Festivities in Australia are not unlike those in America. However, the weather maintains that pine trees don't make such hot christmas trees in Australia! Otherwise, lights and other traditional decorations are very popular. No snowmen, though!!!

Santa Clause is the man in Australia, but you'd be more likely to see him surfing rather than driving a sleigh with eight little reindeer. Australians do believe in the Santa myth- coming down from the North Pole, flying reindeer, down the chimmney, milk and cookies, all in one night bit, but it might be hard for the little kiddies to believe that Santa would come down in a big red suit in 90 degree weather. There is however, rumor down under that "Swag Man" should take over Santa's domain. There has been some concern that jolly Old St. Nick might be suffering from heat stroke when he visits the land down under. "Swag Man" wears a brown Akubra, a blue singlet and long baggy shorts. He spends all winter under Uluru with his merry dingoes and then at Christmas time(summer in Australia), he gets in his huge four-wheel drive and sets off through the red dust to deliver his presents. But it may be a few generations before "Swag Man" really becomes a hit. Today, visiting Australia, you can still here little children talking of Santa checking his list to see whether they have been naughty or nice.