Well this is a most appropriate wear for a downunder Christmas - singlets. As most of you are aware, Oz is in the southern hemisphere and is "summer" here, hence the singlet outfits.
"Summer" in quotations since it is not that hot... actually the forecast is rain - so the traditional Aussie Christmas day lunch at the beach is somewhat in peril. But as most Aussie can testify, a rainy day won't dampen any Chrissy celebration... I know it won't in my clan.
We traditionally celebrate Christmas mid-night dinner as most Europeans do, so an indoor venue would do. The celebration and food is a mix tradition of sorts: Oz settings and weather, Pinoy foods with the
ube (purple yam) pudding/cake;
pan de sal (Pinoy bread) and my wife traditional dishes of
gallo de gallego soup (Pinoy style as handed down by the Spanish via Cavite: instead of ham hocks and corn for
callos, beef and/or chicken and beef bones, pasta shells, carrots, potatoes and onions); pork barbeque in bamboo skewers and
menudo (again Pinoy style). With some western traditional fares of ham and turkey (we don't have Thanksgiving Day, hence the chance to have some turkey!).
Definitely the toys for the kids occupy a central place under the Christmas tree and my daughter at the moment is still convincing her boys to sleep and be awakened for the midnight Chrissy gift openings. Cool for both kids and adults, Australia is one of the first countries to celebrate Christmas and we are obviously also the first ones to open our gifts! The Anglo Aussies will have to wait for Christmas morning, while the kids will have some more gifts to open from their
Ninongs and
Ninangs (Godparents).
As always, this time is for family and friends to share the joys of Christmas, to share whatever we can especially with those who are more in need. Let us therefore enjoy and celebrate these holidays but always keep in our minds and hearts the "needs and wants of others". Life is best shared with others, not just with friends and families.
