A Merry Kiwi Christmas.
Here’s hoping everyone had a very merry Christmas, and Santa’s elves bought everything you wanted and you had a fantastic time.
For us, we had a subdued one, as my family is still back in the UK this year, and this is out first Kiwi Christmas without them.
I have to be honest – I find Christmas in New Zealand to be a very odd time. I love Christmas; the lights, the fun, buying pressies for people, making way too much gorgeous food and not having to give a stuff about whether its healthy or not; and spending some time with the family. It was always the one time of year when we got spoiled rotten, and somehow, my brother and I always ended up with the coolest presents (mostly ray guns with lost of flashing lights and cool sound effects).
The problems I have here stem simply from the fact that it’s summer – and a hot one at that here in the Wairarapa. People still have Christmas trees with the lights; but who sees them when it doesn’t go dark till 9pm. And we don’t get the whole lights thing in the towns either – for that real Christmassy Late-night-shopping feel. I really miss the Worcester Christmas market, the mulled wine – and for some utterly bizarre reason – the cold weather.
I also seem to have a lot of problems with the whole Christmas dinner thing. I love cooking it – but here it seems to be an absolute nightmare getting hold of a fresh (unfrozen) turkey that actually is turkey. I didn’t do it this year, as there was only myself and hubby to cook for, and I have to say it was a nice change from having to go to Moore Wilsons to order a turkey and be old very snottily that they never order turkeys. They do – every year. And every year on the 22nd or 23rd of December they call us to tell us the turkey we couldn’t order is in! I have no idea why they get so snooty about it – they are fantastic the rest of the year! You know – I was once told by a guy in Meat on Tory in Wellington (a “butchers” selling top end (read expensive) meat for people in the city who really don’t want to cook, that it is impossible to get a fresh turkey at Christmas ANYWHERE in the world. I kid you not. I was gob smacked. I also found out that Tegel Turkeys (the main brand of frozen Turkey) is only 85% turkey. (15% water and sugar).
Many Kiwis seem to have Ham for dinner, or just do a barbie. I still like a British Christmas dinner, when I can treat myself to things I don’t normally eat (Like crunchy roast potatoes, and bread sauce).
We have made some new Traditions for the family since moving here. Christmas dinner is now at 4 or 5pm, so its cool enough to sit outside, and on Boxing Day – we head to the beach. Riversdale Beach has 2 busy days of the year – Boxing Day and new Years day, but its still almost empty by UK standards. We pack up a picnic of leftovers in the chilly bin, and head off for a day of lazing, reading books, and swimming. Its bizarre – but – we try our best .
There are too many migrants who get their knickers in a twist over those of us who struggle to adapt to the Kiwi Christmas. Or anything else for that matter. But you know what? It really doesn’t matter. I’m probably never going to enjoy Christmas here the same way I did back in The UK. I’m probably always going to prefer a winter Christmas, but that doesn’t mean I am any less entitled to live a new life here in New Zealand. It doesn’t mean I’m a “bad migrant”, and it doesn’t mean I have failed to integrate into my new life. It just means I prefer a winter Christmas. I will never understand why some people insist you have to like anything and everything your new life throws at you in order to be considered a successful migrant.
Trust me – you don’t. Preferring a winter Christmas doesn’t stop me hitting the beach for our Boxing Day Picnic, or jumping in the pool while I’m waiting for the (fresh) Turkey to cook.
We have nothing left to do this Christmas except relax, head to the beach a few times, and wait for the New Year.
Hope you have a good one.
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Comments
2 Comments on A Merry Kiwi Christmas.
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Fran on
Sun, 28th Dec 2008 9:51 am
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Avalon on
Sun, 28th Dec 2008 1:27 pm
Well I tried to leave a comment on Saturday but it was erased before I got to send so I got grumpy. We had a good Xmas at home inclusive of a 5.5 kg fresh free range turkey from Canterbury, courtesy of the butcher in Eastbourne and an no insignifcant no of $$$s. So yes with a vegetarian in the house i shall be eating turkey until this time next year………..
Wow isn’t the weather fab….. Andy is over to see Geoff later on today with Ratty. He had a big birthday on Boxing Day. Then we are up to Tauranga on Tuesday for New Year… back on Friday. Will be nice to relax in the hot pools. 2 days leave left then back to work for me. Andy doesn’t have to go back til the 12th…. ho hum
Over and out!
Franl
Wow – 5.5kg of turkey all to yourself! Sounds like heaven. And fresh! See – what is the guy at Meat on Tory on about ?????
Its VERY hot over here today – I hope Andy and Ratty have lots of sunblock – theres not a cloud in the sky. Im indoors for teh nest few hours with the Aircon 
Have a great time in Tauranga. We are ahving a very quiet new years, and heading to the beach.
Hugs
Helen
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