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Christmas in July: Why Australians celebrate Christmas twice a year Christmas in July: Why Australians celebrate Christmas twice a year
(about 2 hours later)
For many Australians, July is a second festive seasonFor many Australians, July is a second festive season
Six Irishmen walk into a bar.Six Irishmen walk into a bar.
This might sound like the start of a joke but, as legend has it, it's actually the beginning of Christmas in July in Australia.This might sound like the start of a joke but, as legend has it, it's actually the beginning of Christmas in July in Australia.
While this month is mid-summer for half the world, Australia is in the depths of winter and for many, that means it's time for tinsel, turkey and Yuletide tunes.While this month is mid-summer for half the world, Australia is in the depths of winter and for many, that means it's time for tinsel, turkey and Yuletide tunes.
From its humble beginnings in a run-down hotel decades ago, Christmas in July – which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – has become a beloved Australian tradition.From its humble beginnings in a run-down hotel decades ago, Christmas in July – which is pretty much exactly what it sounds like – has become a beloved Australian tradition.
Those who pine for a wintry Christmas host parties where ugly sweaters are a prerequisite; pubs, restaurants and cafes serve up feasts with all the trimmings; and Santa treks out from the north pole to deliver gifts.Those who pine for a wintry Christmas host parties where ugly sweaters are a prerequisite; pubs, restaurants and cafes serve up feasts with all the trimmings; and Santa treks out from the north pole to deliver gifts.
The trend has spread around the country and across the Tasman to New Zealand - even as far as the famous Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles, where the custom has been flipped to give homesick Australians a traditional summer Christmas, complete with prawn cocktails and lamingtons - an Australian cake.The trend has spread around the country and across the Tasman to New Zealand - even as far as the famous Santa Monica pier in Los Angeles, where the custom has been flipped to give homesick Australians a traditional summer Christmas, complete with prawn cocktails and lamingtons - an Australian cake.
"Don't get me wrong, going to the beach on the 25th of December in the morning is one of my favourite things," Vincent Hernandez tells the BBC. "But stuffing myself up with melted cheese in winter is also one of my favourite things."Don't get me wrong, going to the beach on the 25th of December in the morning is one of my favourite things," Vincent Hernandez tells the BBC. "But stuffing myself up with melted cheese in winter is also one of my favourite things.
"Now we get to celebrate it twice which is perfect… we get the best of both worlds.""Now we get to celebrate it twice which is perfect… we get the best of both worlds."
Markets and mulled wineMarkets and mulled wine
It's hard to pinpoint exactly when and where Christmas in July began - there's some rumours the US actually pioneered it in the early 20th century - but Garry Crockett believes Australia's national tradition began in his Mountain Heritage hotel in 1980. It's hard to pinpoint exactly when and where Christmas in July began - there are some rumours the US actually pioneered it in the early 20th Century - but Garry Crockett believes Australia's national tradition began in his Mountain Heritage hotel in 1980.
One cold July evening, with snow falling outside, half a dozen Irishmen walked into the Katoomba lodge, nostalgic for a traditional winter Christmas.One cold July evening, with snow falling outside, half a dozen Irishmen walked into the Katoomba lodge, nostalgic for a traditional winter Christmas.
"So I told them, why don't we do a Christmas in July for you?" Mr Crockett, now 76, tells the BBC."So I told them, why don't we do a Christmas in July for you?" Mr Crockett, now 76, tells the BBC.
A Christmas tree was dusted off, tinsel and baubles were unpacked, and the hotel was decked out with decorations.A Christmas tree was dusted off, tinsel and baubles were unpacked, and the hotel was decked out with decorations.
The Mountain Heritage's Christmas in July dinners began in the 1980sThe Mountain Heritage's Christmas in July dinners began in the 1980s
While the exact details of that first dinner are a bit faded now, Mr Crockett says there was most likely pumpkin soup on the menu, along with a medley of roasts – beef, turkey and pork. For dessert, there was a plum pudding with a five-cent coin hidden amongst the dried fruit – a nod to the British tradition.While the exact details of that first dinner are a bit faded now, Mr Crockett says there was most likely pumpkin soup on the menu, along with a medley of roasts – beef, turkey and pork. For dessert, there was a plum pudding with a five-cent coin hidden amongst the dried fruit – a nod to the British tradition.
"It was a hoot of a time," Mr Crockett reminisces, adding that the 80-odd guests "partied really hard" until about 3am."It was a hoot of a time," Mr Crockett reminisces, adding that the 80-odd guests "partied really hard" until about 3am.
From then on, Christmas in July became an annual gathering at the Mountain Heritage. Garry's father Bill, himself originally from Belfast, often donned a Santa costume – "it was the highlight of his year".From then on, Christmas in July became an annual gathering at the Mountain Heritage. Garry's father Bill, himself originally from Belfast, often donned a Santa costume – "it was the highlight of his year".
"It became a big thing for us," Mr Crockett says."It became a big thing for us," Mr Crockett says.
"And then we started getting people from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan.""And then we started getting people from Singapore, Malaysia, Japan."
Mountain Heritage continues the tradition, hosting Christmas dinners throughout July this yearMountain Heritage continues the tradition, hosting Christmas dinners throughout July this year
There was initially a little bit of "pushback" from some local churches, he says, but soon the ritual snowballed and spread around the country.There was initially a little bit of "pushback" from some local churches, he says, but soon the ritual snowballed and spread around the country.
In Newcastle, Joshua Robb, 37, spent a week preparing a six-course Christmas meal for friends, the dinner table dressed with Christmas crackers and printed menus adorned with holly motifs.In Newcastle, Joshua Robb, 37, spent a week preparing a six-course Christmas meal for friends, the dinner table dressed with Christmas crackers and printed menus adorned with holly motifs.
"I would have [Christmas] 10 times a year if I could," the self-confessed Yuletide fanatic says."I would have [Christmas] 10 times a year if I could," the self-confessed Yuletide fanatic says.
His July feast is an opportunity to take part in festive traditions Australia usually misses out on, he says.His July feast is an opportunity to take part in festive traditions Australia usually misses out on, he says.
"We've all got the ugly Christmas sweaters that you wear in the UK," he laughs."We've all got the ugly Christmas sweaters that you wear in the UK," he laughs.
"[This] gives us the chance to wear them because you can't on a 45C (113F) day.""[This] gives us the chance to wear them because you can't on a 45C (113F) day."
Mr Robb, second from the right, and his friends even donned the traditional paper crowns to celebrateMr Robb, second from the right, and his friends even donned the traditional paper crowns to celebrate
Another keen Christmas in July party host is Filipino-Australian Neil Ferro, 47, who says the trend is "just something people do in Australia".Another keen Christmas in July party host is Filipino-Australian Neil Ferro, 47, who says the trend is "just something people do in Australia".
"Christmas has always been barbecues and beaches but it feels more Christmassy if it's cold," he says, while preparing a vegan dinner party for his guests."Christmas has always been barbecues and beaches but it feels more Christmassy if it's cold," he says, while preparing a vegan dinner party for his guests.
"July is a tough month because it's the middle of winter… so it's a good way to bring people together and celebrate," he says."July is a tough month because it's the middle of winter… so it's a good way to bring people together and celebrate," he says.
Bad Santa - Secret Santa with a thieving twist - is also a staple at many partiesBad Santa - Secret Santa with a thieving twist - is also a staple at many parties
But while Mr Ferro and his friends are holed up inside, others are relishing in the cold.But while Mr Ferro and his friends are holed up inside, others are relishing in the cold.
In Sydney's historic Rocks precinct, a cobblestoned alleyway has been transformed into a winter wonderland for two weeks of Christmas in July markets, complete with fake snow machines churning specks of foam onto passersby.In Sydney's historic Rocks precinct, a cobblestoned alleyway has been transformed into a winter wonderland for two weeks of Christmas in July markets, complete with fake snow machines churning specks of foam onto passersby.
Wooden chalets lining the street offer winter treats from mulled wine and toasted marshmallows to melty raclette cheese on potatoes.Wooden chalets lining the street offer winter treats from mulled wine and toasted marshmallows to melty raclette cheese on potatoes.
At one of the stalls selling snow globes are locals Nemer and Leila Awad, who say the markets remind them of Europe.At one of the stalls selling snow globes are locals Nemer and Leila Awad, who say the markets remind them of Europe.
"We've been to Paris in late November at the Christmas markets and it had that Christmassy feel, which you don't get here in Australia," Leila says."We've been to Paris in late November at the Christmas markets and it had that Christmassy feel, which you don't get here in Australia," Leila says.
That's exactly what Mr Hernandez – who moved to Australia from Paris more than a decade ago – was going for when he first started the event in 2018.That's exactly what Mr Hernandez – who moved to Australia from Paris more than a decade ago – was going for when he first started the event in 2018.
To recreate the atmosphere of the markets he loved from home, he imported 40 timber huts from Strasbourg, which hosts one of Europe's most loved Christmas markets, and bought dozens of Christmas trees from a farm in Sydney.To recreate the atmosphere of the markets he loved from home, he imported 40 timber huts from Strasbourg, which hosts one of Europe's most loved Christmas markets, and bought dozens of Christmas trees from a farm in Sydney.
"[The farm owner] thought it was odd but he was extremely happy," Mr Hernandez says."[The farm owner] thought it was odd but he was extremely happy," Mr Hernandez says.
Christmas in July has inspired a bevy of festivals across the countryChristmas in July has inspired a bevy of festivals across the country
That farm owner is Leo Damasi, who says July sales have been spiking over the past two decades and are a welcome addition to the December rush.That farm owner is Leo Damasi, who says July sales have been spiking over the past two decades and are a welcome addition to the December rush.
"It's definitely growing every year," he tells the BBC."It's definitely growing every year," he tells the BBC.
These days, even KFC has jumped on the Christmas in July trend – though Garry believes some are missing the true reason for the season.These days, even KFC has jumped on the Christmas in July trend – though Garry believes some are missing the true reason for the season.
"It's about friendship, love, connection, all of those elements - the exact opposite of commercial.""It's about friendship, love, connection, all of those elements - the exact opposite of commercial."
For some people, Christmas in July is even better than the real thing, he says.For some people, Christmas in July is even better than the real thing, he says.
"Many people are close to emotional breaking point by December with the accumulated stress of everything that has happened throughout the year.""Many people are close to emotional breaking point by December with the accumulated stress of everything that has happened throughout the year."
And the brutal Australian heat, he adds.And the brutal Australian heat, he adds.
"By contrast, winter is an opportunity to rug up, chill out in front of a relaxing log fire, and share the experience with those you chose to be with, rather than those you feel obligated to be with.""By contrast, winter is an opportunity to rug up, chill out in front of a relaxing log fire, and share the experience with those you chose to be with, rather than those you feel obligated to be with."