The first difference between a New Zealand and Swedish Christmas is that it is celebrated on the 25th and not the 24th. Most people actually work on Christmas Eve.

For me a typical Christmas would start the night before, on the 24th. People usually go out for dinner and socialize with their friends, later on going out on the town and party the evening away. This could be the last time you see your friends until New Year's Eve so you make the most of it!

The next morning you wake up early, the anticipation can be intense. We would travel to a central location where all the family has gathered; a breakfast of bacon and eggs is supplied and sometimes waiting. This is usually the grandparent’s home and for some this can involve a great many people. For me this means around forty people ranging from 0 to 70 years old. Most are younger than ten and the scene can best be described as one of the fight scenes in the movie 300. The aftermath would make any eco-warrior cry, wrapping paper and boxes lying around, at least a couple of trees worth.

Most of the family would stay and socialize until lunchtime when a BBQ lunch would be put on, usually with very large pork sausages, steaks and some schnitzel, all marinated in the unhealthiest way.

Christmas is usually a bright sunny day around 25 degrees. Many people look forward to going to the beach and spending the day in the sun. For us we would head for the river and spend the rest of the day water skiing and usually having a BBQ dinner, hamburgers or something similar.

There are very few traditions in New Zealand for Christmas unfortunately; most of the traditions that were brought with the original settlers to New Zealand for Christmas have not continued. The temperate climate doesn't allow for many winter traditions.

Christmas without winter and darkness doesn't feel like Christmas at all. You miss out on all the little things that you never think about like the smell of candles going out or the taste of warm glögg. On the other hand going to the beach for Christmas can be a welcome change to the wet, cold and dark Swedish Christmas.

You will have to decide for yourself.