So this is Christmas...

Until recently I did not realized it would be hot here on Christmas. Call it suspension of disbelief, but in my mind it was a little chilly, if not cold, everywhere on Christmas. Fast forward to reality- here in Perth we are just entering summer, this is a wrench in my works.

We have a Christmas tree, and outdoor lights, and a to-do list a meter long, the liquor cabinet is stocked and still it does not really FEEL like Christmas. The stockings are hung, everyone in the family has a cold, we are out of tape, the egg nog is made, it's Christmas right???

Wrong.

It's 85 degrees outside, you have to wear sun screen- there's no sun screen on Christmas!

Imagine cooking a turkey on the Fourth of July. Imagine what bug spray and pumpkin pie smells like.

No frost, no fires, no Bing Crosby, no wassail- GAG! It's summer vacation for Pete's Sake! NO ONE HERE HAS EVER SEEN A CHRISTMAS STORY! There's no easy listening station pumping out Christmas Classics. THERE WAS NO BLACK FRIDAY!

So do Australians have it all wrong? Are they missing out on the "feel" of this amazing holiday because of the warm weather and the urge to head to the beach?

Short answer, No.

So, we are doing what you do in the face of adversity- adapt.

Turkey = shrimp
pie = fruit mince
Christmas Jammies = t-shirt and knickers, (Davis refers to them as "snickers")
cookies = pavlova
fire place = pool
eggnog = bourbon and water
pralines = icy poles
elf on the shelf = ...there is no Southern Hemisphere equivalent...thank you Jesus!

Actually it's liberating- the lack of glitter and pomp. The kids made every ornament on the tree, I'm not up pressing napkins and polishing silver, there is no bird that has to go in the oven before sunrise.

We will wake and open gifts and then maybe go to the beach or a for a bike ride. No smocked outfit you can't get dirty, no clip-on tie. Board shorts and beach towels. Shrimp and a dip in the pool.

Do I miss turkey and stuffing, my family and friends and Feliz Navidad? You bet! But I am hoping my kids learn a lesson this year that has taken me a long time to grasp. Christmas is a feeling- it is a state of mind and life is what you make it. Hot or cold, ham or lamb!

So... fingers crossed I will get a Christmas card post up in the next two days...if not...

Merry Christmas to you and yours! Enjoy the season and whatever it has to offer. We miss you all like a front tooth and hope this finds you happy and healthy.

Much love,
The Atkinsons


Fact- Christmas trees smell like taxi cab air fresheners at 35 degrees Celsius.