In our global community, Christmas doesn’t look the same for everyone — and that’s part of what makes it magical. While some of us are crafting in cozy sweaters with snow outside, others are celebrating under the sun in shorts and sandals!
Today’s mission: What does Christmas look like where YOU live?
Are you decorating palm trees or pine trees?
Do you craft with snowflakes or seashells?
What’s one tradition or seasonal twist that makes your holiday unique?
Let’s learn from each other and celebrate the beautiful ways we craft and create across climates and cultures.
I live in Southeast Texas about 40 minutes from the Gulf Coast. The high is 75°F (23°C) here, today, with scattered rain showers. The weather has been going back and forth between cold and warm. We still have green leaves on our trees, but some are turning yellow. We never know if we’ll have a warm Christmas or cold one. It’s difficult to tell if I should decorate a palm tree or a pine tree. It seems like I see more palm trees than pine trees, around here. I’m thinking, maybe, I should start decorating palm trees and seashells, rather than pine trees and snowflakes. In 23 years of being here, I’ve experienced 3 snows. One was my 3rd year here, and it was Christmas Eve. We didn’t even get a full inch, so by Christmas morning, it was all gone, and 70+ degrees. The last snow was in February 2021, and we got a few inches, and it stayed for a few days! It had NEVER snowed that much here. Where I’m from in Tennessee, we would get blizzards that would sometimes bring 3 feet of snow. It was rare, but I had seen snow a lot growing up. Today, I’ll be trying to make some cozy makes for the event, but at 75°, it’s kind of difficult to get into that cozy creation mood.
As far as traditions go, we don’t really have any. The only thing I can think of is that sometimes we do tacos for Christmas dinner, instead of turkey and stuffing. However, we eat tacos quite often. Just last night, as a matter of fact. So, I guess you could say tacos is just an all-year tradition for us.
I had tacos for dinner last night too lol.
Where I am it’s always hot for Christmas, it’s just a matter of how hot. Apparently we are in for a heatwave this week, hopefully it’s gone before Christmas. I’m just glad we always live near the sea, so we get a nice sea breeze most days. I’m very much a winter person and have a couple Christmases in the snow when visiting relatives in America. My favorite trip though was to new Zealand to see my dad’s side of the family, this was the first time I ever saw snow. We were there for 2 weeks and it snowed the whole time. Everyone said this never happens, I liked to think it snowed for me
Tacos are amazing! How amazing, we both had tacos for dinner!
Yeah, I was kind of thinking about you being in the southern hemisphere and it being summer at Christmas down there. I bet it’s a whole different experience. Since I know this community has people from all over the world, it will be nice to hear about how you all in the southern hemisphere celebrate Christmas in the summer.
I’d say it did snow for you! I love seeing the snow, but the people here can’t drive in it, at all. So I stay home when it does.
I don’t know if it’s the same for everyone here, but we more focus on Christmas lunch than dinner. Dinner is left over lunch if you are still hungry lol.
We normally have a big barbecue outside. We have ham, salads, prawns, chicken kebabs, bread sticks. Everything is normally cold as it’s to hot to slave in the kitchen all day. Oh and for desert we do a pavlova. It’s so good I still do a traditional Thanksgiving dinner though.
That sounds awesome! Where I am, we sometimes do barbecue, too, if we get a warm Christmas. I’ve done Christmas lunches and Christmas dinners, but I’ve mainly just gone to family’s or friends’ homes for it. I’ve done one Christmas dinner at my home, and that was with some friends, no family. Since my mom moved back to Tennessee, I don’t really do anything for the holidays. The friends I had moved further away, too, so there’s really nobody to celebrate with, anymore.
It’s really cool to hear about your summer Christmasses. I don’t think there’s a law that says we have to have turkey on Christmas. Many people here are usually turkeyed out from Thanksgiving, so they come up with other menus, as well. Just curious, what kind of Christmas trees do you guys have down there? Australia has always been intriguing to me. I would love to go there, one day.
We would totally love to have you, Australia is pretty awesome. Very laid back and just go with the flow
We do have alive Christmas trees. When I lived in Victoria I always had a live Christmas tree. The other states I have lived in and where I currently live I only had fake ones. There probably is places that sell them but I haven’t gone looking.
I’m sad that you have no one to celebrate with. In my partners line of work I make friends and then they move away, or I make friends and I move away. It’s hard making friends as an adult. That’s why I was so excited about this community. Cause I can take the community wherever I go. We can totally celebrate in the community with you
Australia was always my dream place to visit growing up. Maybe one day I’ll get to make that dream come true. My hubby won’t get on a plane, so I’ll definitely have to go by myself.
That’s cool that they have live trees there! I’m just fine with a fake tree, as you don’t have all the needles to clean up afterwards. The real ones smell good, but they can be a hassle. I have one in a closet. I haven’t put it up in a few years. I thought about putting it up this year, but I never got around to it. Maybe, next year I’ll get back in the mood for it.
It’s ok, you don’t need to feel sad. I don’t let it bother me. I celebrate Jesus everyday, so for me, it’s really just another day. You’re right, though, it’s hard making friends as an adult, especially in a place where you didn’t grow up. But I really enjoy making friends here, as well. At least I know we’re interested in the same things. It’s so much easier to join a community where everyone is into the same stuff and make friends, than having to meet people in person, then learn you have nothing in common.
I live in northeast Colorado so Christmas could be spent in a cozy sweater or a short sleeve shirt. lol The main tradition that my little family of three does involves Christmas Eve. When our son was in elementary school we started the tradition of switching off who read The Night Before Christmas. To make it a more interesting idea for our son, because he went first, we also let that person choose what we will have for dinner that night. Of course back in the day we did have to tell our son he could choose anything but pizza, because that was (and still his) his default food of choice. lol it’s still supper fun and I have the running list tucked away inside the book so we don’t forget.
Oh, yes, Colorado! Such a beautiful place! I’ve been there a few times. Once when I was 13 and rode with my truck driver uncle to Denver. The other 2 times, I passed through going to and from Wyoming. To me, it’s one of the most beautiful states in the US. I love that you can see the snow on the Rockies in the middle of summer! If it’s that beautiful in the summer, I can only imagine gorgeous it is in the winter.
It’s so sweet and lovely that you have that tradition with your son. I bet he will always cherish those memories throughout adulthood. And, of course, what kid doesn’t have pizza as their favorite food? It was always mine, too. But I’ve developed a dairy allergy, so I can’t eat anything with cheese. Oh, but I Iove it so much! Along with Colorado!
Thank you for sharing your traditions with us! I hope this Christmas is just as memorable and magical as Christmasses past.
Honestly I grew up in New Jersey so a winter type of Christmas was normal. I went to Navy bootcamp near Chicago in 2006 in the winter and it was a light snow year but a different type of cold. Then I have had a Christmas one deployment floating on a ship and it being 100 out. Now in wi it’s what ever Jack Frost decides it’s usually at least cold and can have a storm recently or just have a Icy day.
Oh, yeah, I know Jersey has to be cold. It’s probably a humid cold, too, with the ocean being close. Then, Chicago, I’d say is probably a dryer cold, huh? Christmas on a Navy ship sounds like fun, though. Maybe, not so much at 100. I thought Wisconsin had snow nearly all year. I’m sure I’m wrong, but from seeing the Packers games on TV, and all the snow I’ve seen them play in, I thought the winters were all snow filled.
Thanks for sharing with us! I love getting to know everyone more. This is great! We definitely get ice storms here in Houston. That’s nearly every January or February, though.
Winter likes to hang around Wisconsin 6 months of winter is fairly normal since I have lived here we have even had a big storm on April 18th so it can be even longer.
Oh, yeah, that’s way too cold and way too long for me. Here, we have about 2 months of true winter, which is January and February, but the lowest temps we’ll get is about 28°. The summers are scorchers, though. I like October, because it starts to get down into the 60s & 70s, at night. I have been enjoying the 40s & 50s when they show up, after a long, hot summer. We’re in that period, right now, where we can have all 4 seasons in 3 days. I wish it would pick one, and stay there. I was just getting used to the 50s, then, the 70s came back.
I hope you stay warm, though. Looks like it’s pretty cold up there, as we speak.
Where I live, In Northeastern Ohio Christmas comes with snow, cold weather, and twinkling lights — the full winter wonderland vibe. I decorate my (fake) pine tree and lean into the season with beautiful light and snowflake‑themed crafts because the chilly air outside just makes it feel right.
Some of my favorite moments are the simple ones: drinking hot cocoa, playing holiday music, making and decorating gingerbread houses, and trimming the tree with my son and my grandkids. Those little traditions are the ones that fill my heart the most creating lasting memories.
Food is a big part of our celebration too. Our meals can go in so many directions — sometimes it’s ham, potato salad, greens or green beans, baked beans with meat, and cornbread. Other years we switch it up with a seafood boil or even some BBQ. No matter what’s on the table, it always brings everyone together.
Every year we also host an Ugly Christmas Sweater party, and it’s become one of our most loved traditions. We play games, sing karaoke, laugh until our sides hurt, and just enjoy being together. By the time the tree is glowing, the tree skirt is laid out beautifully, and the gifts are tucked all around, the whole house feels festive and full of joy.
The winter climate definitely inspires my style it makes me want to bring that cozy, snowy magic
indoors.
I live in Denmark and here it can snow at Christmas but it doesn’t happen that often. Normally the temperature is about 2 degrees Celsius at this time of year but this year we are at 10 degrees.
We decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve and have the family visiting from the afternoon, we eat roast pork, duck, potatoes with red cabbage and browned potatoes (potatoes fried in sugar and butter).
We open presents in the evening together with the rest of the family.
For the last 10 years it has been a tradition that my little brother comes already on the 23rd so he can join in the Christmas fun by decorating the tree and making sweets and not least watching a Christmas greeting with my children in the morning (now only the youngest of 14 years thinks it’s nice and worth getting up for).
In the days after Christmas Eve we play games and relax.
Wow, @Katrina_Moore, I love how beautifully you painted the picture of a true winter wonderland in Northeastern Ohio! Hot cocoa, gingerbread houses, and twinkling lights sound like the perfect way to embrace the season, and your Ugly Christmas Sweater party tradition made me smile—it sounds like so much fun. I think it’s amazing how food and laughter bring everyone together, whether it’s ham and cornbread or a seafood boil. It all sounds amazing and delicious!
Thank you for sharing your Christmas traditions. I love the stories behind them.
I’m back in winter mode as the temperature dropped down to the 50s today. So, I’m ready to make some cozy makes, now, myself.
@Dorthe, it sounds like we’re experiencing the same temps—at least we are today. I woke up to colder weather, this morning. Never know what to expect, here. Denmark looks, and sounds, so lovely. I would love to visit there, one day, too!
Thank you so much for sharing such a beautiful glimpse into Christmas in Denmark! I love how your traditions center around family — from decorating the tree on Christmas Eve to your brother joining in early for sweets and holiday fun. The meal you described sounds incredible (those browned potatoes fried in sugar and butter are making my mouth water!), and I think it’s wonderful how your celebration blends cozy food, games, and togetherness.
It’s so interesting to hear how the climate shifts the atmosphere — sometimes snowy, sometimes mild — yet the heart of the holiday shines through in your traditions. Your story really shows how Christmas adapts to its setting while keeping the magic alive through family and shared moments.
Today’s mission: What does Christmas look like where YOU live?
It’s difficult to tell if I should decorate a palm tree or a pine tree. It seems like I see more palm trees than pine trees, around here. 
I’m thinking, maybe, I should start decorating palm trees and seashells, rather than pine trees and snowflakes. In 23 years of being here, I’ve experienced 3 snows. One was my 3rd year here, and it was Christmas Eve. We didn’t even get a full inch, so by Christmas morning, it was all gone, and 70+ degrees. The last snow was in February 2021, and we got a few inches, and it stayed for a few days! It had NEVER snowed that much here. Where I’m from in Tennessee, we would get blizzards that would sometimes bring 3 feet of snow. It was rare, but I had seen snow a lot growing up. Today, I’ll be trying to make some cozy makes for the event, but at 75°, it’s kind of difficult to get into that cozy creation mood. 
I love seeing the snow, but the people here can’t drive in it, at all. So I stay home when it does.
I still do a traditional Thanksgiving dinner though.
Australia has always been intriguing to me. I would love to go there, one day. 
Oh, but I Iove it so much! Along with Colorado! 
Maybe, not so much at 100.
I love how your traditions center around family — from decorating the tree on Christmas Eve to your brother joining in early for sweets and holiday fun. The meal you described sounds incredible (those browned potatoes fried in sugar and butter are making my mouth water!