Christmas in Oceania is celebrated in the summer season. Both the countries of Oceania – New Zealand and Australia experience summer around this time. Therefore it is more than snow, furs, chilly nights and roasted turkey for Christmas. Christmas in Oceania entails to barbeque, picnics on the beach and surfing on the waves.
Oceania Christmas traditions in New Zealand are not very old. It was only in the 18th century that English settlers coming to New Zealand brought this festival along with them. Ever since, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm here. All the members in the family, in New Zealand, attend churches and Midnight Mass. The Christmas meal usually comprises of turkey and plum pudding with the ‘Pavlova’ a special Christmas dish, topping the menu.
As it is summer here, people generally go out on the beach and roadside and the heavy decorations of the ‘Pohutokawa’ or the Christmas tree is commonly seen. The culture of the ethnic Maoris of New Zealand has many attributes common to those of the European Christmas traditions. The elves and gnomes resemble the spirits of the Maoris and therefore they play a significant part in the celebrations here.
New Zealanders also love to shop around Christmas and therefore the market place is all decked up to attract the customers with special rate plans and packages. Gift giving is a tradition here and the people heavily indulge in it.
Christmas in Oceania is incomplete without discussing the Christmas traditions of Australia. Christmas celebrations here are similar to those of New Zealand as Australia also experiences summers around this time. Going to the beach and organizing picnics are definitely part of the Christmas celebrations here. However people here light candles on Christmas Eve and this has been the tradition for several decades now. Especially in cities like Melbourne, carol singers gather around in a central public place and light candles and sing to reminisce the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day here too witnesses the exchange of gifts and presents and people visit the churches to offer prayers.
Christmas in Oceania too is celebrated much in the same way as in the other parts of the world. The day marks the birth of Jesus the savior and everyone offers prayers to him and thank him for always being there for all. Feasting is another significant part of the celebration relished by all.
Holidays Hub offers online information on Christmas in Oceania. For more information, visit Holidays Hub
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