Hi everyone,

Just a wee note to say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. I really hope you all have a wonderful time with family and friends - even though some of you are going through tough times.

And a big thank you to those that have helped and supported me over the year. I've appreciated it so much. The last 6 months have been about rebuilding for my H and I and we are at a wonderful place.

I hope to be able to be a bit more involved in a supportive way on here next year. I'm currently dealing with my best friends infidelity so everything i've learnt here is coming in very handy!

Love to you all

Welcome back, BV!

Glad to hear that things seem to be progressing well for you. Bring your wayward friend here, we can help her.

But seriously, I've always wanted to ask this extremely sensitive question of someone in your situation:

How does one adequately celebrate Christmas in the beginning of Summer?

merry christmas right back atcha bv! i'm so pleased to hear things are going well with your H & family.

if you get a chance to answer NGs Q, that'd be great! even after 11 years, i still struggle with xmas traditions in the opposite climate!

I wondered this myself. Do you get a Christmas tree? Instead of traditional roast ham do you bbq instead?

Merry Christmas BV.

I just asked on your thread how you were doing. I'm so happy for you and DH.

So good to hear from you BV, and I echo the above sentiments. In case you're wondering who this stranger is posting to you, I used to be Tiger.

So glad the long haul path that you have chosen to travel is working well for you and your BH. I knew you had it in you. Awesome.

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas and New Year as well!

(Gotta feeling this New Year is going to be something else!)

Thank you. Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas BV

Glad to hear things are going well for you and DH.

As a fellow "down under" I can help answer the important questions.

Christmas Trees - real or artificial. Many of our decorations are northern hemishpere based though.

Some people use fake snow to decorate their houses and yards - we all grew up with the US & UK white christmas shows

Food - some go traditional with the ham and turkey but may substitute gourmet salads instead of roasted veges etc. Seafood has become very popular in Australia particualary if it's hot and humid (40+ degrees)it's also becoming more popular in NZ. BBQs are also on the menu in many homes. Christmas lunch at the beach is another popular option.

It's nice to be able to sit outdoors at night with a glass of wine or bubbles and enjoy the evening. I would love to have a white Christmas sometime though.

Seafood has become very popular in Australia particularly if it's hot and humid (40+ degrees); it's also becoming more popular in NZ. BBQs are also on the menu in many homes. Christmas lunch at the beach is another popular option.

So I guess a roaring yule-log fire is not recommended, hey?

(I'm guessing your 40-degrees benchmark is Celsius, yes? For my colleagues, that is about 104-degrees American!)

Yep a cardboard cut out is required for those who crave a white Christmas (melting icon required)

Yes 40 degrees celsius - that was the temp on our last Christmas in our family home in Oz and I'd planned a traditional family lunch

So frozen beverages verses hot chocolate or cider........

Bbq verses roast ham........

swimwear verses winter wear.....

Interesting.