I have also moved to Australia from a country where it was cold and snowing during Christmas, but I embraced the change and now I love celebrating Christmas in summer.
@@Prince077Aussie Doesn't make any sense to me either Prince, shrugs. It's sad when someone feels the need to say something so worthless that it makes you wonder "why bother wasting your, mine and others time, go find a hobby if you're that bored"....I did the opposite and spent a cold Christmas in the USA back in 2001, and once was enough for this hot blooded Aussie girl lol - I told many of them "Illinois just isn't fit for human habitation, especially if you're Aussie. Fit for polar bears and penguins ONLY" while I sat almost on top of the fire freezing to death, just wanting the torture to stop. Damn it was cold ( -18F) lmao
Sorry this is my 3rd post lol..as someone who migrated to Oz 40 plus year ago, I can tell that Sam is struggling.This happened to me I longed for my country of birth and family.So I went on a three week holiday. I was there only one week when I wanted to come home to Australia. The people I used to miss were getting on with their own lives and yes we caught up, but that was it. Once you leave you realise what a great country this is. I know of many Brits who came here,complained went back only to reapply to come back. I wouldn't live any where else. My only regret is that we never came sooner. Love to you snd your🎁🤶🌲
I’m Australian (living in Kent), and hate watching cricket. It’s a comment made a lot by my patients actually - “so you must love cricket” as if every Australian is obsessed with the sport lol. We do miss the Christmases of everyone coming round - it’s certainly not a thing here in the UK. We used to have everyone come to ours over Christmas (and other times) to celebrate together and it was so fun. We’re looking forward to moving back to the Sunshine Coast next year and enjoy all things Australian again.
Boxing day is friends stopping by with a plate of left overs, which we all share, while watching the boxing day test match on the big screen, while the kids are all running amok with their new chrissy presents, driving me and other Nanna's crazy with "Nan, is there any more batteries" "Nan, can you peel another prawn for me" coz all the mums are hiding in the pool nursing their thumping heads lol. Boxing day is awesome, better than Chrissy day even lol - Merry Christmas Johnston family. Have a great day, full of love, laughter and new memories. Hugs from WA
You need to get a Santa Key. You can buy them in the ornament section or just find a wonderful old key and tie ribbon on it. It’s a magic key that you leave on the front door for Santa to get in. Worked for us for 2 generations. Merry Christmas to the family.
Christmas in Adelaide is Christmassy! We have a huge Christmas pageant in November when Santa arrives and we embrace it ! I was born in England and I prefer the warmth! Happy Christmas 🎄
With us Victorians we sit through a cold winter. So when summer and thus Christmas comes it's time to get out and enjoy life. Not sit inside because it is to cold. So Christmas really does mean summer to us. My family is from English German plus many others but we still enjoy a traditional roast for Christmas lunch. But the evening tea meal is salads sea food and variety of cold cut meats ie Turkey Ham Salamis. I hope you get to enjoy other States more. As all are unique in their own way
I'm at the age now when my grown-up kids ask what I want for my birthday, Father's Day or Xmas, I always say nothing. I honestly have no need nor want for anything. Got everything I'm happy with already and I don't need new stuff to replace old stuff if it still works.
When we are in that place, we have three options. Some years we adopt an animal from WWF - you get a furry animal of the real endangered animal you’ve contributed to, but knowing you’re helping is the real point. There's also a contribution to the Salvation Army's 'back to school' program for disadvantaged kids. Third is sending a box of Christmas treats to soldiers who don’t have family.
@@Bellas1717 there's alot more than three options, thousands of opportunities to give back. Me personally prefer Kiva because it's the gift that keeps on giving.
@@Michelle_Emm I mentioned *our* three options. We choose which we consider best for us at the time. You, of course, might have different priorities to ours. Merry Christmas.
Hi I emigrated from Scotland 40 years ago and married an Australian we have 3 kids. I remember when they were about 15 taking them to UK for Xmas they hated the cold and the short dark days, as soon as we returned they couldn’t wait to grab their surfboards and hit the beach ( lucky enough to have the beach in our doorstep). We are now looking forward to our first grandchild. Embrace the differences and make your own traditions( sounds like you are anyway). All my family are still in the UK and I love visiting at Xmas but also love my Aussie Xmas 🙂
Love this site. As a 6th generation Aussie of English heritage, Christmas hot or cold , we always had a typical English Christmas dinner but this generation has decided to make it Aussie so the first time in my 91 years a bit different. 🎉
No idea what we are having at my daughters today but boxing day tomorrow they are here. We are having turkey, pork, ham, prawns already cooked in fridge. Will be accompanied by roast veggies and salads. Trifle for my son-in-law, pav and Christmas pudding. My house is decorated and Christmas table is beautifully done. I have been here for over 40 years and I still want a cold Christmas. I agree it's not the same but you do get use to it. With kids it always make it special and now with grandkids it's special. I went on Santa train with grandsons in Myer Melbourne and it was brilliant.
I grew up in Tasmania, yes it was hot at Christmas time! 🧐 My mother made Christmas Cakes, puddings and fruit mince pies weeks before! We had stuffed roast turkey and baked ham and vegetables, oven potatoes! Evening meal of prawns, cold meats and salads, berries and icecream! In Sydney, as people age (I miss my grandmother's) it's more casual and there is less visitors and cooking! Yes, we have had less Christmas decorations and songs the past few years, its the economy! All families have big trees and lights and Santa Claus, in Sydney some buses are decorated with tinsel too, and many people do wear Santa hats and neighbours hold lots of parties! It is easy to find traditional tree/home ornaments and unique and personalised handmade ornaments! We still have Crackers, carols and boardgames, and naps!! 😁
When we got rid of a chimney place in the UK. I also asked how Santa would come. My dad said Santa is magic and can make himself and gifts very small. He then sprinkles some Santa dust and they become normal size. I was happy with that. It always worked 😊 happy Christmas love from a warm and at last a dry Victoria.
A man in our street renovated his house (in Oz) and got rid of the chimney. His house has 'heritage overlay' meaning that the house has to look (from the outside) as it was built in that era. The local council made him replace it so he built a solid brick column. I don't know how Santa gets down that one!
Merry Christmas guys and a very healthy New Year. Right now, there are 210 million Americans wishing they were having some Down Under Christmas weather!
As an Aussie, I can see where it would be very different and not as good here as in the Northern Hemisphere. I would love to do a northern Christmas one year. But enjoy it, we love having you here.
Merry Christmas xxx great video x we have celebrated our first Christmas here in Melbourne, and enjoyed a bbq.. Rock lobster, burger and salad... Loved it. Struggled with the family at home and will admit did have a little cry. But still enjoyed the day. One thing I just do not get... Blow up snowmen... I get father Christmas, Christmas kangaroos etc but the snowman 🤔🤔🤔🤔...
Aussie native, I've never had a Christmas dinner - there's just a selection of cold meats, salads and/or BBQ for lunch, then leftovers for dinner if you're hungry at all. The in-laws do some cooked ham for lunch with salads and gear, but still no dinner other than leftovers. It all really needs to be food you can grab quickly between beach/pool visits.
We always try to do a turkey (only a little bit tho), chicken and pork roast. We do all the roast veggies for at night time, but we usually have a lot of salads during lunch (main meal on Christmas Day) with lots of fresh fruit and a pav. We generally don't do the prawns or seafood as we are in rural NSW. We always seem to keep the roasts in the oven (on low to keep warm) and all the salads in one of the 2 refrigerators we have. Most people in Australia have a main fridge in the house and a 2nd old (freezer working optional) one in the garage or laundry for beer (and Christmas). When I was 15 I was in the UK during the lead-up of Christmas for a holiday and it snowed on the 2nd last day we were there and we had 3 or 4 different Christmas dinners with relatives before we returned to Australia via Hawaii. We got back a few days before Christmas so it was great to experience a "White Christmas" while still having the Summer Christmas I have always known. I really prefer the Summer Christmas as usually the weather is nice and you can go visit friends, etc or go to the beach and really the enjoy the time off work/school, etc
When I was a wee girl in Scotland on Boxing Day we would to the carnival and now I’m an old lady in Australian I have never forgotten this magical moment. So I hope you will take your girls to the magic lights and make memories for them. Have a lovely Christmas
For food we have a British and Aussie mash up as my mum was born in South Shields. Me and hubby do pork belly and roast veg in the bbq plus we feast on prawns, crayfish and oysters. For dessert we do plum pudding. Yum 🤗
Apart from the hot weather, a big difference is that the kids get their 6 week break from school. So lots of families go away for Christmas and have their annual holiday. I’m used to Aus Christmas now, I’m in Sydney and never actually had a really hot Christmas Day, bit of cloud or rain sometimes! That’s fine because I always cook a turkey dinner with the trimmings! We don’t eat it till early evening so we’re more hungry. I worked in retail here for 10 years and loved the Christmas vibe in the shops. We always called family in uk on Christmas Day but before internet, sometimes you couldn’t get through! Message saying all lines were blocked! It’s easier now.
I've had a lot of Aussie Christmases. As a kid, growing up in a beach suburb, there were beach and surf toys and I couldn't wait to go to the beach to use them. As young marrieds, we had Xmas lunch in restaurants, especially waterfront or with a water view. Later, with kids, we'd go away, renting apartments or caravans but always close to the beach. Lunch would be seafood, salads and fruit. Now, with grandkids who are toddlers, we go to parks - especially beachside parks - and take all our stuff, including presents, and have a big barbeque; eating sausages, maybe steak, meat patties together with cold salads like potato salad, pasta salad. We use whatever tables there are there or bring our own, sometimes a fold-up marquee, folding chairs and music. And always prawns, always pavlova. Don't ask about the Xmas in London where it didn't snow, we had lunch at the Dorchester where they seated us under a map of Australia and entertained us with a Mexican Mariachi band. Ole!
Merry Christmas Ross, Sam and family 🎄🎅🏻 My family always had a traditional Christmas lunch, We had a roast meal with all of the trimmings, followed by plum pudding in Western Victoria. I now live in Far North Queensland. I spend Christmas on my own now.
I lived in the UK for 11 years and loved the cold Xmases. Dressing up and fireplace on. Roasts and roast veggies. Christmas pudding, custard and ice cream, other desserts as well. Neighbours come over in the morning for Buck’s Fizz. Then you sit down for a lovely meal... I agree with you Sam about the Xmas vibe and I’m Australian 🇦🇺
At 40c - hot food is a small portion of Xmas Lunch. Seafood, mixed cold meats, salads, ham, turkey, chicken & a few desserts. A beer or more with kids being kids & you have an Aussie Xmas. We always played a family game of cricket with all the cousins. We used to visit others on Xmas Night & then repeat again on Boxing Day.
Merry Christmas Ross, Sam, Aurora and bubba (sorry I am old and forgetful about her name) hope all your dreams come true. Btw Sam you are looking fantastic (ok you too, Ross lol).....Newish nana from Sydney🇦🇺🐨💖 P.s Santa has a universal key here!!! P.p.s you need to update your about button to have bubba’s name (not ordering you just letting you know)
Just discovered you guys and love ya's! As a born and proud Aussie with Brit dad, and someone who has lived in the UK twice in my lifetime, i love how you have taken Australia by the balls with both hands. It really is an amazing country that has endless opportunities and a better way of life than at least 70% of the world, and once you assimilate to that way of life you find the perfect balance between work and life. If you guys ever want to experience life in Melbourne, shout out and we'll host you with the guest room. Serious offer...and i live an breath proper FOOTBALL! Also, we cook a mean Adobo if you want it!
As a born and bred Aussie from a born and bred Aussie family on both sides, our family has always stuck to the traditional ham turkey roast veg stuffing gravy plum pudding custard etc. Plus crackers. No matter what the weather or whose place we were at. At my Uncles farm in a fibro house house with a wood burning stove in 38°. Even at my grandparents at the beach. Hot traditinal food for lunch. Then food coma the rst of the day. Just ridiculous. But if Im somewhere that has the cold salads and seafood it just doesnt feel right. Figure that out 😁
@@ThatJohnstonLife true that. 😂 No snowball fights or hot chocolates but at the grandparents there was the beach to cool down at. And at the farm we ran round under the trees with the garden sprinkler on. Just different but still christmas.
Couldn't help laughing at the "Turkey is British, potato bake is Aussie" comments. I remember Christmases in Australia in the sixties (my family have been here since the 1840s) where the turkey was utterly essential and it was a tragedy if you couldn't get one (they had to be ordered weeks in advance), so turkey is basically as Aussie as you'll get .... and as for the potato bake, no-one had heard of it here before the 80s, when something the French invented called "gratin dauphinois" (yes, impossible to say, so Aussies called it "potato bake" in about five minutes) was popularised by our version of Delia Smith (or Fanny Craddock) called Margaret Fulton. We grabbed on to it with both hands and we have never let go - best thing the French ever invented, but now it's OURS, dammit. Oh, and we are having a 1970s prawn cocktail - but with avocado added 🙂 Have a wonderful time, whatever you eat!
With temps around the 30's who wants heavy hot food however tasty and traditional it may be Think prawns crabs fish salads followed by cheesecake or pavlova ,fruit, chocolate mousse nuts Happy Christmas to you and family Hope all the girls enjoy the time
Over the years I've heard heaps of kids ask how santa gets in, most adults just make up an excuse as unrealistic as yours. I've also heard that he has a master key that unlocks everyones doors or that he just magics in. I'm the same with presents, horrible to buy for because if I want something I'll just buy it myself
When I was a kid I asked my parents how Santa was going to get into our house as we didn't have a chimneys in most Australian houses. My father answered with an explanation that in Australia Santa behaves with more civility and comes in via the door. I didn't think much of it at the time, but the memory of that makes me laugh as an adult.
Merry Christmas Johnstons. Watching this Christmas morning while we wait for family. I did 6 Christmases in the Northern Hemisphere and so definitely understand what you are saying about what you miss. Glad you are finding ways of making a Down Under Christmas work. I have really enjoyed watching you guys become increasingly Aussie but we give you a pass on never feeling completely like it is Christmas - your daughters on the other hand will not understand what you are talking about. One of the best bits of Christmas though is having heaps of left overs for the cricket. I heard someone this week call Christmas Day "Boxing Day eve" because that is when the cricket starts.
Sounds great guys, that's what it's all about. Just having fun and being happy. For desert I reckon you should try a trifle. They are great. Have fun and enjoy yourselves. You have a lot of Aussie families following you and would be happy to catch up with you guys. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and yours.
I had six Christmas experiences while living and working in Japan. I have to say, snow is overrated. I didn’t like the cold weather when I was used to hot summers
Well said Ross. You should of become a psychiatrist than a english teacher. 😜 Merry Christmas to you all and welcome the new year and watch you grow more. Always a good advice and a laugh watching your channel. 👍
Gone back to doing Christmas on Christmas eve so all the kids can have fun and be together for most of the day. The oldest still spends Christmas eve night and most of Christmas day at his aunts house with his dads side of the family so this way it makes it easier and less stressful. Otherwise he would be stuffed by the time he got here and the rest of the kids would complain about having a wait for open presents
G'Day, Merry Christmas to you & your family. You are looking happy & well, good onya. I do not know if you have been to Melbourne City at Christmas for it is known for the Myer Christmas Windows & the lights everywhere, plus of course tonight's Christmas Carols at the Sydney Myer music Bowl which is televised live and is even on the big screen at Federation Square a beautiful night for it and tomorrow 28 and boxing day 30, considering we are still going through the El_Nino & La_ Nina systems and will be for some months. Until then we will not get normal weather, if there is such a thing. By the way, you forgot the good old Hams at Christmas a very important staple at this time. One last thing, Jesus did not experience snow either on his birthday. Stay Safe.
Unless you have the ingredients right now, it's all too late. But, for the seafood sauce or prawn cocktail sauce let me give you this. A few tablespoons of Vanilla ice cream, a bit of a squirt of Tomato and Worcestershire sauce and a few splashes of tobasco sauce, I don't have exact measurements but tune it (+/-) to get the flavour, once happy with taste, back in the freezer until ready to serve. Trust me, it's better than any of that crud that masterfoods or other brands chuck on the shelves. Oh, and don't knock it, till you try it! Have a Merry Christmas guys!
Lawd! Mine is tomato sauce (must be Fountain), cream, tabasco, horseradish, Worcester and lemon - and like you, adjust to get it right. But frozen ... interesting !
@@steelcrown7130 Well by the time you dig in, it's softened slightly. Wow, might have to try your version too. Cold prawns and cold sauce is delish. Merry Christmas.
I would like to experience a white christmas just once but the thought of bone chilling cold and wet and lots of heavy food is foreign to me. I love sitting out in the warmth and sun eating seafood. Btw coles sell a yummy gingerbread and butterscotch xmas pudding which i serve with salted caramel or bundy rum flavoured custard. So good😊Merry christmas to you and your family xx
My family moved to Australia when I was 2 and my sister 5 As we had no other family here our friends and neighbours became our family. Sometimes we think how different it would be if we had family here but other times we look at it - thank god we didn’t
Merry Christmas to you and your wondeful family 😊😊 also love that you keep your ParkRun barcode in the same place as I do haha Also Kamusta from a fellow filipino
You are just feeling home sick. You won't see the rest of your family and friends for Christmas. It's going to be different. I lived in Darwin for 12 years and Christmas we spent with out at a park with a few dozen other people and we all shared the food while dripping with sweat. And I mean, dripping. Now I live down south, in Vic, and It's different again. I didn't see any of my family this year, my wife and I went to an RSL club and had a late dinner for our Christmas. It is what it is. It's different. Aussie's don't live in a fantasy world. We don't have a fantasy Christmas. For us, it's a day to spend with friend's and family that you don't see all the time. It's a time where we like to find a nice place to sit and chat and have a few drinks. We watch the kids play in the pool, we have a game of cricket in the back yard. It's not a fantasy, it's reality. You say it's hot in Australia all the time, so Christmas is just another hot day. Well, England is cold all the time, so Christmas there, is just another cold day. If you're going to stay here, in Australia, you're going to have to get over it. Either you like the warm weather or you don't. We LOVE our warm weather. We're never stuck at home because of the cold and the snow. In much of Australia, we can do whatever we want, on any day. We feel the same about Christmas in Australia, as people do in any country. It's simply that in Australia, the weather is warm at Christmas.
Listening to the last few minutes of this, I wondered about those who came here in the late 40's and then through the 50's and 60's. No internet to join the family you'd left behind - indeed in the case of many from mainland Europe, the family that you knew you'd never see again because of political considerations. For example, we had German speaking neighbours from what had been East Prussia but had been assumed into Russia and Poland after the War. Beyond those considerations, airfares were then very high and the boat trip took far too long as well as the money.
As a multi cultural country we respect other peoples beliefs and not go full throttle with Xmas...we celebrate Xmas on boxing day as family work...we chill on our Xmas ( boxing day) day with family...just relax as people get so f@#k stressed at this time of year and are total arseholes...hope 2023 is a great year for you 😁
Less than half the Australian population identify as Christian (43.9%). Almost as many are not religious at all (38.9%). The rest celebrate their own religious occasions. So it makes a lot of sense that Christmas isn't forced onto people. I'm not religious, and I equate the Christmas break with a chance to catch up with your good friends and relatives, getting away from the grind, and doing things that help me unwind.
I have also moved to Australia from a country where it was cold and snowing during Christmas, but I embraced the change and now I love celebrating Christmas in summer.
2kg rice bag converted?
@@BlunderBoyNehruJ WTF does that mean?
@@Prince077Aussie Doesn't make any sense to me either Prince, shrugs. It's sad when someone feels the need to say something so worthless that it makes you wonder "why bother wasting your, mine and others time, go find a hobby if you're that bored"....I did the opposite and spent a cold Christmas in the USA back in 2001, and once was enough for this hot blooded Aussie girl lol - I told many of them "Illinois just isn't fit for human habitation, especially if you're Aussie. Fit for polar bears and penguins ONLY" while I sat almost on top of the fire freezing to death, just wanting the torture to stop. Damn it was cold ( -18F) lmao
@@Prince077Aussie it's an Indian slur directed at Christians by Hindus.
You can be confident that it was a horrible racist comment.
@@godamid4889 I am shocked 😳 that someone from India would come on Australian youtube channel and use racist slur against me. This is shocking.
Sorry this is my 3rd post lol..as someone who migrated to Oz 40 plus year ago, I can tell that Sam is struggling.This happened to me I longed for my country of birth and family.So I went on a three week holiday. I was there only one week when I wanted to come home to Australia. The people I used to miss were getting on with their own lives and yes we caught up, but that was it. Once you leave you realise what a great country this is. I know of many Brits who came here,complained went back only to reapply to come back. I wouldn't live any where else. My only regret is that we never came sooner. Love to you snd your🎁🤶🌲
To be fair, it's understandable that the homesickness is more prevalent during Christmas.
I’m Australian (living in Kent), and hate watching cricket. It’s a comment made a lot by my patients actually - “so you must love cricket” as if every Australian is obsessed with the sport lol.
We do miss the Christmases of everyone coming round - it’s certainly not a thing here in the UK. We used to have everyone come to ours over Christmas (and other times) to celebrate together and it was so fun. We’re looking forward to moving back to the Sunshine Coast next year and enjoy all things Australian again.
I had Christmas dinner with my 3dogs. Best Christmas ever!
Sounds divine
Boxing day is friends stopping by with a plate of left overs, which we all share, while watching the boxing day test match on the big screen, while the kids are all running amok with their new chrissy presents, driving me and other Nanna's crazy with "Nan, is there any more batteries" "Nan, can you peel another prawn for me" coz all the mums are hiding in the pool nursing their thumping heads lol. Boxing day is awesome, better than Chrissy day even lol - Merry Christmas Johnston family. Have a great day, full of love, laughter and new memories. Hugs from WA
Merry Christmas guys from Adelaide where it is 32deg. Dessert is usually pavlova snd trifle. Have a great day🤶🌲🎁
You need to get a Santa Key. You can buy them in the ornament section or just find a wonderful old key and tie ribbon on it. It’s a magic key that you leave on the front door for Santa to get in. Worked for us for 2 generations.
Merry Christmas to the family.
Christmas in Adelaide is Christmassy! We have a huge Christmas pageant in November when Santa arrives and we embrace it ! I was born in England and I prefer the warmth! Happy Christmas 🎄
Dive in movies are good at wet and wild on gold coast
With us Victorians we sit through a cold winter. So when summer and thus Christmas comes it's time to get out and enjoy life. Not sit inside because it is to cold. So Christmas really does mean summer to us. My family is from English German plus many others but we still enjoy a traditional roast for Christmas lunch. But the evening tea meal is salads sea food and variety of cold cut meats ie Turkey Ham Salamis. I hope you get to enjoy other States more. As all are unique in their own way
As kids we got bathers and beach towels as presents. I remember being in the USA and get a scarf which amused me.
I'm at the age now when my grown-up kids ask what I want for my birthday, Father's Day or Xmas, I always say nothing. I honestly have no need nor want for anything. Got everything
I'm happy with already and I don't need new stuff to replace old stuff if it still works.
When we are in that place, we have three options. Some years we adopt an animal from WWF - you get a furry animal of the real endangered animal you’ve contributed to, but knowing you’re helping is the real point. There's also a contribution to the Salvation Army's 'back to school' program for disadvantaged kids. Third is sending a box of Christmas treats to soldiers who don’t have family.
@@Bellas1717 there's alot more than three options, thousands of opportunities to give back. Me personally prefer Kiva because it's the gift that keeps on giving.
@@Michelle_Emm I mentioned *our* three options. We choose which we consider best for us at the time. You, of course, might have different priorities to ours. Merry Christmas.
Santa in Australia just come through the front door specially when you haven’t got a chimney
Santa has a magic key to houses with no chimneys 😊
Hi I emigrated from Scotland 40 years ago and married an Australian we have 3 kids. I remember when they were about 15 taking them to UK for Xmas they hated the cold and the short dark days, as soon as we returned they couldn’t wait to grab their surfboards and hit the beach ( lucky enough to have the beach in our doorstep). We are now looking forward to our first grandchild. Embrace the differences and make your own traditions( sounds like you are anyway). All my family are still in the UK and I love visiting at Xmas but also love my Aussie Xmas 🙂
Glad life turned out great for you Karen, we may have our first return to the UK this Christmas. Not looking forward to the cold
Love this site. As a 6th generation Aussie of English heritage, Christmas hot or cold , we always had a typical English Christmas dinner but this generation has decided to make it Aussie so the first time in my 91 years a bit different. 🎉
Thanks for sharing!
What are the differences between an Australian Christmas and a UK one thankyou.
No idea what we are having at my daughters today but boxing day tomorrow they are here. We are having turkey, pork, ham, prawns already cooked in fridge. Will be accompanied by roast veggies and salads. Trifle for my son-in-law, pav and Christmas pudding. My house is decorated and Christmas table is beautifully done. I have been here for over 40 years and I still want a cold Christmas. I agree it's not the same but you do get use to it. With kids it always make it special and now with grandkids it's special. I went on Santa train with grandsons in Myer Melbourne and it was brilliant.
Santa has a magic key...you can buy them...
In South Africa we also have a warm Xmas 😀
I grew up in Tasmania, yes it was hot at Christmas time! 🧐 My mother made Christmas Cakes, puddings and fruit mince pies weeks before! We had stuffed roast turkey and baked ham and vegetables, oven potatoes! Evening meal of prawns, cold meats and salads, berries and icecream! In Sydney, as people age (I miss my grandmother's) it's more casual and there is less visitors and cooking! Yes, we have had less Christmas decorations and songs the past few years, its the economy! All families have big trees and lights and Santa Claus, in Sydney some buses are decorated with tinsel too, and many people do wear Santa hats and neighbours hold lots of parties! It is easy to find traditional tree/home ornaments and unique and personalised handmade ornaments! We still have Crackers, carols and boardgames, and naps!! 😁
All sounds very traditional Jennifer
@@ThatJohnstonLife I think it depends where you live, and the influence of your family! Christmas can be what you make it! 🤗🧑🎄🏖️
Fellow Tasmanian. I grew up with a very similar experience.
When we got rid of a chimney place in the UK. I also asked how Santa would come. My dad said Santa is magic and can make himself and gifts very small. He then sprinkles some Santa dust and they become normal size. I was happy with that. It always worked 😊 happy Christmas love from a warm and at last a dry Victoria.
A man in our street renovated his house (in Oz) and got rid of the chimney. His house has 'heritage overlay' meaning that the house has to look (from the outside) as it was built in that era. The local council made him replace it so he built a solid brick column. I don't know how Santa gets down that one!
Merry Christmas guys and a very healthy New Year. Right now, there are 210 million Americans wishing they were having some Down Under Christmas weather!
Yes yhe eesther is really bad over there
As an Aussie, I can see where it would be very different and not as good here as in the Northern Hemisphere. I would love to do a northern Christmas one year. But enjoy it, we love having you here.
It just takes a little while to feel Xmas in Australia but it will happen.
Merry Christmas xxx great video x we have celebrated our first Christmas here in Melbourne, and enjoyed a bbq.. Rock lobster, burger and salad... Loved it. Struggled with the family at home and will admit did have a little cry. But still enjoyed the day. One thing I just do not get... Blow up snowmen... I get father Christmas, Christmas kangaroos etc but the snowman 🤔🤔🤔🤔...
Like Olaf, they must love summer. Sounds like you have a great Christmas Sarah, may have to try lobster too next year!
Aussie native, I've never had a Christmas dinner - there's just a selection of cold meats, salads and/or BBQ for lunch, then leftovers for dinner if you're hungry at all. The in-laws do some cooked ham for lunch with salads and gear, but still no dinner other than leftovers. It all really needs to be food you can grab quickly between beach/pool visits.
Sounds great!
We always try to do a turkey (only a little bit tho), chicken and pork roast. We do all the roast veggies for at night time, but we usually have a lot of salads during lunch (main meal on Christmas Day) with lots of fresh fruit and a pav. We generally don't do the prawns or seafood as we are in rural NSW. We always seem to keep the roasts in the oven (on low to keep warm) and all the salads in one of the 2 refrigerators we have. Most people in Australia have a main fridge in the house and a 2nd old (freezer working optional) one in the garage or laundry for beer (and Christmas). When I was 15 I was in the UK during the lead-up of Christmas for a holiday and it snowed on the 2nd last day we were there and we had 3 or 4 different Christmas dinners with relatives before we returned to Australia via Hawaii. We got back a few days before Christmas so it was great to experience a "White Christmas" while still having the Summer Christmas I have always known. I really prefer the Summer Christmas as usually the weather is nice and you can go visit friends, etc or go to the beach and really the enjoy the time off work/school, etc
I know it's Christmas day for you already so Merry Christmas to your whole family
When I was a wee girl in Scotland on Boxing Day we would to the carnival and now I’m an old lady in Australian I have never forgotten this magical moment. So I hope you will take your girls to the magic lights and make memories for them. Have a lovely Christmas
For food we have a British and Aussie mash up as my mum was born in South Shields. Me and hubby do pork belly and roast veg in the bbq plus we feast on prawns, crayfish and oysters. For dessert we do plum pudding. Yum 🤗
I forgot to add , book a holiday up at Marcoola for a week off in January . Perfect for a young family. You’ll love it .
Apart from the hot weather, a big difference is that the kids get their 6 week break from school. So lots of families go away for Christmas and have their annual holiday.
I’m used to Aus Christmas now, I’m in Sydney and never actually had a really hot Christmas Day, bit of cloud or rain sometimes! That’s fine because I always cook a turkey dinner with the trimmings! We don’t eat it till early evening so we’re more hungry.
I worked in retail here for 10 years and loved the Christmas vibe in the shops.
We always called family in uk on Christmas Day but before internet, sometimes you couldn’t get through! Message saying all lines were blocked!
It’s easier now.
Great tips thanks
I've had a lot of Aussie Christmases. As a kid, growing up in a beach suburb, there were beach and surf toys and I couldn't wait to go to the beach to use them.
As young marrieds, we had Xmas lunch in restaurants, especially waterfront or with a water view.
Later, with kids, we'd go away, renting apartments or caravans but always close to the beach. Lunch would be seafood, salads and fruit.
Now, with grandkids who are toddlers, we go to parks - especially beachside parks - and take all our stuff, including presents, and have a big barbeque; eating sausages, maybe steak, meat patties together with cold salads like potato salad, pasta salad. We use whatever tables there are there or bring our own, sometimes a fold-up marquee, folding chairs and music.
And always prawns, always pavlova.
Don't ask about the Xmas in London where it didn't snow, we had lunch at the Dorchester where they seated us under a map of Australia and entertained us with a Mexican Mariachi band. Ole!
Merry Christmas Ross, Sam and family 🎄🎅🏻 My family always had a traditional Christmas lunch, We had a roast meal with all of the trimmings, followed by plum pudding in Western Victoria. I now live in Far North Queensland. I spend Christmas on my own now.
I lived in the UK for 11 years and loved the cold Xmases. Dressing up and fireplace on. Roasts and roast veggies. Christmas pudding, custard and ice cream, other desserts as well. Neighbours come over in the morning for Buck’s Fizz. Then you sit down for a lovely meal... I agree with you Sam about the Xmas vibe and I’m Australian 🇦🇺
I just want to wish you guys and your adorable little girls...a truly Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.
I experienced Christmas in London in 1985. Just not the same as Christmas at home.
I don't no what it is bu this year fills weird. Half the shops don't have Christmas stuff as they normally do
At 40c - hot food is a small portion of Xmas Lunch. Seafood, mixed cold meats, salads, ham, turkey, chicken & a few desserts. A beer or more with kids being kids & you have an Aussie Xmas. We always played a family game of cricket with all the cousins. We used to visit others on Xmas Night & then repeat again on Boxing Day.
Merry Christmas Ross, Sam, Aurora and bubba (sorry I am old and forgetful about her name) hope all your dreams come true. Btw Sam you are looking fantastic (ok you too, Ross lol).....Newish nana from Sydney🇦🇺🐨💖
P.s Santa has a universal key here!!!
P.p.s you need to update your about button to have bubba’s name (not ordering you just letting you know)
Just discovered you guys and love ya's! As a born and proud Aussie with Brit dad, and someone who has lived in the UK twice in my lifetime, i love how you have taken Australia by the balls with both hands. It really is an amazing country that has endless opportunities and a better way of life than at least 70% of the world, and once you assimilate to that way of life you find the perfect balance between work and life. If you guys ever want to experience life in Melbourne, shout out and we'll host you with the guest room. Serious offer...and i live an breath proper FOOTBALL!
Also, we cook a mean Adobo if you want it!
Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄 Ross, Sam and family, hope you're having an excellent Summer Christmas 🎄 Day again this year
Merry Christmas 🤶 🎄 ❤️
As a born and bred Aussie from a born and bred Aussie family on both sides, our family has always stuck to the traditional ham turkey roast veg stuffing gravy plum pudding custard etc. Plus crackers. No matter what the weather or whose place we were at. At my Uncles farm in a fibro house house with a wood burning stove in 38°. Even at my grandparents at the beach. Hot traditinal food for lunch. Then food coma the rst of the day. Just ridiculous. But if Im somewhere that has the cold salads and seafood it just doesnt feel right. Figure that out 😁
Everyone loves there own traditions Kerry, yours still sounds great
@@ThatJohnstonLife true that. 😂 No snowball fights or hot chocolates but at the grandparents there was the beach to cool down at. And at the farm we ran round under the trees with the garden sprinkler on. Just different but still christmas.
Merry Christmas Johnstons hope you have a great day and all the best for 2023. 🎉🇦🇺
Good show! It’s storming and raining here already - Christmas tomoro.,
Couldn't help laughing at the "Turkey is British, potato bake is Aussie" comments. I remember Christmases in Australia in the sixties (my family have been here since the 1840s) where the turkey was utterly essential and it was a tragedy if you couldn't get one (they had to be ordered weeks in advance), so turkey is basically as Aussie as you'll get .... and as for the potato bake, no-one had heard of it here before the 80s, when something the French invented called "gratin dauphinois" (yes, impossible to say, so Aussies called it "potato bake" in about five minutes) was popularised by our version of Delia Smith (or Fanny Craddock) called Margaret Fulton. We grabbed on to it with both hands and we have never let go - best thing the French ever invented, but now it's OURS, dammit.
Oh, and we are having a 1970s prawn cocktail - but with avocado added 🙂
Have a wonderful time, whatever you eat!
We BBQ every year, wouldn't do it any other way . Love it! Merry Christmas guys, stay safe.
With temps around the 30's who wants heavy hot food however tasty and traditional it may be Think prawns crabs fish salads
followed by cheesecake or pavlova ,fruit, chocolate mousse nuts Happy Christmas to you and family Hope all the girls enjoy the time
I agree with your wife if I had to celebrate Christmas in England it would not feel the same
Over the years I've heard heaps of kids ask how santa gets in, most adults just make up an excuse as unrealistic as yours. I've also heard that he has a master key that unlocks everyones doors or that he just magics in.
I'm the same with presents, horrible to buy for because if I want something I'll just buy it myself
Do it the OZ way Ross! Have a barB all the way 🤣 and beer 🍻Cheers🎉
When I was a kid I asked my parents how Santa was going to get into our house as we didn't have a chimneys in most Australian houses. My father answered with an explanation that in Australia Santa behaves with more civility and comes in via the door. I didn't think much of it at the time, but the memory of that makes me laugh as an adult.
Merry Christmas Johnstons. Watching this Christmas morning while we wait for family. I did 6 Christmases in the Northern Hemisphere and so definitely understand what you are saying about what you miss. Glad you are finding ways of making a Down Under Christmas work. I have really enjoyed watching you guys become increasingly Aussie but we give you a pass on never feeling completely like it is Christmas - your daughters on the other hand will not understand what you are talking about. One of the best bits of Christmas though is having heaps of left overs for the cricket. I heard someone this week call Christmas Day "Boxing Day eve" because that is when the cricket starts.
Sounds great guys, that's what it's all about. Just having fun and being happy. For desert I reckon you should try a trifle. They are great. Have fun and enjoy yourselves. You have a lot of Aussie families following you and would be happy to catch up with you guys. Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you and yours.
Yes come and meet up when in Adelaide!!
Merry Christmas to you all ❤️
We don’t do hot meals. Cold Turkey, chicken, ham & salad. Too hot for hot roast food.
I had six Christmas experiences while living and working in Japan. I have to say, snow is overrated. I didn’t like the cold weather when I was used to hot summers
Love your post Ross,will you be doing a video on your Australian Christmas 2023?Thankyou.
I hope the sun shines for you guys tomorrow ❤🎅
Well said Ross. You should of become a psychiatrist than a english teacher. 😜 Merry Christmas to you all and welcome the new year and watch you grow more. Always a good advice and a laugh watching your channel. 👍
Merry Christmas to you & all the fam mate 🎄🎄
Gone back to doing Christmas on Christmas eve so all the kids can have fun and be together for most of the day. The oldest still spends Christmas eve night and most of Christmas day at his aunts house with his dads side of the family so this way it makes it easier and less stressful. Otherwise he would be stuffed by the time he got here and the rest of the kids would complain about having a wait for open presents
G'Day, Merry Christmas to you & your family. You are looking happy & well, good onya. I do not know if you have been to Melbourne City at Christmas for it is known for the Myer Christmas Windows & the lights everywhere, plus of course tonight's Christmas Carols at the Sydney Myer music Bowl which is televised live and is even on the big screen at Federation Square a beautiful night for it and tomorrow 28 and boxing day 30, considering we are still going through the El_Nino & La_ Nina systems and will be for some months. Until then we will not get normal weather, if there is such a thing. By the way, you forgot the good old Hams at Christmas a very important staple at this time. One last thing, Jesus did not experience snow either on his birthday. Stay Safe.
Unless you have the ingredients right now, it's all too late. But, for the seafood sauce or prawn cocktail sauce let me give you this. A few tablespoons of Vanilla ice cream, a bit of a squirt of Tomato and Worcestershire sauce and a few splashes of tobasco sauce, I don't have exact measurements but tune it (+/-) to get the flavour, once happy with taste, back in the freezer until ready to serve. Trust me, it's better than any of that crud that masterfoods or other brands chuck on the shelves. Oh, and don't knock it, till you try it!
Have a Merry Christmas guys!
Lawd! Mine is tomato sauce (must be Fountain), cream, tabasco, horseradish, Worcester and lemon - and like you, adjust to get it right.
But frozen ... interesting !
@@steelcrown7130 Well by the time you dig in, it's softened slightly. Wow, might have to try your version too. Cold prawns and cold sauce is delish. Merry Christmas.
@@bluedog1052 Yours is definitely worth a try!👍
In Australia we have magic windows that only open for Santa thought you guys already knew this
merry xmas to the Johnston family and a happy new years to all your family and friends ☺🥵😛
Always have a spare gas bottle in the garage . Don’t forget extra grog on Xmas day
I would like to experience a white christmas just once but the thought of bone chilling cold and wet and lots of heavy food is foreign to me. I love sitting out in the warmth and sun eating seafood. Btw coles sell a yummy gingerbread and butterscotch xmas pudding which i serve with salted caramel or bundy rum flavoured custard. So good😊Merry christmas to you and your family xx
Thanks for sharing Ross and Sam loved hearing your answers. Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy 2023 to both of you, Aurora and Sierra 🥳
My family moved to Australia when I was 2 and my sister 5
As we had no other family here our friends and neighbours became our family. Sometimes we think how different it would be if we had family here but other times we look at it - thank god we didn’t
Hot all year round? That's what you get for moving to Queensland lol. The southern states do get cold in winter
I will definitely miss my family
We also have traditional Xmas tree. Would NEVER have a white one!
Congratulations on the weight loss!!! 🙂
Will you ever go home (Britain) for the holidays so you can have family and your traditional Christmas ?
Merry Christmas to you and your wondeful family 😊😊 also love that you keep your ParkRun barcode in the same place as I do haha
Also Kamusta from a fellow filipino
Salamat! You too Stephanie!
Easiest place to keep your barcode
Through the aircon. 😂
Ross, I’ve noticed you are getting the upward inflections at the end of some of your sentences... (so Aussie 😀🇦🇺)
I've been practicing them Eva
@@ThatJohnstonLife 😂👍
You are just feeling home sick. You won't see the rest of your family and friends for Christmas. It's going to be different. I lived in Darwin for 12 years and Christmas we spent with out at a park with a few dozen other people and we all shared the food while dripping with sweat. And I mean, dripping. Now I live down south, in Vic, and It's different again. I didn't see any of my family this year, my wife and I went to an RSL club and had a late dinner for our Christmas. It is what it is. It's different.
Aussie's don't live in a fantasy world. We don't have a fantasy Christmas. For us, it's a day to spend with friend's and family that you don't see all the time. It's a time where we like to find a nice place to sit and chat and have a few drinks. We watch the kids play in the pool, we have a game of cricket in the back yard.
It's not a fantasy, it's reality.
You say it's hot in Australia all the time, so Christmas is just another hot day. Well, England is cold all the time, so Christmas there, is just another cold day.
If you're going to stay here, in Australia, you're going to have to get over it. Either you like the warm weather or you don't. We LOVE our warm weather. We're never stuck at home because of the cold and the snow. In much of Australia, we can do whatever we want, on any day.
We feel the same about Christmas in Australia, as people do in any country. It's simply that in Australia, the weather is warm at Christmas.
Listening to the last few minutes of this, I wondered about those who came here in the late 40's and then through the 50's and 60's. No internet to join the family you'd left behind - indeed in the case of many from mainland Europe, the family that you knew you'd never see again because of political considerations. For example, we had German speaking neighbours from what had been East Prussia but had been assumed into Russia and Poland after the War. Beyond those considerations, airfares were then very high and the boat trip took far too long as well as the money.
We are culturally sensitive to individuals who dont celebrate, but see how hard it is for you without your people.
In retail here most companies dont let you take holidays from 1 dec to middle of January.
Full Aussie Christmas fair
Try a mashed Potato bake
its so funny because I celebrated christmas in the northern hemisphere and it didnt feel like Christmas :P
Pav 4 sert, can't beat it :)
Love aussie land
Non religious people don’t have to listen to the jingle bells in the shops😂
As a multi cultural country we respect other peoples beliefs and not go full throttle with Xmas...we celebrate Xmas on boxing day as family work...we chill on our Xmas ( boxing day) day with family...just relax as people get so f@#k stressed at this time of year and are total arseholes...hope 2023 is a great year for you 😁
Less than half the Australian population identify as Christian (43.9%). Almost as many are not religious at all (38.9%). The rest celebrate their own religious occasions.
So it makes a lot of sense that Christmas isn't forced onto people. I'm not religious, and I equate the Christmas break with a chance to catch up with your good friends and relatives, getting away from the grind, and doing things that help me unwind.