A Melbourne Merry Christmas

It really doesn't feel like Christmas. Today it was nearly 90 degrees outside, and while I'm loving the heat, I'm a little bit jealous when I hear that Denver got almost a foot of snow. To try to get myself into the Christmas spirit, I walked around Melbourne's CBD (downtown) yesterday and took pictures of the holiday decorations. Though an Australian Christmas is much tamer and low-key than the American version (sadly), these pictures will give you an idea of how Melbourne celebrates the holiday.

This bridge over the Yarra River has a giant mistletoe contraption hanging in the middle.

Federation Square is full of fake trees. Kids play hide and seek in them.

Stars hang above the street in front of Flinders Street Station.

I don't think you'd see this in a United States downtown display!

No, I didn't wait in line to sit on Santa's lap. I've been a good girl though.

Flinders Street Station from another angle-this looked pretty cool.

Myer's (basically the Australian version of Macy's) has an elaborate window display.
It was jam-packed in front of these, so this is the best shot I could get without waiting in a big line.

Merry Christmas Melbourne indeed.

Zack and I are heading out tomorrow morning to camp for a few days along the Great Ocean Road. We figure it will be nice to get away and just spend some time surfing and relaxing on the beach. It will be sad not being with our families, and I will especially miss the "Christmas House." Schultz Family-eat lots of venison and walleye for me and let me know who wins the euchre tournament! But we will make the best of it; sleeping under the stars on a beach during an Australian summer isn't the worst way to celebrate the holiday after all. Merry Christmas to everyone who reads this blog!

Our Australian-American Christmas

Our little Christmas tree...
Ornament pack, garland, and 1/2 off tree from Spotlight: $50
 Lights and blanket used as tree skirt: Free (gifts)
A feeling of Christmas spirit in our Australian home: Priceless

Zack was asked to contribute a written piece about how his country/culture celebrates Christmas. It's going to be included in a newsletter at work, and because he's so busy actually working, I wrote it for him in the form of a poem. I thought it would work for a blog entry as well, accompanied by pictures of the Christmas decor around our apartment. Since we have so many nice decorations back in the US in storage, I've tried to keep things cheap and crafty while we're here. On the left, you can see how I filled a glass vase I got from an Op Shop with some bulbs and bows for a low-cost coffee table decoration.

An American Christmas

In the United States of America,

Christmas is a big affair.

Starting after Thanksgiving in November,

red and green are everywhere.

Every store has a Christmas sale

and is decorated from bottom to top.

Carols are played around the clock;

the commercialism just doesn’t stop!

Every home has a Christmas tree;

some choose and cut down their own.

An angel or star goes on the top;

garland and tinsel set a festive tone.

Stockings are hung on the mantle;

cookies are decorated with sprinkles.

Nativity scenes show the birth of Christ;

indoor and outdoor lights twinkle.

A white Christmas with snow’s the ideal.

We drink hot cocoa, preferably spiked.

There are concerts, plays, and shows galore.

The Nutcracker’s one people have always liked.

A Christmas Story is on TV all the time;

Ralphie wants a Red Ryder BB gun.

His mom warns, “You’ll shoot your eye out!”

Feel-good movies are part of the fun.

Holiday parties fill the month of December,

and Christmas cards are lovingly sent.

Salvation Army workers ring bells near red kettles

seeking donations of dollars or cents.

Advent calendars count down the days;

kids can’t wait for Santa to appear.

They share their wish lists sitting on his lap

at the malls for a picture each year.

Some families attend church at midnight

or open gifts on Christmas Eve.

Others await Santa’s arrival,

so cookies and milk out they leave.

Christmas Day is spent with our families,

unwrapping presents and eating great food.

Eggnog and turkey or ham are served;

everyone’s in a jolly good mood!

It’s usually not until New Year’s

that the decorations are all put away.

And that’s how we celebrate Christmas
in my home country of the USA!

Rice Krispies are called Rice Bubbles here, and marshmallows only come in packs of pink and white ones. 

I painted a $4 canvas with $2 green glitter paint and glued on some shells I found on the beach. Go crafty me!