“It’s our chance to enjoy all the good things about winter: warm fires, comfort food, cosy nights with friends and family”- ALEX GREIG, Qantas Travel Insider
Australians have an odd adherence to Northern Hemisphere Christmas traditions – a touch of FOMO perhaps? Surely, then, the best time for this festive spirit is in July. Here’s where to find it.
We stoically sit through stodgy meals of turkey and boiled pudding smothered with hot custard, even as the sun beats down with stifling intensity. We spray our windowsills and alpine fir trees with fake snow despite spending weekends at the beach. We festoon fireplaces with woolly stockings in a feeble attempt at recreating the scenes from the corny Christmas movies we insist on screening year upon year (really? Love, Actually again?).
That’s why, in one of our chilliest months, July, Australians simulate a traditional cold-weather Yule to satisfy our white-Christmas dreams. Naff? Maybe a little. But who said you have to be cool to have fun? It’s our chance to enjoy all the good things about winter: warm fires, comfort food, cosy nights with friends and family; and none of the bad things about Christmas: shopping crowds, Aunt Shirl after too many sherries, hours spent over a hot stove. And what’s not to like about eggnog and Christmas crackers? Here are some of our favourite things to do this Christmas in July.
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Best way to avoid Christmas carols
Daylesford Cider Company is holding a musical Christmas in July event but thankfully the entertainment won’t be well-meaning-but-tone-deaf carollers. The Logan Duo, a Melbourne band, is playing at Daylesford Cider’s English-style tavern where guests can enjoy a crackling log fire, a Christmas feast and delicious mulled cider made on site.
ALEX GREIG, Qantas Travel Insider
