澳洲聖誕文化 Australian Christmas Culture

在澳洲，聖誕節是一年中最重要的節日之一，但與中國或歐洲不同的是，澳洲的聖誕節正值盛夏。十二月的氣溫通常在30度左右，陽光燦爛，藍天白雲，完全沒有雪花或寒冷的氛圍。

因此，澳洲的聖誕活動也充滿夏日特色。除了傳統的家庭聚餐和交換禮物，很多人會選擇到海灘度過聖誕假期，享受游泳、衝浪、沙灘排球，甚至在沙灘上舉辦燒烤派對。

在澳洲的傳統習俗中，家人之間會互相準備禮物，範圍不僅限於父母與孩子，還包括兄弟姐妹、姻親，甚至甥侄。舉個例子，我的一位同事今年需要準備七份禮物，送給父母、太太、孩子、小姨子、妹夫以及甥女。這樣的習俗雖然溫馨，但確實需要投入大量時間與金錢。

相比之下，我更喜歡「秘密聖誕老人」這種玩法。這個遊戲的規則是每個家庭成員抽籤，只需為抽到的人準備一份禮物，既保留了交換禮物的樂趣，又能大幅減少負擔。對於我同事的七人小家庭，用傳統方式準備禮物還算輕鬆，但如果是一個有二三十人的大家族，傳統方式幾乎不可能完成，這時「秘密聖誕老人」就成了最佳選擇。

今天在布里斯本的星港娛樂城（The Star Brisbane），意外發現了令人驚艷的聖誕裝飾，整個空間充滿節日氛圍。入口處擺放著巨大的幾何星形裝置，採用鏡面與炫彩材質，折射出繽紛的光影，宛如一顆璀璨的聖誕之星。旁邊的聖誕樹則以金色緞帶環繞，底座包裹著紫色裝飾，呈現出高貴典雅的視覺效果。

看著這些美麗的裝飾，我不禁想到，聖誕節不只是禮物與花費，更是家人團聚、分享喜悅的時刻。無論是選擇傳統方式還是「秘密聖誕老人」，最重要的是心意與陪伴。

我也特別在這拍了幾張照片，並藉此向 Hive 上的朋友們送上聖誕祝福。這些繽紛的聖誕樹與星形裝飾，不僅是視覺享受，更象徵節日的喜悅與希望。

In Australia, Christmas is one of the most important holidays of the year, but unlike China or Europe, Christmas here falls in the middle of summer. December temperatures often hover around 30°C, with bright sunshine, blue skies, and not a single snowflake in sight. Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite to those in China—while China is in the depths of winter, Australians are enjoying the heat of summer.

Because of this, Christmas celebrations in Australia have a distinct summer vibe. In addition to traditional family gatherings and gift exchanges, many people choose to spend their Christmas holidays at the beach, enjoying swimming, surfing, beach volleyball, and even hosting barbecue parties right on the sand. It’s also common to see Santa Claus depicted in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, wearing a Santa hat and holding a surfboard—a fun twist on the classic image.

According to Australian tradition, family members exchange gifts with each other. This includes not only parents and children but also siblings, in-laws, and even nieces and nephews. For example, one of my colleagues needs to prepare seven gifts this year—for his parents, wife, child, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and niece. While this custom is heartwarming, it can be time-consuming and costly.

Personally, I prefer the idea of “Secret Santa.” The rule is simple: each family member draws a name and only buys a gift for that person. This keeps the fun of exchanging gifts while greatly reducing the burden. For a small family of seven, the traditional way might still be manageable, but for a large family of twenty or thirty people, it’s nearly impossible without Secret Santa. In that case, this method becomes the perfect solution.

Today, I visited The Star Brisbane, and was pleasantly surprised by the stunning Christmas decorations. The entire space was filled with festive cheer. At the entrance stood a massive geometric star installation made of mirrored and iridescent materials, reflecting colorful lights like a dazzling Christmas star. Nearby, a Christmas tree wrapped in golden ribbons and accented with purple decorations exuded elegance and sophistication.

As I walked up the stairs, I discovered another modern-style Christmas tree, designed with multi-faceted panels and shimmering gradients of pink, purple, and blue. Its futuristic look was a striking contrast to traditional Christmas trees. Surrounding it were star-shaped ornaments of various sizes, creating a scene that felt like stepping into a vibrant, contemporary holiday wonderland.

I took several photos in front of these beautiful decorations to share the festive spirit and send warm Christmas wishes to my friends on Hive. These colorful trees and star installations are not only a visual delight but also symbols of joy and hope during the holiday season.

Looking at these stunning decorations, I couldn’t help but reflect that Christmas is not just about gifts and expenses—it’s about family, togetherness, and sharing happiness. Whether you choose the traditional way or go with Secret Santa, what truly matters is the thought and the time spent with loved ones.

So here’s my heartfelt wish to all my friends on Hive: Merry Christmas! May this season bring warmth, joy, and happiness to you and your family.