AUSTRALIAN HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

In Australia they celebrate Christmas.

Australians have a bunch of Christmas traditions. Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and decorate their houses with Christmas trees and lights. Australians decorate with the 'Christmas Bush.' This native Australian tree has small green leaves and cream colored flowers.

SOME COMMON FOODS THEY EAT FOR CHRISTMAS

• Roast Turkey
• Roast Chicken
• Roast Vegetables
• Seafood
• Salads
• Christmas Plum Pudding

OTHER INTERESTING FACTS

• In Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the summer. It can be around 100 degrees on Christmas Day!
• To celebrate Christmas, many families might go camping or travel overseas.
• Australians might start decorating for Christmas as early as November!
• Many Australians might also send Christmas cards to neighbors, family, and friends.
• Some Australians go to the beach to celebrate Christmas.

Australians might celebrate Christmas with "Carols by the Candlelight." These are outside concerts in the warm summer evenings where people sit on blankets, light candles and join together to sing Christmas carols. These concerts began in 1937.

Another holiday that is celebrated is Boxing Day. Boxing day is celebrated on the 26th of December. (The day after Christmas.) Most people go and visit their friends and often have barbecues at the beach.

When Santa gets to Australia, he is said to give the reindeer a rest and use kangaroos instead. He also changes his winter clothes for clothing made for hot weather. Some people even say that Santa surfs into Australia!