Down Under in New Zealand, Christmas defies logic. Tourists from the Northern Hemisphere to my fair country scratch their heads when they visit at this time of the year. On December 25th, they sit back on sun loungers staring out at the ocean, shocked to be wearing swimwear, or shorts and loose tees. Where’s the snow? How’d Santa and his sleigh manage to land? They can’t possibly curl up in front of a roaring fire to open their gifts. No, that’s because the summer sunshine abounds and blissful temperatures of 80 to 90 degrees prevail.
Yeah, this is how Santa arrives in my backyard.
We fire up the barbeque to cook the midday meal, attempting to drag the kids out of the surf and to the table to eat. Yes, that’s a Kiwi Christmas.
Check out this hilarious cartoon Christmas wish.
Oh, I so want the home office with a lockable door. How will you celebrate Christmas? With family and friends? With roast turkey and mulled wine?
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas no matter where you are in the world, whether playing in the snow or the surf. MERRY CHRISTMAS and have a safe and happy holiday.
* * * *
PROTECTOR–BUY THE BOOK: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Lyrical Press / Kobo.
Thanks Jo, love your work. Have a great Xmas in NZ from Rick in OZ
Sent from my iPad
Hi Rick. Thanks so much. 🙂 Merry Christmas to you too.
I ADORE the cartoon! 😀 As someone who lives in the northeast of the U.S., I admit your kiwi Christmas does feel odd. But fun too! Snow or no snow, cold temps or warm, it’s a wondrous day! Hope yours is merry and filled with good cheer, Joanne. We’ll be celebrating with family and friends.
Hi Mae. I love the cartoon too–it’s every writer’s dream. Have a wonderful time with your family and friends.
I would love to enjoy all new Christmas traditions like yours. I hate the cold and snow. I’m home today, here in Iowa USA, because of a snow storm that put 10 inches on the ground and 40 mile an hour winds. Are your winters in NZ like ours with snow and cold during our summers when it’s hot and wonderful here, because I wouldn’t mind commuting from one place to the other for six months a year?
Are our winters in NZ like yours with snow? I love this question. The North Island of NZ is subtropical, so we don’t have snow (this is where I live.) But, yes, the South Island does. I do though have a massive mountain about three hours drive from where I am on the coast, and in winter it snows on the very top. There are ski-fields there, so you don’t have to miss out–it’s just a wee drive to get there.
It’s strange because this mountain still has snow on it right now–in the middle of summer. (The snow will be there for another week or two.) You can literally go skiing in the morning on this mountain, then drive to the coast 3 hours away and hit the beach. What? Swimming and skiing in the same day. I know–it’s crazy. But that’s why they call NZ, Middle-earth.
Have a Merry Christmas in Iowa.
Raining in this part of the world, Joanne, but there’s a chance of snow on Christmas day. I like snow at Christmas time, but after that I’m done with it.
Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Maybe that office with a locking door is waiting in 2013. 🙂
Hi Tim. With snow at Christmas, do you get to make a snowman? That would be cool. I’ve never done that on Christmas day.
Merry Christmas to you.
Oh yeah. Snowmen and snow forts with the grand-kids. Usually our REAL snow comes after Christmas, though. We end up having our biggest snows just before Spring.
Aww, I just felt a spark of jealousy on building the snowmen and snow forts. What lucky grand-kids. 🙂
Reblogged this on Joshua Lisec.
Thanks, Joshua. I love a reblog. *smiling*
Way too funny. In Costa Rica we don’t have snow at all but it gets a little chilly (if you call 55 to 60 degrees chilly). We’ll probably be out on the road this year but plan to celebrate everything together in mid January. That is, if the world doesn’t end tomorrow. 😉
Hi Jo. The cartoon is gorgeous, isn’t it. Wow, you’re in Costa Rica. I have so gotta get there one day. I can report in NZ it is already the 21st, and the world didn’t end, yet… You travel safely on the road.
Merry Christmas to you and your family. 🙂
Reblogged this on Justine Dee – Writer in Play and commented:
One day I’d love to have a white christmas but there is something to be said for having a water fight christmas day with the water guns Santa brought this year.
Oh yeah, I love a good water fight, too. I’ve just bought water balloons and intend to hog them all. Thanks for the reblog, Justine. I hope your family has tons of fun with Santa’s gift. 🙂
It’s not really the weather that matters, right? Although I love a good snow on (around) Christmas, and I love winter sports–I could use a dip in the ocean right about now…
A very merry and warm Christmas to you Joanne!
Hey, Amy. A very Merry Christmas to you, too. You’re right, the weather doesn’t matter. I think it’s all about family and friends on the day. Have a relaxing holiday.
We just watch Dick Clark’s New Year’s Eve watch ball drop in times square!
Thanks for the hop & Happy 2013!
I did the tweet thing and all the rest followed things! LOL!!!
deethomas291 at gmail dot com