I just got back from spending a month in New Zealand, which is called "Down Under" (together with Australia), because it is in the southern hemisphere. That means that everything is backwards from the US. Water spirals down the drain going the other way and Christmas is in the summer. They drive on the other side of the road, walk on the left side of the sidewalk and minimum wage is $12 an hour! 
The house we rented was near the beach, and surrounded by native bush and Pohutukawa trees. You pronounce that the way it looks....po-hu-ta-ka-wa. They are large native trees that grow along the coast and they bloom every December, with masses of red blooms that look a bit like the business end of a broom. Because the red blooms come in December, they are called New Zealand's Christmas Tree. People do not cut them and bring them inside; they do that with pine trees, just like we do here. 
It seemed strange to be in a store in November and December and not have it all decked out with Christmas decorations and merchandise. I didn't see the Christmas merchandise go out until about December 5th. Stores did not go crazy with decorations, but you did see some Christmas lights put up in the small towns around the second week of December. They often hold outdoor concerts put on by the school kids, singing christmas carols and doing Maori dances as part of the christmas program. The Maoris are the native people and New Zealanders are very proud of their cultural heritage. Shopping doesn't happen until a week or two prior to Christmas day, and they spend more time making Christmas cakes than shopping for "prezzies" (presents to you and me). They shorten many words; even mosquitos are affectionately called "mozzies"! It was a nice, old fashioned way to spend the pre-holiday time, and was very enjoyable. 
Wouldn't it be nice if Christmas were that way again here?
Schools break around December 15th for 6 weeks or so, and that is when families take their summer vacations. I know Floridians can go to the beach at Christmas, but for most of us, that would be a strange way to spend your Christmas holiday. It is the norm in New Zealand, and we actually timed our trip trying to avoid the peak summer season and peak prices. I must say that it is nice to have had an extra month of summer this year.
I came back to a great ski season, good snow and cold temperatures. Winter as usual in Colorado, and I am driving on the right side of the road again.
Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and enjoy the time with your friends and families.
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