How many times have you said: ‘Next year, we are going to have Christmas on the beach!’
Probably remarking that it would be cheaper if nothing else.
But have you ever actually done it or is spending the 25th of December on an exotic beach somewhere with your family something that will remain on your bucket list of travel to do’s?
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Why not listen while you read?! One of our most popular podcast episodes – Christmas in New Zealand. What’s it (really) like?
You may be asking yourself if it could possibly be the same? Christmas down under.
Perhaps you are thinking of heading to Australia or New Zealand on holiday, or, it may be that like us, you are travelling long-term with your kids.
Or are you planning on taking the big leap this year and emigrating? Let me warn you; when we told people we were leaving the Uk to move to New Zealand a common reaction was:
“Oooh, that’ll mean having Christmas on the beach. That’s just weird.”
Different yes. Weird? You decide.
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Christmas on The Beach Or in The Snow?
For those of you weighing up whether or not to spend Christmas in New Zealand, here are the main differences you can expect to encounter this festive time.
Remember, we have experienced both.
We lived in New Zealand for ten years and we have just spent Christmas day in Upstate New York where it bucketed down with snow.
I think I even saw an elf and a reindeer.
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Christmas in New Zealand. What it’s really like. PODCAST #9
Christmas in New Zealand
- It’s hot, so…
- You can spend Christmas on the beach or get the water slide out in the garden. But…
The tree wilts, and all the decorations fall off the branches, which is extremely annoying.
This is because in New Zealand you cut your own tree down (an amazing experience) right in the middle of the new growth cycle.
I suppose you could go artificial, but then you miss out on nearly chopping your leg off with the blunt saw.
One of the many things I was to learn about living in New Zealand.
- You eat outside—the best bit. I love eating outside. Who doesn’t?
- You drink less because you tend to go for long, cool cocktails such as Iced tea rather than a big glass of milky Baileys. Honest.
- The fact that the fire is not lit makes it a lot easier to explain to little kids at bedtime how Santa is going to get down the chimney without burning his bum. Unfortunately though…
- Getting the kids to bed any earlier than 10 o’clock is hard because it’s still light outside. Meaning that you have to stay up bog eyed until the wee hours waiting for them to fall asleep.
- The food is really easy. You will usually have something on the BBQ. Of course. You can’t live down under and not throw something on the barbie at Christmas.
- Lots of people have ham and salads. We tend to have tiger prawns and maybe a steak. It just seems easier. Maybe it’s because it’s all outdoors, and it’s not as intense as standing in the kitchen. Not to mention…
- Christmas in New Zealand is less expensive. Where we are, in Taranaki at least, the build-up to Christmas is more about the coming of the summer.
- This involves feeding the garden – putting rose food on your ever-blooming flowers, and deciding if the sheep need shearing.
- Then, about a week before Christmas, you panic and think sh*t. I’d better go and buy some pressies. By which point, the shops have very little left. Luckily though…
- It’s summer so you can purchase beach toys which come in huge boxes, looking extremely impressive on the big day. But…
- By boxing day, you are ready to get the tree down so that you can get to the beach and not look at the sun shining on your baubles any longer. Because…
- It’s hot.
Just because you live in New Zealand doesn’t mean you will spend Christmas on the beach every year. The garden is the perfect place to spread out a big table.
Once Boxing Day rolls around every family in New Zealand is desperate to start their summer holidays! This is us camping.
The advantage of having Christmas in the sun is you can buy beach toys that come in huge box’s and so look more under the tree!
One of the best reasons to have Christmas in the sun. Lovely, long, warm evenings.
And what better way to celebrate Christmas on the beach than with fresh scallops?
Christmas In The Snow – America
- It’s cold. And if you are as lucky as we were this year in New York, it might snow. Which means…
- You can play fairytale in New York by the pogues on the radio- really loud, and do the female harmony. While…
- Drinking fancy spirits (because they are not a bloody rip off like they are in New Zealand.)
- Unfortunately, this results in you sounding nothing like the beautiful Kirsty MacColl – instead resembling the Irish drunk Shane MacGowan.
- No matter. It’s Christmas. Remember…
- You can light the fire, have a snooze, it feels so cosy. Careful though…
- The tree will wilt if you put it too close to the fire (which has to be lit all day cause it’s bloody freezing.)
- You eat loads. And loads. And loads. You can’t go out for a walk because it’s just too cold. But you can wear big baggy pyjamas so you don’t care.
- And even better…
- It gets dark early, so you start drinking at four-thirty. Meaning…
- The little kids can be put to bed at half-past three after being told that it is midnight and so they’d better get some shut-eye otherwise, Father Christmas won’t come.
- Leaving you to just…
- Stay in and watch loads of telly without feeling as though you should be outside shearing the sheep or deadheading the roses.
- Come boxing day you do your best to pretend its still Christmas because you are desperate for the celebrations to continue.
- After all, once Christmas is over, it’s a long winter.
- Talking about which…
- There is no boxing day in America. What’s THAT all about?? Surely someone in the White House gave their servants boxes of Christmas gifts the day after Christmas?
- Come on America. Your people need a day off after the 25th to let the turkey go down. But I’ll forgive you because…
- It’s cold, and it’s just…more Christmassy.
Have you ever seen anything quite so beautiful? Our kids longed for a white Christmas after spending many a Christmas on the beach, and they certainly got it!
Having a cold Christmas means you get to spend lots of time indoors doing really Christmassy things like decorating cookies!
The bliss thing about Christmas in the cold is that you can curl up by the fire and relax.
Spirits are a good deal cheaper in the USA than they are in New Zealand. All that snow makes it necessary to indulge!
What is it about the cold that makes you want to indulge in comfort foods?
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So Which is Best? Christmas in the Snow or on the Beach?
Having Christmas on the road was wonderful for us – and a good deal cheaper!
Because we were on such a tight budget we had to get incredibly inventive with our gift ideas.
The best present that I received was this gorgeous travel candle.
It lasted me the entire year (I would only light it when I needed to feel a little luxury!) I think it was about $20 and honestly, it was one of the best things I’ve ever received.
They both have their pros and cons, and I still can’t decide. So I did what I always do when I can’t decide about something. I ask the kids.
What’s the main difference between a cold Christmas and Christmas on the beach I asked?
The answer?
“Having a cold Christmas means that everyone comes together a lot more”.
And it’s true. They’re right.
Don’t tell them I said that, though.
When it’s hot, we are always outside. Someone at the BBQ, another down in the garden. Two on the trampoline.
But.
When it’s freezing outside, you all tend to congregate in one place and either chat or watch something on tv. Either way, you’re always together.
Note to oneself. Must learn to be more sociable with the kids when back home in New Zeland.
Whatever your preference, if you’re thinking of spending the holidays in warmer climes and are worried that Christmas on the beach might not right, remember, it’s not all about where you are – it’s who you’re with.
Whatever you choose to do this year, make it special. Happy New Year!
Liz x
I think Christmas is all about being together. Cliche I know. But true. It doesn’t really matter if it’s hot all cold. Lovely post and great to see you all enjoying your trip. Happy New Year Liz.
Happy New Year to you too my friend xx
I’m sorry but for all the lovely Christmases I have had here in NZ….It’s just not right!!
I miss that tingling feeling in my tummy when it starts to go dark at 3.30 in the afternoon, when you can “blow smoke” out of your mouth because it’s so cold, when all the shops are lit up with fairy lights, the fire is blazing and you just want to leave the Christmas tree lights on forever, that crunch underfoot as you walk through the snow to pick up a huge turkey you ordered weeks ago from the butchers, cooking the huge leg of pork on Christmas Eve for sandwiches whilst watching “Scrooge”(black and white version.. or maybe the musical) Looking up into the pitch black sky at 7pm and asking the children “did you hear that!? I think he’s coming!!) I am a self confessed hopeless Christmas romantic….I cannot function in 80 deg heat, daylight until 10pm, only being able to get a frozen, pigeon sized, ridiculously overpriced turkey,watching the sunshine on my tinsel, people with shorts and handles wearing Santa hats!! Spraying fly killer from noon till night, I want frostbite not sandfly bites!!!Noooooo, I absolutely love living in NZ, BUT… at Christmas I want to go home!!!
This is just a perfect description of an NZ Christmas! I should have asked YOU to answer the question! Never mind, this time next year we will celebrate Christmas and scratch our mozzie bites together! xx
I only had three Christmas Days in Australia, I have to say Christmas Downunder in the sunshine never felt like Christmas to me, it was a horrible commercial imposter hijacking my beloved winter highlight!
At the time, I was working in a large city store and whenever I was at work it ‘felt’ like Christmas.
The chill of the aircon was wonderful, the store would play Christmas music and the decorations were wonderful!
On my breaks I would race up to the third floor to Santas grotto – with its twinkly lights, snow scenes and Christmas music I was transported back to the magic of my English Christmases!
As I left work, I’d step into the blazing sunshine and long for England!
I only had three Christmases in Australia and I have to say Christmas Downunder in the sunshine never felt like Christmas to me.
It was more like a horrible commercial imposter hijacking my beloved winter highlight!
At the time, I was working in a large city store and whenever I was at work it actually ‘felt’ like Christmas.
The chill of the aircon was wonderful, the store would play Christmas music and the decorations were magical!
On my breaks I would race up to the third floor to Santas grotto – with its twinkly lights, snow scenes and Christmas music I was transported back to the magic of my English Christmases!
As I left work, I’d step into the blazing sunshine and long for England!
I hear you, Lin! The perfect description of Christmas in the heat. You are almost glad when its over so that you can just get back on with summer! x
You are my Blogcrush this week Liz…
Xx
Thank you so much Sophie! xx
I would love to go to New York for Christmas! I think I have had a couple white christmasses growing up in Wales but never a proper snowy one like you see in the films. Also, i would love try a Christmas in the sun just one time too, I like the idea of swimming in the sea on Christmas Day. Sounds like you had an amazing holiday xx #blogcrush
Well Wendy, you are always welcome to come and see us in New Zealand next year! x
Christmas on the beach isn’t so bad. I’m a kiwi so I’m used to it, but my girlfriend is from the UK and just had her first hot Christmas. She definitely thought it was weird!
Thank you for your comment Rowan. Yes, it takes some getting used to! Love your photos by the way, liz 🙂
I’m from upstate New York, and have lived in New Zealand for over 17 years now. I always loved Christmas time growing up… everything about it. Sadly, I cannot get used to a summer Christmas. I actually feel like Christmas has been torn away from me, and I haven’t had one since I’ve moved here. I’ve tried so hard to love it, but if I’m being honest, I hate it. I hate everything about Christmas in New Zealand. I actually don’t want to even celebrate or decorate at all. But, as always I will have to fake it for the children.
Thanks so much for such an honest comment laura.
I very much get what you mean…my daughter was 7 when we moved to NZ so I really wanted to make the whole summer Christmas thing work, and there ARE aspects of it that I love (no depression on boxing day), but yes…I get what you’re saying about feeling as though the Grinch stole Christmas!
It didn’t help that we spent a Christmas in Upstate New York with the snow and the lights and the whole American dream kind of Christmas…my kids ADORED it! Lovely to hear from you and thanks again for sharing your insight!
Liz
I hated Xmas in Oz, it wasn’t right. Wrong tree ( fake), too light, no street decorations, no dark, no lights, no candles, no turkey….ham! What’s with the ham? No cosy. Just WRONG. LOVE it in Romania at -20C all huddled around the stove, traditions, snow, it’s MAGIC. And you can be damn sure we’ll be in Romania again this year. You’re invited.
Yep.You’ve sold it to me. The actual day, yes, I agree is MUCH better in the cold. But. I really love boxing day onwards in New Zealand. Everyone is so positive and getting ready for the summer, whereas in England, all there was to do was try and ignore the credit card bills. And you can expect a visit from me in the summer please. We are heading your way in June xx
Ok, we live in Oregon USA. We seldom get snow for Christmas. It is cold but rainy not snowy. We have lived in southern California, nice, warm and sunny. I like warm but our mountains are covered in green fir trees not dried up sage brush. For me it is a celebration of the birth of Christ so where we are doing the celebrating at doesn’t really matter. I would like to visit down under some day