Christmas in Perth

I'm still amazed at how different things can be here, though they appear the same. Christmas trees in store windows, carol singing, holiday parties... But while everyone is glad to have a reason to take time off and celebrate with family and friends, I have seen almost no references at all to the sacred origins of this holiday. Toto, we're not in the Bible belt any more! Interestingly, there are "heaps" of pictures of Santa in the snow and on a sleigh, even though it's upwards of 90 degrees these days. Aussies make turkey dinner for Christmas, but it is served cold, often with ham and various salads, and lots of beer. I'm told by several Australian ladies that they serve a big seafood dinner on Christmas eve, with Prawns (shrimp) cooked on the barbie. There are churches here, but not many people attend them, and the references to Christmas are of Santa, Reindeer and presents.

Advertising is low-key. No super sales or late store hours, relatively few commercials and hardly any Christmas music except for some humorous Australian carols. A candlelight Christmas concert is planned, but it is downtown and I don't know how popular it will be. Christmas here seems to be an opportunity for family to spend time together, and Boxing Day (December 26) is usually spent watching the Boxing Day Test Match or the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Most businesses will close for two weeks, from December 18th and returning on January 4th. It is considered unthinkable to work during this time, and many Aussies will go "on holiday" with their families. Popular destinations include any beach, Margaret River vineyards, Swan River Valley, northwest Australia (Broome and environs), and those who can afford the airfare will travel to Sydney or Melbourne. We hope to explore more of Western Australia during the break.

So... we've been slow to catch the Christmas spirit. I did bring some ornaments from home, and we purchased a 4-foot artificial tree which will probably go up this weekend. On Sunday our church is having a pre-Christmas picnic on the river bank. We have been instructed to wear hats and lots of sunscreen :) We miss you all and hope your Christmas preparations are progressing well. And in the spirit of silly Christmas Carols, here's one for your collection.

The Twelve Days of Australian Christmas

On the first day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
A kookaburra in a gum tree
On the second day of Christmas, my true love sent to me
Two cockatoos, and a kookaburra in a gum tree

Three parakeets.........
Four great galahs.......
Five opals black......
Six 'roos a-jumping........
Seven emus running.......
Eight koalas clinging.........
Nine wombats waddling........
Ten dingoes dashing.......
Eleven snakes a-sliding.......
Twelve goannas going.......