New Zealand Christmas Traditions

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Christmas is one of the finest festivals celebrated all over the world. People come together to welcome and celebrate the festival. They enjoy having feasts and parties with family get together. The preparations for the festival begin as early as last week of November. People clean houses and decorate it with wreaths, light and evergreen twigs. The Christmas tree is bought home and decorated with tinsel and ornaments. All the activities related to Christmas are full of hope, happiness and festive fervor. Hence, people enjoy them. The entire atmosphere is filled with gusto and festivity. The Christmas traditions differ from one nation to other.

Christmas traditions in New Zealand are somewhat similar to Australia. Christmas is celebrated during summer season in New Zealand. Traditionally, the Christmas tree used in New Zealand is called as Pohutokawa. The tree has bright red flowers that bloom at the time of Christmas. The traditional pine tree is also used as Christmas tree in some New Zealand homes. The Christmas in New Zealand is all about outings, visit to beaches and barbeques as kids have summer break during Christmas festival. The strings of lights of different hues are used to decorate roofs and fences of homes. There are competitions organized to choose the best decoration.

The Christmas is welcomed by going to the church and offering prayers. Gifts are exchanged with friends and family members. Turkey is served with cold salads for the Christmas dinner. The vegetables served with sauce are baked in the barbeques kept outside the houses. As it is warm, many people have their dinner outside in the evening. Deserts like pudding cake, cookies are served with dinner. Pavlova is a special pudding prepared for Christmas. New Zealand has a tradition of large people coming together to sing carols in cities like Auckland and Christchurch. This outdoor gathering is known as Christmas in Park.

There are parades held during Christmas in various cities. The Auckland's Santa Parade is the most popular parade that attracts a lot of tourists. The new Zealanders do not sit and watch television during Christmas holiday season. They go out and party hard with friends and family members. The summer weather gives them an ideal situation to go out to beach, swimming pools and enjoy the cool waters. As shepherds are an integral part of New Zealand culture, they truly understand the meaning of Christmas. A special mass is arranged in church to welcome the birth of Christ. There is Santa Claus who comes to visit kids and give them gifts. Santa is a concept that has come from England and America to New Zealand.

The Christmas in New Zealand is spent enjoying quality time with family and observing the flowers and fruits that the season of summer gives.