Christmas Party
The key to a successful Christmas day party is planning!
Christmas Decorations
One of the best things about Christmas is the different ways you can decorate your house and garden. At Christmas time, houses transform themselves both inside and out. In Australia, the Christmas tree is usually the focal point of the decorations.
The Christmas tree is usually goes up at the start of December and for many families, the purchase of a Christmas tree and then decorating is something the whole family can do together. There are of course, many different types of Christmas trees that you can own.
Many families go out and purchase a fresh Christmas tree that they can decorate while others will pull out the artificial Christmas tree each year and dress it up with decorations that can make it look outstanding. There are many different and exciting ways that you can complete your Christmas tree decorations.
There are no rules when it comes to the personal selection of Christmas decorations. It is a time of year where you can be as creative as you have ever been with the decorating of your home. While the house and garden are often the focal point, you can really impress your friends and neighbours by dressing up your front door and windows.
One of the interesting facts about Christmas is when to put up, and take down your decorations. Our research has found that there are a number of different days that are popular.
As Christmas is a Christian religious celebration, decorations are often put up on the fourth Sunday before Christmas which is Advent Sunday. This day normally falls between the 27 November and 3rd December.
The second school of thought is that decorations should be put up on the 12th December, 12 days before Christmas and taken down on the 6th January, 12 days after Christmas. We don’t believe that the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” has anything to do with this timing! We do understand however that the 6th January was the day
the 3 wise men reached the baby Jesus and it took them 12 days to get there!!
Christmas Food
Everyone has different ideas on what sort of food they like to have on Christmas Day. If you are invited to other family members for meals you havent really got a choice of what your taste buds might feel like.
If it is your turn to host a Christmas Party you can do what you want. You might go for the traditional Turkey with trimmings, prawns on the BBQ, or something completely different from another Culture.
Grocery Shopping
Seafood is a Christmas favourite in our hot climate, but you need to get in early. The Fish Markets often have
extended trading on the few days before Christmas, to cope with heavy demand. Your local supermarket may also take orders but ask how fresh (or frozen) it will be on arrival.
Late night or extended shopping can help. Check your local stores for opening hours during the Christmas period. If you are really stuck for time you could skip the supermarket and shop online.
Ask your butcher if your turkey will be frozen or thawed when you pick it up — this will effect your cooking time. Order your meat pre-cooked if you don't want to spend the day in the kitchen.
Christmas Celebrated at a Restaurant
A Christmas celebration at a restaurant is a great idea. No cooking, cleaning or fuss. Make sure you book a table at your favourite restaurant well ahead of time. If you are trying somewhere new and you have children, ask what facilities are available and let the restaurant know if you require a high chair or booster seat.
Find out if the restaurant is BYO or licensed and ask about their corkage policy for Christmas day.
Prawns on Christmas Day
Prawns can be cooked either whole in their shell which adds to the flavour and helps retain moisture, or shelled with
their heads and tails left on. The juices that come out of the head when pan-frying make a delicious sauce when stirred with butter, garlic and parsley.
Prawns are delicious whole in their shells on the barbecue. Lemon juice and olive oil drizzled over them, then dipped into mayonnaise.
The best way to buy prawns:
Green (raw) Prawns in their shell are the best way because the shell contributes to the flavour and is a good indication of their freshness.The first sign of deterioration is black discolouring or spots on the head, legs and tail .
The prawn should be intact and bright in colour. The best-sized prawn is medium to large. The very large ones
may look impressive but they can be a bit tough.
Prawns are usually snap-frozen directly on the trawlers however sometimes at christmas time we occasionally see a small quantity of fresh prawns available. If you are buying cooked prawns avoid dark spots on the shell.
How to Cook Prawns on the barbecue:
Toss unshelled prawns into olive oil, salt and chopped fresh chilli. On a medium heat, barbecue for appox 5-8 minutes
(depending on the size of the prawn and the heat of the barbecue).
The prawns are cooked when the meat behind the head is white and firm and no longer opaque. Serve immediately either lemon wedges and mayonnaise or a dipping sauce of good-quality soy sauce.
Christmas Activities
Christmas is a fun time of year for all the family. In Australia, all school aged children are on holidays and enjoy
spending time with their family and friends.
December and January are generally quite hot in Australia so there is the opportunity to take part in many different activities during the holiday season.
To get you in the spirit for Christmas, we have provided you with some Christmas Jokes that you can tell your friends or family.
Many families also celebrate Christmas in July and here you will find suggestions of what to do to celebrate Christmas in a colder month of the year.
With children on holidays and many working parents taking annual leave, there is a great opportunity for the family to go travelling. With the weather nice and warm through the months of December to February, many persons who are empty-nesters (children have left home) also take the opportunity to go travelling.
Driving around the streets at Christmas time can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. More and more Australians are embracing the Christmas spirit each year by decorating their homes both inside and out with beautiful lights and Christmas decorations.
Check out the list of Christmas lights in your closest Australian city.
If you prefer to stay home at Christmas time or are travelling to one of the States listed below, check out the great ideas for things to do in your closest city.
Christmas in July
Christmas in July is a curious celebration, six months prior to the celebration of Christmas on 25th December. While
some families in Australia celebrate Christmas in July, it is a far less important time than Christmas.
In Australia, the month of July is one of the coldest months of the year. While the 25 June is the midpoint between
Christmases each year, the month of July is generally equated to colder temperatures and therefore the term Christmas in July.
Many Australians love to celebrate Christmas in the cold of an Australian winter. Thousands of people living in Australia have memories of a Christmas celebration in their homeland where they were surrounded in snow and have memories of this as the ideal environment to celebrate Christmas. To satisfy this craving, some people
throw parties during the month of July that mimic the festivities held at Christmas time.
Christmas in July also provides families with a reason to get together an extra time each year. With our lives getting
busier all the time, it is a great chance for children to spend time with their parents and grandparents, whether it is over a meal or for a short holiday.
Some people argue that Christmas in July is just a marketing ploy as July has few marketing opportunities. Shops often conduct sales and will often use ‘Christmas in July’ as an excuse for the sale.
Restaurants will often conduct Christmas in July feasts with families coming together to enjoy a heavy meal with roasted meats and sweets like plum pudding.
Hotels, motels and accommodation outlets will also offer discounted room fees to attract customers during July and television stations will often re-run popular Christmas shows in an effort to lift ratings.
Finally some individuals choose to celebrate the
time themselves, typically as an intentionally transparent excuse to
have a party.
Christmas Decorations - Christmas Trees
Real / Fresh tree
Fresh Christmas trees will need some love and attention to ensure they remain fresh and green throughout the festive
season. Cut the stump of the tree with a fresh cut and put it in water immediately.
The tree will then absorb several litres of water in the next few hours. It is important to check and refill the water to a set level at least twice a day in the first week. This topping up will not need to be as frequent in the second and subsequent weeks.
Ensure your fresh Christmas tree is placed in a stand that has a large pool of water and that it remains filled to your
set level. The best way to preserve your Christmas tree is to provide it with plenty of fresh tap water at all times.
Fresh Christmas trees should be placed in cool areas away from drafts and sources of warm air. Do not place trees near fireplaces, heaters or television sets.
Where to find your Fresh Christmas Trees in Australia:
The Christmas Tree Farm ( Victoria )
It’s not Christmas without a REAL live tree!
The Christmas Tree farm is much more just than a place to buy a tree.Our buildings, decorations and entertainment will delight and help kindle the atmosphere of Christmas. Buy your tree; while having a break from the crowds and rush of the season. (We are handy to the Melbourne and Frankston areas)
http://www.thechristmastreefarm.com.au
Daylesford Christmas Tree Farm ( Victoria )
Daylesford Christmas Tree Farm prides itself on providing the highest quality freshly cut Christmas Trees to the
community. Each tree is at least four years old and has been sculpted several times per year to ensure a perfect formation. Situated on a farm in rural Victoria means that each tree has recieved the best of care. The philosophy of Daylesford Christmas Tree Farm is for every tree delivered, a new one is planted.
http://www.daylesfordchristmastreefarm.com.au
Christmas Trees for Sydney ( N.S.W )
Our real Christmas Trees are a New Zealand variant of the specie Pinus Radiata, grown in NSW Australia, pruned twice a year to give shape and bushyness. And they smell great.
http://www.elfhelp.com.au/christmas_trees_sydney.html
Real Christmas Trees ( Queensland)
New shipments arrive every week from Tuesday 28th November until Tuesday 19 December, 2006. Pick them up from our store at Ashgrove or get us to deliver and erect your real Christmas tree. Just email us with your contact details if you don't want a tree this year but would like to be on our mailing list for next year.
http://www.realchristmastrees.com.au
Christmas Decorations - Christmas Trees Artificial
Green Fibre Optic Christmas Tree with Pinecones 120cm
Green Fibre Optic Tree with top star and 18 fibre optic pinecones and black base. The branches are covered in tiny fibre optic lights which change from white through each colour of the rainbow.
The tree can also be decorated. 240V mains power. Indoor use only.
AU $129.90
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Transparent Fibre Optic Christmas Tree with Blue Snowflakes - 120cm
This Transparent PVC Fibre Optic Christmas Tree has 20 Blue LED-lit Snowflakes and is covered in diamond starburst tips with a top star and silver base. The starburst tips change from white through each colour of the rainbow. This Christmas tree can also be decorated. 240V mains power. Indoor use only.
AU $168.30
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Outdoor Black Fibre Optic Christmas Tree - 210cms
Black PVC Fibre Optic Christmas Tree covered in 290 diamond starburst tips with a top star and black base. The tips of the branches are covered in tiny fibre optic lights which change from white through each colour of the rainbow. This Christmas Tree may be used indoors or outdoors. 240V mains power.Height: 210cm (7ft).AU $345.00
Buy Now
Christmas Tree Decorations
There is an art to making your Christmas tree look exciting and artistic. When decorating your tree, start by putting the lights up first, followed by the garlands and finally the ornaments.
Arrange the Christmas tree lights on the branches near the base of the tree and then weave them up around the inside of the tree. Once near the top weave them back down again and gradually move to the outer branches as you weave back down the tree.
While we all hang ornaments on the tips of branches, try placing ornaments and other decorations ‘inside’ the tree
to add depth and interest.
Start this by using basic solid colour balls and putting approximately 18 of these for every 2 feet of tree.
Each year buy some special ornaments to place between the basic ornaments and gradually work towards 8 to 12 special ornaments for every 2 feet of tree.
In many households, it is the youngest child who gets to put the item on the top of the tree. And what is most popular at the top of the Christmas tree – an angel or a star? Or why not try an Australian kookaburra!
Christmas Decorations - Decorate Your Home
The tradition of hanging a wreath on the front door is a welcome gesture of friendship. More than 20% of homes throughout Australia have a Christmas door wreath.
In many cases, the door wreath is made on artificial material like plastic and comes in the traditional Christmas colours of green and red and more commonly these days – gold and silver. For something different hang a beautiful Australian Wreath like the one below on your door this christmas.
Driving around the streets at Christmas time can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. More and more Australians are embracing the Christmas spirit each year by decorating their homes both inside and out with beautiful lights and Christmas decorations.
Christmas lights are a great way to not only decorate your home but help the community to enjoy Christmas. Many families now also put decorations through their garden.
Decorate Your Table
The setting of the Christmas table is often a family affair. With a few decorations, you can make your Christmas table
look amazing.
Christmas Pudding Bon Bons - box of 6
Designed in Australia and made using high quality satin paper in a striking Regency stripe design finished either end with elegant satin ribbon bows in Rich Burgundy. Each bon bon is decorated with a miniature Christmas pudding which has been crafted using paper tole resulting in a unique dimensional finish. Inside each Christmas Bon Bon you will find a randomly selected gift from the 3 Star Samples shown above. You will also find a traditional Christmas hat a Christmas carol to start a sing-a-long and some witty riddles or corny jokes that will have everyone in stitches. Size Each bon bon measures 28cms x 5cms
AU $39.90
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Classic Christmas Bon Bons - Box of 6
Designed in Australia and made using quality Gold foil paper embossed with four different patterns and finished either end with elegant gold ribbon bows. The price shown is for a set of 6 without a presentation box. Inside each Christmas Bon Bon you will find a randomly selected gift from the 3 Star Samples shown above. You will also find a traditional Christmas hat a Christmas carol to start a sing-a-long and some witty riddles or corny jokes that will have
everyone in stitches.
Size Each bon bon measures 30cms x 5cms
Buy Now
Christmas Jokes
Christmas time can be a fun time for all the family. For many family members, it is a great time to get together and
have a laugh.
Here are some Christmas jokes to start you off.
What did Adam tell his girlfriend on December 24th?
It's Christmas! Eve.
What do you call a chicken at the North Pole?
Lost
Why is Santa a good race car driver?
Because he's always in the pole position
What did the sheep say to the shepherd?
Seasons Bleetings!
What does Santa Claus use when he goes skiing?
A North Pole
What Christmas Carol is a favourite of parents?
Silent Night
What do you get when you cross a snowman with a
vampire?
Frostbite
What does a cat on the beach have in common with
Christmas?
Sandy Claws
What do you get if Santa goes down the chimney when
a fire is lit?
Crisp Cringle
Why was Santa's little helper depressed?
He had low elf esteem
What does Father Christmas suffer from if he gets
stuck in a chimney?
Santa Claustrophobia!
Why does Father Christmas go down the chimney?
Because it soots him!
How many chimneys does Father Christmas go down?
Stacks!
