Christmas is approaching. That means drinking hot chocolate, eating a roast dinner and making a snowman.
Australia is in the Southern Hemisphere. That means when it's winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it's summer in Australia. So that's right, you guessed it. Christmas time in Australia is a very hot and sweaty affair!
On Christmas Day, people don't like to eat hot turkeys or heavy meals. They like to have a BBQ and eat outside in the evening. Many families will play sports and games together in the evening too, enjoying the cooler weather.
You could say that in a way it makes them feel nice and cool because it's so hot! They still have Christmas trees and Santa still wears winter clothes. They know he comes from the North Pole, where it's cold, so that's why. I used to think Santa must like coming to Australia because many other places he visits are just too cold!
But some Christmas songs have been given a "hot" twist (改编). It changed the original line from "Oh what fun it is to ride in my one-horse open sleigh(雪橇)" to "Christmas in Australia on a scorching (酷热的) summer's day". Singing these kinds of songs is a nice way to acknowledge the unique way that Australians spend Christmas.
One year, I went to Canada to see some relatives at Christmas time. On the morning of Christmas, I woke up to the sight of fresh snow outside. I was so excited. "Now this really looks like Christmas," I thought to myself.
So, no matter whether you are freezing cold or boiling hot, as long as your loved ones are nearby, the Christmas spirit will be there.
A. Still, they sing the same Christmas songs, all about snow.
B. The followings are what Australians usually do at Christmas.
C. But of course, the real meaning of Christmas is to be with your loved ones.
D. People who live near the ocean might go to the beach and play on the sand.
E. For example, there is an Australian version of the famous Jingle Bells carol (颂歌).
F. It is a nice way to acknowledge the unique way that Australians spend Christmas.
G. But in Australia, where I'm from, most people don't do these things at Christmas.
