Christmas in Australia is noted on the nights of December December 24 and 25, according to Catholic tradition.

For the first time in Australia Christmas was noted in 1788 the year.

Christmas season begins in Australia long before Christmas itself and more than a month lasts.

In Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, as the official discovery of the season is considered the Christmas parade, which is passed to the middle of November, when Santa enters into the city. This is very a similar popular and solemn phenomenon in Australia, which became good tradition and one of the sights of this city.

Seventy moving subject fairytale platforms also of 20 brass bands in tracking of hundreds of pirates, clowns, wooden soldiers and many other fairytale characters participate in the holiday procession, which intersects the center of the capital.

To this bright procession arrive to look tens of thousands of Australians and numerous tourists. And, in spite of the extent of the parade, the hot November sun and +35 degree heat, the atmosphere of holiday applies to entire city, filling each of its corners.

Procession stops in one of the largest commercial centers of the city, where under the orchestra Santa descends from its vehicle and departs to the magic cave. There it will dwell to Christmas itself, and each desiring will be able to glance to it in guests, and to photograph to the memory. So in Australia Christmas begins.

However, besides Santa in Australia is one additional Christmas character on the name Australian Swag  Man (grandfather with the bag). In some regions of continent it practically completely extruded Santa Klausa. Swag man is dressed in the brown head-gear, the dark-blue sweater and long awkward Shorts. According to legend, in winter it with its loyal dog of dingo dwells on the island - cliff To uluru, which the Australian aborigines call sacred. When Christmas begins, Swag Man sits down itself into the gigantic four-wheeled vehicle and, surrounded by the red cloud of dust, it mchitsya to give out gifts.

The Australians become nearer during these days, it is more affable and it is better to each other. On the works christmas lunches and dinners organize. In the stores to Christmas in Australia and in many other countries of the crowd of people. People run in search of the gifts to Christmas. Live music and singing here and there is heard. Appear children's choir, can also be heard. From everywhere sound the Christmas songs – of carols. On the output from the morning the people is gathered by large and small groups to the picnics – family, friendly, official.

Before Christmas itself the drivers of buses, the salesmen of stores and bank workers are appointed into the caps and the deer horns. Santa walks through the commercial centers and other popular places in order to accept orders for the gifts from the children and to photograph.

But in the evening in the gardens and the parks local district authorities arrange the small carols  by  candlelights  – concerts of the Christmas songs, in which participate spectators themselves. By this main measure is central concert nearer to Christmas. Thousands of people are collected in the park of stage near the festival theater all around specially constructed for this case. When the park flares up by the sea of fires – this spectators they ignite its spark plugs

In the evening,  24th December Australia calms down. For two days the Stores are shut, and Australians leave on the houses in order to meet Christmas in the family to circle.

It is accepted to be gathered by entire family together to Christmas in Australia, people assemble from entire continent, and often also from other countries.

Traditional turkey and steamed out pudding are prepared on the eve of Christmas in Australia. Christmas dinner is arranged, as a rule, in fresh air: in the internal cavities or in the favorite places for the picnics. To the Christmas table will be given the traditional Australian entertainments: dish from sea products, cold chicken, different lettuces, fruits, ice cream and the Christmas cake

Christmas in Australia, however, and in the majority of the countries of peace,  – this is main gift holiday. Are opened gifts in Australia both during the day of Christmas and December  26 (Boxing Day)– during the day of gifts. If gift does not please itself, it again accurately pack and bring back into the stores – in this case Australians never they throw out the receipt.

The December 26 known as Boxing Day is for many a day of rest after a big Christmas Day. Some Australians will go back to the shopping malls for the Boxing Day sales and the returning of gifts that was not wanted, other Australians will take to the barbecue with friends and family or to the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground), to watch the Boxing Day test match a cricket match, with Pakistan coming to Australia to play.

Come on Aussies!

By Kristina Melnikova, Russian university student.