Wednesday, September 22, 2021

Countdown to Christmas Midweek 2 - Australia

 

Around the World for Christmas! Another Down Under Stop

Wrap up the ‘roos and the ‘toos, we are going to Australia! Kangaroos and Cockatoos that is.

Following most of the rest of the world in festival traditions, Australian festivals are much like what the rest of the faithful observe for Christmas. The influence of the European Christmas makes the celebrations almost the same. Well, except for no snow, so keep your mittens and hats in your pockets for this trip.

The schools in Australia recognize the holiday and let all the stocking stuffers out for the day.

The influx of immigrants is taking the traditional holiday and putting other twists on it. With all the ethnic influences, the traditions will begin to change in the future to incorporate other national traditions.

Until then, the population of 18 million Australians share the holidays by spending time with family and friends, sharing gifts and eating lots of yummy food. Lots and lots of yummy food. Beach picnics and camping trips are not uncommon ways to celebrate the holidays. It is summer, after all.

A typical feast is filled with seafood, chicken, duck, turkey, deli meats, glazed ham and pasta. A favorite dessert is a Russian delight called pavlova. This is a meringue based dessert named after famed ballet dancer Anna Pavlova. There is a bit of a tussle over whether the dessert originated in New Zealand or Australia, but both countries agree that is was inspired by Pavlova. This dessert has a thin crust and is filled with kiwi, strawberries or passionfruit. It has lots and lots of cream.


Customary and recognizable traditional decorations and rituals are about the same as their European counterparts. There is caroling and greeting cards. There are traditional Christmas Eve services at churches and a mass on Christmas day for the Catholic participants.

The Australian Christmas Bush is a traditional decorative plant used in holiday decorations. This is also their fire season, so many of the members of the fire department are on high alert to wildfires.

The warm weather encourages outdoor candlelight services on Christmas Eve, and a crowd of participants gathering in Melbourne for the service can number into the thousands. This is a televised service, and it is filled with traditional carols and those carols particular to Australia like “Santa
Never Made it into Darwin” or “Six White Boomers”.

Six White Boomers
Early on one Christmas Day, a Joey Kanga-roo,
Was far from home and lost in a great big zoo.
Mummy, where's my mummy? They've taken her a-way.
We'll help you find your mummy, son. Hop up on the sleigh.
Up beside the bag of toys little Joey hopped,
But they hadn't gone far when Santa stopped.
Unharnessed all the reindeer and Joey wondered why,
Then he heard a far off booming in the sky.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.

Pretty soon old Santa began to feel the heat,
Took his fur-lined boots off to cool his feet,
Into one popped Joey, feeling quite okay,
While those old man kangaroos kept pulling on the sleigh.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.

Joey said to Santa, Santa, what about the toys?
Aren't you giving some to these girls and boys?
They've got all their presents, son, we were here last night,
This trip is an extra trip, Joey's special flight.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.

Soon the sleigh was flashing past, right over Marble Bar,
Slow down there, cried Santa, it can't be far,
Come up on my lap here, son, and have a look around.
There she is, that's Mummy, bounding up and down.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.

Well that's the bestest Christmas treat that Joey ever had,
Curled up in mother's pouch feeling snug and glad.
The last they saw was Santa heading northwards from the sun,
The only year the boomers worked a double run.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun.
Six white boomers, snow white boomers,
On his Australian run.

(by the way, a boomer is an adult male kangaroo)


Thanks to Catherine and Seamus for making me laugh out loud when they shared this!

When it is all said and done, the next day is celebrated with Boxing Day.

This tradition is derived from the thought that employers boxed gifts for their employees the day after Christmas. Now, it is celebrated by cricket. The Australian team competes on Boxing Day, and those who are still in the holiday spirit cheer on their team during the test match. Sailing fans enjoy the start of the Bluewater Classic with the launching of the yacht race from Sydney to Hobart.

All in all, the day is spent playing in the water, basking in the sun and picnicking on the beach while singing about boomers and eating pavlov.

Maybe one of those boomers has put something beautiful under the tree for all the little joeys.

Cream Pearls and Siam Heart Swarovski Crystal Bracelet, Jewelry Gift




Carved Rose Shell Pendant and Mother of Pearl 19 inch Necklace




Swarovski Pearl Earrings Wedding White Pearls 22K Vermeil Gold Beadcaps



Gardenias, Note Card, 5 x 7,Greeting Card




Boho Style Necklace with a Tribal Look Pendant on a Black Leather Cord




Opaque White Swarovski Crystal Core Baroque Pearl Earrings





Giraffe Boho Earrings, Black White Tribal Batik Coral Handmade Jewelry



Nautilus Shell Lapis Jade Natural Stone Necklace





Christmas Earrings for Women with Coordinating Beads, Holiday Jewelry


Looking for something different?
Here are more links to more beautiful, handmade gifts.

Week 1
Week 2

Argentina 

Ask any of the artists if you would like something special from their shops. Most do custom work, too. 

Quick, everyone back in the sleigh.

We have a lot more stops to make on our journey around the world for Christmas, and I would not want you to miss the trip.

Enjoy,
Julie and Harry


10 comments:

  1. What a fascinating post, Julie and Harry! I have a soft spot in my heart for Australia and always enjoy reading about it. Fun white boomer song! The white beauties are a feast for the eyes. Many thanks for including my giraffe earrings. Will pin and schedule tweets for all and share the blog far and wide! Treats to the Handsome Florida Pup from the Speckled Desert Moose!

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  2. Wow Julie love the post. I had to laugh at the video, great boomer song. Thanks so much for sharing. Thank you for including my pearl bracelet.

    Shared on 3 Pinterest boards and will come back to share more.

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  3. Great read about Australian Christmas and a cute boomer song. Julie, the "Santa Never Made it to Darwin" is an active link to a sex site. Might want to remove that...LOL. Thank you for the extra promo and for including my carved rose MOP necklace. All will be pinned, tweeted and hash-tagged.

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    Replies
    1. Julie 86ed the link. Thanks for mentioning it, as I definitely would've clicked on "Santa Never Made It to Darwin." I will absolutely refrain from trying to imagine why that title would inspire its use as a link to a sex site. lol. (Hope all is well! Treats to Master C.)

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    2. LOL - sorry about that. someone hijacked the lyric site - great catch!

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  4. So different from our cold weather activities. Love learning all this.
    Promoted.

    Thank you for including our nautilus shell necklace.

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  5. Thanks for adding me on. Tweeted to @hvaradhan and pinned to Tweeter Tree, Posted URL to my Tumblr account https://www.tumblr.com/blog/hvaradhan

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  6. Thank you, Julie for including my white pearl earrings. I thought I left a message here yesterday, but don't see it now. It was fun to read about the snow white boomers and see the cute video. I have shared each item and referred to this blog on Facebook.

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  7. Really nice - and funny - midweek post. Thanks, matey! The idea of a Christmas bush had me rolling. Along with the Boomer song. :) Interesting about Boxer Day, which I've never understood. Perhaps employers figured that a day-after-Christmas tradition would serve their regifting needs. Will share! (Treats to Prince Harry Pup!)

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  8. Once again, another interesting Blog sharing an Australian Christmas and traditions. Thank you for including my "Swarovski" Pearl Earrings among your other Pearl treasures!
    My grandmother, although Irish/Scottish would make Meringue Shells as a Easter dessert! delicious anytime. Thank you for taking the time for putting together all these BME Blogs!!

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