By Alyssa J. Montgomery
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| Image courtesy of Pixabay.com |
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| Pixabay.com |
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| Pixabay.com |
We're all aware that while Australians often swelter in heatwave conditions on Christmas Day, people in the Northern Hemisphere can be snowed in.
There are an increasing number of Australian-themed Christmas cards such as Santa with his surfboard, and kangaroos pulling his sleigh, however the majority of Christmas cards still depict raging fires, Christmas bells, and snow scenes. Partly, of course, this stems from the fact that many who've migrated to Australia have come from the northern hemipshere. But, is it true, that many of us are "Dreaming of a White Christmas" because there's something more romantic about a "Winter Wonderland"?
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| Image courtesy of Pixabay.com |
When I was asked to write a Christmas-themed romance, I chose London as my setting without any hesitation because Christmas in the colder climate of the northern hemisphere has always held more appeal to me. Maybe it's partly because I'm relaxed and on holidays when I'm there, but I think it's more to do with the amazing Christmas lights (which can be appreciated more because it gets dark earlier), the carollers who sing in the streets, the draw of the European Christmas markets and wandering through them drinking mulled wine. There are so many people out on the street enjoying Christmas cheer in a period of the year where the climate would otherwise keep them indoors and I find it a magical mood.
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| Image courtesy of Pixabay.com |
Traditional Christmas carols and songs like "Frosty the Snowman" make more sense in the northern hemisphere and I adore the sounds of church bells ringing all through the UK and Europe. I also love being able to eat traditional European Christmas fare and being able to rug up in layers of warm clothing rather than worrying about the extra kilos being on exhibition at the Aussie beach later that afternoon!
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| Image courtesy of Pixabay.com |
Interestingly, a reporter in the UK Daily Mail in November 2013 wrote "Forget about Summer Loving...Men are more amorous in winter." Research showed that "bedroom activities heat up as temperatures cool down." It makes sense. How good is it to stay in bed snuggled up on a cold winter's morning, or to slip under the blankets early on a cold winter's night? It might be cliched, yet it is romantic to be able to snuggle up in front of a fire, and of course, there's always an opportunity for a romantic spark to ignite when mistletoe abounds!
Whichever hemisphere you're in, if you're in the mood for a heart-warming romance this Christmas I hope you'll check out my latest title, "The Magic of Christmas", published by Escape Publishing (Harlequin Enterprises, Australia). And don't forget that some of the authors from Breathless in the Bush have also released an anthology of short Christmas stories, so you can catch up with those if you haven't already (Buy links in the column on this blog!)
Love to Love: Romantic interludes in a cold, preferably snowy, climate.
Love to Laugh: During Snowball fights.
Love to Learn: Sandman or Snowman? Given a choice, which would you prefer to be making on Christmas Day? Do you prefer the idea of Christmas romance in the northern or southern hemisphere?
Images and vectors in this article are all courtesy of Pixabay.com
"The Magic of Christmas" copyright: Escape Publishing, Harlequin Enterprises, Australia
I've never experienced a white christmas or even a cold one but I can see the appeal of the raging fireplace. On the other hand here the kids can take advantage of the warm weather to swim and ride their new Christmas bikes etc and generally I think our Christmas is a more active one.
ReplyDeleteOur Aussie Christmas being a more active one - provided the temperatures aren't soaring so much nobody feels like a backyard game of cricket. But then...there's always the backyard pool and a game of water polo or a trip to our beautiful beaches.
DeleteHi Alyssa! While overseas travelling (in my twenties) I spent a Christmas in London. I was SO looking forward to my first wintry Christmas - maybe even snow - but, sadly, the day was an unseasonable 18 degrees. The locals loved it! Thought it was summer! So, I have yet to experience the romance of a snow-bound Christmas. Until I do, reading about it is the next best thing.
ReplyDeleteWe had Christmas in Salzburg a few years ago and the winter in Europe was unseasonably warm. We did see snow while we were skiing in the Austrian and Swiss Alps but had been hoping for snow in Salzburg as well. Still, the Christmas markets and all the amazing street decorations were fabulous.
DeleteI've also never experienced a cold Christmas - unless you count one a couple of decades ago when it was a bit cool and my father put his cardigan on and Mum was delighted she actually warmed up slaving over a hot stove?! I love the idea of a cold Christmas and lights you can actually see before 8pm and cooking a feast without passing out from the heat. But then, the lingering daylight, the balmy days and kids splashing in the pool, being able to slip your shoes off and walk barefoot, playing a round of backyard cricket and having to retrieve the ball 25 times from the neighbours...somehow Christmas wouldn't be the same without all of that. I think we've embraced the best of both worlds!
ReplyDeleteBoth certainly have their positives! Aside from celebrating Christmas in my own home and establishing our own family Christmas traditions on the day, I'd still rather be in Europe I think but whether that's due to the colder weather and possibility of snow or just the fact that I'm on holidays whenever I'm there and catching up with family and friends I don't often see ...?
ReplyDeleteHi Alyssa, I prefer the idea of celebrating Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere. I think the glow of firelight is terribly romantic. I also love the idea of Christmas in the snow.
ReplyDeleteHi Sharon, as much as I acknowledge the family fun that can be had playing cricket and swimming here in Australia on a hot summer's day I definitely believe that the Northern Hemisphere cooler climate for Christmas is more romantic. Snuggling up and sharing body heat in the cooler climate is much more appealing than in the sweltering Aussie heat, too! So I think I'm going to call it - southern hemisphere for active family Christmas fun and northern hemisphere for a more romantic atmosphere!
ReplyDeleteSuch a tough question! I had a white Christmas whilst I was living in Banff, Canada - white powdery snow everywhere, a roaring fire place and a big turkey roast with all the trimmings. It's certainly magical. But I also love Chrissy in Oz - waking up early to sunshine, trips to the beach or laying by the pool. I think so long as I have my family with me i'm happy with either option!
ReplyDeleteReply below ...
DeleteOh Jayne, your Christmas in Banff sounds beautiful. It's a lovely part of the world - although it's been summer both times I've been there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I wrote this blog, some time ago, I didn't know you'd have an anthology of Christmas stories out with a couple of other authors but now I'll take the chance to mention "Christmas on Hope Street" that I'm sure readers will love.