Why Warmth Wins: Why Cold Christmases Are a Feeble Imitation to a Sunny Season's Celebration.
Should we have learned anything from the deluge of holiday movies, mass-produced decorations, and festively themed songs, it's that the cultural zeitgeist has determined Christmas is a holiday best served cold. So they say!
The powers that be residing above the equator may have convinced the world, but that's only because they lack the inherent understanding we southern hemisphere folk possess: a warm Christmas is simply the better way. This season is fraught enough – regardless of temperature – but at least we don't have to battle seasonal depression on top of it all.
A Chilly Childhood
And this isn't just hot air. I spent my formative years experiencing cold festive seasons. Despite my family hailing from New Zealand, my father's career led to inevitable international moves. My younger years were scattered across the UK and the US, meaning every December brought dark skies by 4pm and a crisp sting on my cheeks. The sole upside? The fashion choices; layering is effortlessly chic.
In fairness, a cold Christmas has its charms. It's traditional, iconic, and the possibility of snow is truly magical. The snug appeal of a chilly celebration is hard to dismiss. Yet, with my extended family on the other side of the world, I always felt I was lacking an authentic celebration that not even the richest hot chocolate could make up for.
The Southern Shift
Everything changed when another move brought my family to Australia. There, I finally experienced a proper festive family affair, joined by extended relatives for the first time. With a larger group to entertain, my father got experimental in the kitchen, concocting a heavily marinated vodka jelly that was famously strong. We slept soundly that night.
This became our tradition for years – sharing the day with family and friends, complete with playful battles across the table. That was, until my parents answered the call of a new job and moved to a notoriously chilly part of northern England.
Nostalgia's Surprise
Visiting them for Christmas after a long absence, I expected a surge of nostalgic longing. Instead, I found myself missing everything that made a summer Christmas special. Sipping sangria in the sun. Feasting upon piles of fresh fruit. Loved ones being just a short drive away. Vibrant sunsets painting the sky. Suddenly, I was a summer celebration advocate.
"The warmth soothed the sorrow in significant ways."
This feeling was cemented after my father passed away. My mother decided to return home to New Zealand. The first Christmas without him was incredibly tough, his loss palpable everywhere. Yet, being once more surrounded by family under the gentle heat of the summer sun helped ease the grief in profound ways.
A Self-Proclaimed Hypocrite
All this said, I must confess to being a walking contradiction. This year, I'll be celebrating during winter in South Korea, and I'm truly looking forward to explore Seoul in my warmest jacket, hoping for a glimpse of snow. The cold Christmas propaganda still has a slight grip on me!
Still, I'm keen to return home for another New Year's Day under the Australian summer sun. Knowing my family – including a newest member – will be close by as we enter the new year fills me with a happiness my younger self always yearned for. Not even the deepest powder can compare to that feeling.
