Who Needs White? I'm Dreaming of a Hot Christmas
The South Pacific and the Caribbean are two tropical destinations with sandy beaches
, warm cobalt blue water, surfing, and sun bathing. Quite a few travelers book Christmas get away packages to go there and soak in the sun. The snowbirds, people who live in cold climates, and retreat to the comforts of warm weather during the cold season flock to tropical locations every year and bring their traditional expectations with them. Although the water is warm and the beach is relaxing you still hear Christmas carols and see traditional lights on houses and in stores.The Caribbean is home to many diverse cultures that embrace the birth of Christ and always display the best of the holiday for everybody who comes to visit. You can still find tasty conch dishes and other seafood delights. In addition to this local cuisine, the Christmas turkey and the pumpkin pie are also baked in the same tradition as in the snowy north. Diving and snorkeling are two things that you can look forward to doing when you are there which you cannot otherwise do up north.
If you head to the Aloha State of Hawaii, people say Mele Kelikimaka which is a Hawaiian-themed Christmas song that means Merry Christmas. Families and friends celebrate with luaus and picnics on the beach or on their lawns. Most people follow local custom and wear a lei or Santa hat with their shorts and Santa Claus is a barefoot big fellow wearing an aloha shirt riding a surf board. Another tradition in Hawaii is to serve barbequed oysters along with the other holiday food.
The mix of locals' and transplants makes for a unique tapestry of gift ideas and holiday celebration everywhere you go. In Guam for example, you can find the local anise flavored cookies wrapped in holiday colors and packaged for the season but overall the taste is still local and good.
Throughout South America Christmas is celebrated in a deeply religious way. In Mexico and some Latin American countries, Christmas Eve is the last day of the celebration of the nine nights known as Las Posadas. Las Posadas (Spanish for "the inns") is a nine-day celebration that originated in Spain. It starts on December 16 and ends on December 24. Las Posadas symbolizes the hardships Mary and Joseph had to endure before finding a place to stay where Jesus could be born.
Christmas in South Africa is a summer holiday. The traditions and celebratory practices there are about the same as in the USA or UK for example. People plan dinner parties and decorate their homes and offices with trees and other decorations. In Samoa although they still serve just about everything with a coconut milk sauce and fish is still the main dish, the holiday is not complete without the carved turkey and all the trimmings.
Down under in Australia and New Zealand, the traditions are strong and you will find that the shopping and holiday events are very similar as those in the north. Keep in mind that Australia and New Zealand have a large population of transplants from Europe and North America so you can see why the traditions still hold strong. The one exception here is just as in the other warm weather locations the days might consist of going to the beach and soaking up some sun.
Regardless of where you are the birth of Christ is always honored in a manner that fits local customs and traditional values. It is nice to know that you can go to a tropical island, and enjoy the day, get a tan on the beach and spend the evening eating traditional holiday dinner.
You might not find kids riding sleds and building snow forts filled with snowballs. You probably will find kids riding bogey boards in the surf, hanging ten on a surfboard or building castles in the sand. In either case you will be among people who are giving praise and joy to the celebration of Christmas.
Christmas trees are sold by the dozens and people still listen to Christmas carols at home. The traditional holiday meal is generally the rule rather than the exception. Turkeys are flow into stores that usually sell only a handful during the year and dozens are sold within a few weeks.
This is a global celebration and the entire Christian world is in one mind set during this time of year. It is a celebration of all things good and hope and blessings for a prosperous New Year. So remember whether you wake up Christmas morning it does not matter if you wear a swim suit or a silk suit the message of peace and hope is global.
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Who Needs White? I'm Dreaming of a Hot Christmas
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