Some Like It Hot: Why Cold Christmases Pale in Comparison to Celebrating in Summer.

If we have gleaned anything from the influx of holiday movies, mass-produced decorations, and festively themed songs, it's that the popular narrative has determined Christmas is a holiday best served cold. So they say!

The powers that be in the top of the equator may have convinced the world, but that's only because they are without the inherent understanding we denizens of the south possess: a sun-drenched Christmas is simply the better way. This season is fraught enough – irrespective 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 experiencing cold festive seasons. Despite my family hailing from New Zealand, my father's career meant inevitable international moves. My younger years were scattered across the UK and the US, meaning every December brought dark skies by 4pm and a biting chill on my cheeks. The sole upside? The style options; bundling up is inherently stylish.

In all honesty, a cold Christmas has its appeal. It's traditional, classic, and the prospect of snow is truly magical. The cosy charm of a frosty gathering is hard to disregard. Yet, with my extended family an ocean away, I always felt I was lacking an authentic celebration that not even the richest hot chocolate could replicate.

A Move to Summer

Everything changed when another move brought my family to Australia. There, I finally experienced a proper festive family affair, joined by extended relatives for the first time. With a larger group to entertain, my father got experimental in the kitchen, concocting 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 playful battles across the table. That was, until my parents answered the call of a new job and moved to a notoriously chilly part of northern England.

A Revelation in Reverse

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

"That summer heat soothed the sorrow in monumental ways."

This feeling was cemented after my father passed away. My mother decided to return home to New Zealand. The first Christmas without him was incredibly tough, 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 walking contradiction. This year, I'll be celebrating during winter in South Korea, and I'm genuinely excited to wander around Seoul in my warmest jacket, hoping for a snowfall. The frosty festive ideal still has a little hold 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 newest member – will be nearby 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.