Over at Prima we're doing a walk around the world, checking out what Xmas is like for the DT in their parts of the world. I thought it fitted in well with what I'm sharing on here, so here is what I contributed for Prima.....
Welcome to my Xmas 'downunder'. On the other side of the world, NZ has a warm and sunny Xmas! It's starting to be summer, and people are really beginning to relax as the end of another year draws near.
As a child, because of our summery Xmas I never felt that we had a 'real' Xmas. All the Xmas cards had designs showing robin's on snow laden branches and children wandering around in the snow. It just isn't like that here!
In the last few years NZ has taken its summery Xmas to a new level with our own summery versions of 'traditional' stories being written and told to our children. It's a fun way to enjoy the different way we celebrate.
One thing that is totally different is our Xmas trees. The branches on our trees all face the ceiling. I remember having an American exchange student here for Xmas one year and how disappointed she was that our tree branches weren't facing the floor. It was certainly an eye opener for me. I and she assumed that something so simple would be the same the world over.
We also have a very special tree in NZ that is commonly known as NZ's Xmas tree. It is a beautiful native tree that grows around the coasts of our country, it's called the Pohutakawa. It flowers with the most stunning red flowers at Xmas time thus the reference to being our Xmas tree. There is an old wives tale that says the earlier the Pohutakawa's flower, the longer and hotter our summer will be.
Xmas lunch is usually comprised of cold meats (ham, chicken etc), salads, and freshly dug up baby potatoes with strawberries and pavlova for desert.
(mini pavlova's made by my friend Jane).
So what does Xmas mean to my family and I? Lots and lots of tradition. Starting at the beginning of Dec. Our twins were born at the end of Nov, and that year, just one week later we went out to the Xmas tree padock and cut our tree down. Since then we've done this every year. We like to celebrate their birthday's Xmas free, then the following weekend, we go all out with Xmas.
Another tradition we McClune's have is putting out food for Santa's reindeer. I make it up myself (oats, glitter, sequins) and just before bed, the children and I wander out into the backyard and spread it all over the ground. It's a lovely way to spend the evening watching the glitter sparkle on the ground as the kids get rid of their last bit of energy before Santa arrives (It also helps if you then take out a vacum cleaner or broom and sweep as much of it up as possible so it looks like its been eaten).

And now for some Xmas cheer Prima style.....
I created this LO using a photo of my kids as they decorated the tree. I love the way they decorated themselves also!
PHOTO
PHOTO
Because our schools finish for the year just before Xmas (our school year goes from Feb - Dec), we often give the teachers gifts when school finishes. This year I scraplifted an idea from another Prima DTer Nic Howard and created these greeting cards which I've wrapped in ribbon and will give to the teachers as blank cards to use throughout the coming year...
They are very simple cards, using gorgeous Prima products.
(536138 - Dynasty Ivory, 536107 - Dynasty Peridot, 535520 - Mini Rose)
I also tried out a new receipe this year for popcorn balls. I then placed the balls into candy bags and tied them together with divine Prima ribbon, then hung them on the tree....
(541415 - Lace)
Receipe: 3/4 cup light corn syrup (golden syrup for kiwis), 1/4 cup margarine/butter, 2 teaspoons cold water, 2 5/8 cups confectioners sugar (icing sugar), 1 cup marshmellows, 5 quarts (approx 20 cups) popcorn.
Melt all ingredients in large saucepan. Heating and stiring until it comes to the boil. Combine mixture with popcorn and coat each kernal.
Use butter or spray on oil to coat your hands, then quickly roll popcorn mixture into balls. Place onto greaseproof paper and wait to cool.
Wrap in candy bags, and join together with Prima ribbon. Then hang on your tree.
I hope this has given you a little insight into my Xmas 'downunder'. Merry Christmas everyone!