Wanderlust: Down Under: Christmas in Summer???

So this is my first Christmas away from family, first Christmas overseas, and first Christmas in summer. So far I have struggled to feel like it is truly Christmas. The sun doesn't set until about 8:30pm, and the average temperature is about 26C (85F). I also have noticed that people and places don't seem to decorate (inside or outside), play Christmas music, or seem as excited about the season as America. People seem to be more focused on the school holidays aka summer break, and are planning fun summer trips and events rather than focusing all their time on Christmas like we do back home. I do have to say there are still plenty of people here that are as excessive in their holiday cheer as we are back in the states, but as a whole there seems to be less Christmas spirit.

I have discussed with several locals, my concerns about not feeling like it is Christmas. They believe that a lot of the differences have to do with the season. We have cold, short days, where we don't have anything to do or look forward to besides the holidays and the traditions you have with friends and families. Here, it's summer, so although they celebrate they also are outside enjoying the wonderful weather and doing "normal summer stuff".

I have struggled to find Christmas things here, however with the help of my fellow Northern Hemisphere friend we were able to find a Christmas light display and Christmas carols in the city. We also viewed the David Jones windows (like the windows in NYC, they are known for their Christmas display). I have started to make the traditional candies and goodies that I make every year with my mom, refuse to listen to anything but Christmas music, and had a night of Christmas light looking and Christmas movie watching with my friend that lives near by.

Although it's been hot and it's sunny for 10 hours a day, it's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas with some of the familiar traditions from back home. As I am introduced to the traditions and experience of Christmas in Australia, I am also trying to share some of my traditions from back home with those I know here.