Why Warmth Wins: Why Cold Christmases Are a Feeble Imitation to Celebrating in Summer.
Should we have learned anything from the deluge of holiday movies, mass-produced decorations, and jingle bell-infused songs, it's that the cultural zeitgeist has decreed Christmas is a holiday best served chilly. Whatever!
The powers that be in the top of the equator may have convinced the world, but that's only because they lack the inherent understanding we denizens of the south possess: a sun-drenched Christmas is simply superior. This season is stressful enough – regardless of temperature – but at least we don't have to battle seasonal depression on top of it all.
Frosty Formative Years
And this isn't just hot air. I spent my formative years enduring cold festive seasons. Despite my family originating in 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 style options; layering is effortlessly chic.
In fairness, a cold Christmas has its charms. It's traditional, classic, and the prospect of snow is undeniably enchanting. The snug appeal of a frosty gathering is hard to disregard. 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 most decadent hot chocolate could replicate.
A Move to Summer
Everything changed when another move brought my family to Australia. There, I finally experienced a full festive family affair, joined by extended relatives for the first time. With a larger group to entertain, my father got experimental in the kitchen, crafting 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 particularly cold part of northern England.
Nostalgia's Surprise
Visiting them for Christmas after a long absence, I expected a surge of fond remembrance. Instead, I found myself missing everything that made a summer Christmas unique. Enjoying a cool drink in the sun. Feasting upon piles of fresh fruit. Loved ones being just a phone call away. Vibrant sunsets painting the sky. Suddenly, I was a hot-Christmas convert.
"That summer heat eased the grief in monumental ways."
This feeling was reinforced after my father passed away. My mother decided to move back to New Zealand. The first Christmas without him was incredibly tough, his absence felt everywhere. Yet, being once again surrounded by family under the gentle heat of the summer sun helped ease the grief in monumental ways.
Conflicting Celebrations
All this said, I readily admit to being a massive hypocrite. This year, I'll be spending Christmas during winter in South Korea, and I'm genuinely excited to explore Seoul in my warmest jacket, hoping for a glimpse of snow. The cold Christmas propaganda still has a little hold on me!
Nevertheless, I'm keen to return home for another New Year's Day under the bright southern sun. Knowing my family – including a newborn nephew – will be close by as we enter the new year fills me with a happiness my younger self always craved. Not even the fluffiest snow can compare to that feeling.
