Christmas Traditions- Aussie Style

Now, I had to title this entry "Christmas Traditions- Aussie Style", but that being said, I'm sure our Christmas Traditions aren't hugely different to many other countries, especially being that dear Hubs is American.
Now that we have a little one to share the holidays with I was kind of excited, some may say a little ambitious about the 3 gazillion new Holiday Traditions I wanted to start up so Hudson could experience them all.. it was like as soon as I discovered a new tradition I Had To Have It. Eventually I culled the myriad of ideas I had, and we were left with the following:

1. Christmas on the Island- Yes, my parents live on an island.. So we treck over to the island for Christmas Day. We have croissants for breakfast, and in the sweltering heat we have turkey and ham for lunch, but sides are things like salads, a special cold spaghetti salad that Mum makes only during Christmas. There are prawns and seafood and dessert is usually something like Pavlova (an Australian dish) or trifle. Neither of which I am a huge fan. Give me chocolate any day!


Pavlova- basically a meringue topped with cream and fresh fruit



2. A New Christmas Ornament Each Year- I like the Hallmark ones. When we first got our cat-child, we got a little fishbowl ornament that you can put a photo in. When we got (ha, kidding) our real child, we got a very cute baby booties ornament that has 'Baby's First Christmas' on it. Some say tacky, I say cute!



Obviously the ones we have say 2011...



3. New Christmas PJ's- starting this year, so far just for Hudson. When I suggested it to Hubby, he was all "I already have enought Pajamas".. geeze, ok.. bah humbug!

4. Personalised Santa Stockings- They are so cute! I got one for each of us (and shhh, a blank one for the next addition to the family to be stored until needed!), they each have our name embroided across the top. Santa stockings are always opened first on Christmas morning. My parents used to give them to my brother and I to open first when we were up at like 4am, and my parents were still trying to snatch a few more hours of sleep.

5. Milk and Cookies Left Out for Santa: I don't think this is hugely original or anything. But I did manage to buy a really cute little milk and cookies plate & matching cup. I don't think we'll use it until Hudson is a bit older, but it's still cute.

6. Christmas Puzzling: Who doesn't love a good puzzle? Oh right, most people. Ok, well Hubs, myself and a few friends love doing a good puzzle while sitting around listening to Christmas Carols and eating Tim Tams (a delcious chocolately Aussie cookie). I prefer cool puzzles (can puzzles be called 'cool'? Really?) where you don't know what the picture is, or the murder mystery types. This year we're doing a "Wasjig" Christmas Puzzle.

So, those are just a few Christmas Traditions we're doing this year. I'm sure I can sneak another two or three in, any ideas for me?