avatarLisa Bolin

Summary

The web content describes the author's experience and nostalgia for a Southern Hemisphere Christmas, contrasting the traditional wintery imagery with the reality of a summer Christmas in Australia.

Abstract

The article "I’m Dreaming of a Beach Christmas" captures the essence of celebrating Christmas in the Southern Hemisphere, specifically in Australia, where December marks the beginning of summer. The author paints a vivid picture of a beach setting during the festive season, with imagery of sand, sun, and surf, juxtaposed against the backdrop of traditional Northern Hemisphere Christmas motifs such as snow and sleighs. The narrative reflects on the cultural dissonance of growing up with winter-themed Christmas traditions while experiencing a warm summer holiday. It touches on the frenetic end-of-year activities, the community's engagement with European carols, and the longing for a 'proper' white Christmas. The author, now living in the Northern Hemisphere, appreciates the seasonal darkness and the possibility of snow but still yearns for the warmth and relaxation of a summer Christmas.

Opinions

  • The author expresses a deep awareness and contrast between the wintery Christmas traditions and the summer season experienced in Australia.
  • There is a sense of nostalgia and longing for a 'proper' white Christmas, which is a common sentiment among those who grew up in the Southern Hemisphere.
  • The author values the unique experience of a summer Christmas, with its own set of traditions and atmosphere, despite the cultural influence of Northern Hemisphere Christmas imagery.
  • The article suggests that the reality of a Southern Hemisphere Christmas, with its beach setting and summer activities, is a significant departure from the traditional winter Christmas scenes.
  • The author seems to have a dual appreciation for both the summer Christmas of their childhood and the winter Christmas they now experience in the Northern Hemisphere.

I’m Dreaming of a Beach Christmas

Southern Hemisphere Festivities

A beach near Warrnambool, Australia, taken in December. (Photo: author’s own)

Sand underfoot and a towel by the water, Glistening waves throwing foamy spray skywards, Soft fluffy clouds mar a perfect blue sky Gulls float lazily in a breezeless sky Laughter echoes up and down the beach

I close my eyes, feel the sun on my face, Dig my toes in the sand, shells smooth underfoot, Waves rush to shore, foaming, frolicking. Salt dries on my skin, crystals a reminder Of another hemisphere, cold, wintery.

Rocks glisten in the waning sun, Bathed in a soft salty caress, Small unruly urchins cluster, Mini crustacean reindeer in rockpool heaven Bringing gifts fresh from the sea.

Long afternoons, cool drinks, a salad spread Festive cheer, a tree with lights, Songs of celebration sing of winter, snow, Sleighbells ring, a world away, as birds Warble to the deepening blue sky.

Evening arrives, a cooling touch Gently soothing sun-kissed skin. Sparkling laughter fills the backyard, A drink in hand, I toast the weather Goddess, This land of a summer Christmas.

Growing up in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia you are always very aware of the wintery Festive traditions. Christmas cards have snow motifs, trees topped with snow, a warm-clad Father Christmas in a sleigh. The reality is quite different when the month of December is the start of summer and school holidays and beach time!

December is always a frenetic burst of energy before the real relaxation begins. Schools have Christmas concerts and end-of-year celebrations, communities sing carols from Europe, we all decorate trees with baubles, and we wilt in the heat, running quickly from the supermarket to the airconditioned car before the hot bitumen burns us from the feet up, or melts onto our shoes.

The nostalgia and longing for a white Christmas somewhere in the Northern Hemisphere runs deep, perhaps many of us wanting at least one “proper Christmas” in our lives. Now as a resident of the Northern Hemisphere I relish the darkness, the twinkling lights, the hope for snow, but I long for the sand under my feet, a warm breeze on my brow, sunscreen on my skin.

Not long now…

~thanks for reading~

Thanks to Christina Ward 🎄 for the prompt

Lisa is a poet and writer. She also works in a maritime museum. Lisa lives in a beautiful part of Finland surrounded by water and forest. If you’d like to hear from Lisa, you can sign up to her newsletter. And read some more poetry:

Or read about her love of a ship:

Short Story
Poetry
Pomprompt
Christmas
Winter
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