I've had a lot of people asking me how Christmas is celebrated in New Zealand. First of all, very strange having Christmas in the summer. A lot of holiday parades at beaches and Christmas BBQs. James sat on Santa's lap outside in a park. There are still parking lots of Christmas trees for sale and the typical Christmas-themed goods at the stores. No one puts lights on their houses, though, because electricity is SO expensive. Lance and I did the happy dance when we got our $400 bill down to $180 this month. I turn off outlets and use the clothesline like a madwoman. It's sad when the first thing I think when I wake up to a sunny say is, "Oh sweet, a good laundry day!" I haven't seen any lawn blow-up decorations either, not that I miss those. I've seen a couple Nativity Scenes at some churches, but not many. It doesn't feel like Christmas. I've been playing Christmas music just to remind myself it's the holidays!
Pictures from James's first visit to Santa:
Since we are going to be gone in the South Island for two weeks on a roadtrip over Christmas and New Years, it seemed silly to get a tree. So I made one out of sticks, paper, yarn, and homemade clay ornaments. I'm pretty proud of it. I think it looks cute in a very, very rustic kind of way. I tried.
Thank you to our families and friends who sent Christmas packages and cards. They help us feel a little holiday joy when we are so far away from all of our loved ones. We are sad James is having his first Christmas without his extended family, but we know he will see them when he gets older and he can actually form memories. In the meantime, Lance and I just remind ourselves that we will be here on Christmas Day.
Here's our Christmas itinerary in case anyone is interested. Obviously we will have much to post upon our return.
Dec. 19- Fly to Christchurch
Dec. 20- Dunedin
Dec. 21- Dunedin
Dec. 22- Catlins
Dec. 23- Milford Sound
Dec. 24- Te Anau
Dec. 25- Queenstown
Dec. 26- Queenstown
Dec. 27- Wanaka
Dec. 28- Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers
Dec. 29- Greymouth
Dec. 30- Kaikoura
Dec. 31- Jan. 2 Christchurch
We will be driving around and sleeping in a campervan! Pray for a safe, successful, and SANE trip!
Love you.
what an ambitious schedule but if anyone can do it and keep sane it's a Jespersen/Weber! What wonderful memories you three are making. We miss you terribly but enjoy the fact that you are having such a one-of-a-kind experience. Much love, from the Ohio Jespersens
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