It is well-known that Christmas is in the middle of summer in Australia. Because of the heat it is commonplace to have cold chicken, turkey, ham and other meats with salad for Christmas dinner. Seafood is also very popular as is having Christmas dinner picnic-style at beach or elsewhere.
The full cooked hot Christmas dinner as in Britain, Europe or the United States in still served in some homes but rarely now as it is a very uncomfortable job for the cook.
But there are many who yearn for the hot Christmas dinner in cold weather. Lots of people miss a cold Christmas.
So a new Australian custom has arisen in recent years - Christmas in July.
Many people are having "Christmas" parties and dinners in July, coldest month in winter, so that they can have the full works of a hot cooked Christmas dinner without getting heat stroke while cooking it. It is also so much more enjoyable to eat a hot dinner in cooler weather. They can sit around in their winter clothes in front of a fire while enjoying all that goes with a cold climate Christmas dinner.
It is even better if they do it while at the snowfields.
The retail industry and the catering and food is getting in on the act too after all they see a new market here.
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