An Australian Merry Christmas To All
Well, I know many of you in the Northern Hemisphere are having a cold Christmas, maybe even a white Christmas.
Want to warm up? Think of us down under where it’s hot, hot, hot. As well as the traditional Santa depiction, we’re also likely to see cards with Santa in board shorts on a surfboard riding the waves, to reflect fun in the sun at Christmas time in Australia.
Because of the heat, Christmas lunch or dinner might be salads, seafood and tropical fruit or maybe a picnic at the beach. Mangoes are juicy and ripe now and stone fruit such as cherries, apricots and plums are in season. Have you tried pavlova for dessert? It’s a light fluffy meringue conconction topped with cream and fruit. Australians and our neighboring New Zealanders vie to lay claim to the pavlolva as their own creation.
Check out the Australian version of Jingle Bells about an Australian Christmas… no dashing through the snow here at Christmas time. Six White Boomers is another popular Australian carol. Boomers are kangaroos.
Aussie’s have added their own unique spin to the English language, so if you want a “translation” of some of the more unusual words of these uniquely Australian Christmas Carols, just ask me. 
Do you have any special Christmas traditions in your part of the world?
Warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas to all and thanks for all your support through the year.
I can’t tell you how much I’ve appreciated it.
Merry Christmas, Yvonne! An Australian Christmas sounds pretty appealing right now. In Chicago, USA, we’ve had snow, snow, snow and cold, cold, cold. I enjoyed the lyrics to your songs, even though I only understand a little. We may need a complete translation.
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Let me know which words are the tricky ones…
From the Aussie Jingle Bells Carol -
ute (short for utility) is a pick up truck
esky - not sure what you call it in the US, but it’s a portable box with a handle to keep things cold.
swaggy - Australian swagman (itinerant worker who carries his belongings rolled up in a blanket - this is his swag as in the song Waltzing Matilda - Once a jolly swagman…. etc.
kelpie- an Australian cattle dog used to round up cattle and sheep
Any others?
It would be interesting to know which words I take for granted which are new to others from other parts of the world.
Merry Christmas, and a big ol’ tip o’ the hat, Yvonne! Actually, here in Houston, I think we’re competing with you for highest temps. But what the hey, right?
Cheers!
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Yvonne, it’s mild and grey here… kind of weather we have pretty much all year round. But it makes it easier to get about and visit family.
I’m so glad to see you here today, and smiling to think of you in the sun. Have a wonderful Christmas
Joanna x
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Yvonne,
Like Robert, I’m in warm Texas though we had some cold a few days ago. I enjoyed hearing about an Australian Christmas.
Wishing you and your loved ones a blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy 2009!
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Hope you’ve had a lovely Christmas. I’m doing the extended celebration this year, so happy 5th day of Christmas to everyone!
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Happy New Year, Yvonne! Hope you’re well and you’re recovering. :))
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Santa in shorts on a surfboard - that seems like a sight to behold, Yvonne.
Dropped by to ask how you’re doing, Yvonne.
Take care.
Me too - please email me, Yvonne!
Hope you are well.
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I’m checking on you too. Let us know how things are going, or e-mail.
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