These Christmas traditions need to change: Being the magic as an Australian parent

Thankfully, the Christmas season is over. The presents have been opened, we’ve stuffed our gullets to the brim, and we can change from the holiday playlist to regular music. For some, this change is a huge relief. For others, there comes a mood swing, a major downer, and an emptiness that only occurs right after the holidays.

In the weeks leading up to Christmas, especially if you’re a parent, there is an expectation to make everything perfect. You need to BE the magic. Decorations need to be put up. Holiday parties need to be planned. Outfits need to be coordinated. Photos with Santa need to be booked. Christmas goodies need to be baked. Menus need to be planned, shopped and made. 

Presents need to be bought and wrapped. There is an endless list of things we feel need to be done to make the holidays special. But why do we do this to ourselves? No one is forcing us. It is done entirely of our own free will. Sure, there is some social pressure to make the holidays magical. But we could, if we wanted, say no to it all. No parties. No decor. No presents.

But where would that leave the children? After watching their friends show off their new toys, they would have to admit they got nothing. After seeing other houses on the streets with lights and trees, they would come home to a regular house. This can’t possibly be the answer either. 

After growing up in the Northern Hemisphere, I have to admit that Christmas in Australia is especially strange. With every Christmas song talking about snow, cold, and coziness by the fire, it doesn’t quite feel right to be wrapping gifts in an air conditioned room. The fact is, most Christmas traditions revolve around the Winter Solstice. The darkest day of the year beckons that we sit near the fire, have warm drinks and eat roast, and snuggle up together with our loved ones.

This doesn’t really work in the Southern Hemisphere where we experience heat waves over the end of December. In fact, being the opposite season, the end of December marks the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. Despite that, we see Santa dressed in a thick red suit. We sing the same songs about holly and snow. And we try to do the same traditions that are done in the Northern Hemisphere.

In this global economy, I would argue that the reason Australians insist on celebrating Christmas in the same fashion as the Northern Hemisphere, is because of the never-ending consumerist culture we derive from the country that sets all trends, the United States. The richest country in the world, which pumps out the most media, has become the paragon of social behaviour the rest of the world looks up to. 

The United States, in all her glory, is constantly sending out messages via Hollywood, social media, and the global economy, informing the rest of the world on how they should strive to behave. We watch influencers flaunt their Christmas hauls, living in their vast mansions, clicking their Starbucks cups with acrylic nails. We watch holiday films by our favourite stars, and see their perfect hair and makeup as they create perfect Christmases for their children. 

But not once does Australia think to itself, is this really what we need? Is this the culture we should model ourselves after? We are, indeed, another young Western country with many things in common with the US. However, we are not, and never will be, exactly like the United States. Nor should we ever want to be.

Why would we want to liken ourselves to a country whose second leading cause of death in children is gun violence? A country which abandons its poor, its needy, its veterans. A country which is ruled by elite criminals, who care nothing for the day to day, hard working citizens. A country which is founded on slavery, rape, genocide and violence.

No, the United States is not a country which should be an example for the rest of the world to follow. It should only be an example of what not to do. Furthermore, with the seasons being opposite, it makes no sense for Australians to try to imitate the classic American Christmas, which revolves around materialism. 

Instead, I would argue that Australians, and especially parents, should make this holiday something different altogether. We should embrace the summer solstice, making our traditions revolve around outdoor time, fun in the sun, and an active lifestyle. We should minimise the materialism, providing just a few gifts for our little ones. We should lean into the spirit of giving, showing our children that when we are blessed, we share our blessings around. 

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of tinsel and lights. But let’s avoid the Black Friday overconsumption, and avoid the post-Christmas overload of the Op shops, which are already at their limit of material waste. There’s nothing wrong with a family meal, but who wants to turn on the oven in 35 degree heat? Instead, let’s fire up the barbecue and embrace the beautiful sunshine. 

Avoiding the Christmas burnout and crash is quite possible. It’s not something completely out of our hands that we can do nothing about. The change starts with you. Try gifting something homemade or consumable food instead of plastic garbage from the shelves of Kmart. Try avoiding the hustle and bustle of the DFO Black Friday sales, and instead clean out your own shed to see what you can give away. Let’s avoid blowing out our credit cards of meaningless gifts, and instead find a charity that means something to you. 

The magic is within you. You have complete and utter control. It’s ok if the children don’t receive piles of gifts on Christmas morning. When they grow up, they will see the worth of a holiday season spent in love rather than in spending. Say no to a holiday party. Instead, drive out to the beach or a beautiful natural location and spend the day with a picnic. Let’s make Christmas our own, in the true Australian spirit. One of giving, appreciating our stunning nature, and embracing the “no worries” attitude the rest of the world loves us for.