beach, seafood dinners and a day of family time out in the sun - maybe a game of cricket, or rugby....
In my family, we do things a little differently - a but more traditional - but then I'm a first generation Kiwi - both my parents were born in England, and one of them was brought up there too.
So we do our Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve - usually a roast Chicken with all the trimmings, and a more Kiwi spin on dessert - Pavolva. Then on Christmas Day we cook the ham, and lounge around.
Christmas started early for me this year, way back in late October when we started preparing for the local Santa Parade. The school I work at took part, as we do every year, and we worked hard this year to complete a float made out of recycled materials.
This glorious tree was the centre piece:
A week or so before school ended for the year (remember, our summer vacation happens now, over Christmas!)I started baking....
Reindeer for the children I teach
Trees and stars for some of the teachers at work...
And little goody bags of cookies for the teachers in the same team as me at work.
I love Christmas time in NZ - and as a teacher, I'm especially spoiled. Fancy morning teas (you know summer in approaching when someone brings out the chocolate covered strawberries!!), gorgeous gifts from children...
I received these lovely cupcakes from a child in my class - her mum owns a fantastic cupcake shop!
Clockwise from top left: Turkish Delight (it was gorgeous - I think there was rose water in the icing!), Lemon and Passionfruit (my favourite); Chocolate; Vanilla.
Clockwise from top left: Turkish Delight (it was gorgeous - I think there was rose water in the icing!), Lemon and Passionfruit (my favourite); Chocolate; Vanilla.
Aren't they stunning?
I'll finish off with a selection of photos of the Christmas decorations at my house - kind of what this whole tour is about! However, I hope in the first part, I've given you all a taste of what Christmas is like for me in New Zealand!
(Please ignore the state of my garden!! It's in the process of being re-done.. and during the almost tropical downpours we've been having lately, the weeds have gone into overtime growing!!)
A gingerbread house that I helped a friend make - certainly not beautiful, but a LOT of fun!!)
And we'll finish up with the tree at my parents house - a lovely real one too!!
I wish you all a joyful and safe Christmas season, with love, laughter, friends and family.
- C
