Christmas Down Under is the children's picture book, written by Maree Birch, that was published in Australia in 1986. ISBN 0-9588486-0-2.
The book originated from a request from the son of the author for a White Christmas in the heat of a Noosa summer in Australia. Whilst being read a bedtime story on Christmas Eve, the boy expressed the wish "Mummy, I hope it snows tonight!" as if this would make Christmas just right. This lead to the opening page of the book "As I'm sure every Aussie and Kiwi would know, There's nothing so silly as Christmas with snow!" From there came the book and the creation of a Santa dressed in cooler attire more suitable to the hotter climes of Christmas Down Under as the poor fella would be really hot in "that old red suit".

Sunshine Santa became a hit on Queensland's Sunshine Coast appearing in shopping malls and on the national news. He seemed to be much more relaxed in his wide brim hat. It was all about taking the snow out of the Australian Christmas while keeping the same magical old Santa who has fired children’s imagination and excitement for generations. He is still instantly recognisable as the same Santa as that in children’s minds. Children in hotter climates have probably been wondering for years “Why do we miss out on the snow?” This should help answer some of their questions.

The Song

A song by the same name that was based on the book was written and performed by Graham Osborn as part of the launch of the Book.

A brief description of Christmas in Australia

The Tree

Christmas Eve is an exciting time for families. The Christmas Tree will have been placed and decorated in the family home often a week or more before. Children usually help decorate the tree. The Christmas tree comes in many forms. Some of these include artificial shop bought ones that are boxed away to be reused year after year. A perennial favourite however is the pine tree, which comes in different sizes and is usually bought at charity stalls. Some people have access to ones growing on their land (or by roadside). Some may be bought growing in pots from plant nurseries and these can be planted out after Christmas or used again each year. This is a more environmentally friendly option for some families.
Traditionally the Christmas Tree is either Pine or plastic, however in Australia more ad hoc Christmas Trees are created using the local flora in particular from Australian gum tree branches or conifer branches pruned off a large tree and tied together to look like a single tree. However, for some people nothing is nicer than the smell of that pine that permeates the house on a hot day.

Decorations

Decorations can be bought in shops, twinkling tinsel, baubles and angels, stars and Christmas figurines. Paper and paste ornaments made by the children at school are also popular.
These decorations are again recycled year after year and often children have favourites remembered each Christmas when the family gathers around to decorate the tree.

In Australia the Christmas presents are placed under this decorated tree for opening on the 25th of December, Christmas Day and usually at dawn in families with small children! It is a very exciting time of year, for children, especially. The other days that come close are their individual birthdays and Easter Time (when the Easter Bunny arrives with the chocolate eggs)
A star or an angle figurine is usually placed on the very top of the tree, iconography of the Christ Child whose birth Christians celebrate at Christmas time.

Traditional Roots

Australian Christmas has in the past been based on the Northern Hemisphere traditions, in the food that we eat on the day (A hot meal at a festive lunch with an extended family, eating turkey with roast vegetables, plum pudding, wearing silly paper hats and telling silly jokes pulled from traditional Christmas crackers)

The season is summer, often the highest temperatures are recorded December and January rising into the 40’s (Celsius).

The Northern Hemisphere Christmas traditions celebrated in mostly freezing and cold conditions are slowly being taken over by Australia’s own customs and more appropriate activities. Many Australians spend Christmas out of doors, heading for the beach or to camping grounds for the longer break over the Christmas holidays.

This includes beach side or swimming pool celebrations with salads and seafood, and casual summer clothing more suited to the heat of the day. Back yard bar-b-ques have the turkey cooked in a lidded outdoor oven or Barbie.

It would seem incongruous for Santa to appear “dressed in red neck to knee”

See also

Christmas

Christmas in Australia

External links

Christmas Down Under Web Page, for Children who are hot at Christmas.