How Kiwi Kids Celebrate Christmas: A Season of Warm Foli and Beach Fun
Christmas, the focal point of the holiday season for many, varies significantly from culture to culture, reflecting unique traditions and climates. In New Zealand, the experience of Christmas is unlike that of its Northern Hemisphere counterparts, characterized by the festive warmth of summer and a distinctly Kiwi flair. This article explores how Kiwi kids experience Christmas and how families gather for a delightful celebration that balances family togetherness and outdoor fun.
Family Affairs and Summer Get-togethers
Christmas in New Zealand is fundamentally about family, and it is celebrated as a communal event. However, being a country in the South Pacific and in the height of summer, the holiday takes on a special charm.
Despite the festive spirit, the summer season in New Zealand makes for a uniquely delightful Christmas. The usual school holidays and the long days of summer bring families together for a festive gathering. It is a rare occasion where everyone is at home or within reach, making it a perfect time for a large family feast and tradition.
Traditional Kiwi Christmas Feast
The festive dinner typically consists of a variety of dishes – a quintessential feature of the Kiwi Christmas feast. The main course is usually a shared BBQ, with family members bringing their favorite dishes. Common main dishes include BBQed meats, ham, cold chicken, and a variety of cheeses and breads. Dessert plays a significant role in the feast, with popular options including Pavlova, trifle, ice cream, and berries, culminating with a selection of fruit mince pies, chocolates, and Christmas cake.
The responsibility and preparation are evenly shared, ensuring that everyone participates in the joyful process, from meal planning to cooking and cleaning up. The evenly distributed workload contributes to the sense of togetherness and team spirit.
Post-Feast Activities: The Kiwi Christmas Day
After the feast, the festivities continue with activities that suit the summer day. Opening gifts is a common tradition, but in New Zealand, it is done once all family members have gathered, usually early in the morning. Following gift opening, the family often enjoys a BBQ or beach activities. These activities are a blend of relaxation and fun.
The choice of venue for the post-meal activities can vary – it might happen at someone's home or at the beach. The day often ends with a gridiron game of cricket, or a swim if the weather permits. Nourishing along the way are leftovers that are ‘picked at’ to ensure no food is wasted. Sunburn, if any, is often dealt with, and families find themselves engaged in board games and other indoor activities.
In our house, monopoly and trivial pursuits are favorites, with a good dose of laughter and fun. Of course, a couple of adult drinks, possibly more after the kids have retired for the night, make for a complete festive experience.
Bringing Traditions to Life
A comparison with traditional German Christmas celebrations brings to light the stark difference. In Germany, the Christmas experience can be intense and stress-inducing due to the communal nature and the requirement for one person to manage everything, often resulting in too much fuss and too heavy food, especially for a hot summer day.
For Kiwi families, however, Christmas is simple, relaxed, and equally comfortable. The light touch of New Zealand’s summer weather makes Christmas a delight, and the family activities align beautifully with the festive spirit. The focus is on sharing, fun, and togetherness.
Preparation and Gift-Giving
Gift-giving in New Zealand is simple and heartfelt. While children get more presents on Christmas Day, gifts for adults are limited to 5 items, and often these are gifts that have been recycled or made by hand. It is common for families to collaborate to get kids’ larger, more expensive gifts. This practice ensures that there are no disappointments for the children and maintains a spirit of sharing and moderation.
Adults, meanwhile, receive 5 gifts. As for children aged between 4 and 18, they must give adults 5 presents as well. This tradition, while unique, adds a layer of fun and excitement to the gift-giving process, making every family member an active participant.
Personal Accounts of Christmas in New Zealand
I can only speak from personal experience, having spent a Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere, where the experience was starkly different. The Christmas in the North felt dull and unusual, reflecting the pre-dawn gift-opening, the heavy indoor meals, and the general buzz of the European tradition. In contrast, my memories of New Zealand’s Christmas are filled with warmth, fun, and the perfect blend of indoor and outdoor activities.
Like so many Kiwis, during my childhood, we would open our gifts early in the morning, play in the sea, and have a beach barbecue. These simple yet memorable experiences are something that still defines the essence of Christmas for Kiwis today.
Conclusion
Christmas in New Zealand is a celebration that highlights the contrast of cultural experiences across the globe. It is a time of warmth, fun, and family togetherness, embracing the unique New Zealand spirit. This unique and joyful celebration of Christmas is a testament to how the world can come together in the spirit of festivity, no matter the climate.
By featuring personal accounts and insights, this article aims to bring the essence of Kiwi Christmas to a wider audience, fostering a greater appreciation for cultural diversity during the holiday season.