It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like A Tropical Christmas!
By bernieh
11 comments
Not far to go now! Of course, my grandchildren have it figured out in terms of the number of sleeps … only 18 more to go!!
Here in my north-eastern corner of tropical Australia, it’s time to get in the Christmas mood.
People decorate their houses and yards for the annual ‘Street Light Drive’. Every year we get in our cars, turn on the local radio station and are directed down particular streets so we can enjoy the fabulous house and yard light displays.
The house featured in the mosaic is the best known house … the McGregor’s house. They’ve been decorating their house for many, many years … well ever since I first moved here over thirty years ago.
The Mayor has the annual ’Mayor’s Christmas Tree Appeal’. This allows for cash, gift and food donations to be left under the Christmas tree at the Town Council Office and various other locations around the city. All these donations are then passed on to those who are not so fortunate through various community organisations. The target this year is at least $100,000. The city residents usually meet the target and then some.
Our city also hosts ‘Stable On The Strand’. For the five days before Christmas, one of the parks along our ocean front boulevard is transformed into the town of Bethlehem complete with Roman soldiers, traditional craftspeople, livestock, shepherds and of course Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. This interactive re-telling of the traditional Christmas story is free for all. 2011 is the tenth anniversary of this fabulous community celebration.
Our major city streets are always livened up with huge Christmas street decorations. You can see how these are all attached to the tall street lights.
There are also several locations around our city that host Carols By Candlelight, although sometimes that can be touch and go according to the weather. The largest gathering, which was scheduled for the Sunday just gone, had to be cancelled because of the weather forecast which predicted thunderstorms and more heavy rain. That did eventuate, so it was a good thing the Carols were called off. It looks like it will now happen this coming Sunday … weather permitting!
I thought I would end the post today with a popular photo titled ‘Aussie Christmas Wreath’! Gotta love it!
7 Dec, 2011
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Comments
Lovely blog Bernieh it is nice to see how other's celebrate Christmas, I liked the bird picture as well :-)
7 Dec, 2011
That's a great community spirit there Bernieh, my grandaughter is also counting her sleeps.the christmas wreath is fantastic love it.:o)
7 Dec, 2011
Thanks Bloomer, Mavis and Tulsalady, I'm so looking forward to going down and spending Christmas with my little darlings.
7 Dec, 2011
Its amazing Bernie quite wonderful and that christmas wreath well!!.....:0))
Merry christmas to you all xxx
7 Dec, 2011
Looks like you are all going to have a fab Christmas.
Love the parrot wreath!
7 Dec, 2011
It looks like a lot of fun Bernie , I wonder if my cousins were there somewhere.. I love the Christmas wreath as well ...
7 Dec, 2011
i love those paraqueets. [sp??]
7 Dec, 2011
love the xmas wreath Bernieh, lovely blog :o) hope you have a wonderfull christmas x
8 Dec, 2011
Some great photos in this blog, Bernieh! It's good to see a reminder that Christmas is celebrated in different ways in different countries!
Just as I clicked on your blog the song "It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas" started to play!!! I'm playing Christmas songs on the computer while reading & writing on GoY!
Your last picture of the birds had me confused for a moment or two, I couldn't make head or tails of it! I thought I was supposed to be looking at a wreath but I couldn't see it! LOL! Then all of a sudden it clicked - they are parakeets all around a dish!!! LOL! :-D
The nearest you'll get to a picture like that here would probably be with pigeons!
11 Dec, 2011
Thank you Pamg, Geraniumdad, Amy, Stickitoffee, Sanbaz and Balcony.
Stickitoffee, the red and blue birds are Crimson Rosellas, and the red and green birds are King Parrots. They are both parrots.
Balcony, lol I'm glad you got it in the end!
11 Dec, 2011
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That looks wonderful,Bernieh..love how everyone pulls together..and much more pleasant being outdoors to take part,in your corner of the world..Thunderstorms being an exception,of course ! Love the last pic..so pretty ..thanks for sharing :o))
7 Dec, 2011