THE CONCRETE ROUNDABOUT (TCR)

Christmas down here is weird, it is my 3rd one overall in New Zealand. I can only assume anyone else who has lived in the Southern Hemisphere has experienced similar

Christmas tunes playing in the Supermarket since December 1st, decorations dotted around the community but having Christmas lights is quite funny as it doesn't get dark until about 8:30-9pm so they are rather wasted. No decorations for me, very few gifts being given. Christmas seems a bit more relaxed down here with less pressure. The thing I find odd is the flavours I typically associate with Christmas not being that suited. Rather than rich meals, then spices and all other warming things it is about an ice cold lager and seafood. Will spend Christmas down the beach with my mates this year, no turkey in sight.

Yeah, Christmas in warmer climates is odd, we spent one xmas/new year in Tenerife, sunny and around 26c every day, it just didn’t seem right!

Back here tree and decorations have been up for a week and they will be down pretty rapid after Christmas

Very much the opposite.
Always get my tree as early in December as possible, with the house decorations going up a week or so earlier. And leave them up until as late as possible - January 5th or 6th (whenever Twelfth Night is).
I'd have them up even longer - actually, never take them down! - but I don't want to be regarded as the eccentric loony who 'still has Christmas decorations up in...!'