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Christmas in New Zealand By Laraine White (Rainebears) Christmas in New Zealand is less about snow and sleigh bells and more about sun, sand and barbecues in the backyard. On Christmas Day after all the presents have been opened and if we have time we will visit friends for a drink and sometimes we have friends popping in on their way to visit their families. Each year we alternate between my brothers house and our house to have our christmas dinner. Usually it is mid afternoon that we have our dinner and if it is a nice day we will eat outside. Christmas dinner at our house is always a traditional meal of glazed ham, turkey or roast lamb/beef with salads, coleslaws and roasted potatoes, kumera (sweet potatoes) pumpkin, carrots, onions and garlic for seasoning. For dessert we always have hot steamed fruit pudding with custard or brandy flavoured cream, Trifle laced with sherry and Pavlova topped with whipped cream and strawberries or kiwi fruit. Also Christmas cake and fruit mince pies. I prefer to spend Christmas with my family and extended family. The very best thing about Christmas is spending time with family and friends. I think most New Zealanders like to eat Christmas dinner at home. Some New Zealanders take advantage of the fact that it is summer to enjoy their Christmas dinner at the beach with barbecues and picnics. I love decorating the christmas tree and hanging all the christmas lights around the house and outside in the garden. I usually start decorating the house during the first week of December. On the left you can see a photo of the beautiful Pohutukawa which is regarded as New Zealand's iconic Christmas tree. The Pohutukawa also holds a prominent place in Maori culture and has become an important symbol for New Zealanders at home and abroad. Pohutukawa trees blossom in December and January and for this reason it is dubbed New Zealand's Christmas tree. Meri Kirihimete ... from New Zealand Laraine www.rainebears.com copyright pictures: Laraine White |
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