New Zealand, Australia, the US, the UK and even Sweden – South Africans can be found all over the world. With the COVID-19 pandemic it is more difficult than usual to spend the festive season with family and friends. We asked our Saffa friends on Facebook how they are celebrating Christmas abroad, and this is what they had to say:
Christmas in Sweden
Christmas in Sweden is “Yule”. It is celebrated on the 24th, Christmas Eve. Usually there is a lot of snow by this time. In every window there is a star or a candle burning. Christmas dinner comprises gammon, raw salmon (“gravad lax”) with strong mustard, various canned herrings, boiled eggs with caviar, “Janssons frestelse” (a baked dish with potatoes, onions, cheese and anchovies), ribs, a kind of sweet brown bread with raisins, a small round Dutch cheese, meat balls and small prince sausages with sweet mustard.
Dessert usually is saffron pancake with raisins, strawberry jam and cream. A couple of special beers usually are enjoyed at dinner. Red wine goes down well too. After dinner, everybody watches old movies for children, such as Donald Duck.
Another South African in Sweden writes: “Snow is falling already. Festive Christmas markets are everywhere, with lights and hot chocolate, spice cookies and glogg. But we definitively are going to have leg of lamb with roast potatoes and pumpkin fritters. It tastes like home!”
Christmas in New Zealand
We are having a summer Christmas here on the South Island of New Zealand. We are having gammon on the Weber, bring-a-plate salads, pavlova and trifle for dessert. Everybody is always welcome to visit us, and if the weather is good we will go for a swim in the lake and a trip on a boat.
Another South African in New Zealand writes: “Here in New Zealand we celebrate Christmas at the beach on a glorious hot summer day, just as we used to do at Margate.”
Christmas in Scotland
Winter in Scotland, with leg of lamb, turkey and gammon, pumpkin fritters and the traditional trifle I grew up with. A good warm punch compensates for the cold. Unfortunately, this is a lonely time without any family; this time of the year we are seriously homesick.
Christmas in Australia
It is a hot (35–45 degrees) Christmastime here in Australia on the outskirts of the Outback. Much like Kakamas, where we originally hail from. Leg of lamb, stuffed eggs and all the traditional delicacies are always on the menu. This year all the children and in-laws will be here, as will many of our fellow ex-South African friends, who have become family by now. We have made this country our home and Christmas is celebrated the way only South Africans can!
