A Very Kiwi Christmas

Merry Christmas twitards!

On this occasion I thought it appropriate to show you my Christmas, kiwi style. I've had two winter Christmases in my life, both in the north of England, one of which was white - and magical. Although I've grown up with summer Christmases, I must say it felt 'right' to have Christmas in winter, all the traditions I'd had growing up just seemed to 'fit'. Nonetheless, I love a good kiwi summer Christmas and I'm gonna try and recreate it as best I can for you now.

Firstly, picture this. It's warm (about 25oC today, which is about 77oF, I believe). We're wearing shorts, t-shirts and jandals (I know, you call them flip flops or thongs) and just about melting running around the shops and sorting out last minute presents and groceries. We finish work on Christmas Eve eve, and start the long, hot car journey down to Mum & Dad's place. Usually it takes about 2.5 hours, this time it takes almost an hour longer thanks to heavy Christmas traffic. The A/C is blasting, as is the Eclipse soundtrack.



I live in Auckland. My parents live in Tauranga. It's about 220km.

We pull into their suburb and are greeted by this sign. Who wouldn't feel at home?

Hmm, the sun was shining in my eyes when I took this.

Mum's had the decorations up for a while now, so we're greeted by this:

Come on in!

This is the view as we arrive at 6.30pm. I never get tired of it.
 

Mt Mauganui and Tauranga harbour

 Inside, the tree is up and this year, for the first time, it's raised up on the coffee table, so that Caesar doesn't eat the decorations. Or, the presents. We've learned this from experience. He's only 11 months old.

Tomorrow, Christmas morning, we'll have a leisurely breakfast that'll probably involve pastries and bacon, with all the trimmings, before sitting down to open presents, with glasses of champagne & strawberries.

If the weather's fine, we'll mostly likely move the dining table under the tree for some decent shade, and have lunch out there. Lunch usually consists of cold ham (or turkey) and salads, and (of course) lasts all afternoon. There's nothing different about that particular tradition.

Hoping for fine weather tomorrow - it quite often rains. J/S.

Early evening, when we're so stuffed we're uncomfortable, there's usually a vote. Half of us tend to go to sleep, the other half (and the dog) will go for a walk. You can probably guess which half I'm usually in, especially now that a 'nap' usually involves reading fic on my phone...

The walk will probably involve the beach. I went down there this morning to take some shots for this post - unfortunately it was overcast. Just picture this, with blue skies:

Mt Maunganui beach

And that's about as energentic as Christmas is around here. There are massive sales on Boxing Day, so if we've recovered from Christmas, we'll likely hit the shops with the other kazillion people trying to spend their vouchers. Refer to my earlier comment about the intense heat and stress of shopping at this time of year.

Just as a bonus (because it's pretty) this is a view from a rest stop on the road back to Auckland. I can't help but stop and take it in, it's so lovely.

Waikato plains from the Kaimai Hill Rd

So, there you have it. Your (probably) first kiwi Christmas. Did you enjoy yourselves?

It wouldn't be a proper TwiKiwi post without some mention of something Twi-lated. I stole this via a google image search and I am still wiping the drool from my keyboard. RC+S, people.

Let me take a wee moment to get a little sentimental. Thank you all SO FUCKING MUCH for everything you do for me. I laugh out loud on a daily basis at some of the conversations we have on twitter, I drool over Robp0rn that you feed me (she said that) and mostly, I just really really appreciate the amazing women I've met down this rabbit hole - more than you can know.

I still hold out hope that a FOOOOORRKKSS trip just MIGHT happen during the month-ish that I'm in the USA next year - AUGUST, please! - but hey, even if not, I hope to meet as many of you as possible. It's time for some hardcore trip planning, methinks. But hey, I've got a Christmas to get through first. It's pretty stressful, you see.

Have an absolutely amazing Christmas ladies - eat, drink, be merry, and most importantly........Be Safe. ILYSFM.