Beach, barbecue and beer are what we are talking about when we refer to Christmas Day in Australia. While many Australians choose to stick to the traditional Turkey Dinner for Christmas, many tend to plan their day a little differently. So, here are a few ideas on how to prepare for a Christmas celebration the Aussie way.
Prepare For Summer
Unlike the rest of the world which is celebrating Christmas with mulled wine, ugly sweaters, and thick socks, all snug and warm near the fireplace, Australians are shedding the layers for summer. The traditions may be different, but the holiday spirit remains the same. Whether it is a Christmas BBQ or a simple family dinner on Christmas Eve, the weather plays an important role in how you celebrate.
Beach, Barbecues and Beers
There is nothing better than spending a hot day at the beach with good company, food and beautiful waves. You can take your Christmas to the next level by organising a beach barbecue get-together with your family and friends. Most beaches would have a barbecue area that is open to the public so you just need to carry the rest of the equipment with you.
Cue the Barbecue
It’s all well and good if you’re going to celebrate Christmas at the beach with a public barbecue at your disposal. However, if you are planning on doing a little barbecue get-together in your backyard, at a friend’s place or on a Christmas camping trip, then you’ll need a portable bbq. There are multiple barbecue grills that are portable and can be easily carried with you wherever you go.
Barbecue Equipment
Carry your own set of barbecue utensils, a pair of gloves and a cutting board. These are the basic barbecue accessories you will need to cook your burgers, sausages or steaks on the open grill. Don’t forget to carry a pair of scissors and knives to cut the meat and veg that’s being served.
A Quick Dining Setup
Often public barbecue areas offer dining tables and benches, but we recommend going for a beach picnic setting. Get one big picnic mat or line up a few beach towels together to form a single dining area. Add a bit of shade to the whole affair with a few beach umbrellas, then set up all the food in the middle like a table decorated for Christmas dinner.
Keep it Cool!
The air conditioning in your car is probably not enough to keep the meat and beers cold enough throughout the journey. To prevent the meat from going bad, we recommend getting a portable fridge or a few eskies. If you’re travelling in a camper van then you will have enough space for a portable fridge or freezer. However, you can opt for iceboxes and coolers with one dedicated to storing the meat and the other full of chilled beer. Remember that a portable fridge or an esky is the most part of this beach Christmas get-together.
Christmas Camping Trips
It is common for people to go on road trips and camping trips with their families during Christmas break. So, many people tend to celebrate their Christmas while camping in the middle of nowhere. For the adventurous ones, we recommend stocking up on a few things before you go for your Christmas camping trip.
Load Up The Van
A camping trip requires a lot of preparation. However, the one thing you need to make sure is prepared even before you load up the van is the food you will be eating on Christmas. Ziplocks and storage containers are your best friends in this case. Fill up the portable fridge with pre-cooked meals and raw meat for the barbecue. If you are a fan of the idea of having mulled wine on Christmas, then we suggest getting a big pack of red wine especially if you have a lot of people joining you on the trip. A bar fridge or esky is ideal to store the beers and keep them cool. You can go a step further and put an ice maker in the van with the other things giving yourself access to ice whenever you want.
Bring The Christmas Spirit With You
It doesn’t matter that you’re not going to be at home to celebrate Christmas. As long as you’re with your loved ones, you can celebrate Christmas anywhere. To add a touch of festivity to your camping trip, carry a few LED fairy lights with you. Decorate the camping area with fairy lights and a small artificial Christmas tree for an extra festive feel. We also recommend doing a little gift exchange on Christmas morning or conducting a small Christmas gift scavenger hunt for the kids.
Have a Blast!
Other Australian Christmas traditions include going to events such as Carols by Candlelight, Christmas street parties and Christmas night markets. If you’re attending big events like Carols by Candlelight, your picnic and camping equipment might come in handy. In the end, it’s all about eating a lot of seafood and other traditional Christmas foods, drinking wine or beer and having fun with your loved ones. Whether you’re going on a family camping trip or for a beach party this Christmas, hopefully, our suggestions will help you prepare for the event.
Merry Christmas!
