Christmas for me was always a bit of a no show. When I was five years old my grandmother died days before Christmas from Cancer and that seemed to end all real family Christmas's. We never all went to the coast for Christmas at the same time again.
I just remember Christmas involving presents in the morning, church some years and then a small lunch. When I was 16 we flew to the UK to spend Christmas with my Dad's family. London was stunning and everything I imagine Christmas should be but we actually spent Christmas with my Dad's sister in Kent. It may be the garden of England in summer but in Winter it is rainy and miserable. I was freezing and my strange aunt gave me a crocheted coat hanger for Christmas. That was not what a 16 year old wanted. Anyway so that pretty much ends my childhood Christmas's.
Fast forward to 18 and my year in Australia.
Christmas in Adelaide starts with the giant street pageant in the center of the city at about this time in December. It is sponsored by Credit Union Bank. The parade was magical. It was the first time I had ever seen anything like it in my life.
The next weekend the street parties started. I actually lived in a little village called Stirling in the hills above the city. Stirling closed its main street and the whole village seemed to take part in a party involving dancing and food. In the late evening a huge fireworks display followed and I can still remember sitting on the slopes of the sports field next to the pub with a huge group of friends watching the fireworks.
The days before Christmas involved parties with different friends and neighbours including our own small street party on Willow Lane.
Two nights before the big day we drove up to a nearby town where every house has the most incredible Christmas lights and displays. The towns electricity is picked up by the State for the month of December because the lights bring such joy to people.
Christmas day was huge amounts of fun with the whole family involved in cooking for the big meal.
The point is I wish in this country that we really celebrated Christmas. I would love to involve Ewan in something that has such a big and happy build up. It isn't about the commercialism but rather the incredible sense of community. I can't imagine ever having a street party here or the municipality closing the main street to sponsor a Christmas party for the people of their town. It just wouldn't happen. I think that's kinda sad.
The main street of Adelaide on Parade day
The swagman- Ozzies really do embrace their culture
Here comes Santa
The Christmas koala:)
Don't you wish we had something like that here:()
I do understand what you are saying, but, knowing how big a chunk of Aussies are not Christians it seems terribly empty. In Pretoria we have 3 great light festivals and it is great to take the kids. We always opt for Lawley street as it is close to us.
ReplyDeleteThat does sound amazing!
ReplyDeleteMy wish is to spend Christmas in New York one year. I would love to spend one Christmas when it's cold, or better yet in the snow.
Christmas in NYC would be amazing.
ReplyDelete