Alex Jung
Here are some traditions and activities in Southern Hemisphere countries that enjoy a sunny and warm Christmas.
Christmas Day on the beach. Sarunas Burdulis. CC BY 2.0.
Growing up in Aotearoa New Zealand, rather than hoping for a white Christmas by the fireplace, I always looked forward to Christmas barbecues by the beach. Countries in the Southern Hemisphere celebrate Christmas in the summertime, making seasonal traditions vastly different from those in Europe and North America. As the holiday is fast approaching, here are some traditions and activities for countries that celebrate a summer Christmas.
In New Zealand, there is a special kind of Christmas tree. The blossoming of red flowers on pohutukawa trees in November marks the start of the Christmas season, with the flowers in peak around mid-December. The trees are found near the beach, where many celebrate their Christmas, adding joy and holiday spirit for New Zealanders. Many enjoy swimming, surfing and playing cricket or rugby with family and friends. For dessert, many New Zealanders cook a pavlova with an array of seasonal fruit, including blueberries, strawberries and kiwifruit. New Zealanders also have their own carols, with lyrics alluding to the summer Christmas, including songs such as “A Pukeko in a Ponga Tree.”
Pohutukawa tree. Rebecca Leathem. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
Australians also have the custom of celebrating Christmas at the beach. Seafood and salads are common dishes enjoyed by Australians during this time, and mince pies, which are filled with custard and fruit, are a common favorite dessert. In Australia, many cinemas and zoos are still open on Christmas Day for everyone to enjoy, including those who do not celebrate the holiday.
Mince pies. Alpha. CC BY-SA 2.0.
In South Africa, Christmas is accompanied by a lively outdoor gathering called a braai. A braai is a type of South African barbecue that includes boerewors, traditional sausages, lamb chops and chicken. The braai symbolizes community spirit, with neighbors coming together to enjoy food and music. South African Christmas is also celebrated with large amounts of flowers, including protea, which is the national flower. With 80% of South Africans identifying as Christian, Christmas morning service is also a very common and cherished tradition; many churches hold special services that include carols and hymns.
South African braai. Conrad88. CC BY-SA 3.0.
In Argentina, Christmas trees are often decorated on Dec. 8, the day that symbolizes the Virgin Mary's conception. Alongside the Christmas tree, it is common in Argentine households to have a Nativity scene, called a pesebre, as decoration. The largest Christmas celebrations in Argentina begin on Christmas Eve, when many Catholics go to church. The main Christmas meal is eaten late at night, around 10 p.m. or 11 p.m. on Christmas Eve, with main foods such as roasted turkey or roasted pork and desserts like panettone. Another Christmas Eve tradition is the releasing of globos, a form of paper decorations with lights inside, into the air.
Panettone. Nicola Delfino. CC BY 2.0.
In Brazil, many people go to a midnight Christmas mass service known as Missa do Galo that ends at 1 a.m. After Missa do Galo, it is common to see large displays of fireworks light up the skies in many cities around the country. Santa Claus is known as Papai Noel or Bom Velhinho in Brazil. There is a custom where children leave their socks near a window, and Santa will come and exchange them for a gift. Brazil also has a unique custom called the 13th salary, where in December, workers will get twice the normal amount of pay for the month; this is a legal and mandatory custom.
Missa do Galo. Halleypo. CC BY-SA 3.0.
Alex Jung
Alex is from New Zealand and South Korea, and is currently a student at the University of Chicago. He is majoring in Political Science and International Relations, and minoring in Middle Eastern Studies. He is passionate about social justice for minorities and indigenous communities. In his free time, he enjoys learning languages (Korean, English, Mandarin, and Persian) and writing novels and short stories.