Why Warmth Wins: Why Cold Christmases Pale in Comparison to a Sunny Season's Celebration.

Should we have learned anything from the influx of holiday movies, ubiquitous decorations, and jingle bell-infused songs, it's that the cultural zeitgeist has decreed Christmas is a holiday best served frosty. Is that so?

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 southern hemisphere folk possess: a sun-drenched Christmas is simply superior. 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 an empty claim. I spent my entire childhood enduring 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 early nightfall and a crisp sting on my cheeks. The sole silver lining? The style options; layering is inherently stylish.

In fairness, a cold Christmas has its charms. It's traditional, iconic, and the possibility of snow is undeniably enchanting. The cosy charm of a frosty gathering 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.

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 more family for the first time. With a bigger crowd to entertain, my father got creative in the kitchen, crafting a potent vodka jelly that left everyone reeling. We all slept well that night.

This became our routine for years – sharing the day with family and friends, complete with water gun fights across the table. That was, until my parents heeded the opportunity of a new job and moved to a particularly cold part of northern England.

A Revelation in Reverse

Visiting them for Christmas after a long absence, I anticipated a surge of nostalgic longing. Instead, I found myself yearning for everything that made a summer Christmas unique. Enjoying a cool drink in the sun. Noshing on piles of fresh fruit. Loved ones being just a short drive away. Vibrant sunsets stretched across the sky. In that moment, I was a summer celebration advocate.

"That summer heat eased the grief in significant 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 profoundly difficult, his absence felt everywhere. Yet, being once again surrounded by family under the soft warmth of the summer sun alleviated the grief in monumental ways.

Conflicting Celebrations

All this said, I must confess to being a massive hypocrite. 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 frosty festive ideal still has a slight grip on me!

Still, I'm eager to return home for another New Year's Day under the Australian summer sun. Knowing my family – including a newborn nephew – will be nearby 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.