Temperature in Australia often soars up to 30 degrees Celsius during
Christmas season. Traditional Christmas dinner includes turkey, ham and
pork. Christmas plum pudding serves as desert and served enflamed.
During the times of Australian gold rushes, Christmas puddings often had
a gold nugget inside them, which are now replaced with small favors.
Anybody who finds the favor is believed to have good luck throughout the
coming year. Mince pies are also popular as treats here. Australians,
especially tourists, love to have their Christmas dinner at midday on a
local beach. The hot favorite beach for the purpose is the Bondi Beach
situated in Sydney's eastern suburbs. Many families enjoy picnics
together or spend their days swimming in pools, playing Cricket or
indulging in other outdoor activities.
A new Australian tradition was evolved in 1937. On Christmas Eve,
thousands of people used to gather in the city of Melbourne for the
'Carols by Candlelight' event and to sing their favorite Christmas
songs. All members have a lit candle in their hands and it seems that
the stars have come down on Earth from the Sky. In the weeks before
Christmas, similar events are arranged in Sydney and the other capital
cities. Christmas Bush, a native plant with little red flowered leaves,
is used to decorate the houses. People indulge in Christmas shopping and
one can see Santa Claus on beaches on a surfboard or a surf lifesaving
boat.
