The warm weather is here. The school year is drawing to a close and the spirit of the silly season has certainly kicked in

However…as intoxicatingly festive as the champagne laden parties are, in my southern hemisphere home I tend not to notice the decorations of the season so much. I’m not sure just why that is. Mmm…Maybe it’s the dazzle of the bright Australian sunlight, outshining the twinkle of the tinsel? Maybe the fact there isn’t a snowflake to be found? Who knows.

Tinerate, not so up North where it is dark by late afternoon and the whole city bursts in to a blaze of Christmas delight. Huge and extravagant displays of shimmery lights adorn store fronts, all woven into elaborate bows, candy canes and the likes. Although, and just an aside, I hear this is not so this year for two of the most famous stores lining the renowned 5th Avenue in Manhattan, Tiffany and Gucci. Apparently, since the American election, these stores have been barricaded off due to their new President Elect neighbour, which has affected business dramatically (as one would expect) as the foot traffic is no longer there and it is almost impossible to navigate around the massive concrete blocks. I am yet to see them but if they are anything like what surrounded Grand Central after 9/11, I think I would be giving the stores a wide berth as well. For the absolute die-hards, I guess there is always a will and a way…

…thank goodness for on-line shopping however, apparently, even this is not doing much in boosting the sales of these two iconic stores.

Anyhoo, back to point …it’s not that the holiday is celebrated without decorations Down Under…

Or even the traditional table…

It’s just that with a backdrop of summer and heat, the glitter is not as evident.

In the cold and snowy, a little cheer goes a long way

But that doesn’t mean that the South doesn’t turn out a spectacular table; it’s just a look that is more streamlined sleek contemporary and often includes a beach theme. Especially as Australians are more prone to nibble on platters of crayfish, prawns and oysters (long hot days, spreads of seafood and refreshing summer sips pretty much makes for nirvana if not Christmas, right ) than the classic menu of turkey and ham. But, having said that, there are the traditionalists who serve nothing but the aforementioned complete with bread stuffing, cranberry sauce and their mum’s sausage meat…and without fail, in nearly every home, the meal is rounded off with a traditional Christmas pudding and the absolutely-to-die-for-soo-glad-it-is-only-served-once-a-year-otherwise-we’d-be-H.U.G.E brandy butter.

Till next time.

Tipsy Pipsy xo