Australian Christmas Fun Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Although Christmas is celebrated in the Australian summer, many European traditions were brought along with the colonial settlers, some of which thrive in the 21st century, at least among traditionalists. One of these is the festive family meal, with as many relatives as possible joining in. However, it has become increasingly less likely that they will be sitting down around a table eating a hot roast with three veg. A buffet presentation, and (if there is no fire ban) any cooked foods being prepared on an outdoor barbecue, is much more common. But the prawns are not likely to be on the barbie - that's for snags and chops; fresh boiled or steamed prawns go down well with the range of salads and fresh fruit that is usually there.

Dessert can be a contentious issue, with many insisting on the traditional steamed pudding (despite the heat), and others in favour of the home-grown pavlova, smothered in whipped cream and seasonal fruit. I personally just go for the fruit - peaches, apricots, mangos, strawberries and cherries are usually at their very best!

Christmas activities do not involve building snowmen, or carving snow angels in new-fallen snow. Swimming and backyard games such as cricket are the go, once the presents have all been opened, and the decorations duly admired. Christmas trees in Australia are a lot like the ones I remember from my Massachusetts childhood, although in recent years there has been a strong move to increasingly realistic imitation trees. Some people like to decorate a living tree in their yard, but few of us live in regions where the right kind of evergreen grows well. (I do miss the scent of pine throughout the house at Christmas!)

On Christmas Eve (or another evening shortly before Christmas) there are Carols by Candlelight celebrations in many municipalities. The large city ones are televised, and feature lots of celebrity performances, but a local council event gives you a chance to enjoy the summer evening and sing under the stars. Fireworks may or may not be included, and you can extend the festivities by touring around the streets admiring the Christmas lights - some suburbs have such a high standard for these that bus tours are organised.

Boxing Day (for those who prefer sport to the annual sales held on the day after Christmas) is the day when the Sydney to Hobart yacht race starts; if you cannot be there, you can watch the sight as they sail out of the harbour. December 26 is also the first day (of five) of the traditional Boxing Day Test Match in cricket; again, if you can't get to the MCG in person, the event is broadcast around the nation. It's a public holiday, as we all recover from the day before and get ready to return to reality.