Mike and I had a wonderful Christmas down here in Australia. We are both incredibly grateful to be house sitting over the holidays. It definitely beats sleeping in our tent!
We anticipated lounging by the pool in the sun for Christmas. Unfortunately, a thunder storm arrived on Christmas Eve and prevented that fantasy from happening. Instead, we had a relaxing rainy day indoors. It felt much more like home with gray outside the windows.
Christmas Eve
We headed out to the shops to pick up groceries for our Christmas meal. Just as I expected, it was insane! We spent the afternoon listening to Christmas music and wrapping up our gifts. I found a Santa section in the newspaper and chuckled while I made sure at least one Santa was on each on Mike’s packages.
In the evening we spent a few hours preparing a delicious Christmas meal. It was quite the spread and will be feeding us for a few days. We prepared an avocado and beet salad, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, roasted pumpkin, and a chicken for Mike.
After dinner we posed for a few photos by the Christmas tree and curled up on the couch.
Christmas Day
In the morning we exchanged gifts on the floor under the tree. We agreed to a $10 budget this year so we had to be creative. One of my gifts to Mike was a pack of Skittles comprised of only his favorite color: red. I was so excited for him to open it. We also opened a package sent by my parents. Now I have plenty of books to read and vegan marshmallows to eat. Mike has his very own Powell’s t-shirt and enough ginger candy to keep him satisfied. Thank you Mom, Dad, and Toni!
After gifts we cooked up a special breakfast, drank some tea, took a few photos, and cracked our Christmas crackers.
The rain continued to pour the rest of the day so we continued the indoor relaxing.
It was a very pleasant Christmas, but Mike and I both agreed that no matter how hard you try to create a holiday atmosphere with lights, gifts, and good food… it’s friends and family that really make it feel like Christmas.
I hope everyone’s holiday was merry and bright!
xo, jill
Looks like you guys had a WONDERFUL Christmas! How nice that you had your own home to spend the holidays in, rather than a tent or a hostel… and it looks like you really took full advantage of it! I love how creative your gifts were – Tony & I went a decidedly more expensive route by purchasing some dive equipment… the day after Christmas (hey, that’s when all the sales are!).
Happy happy holidays to the two of you & I hope you have a very happy new year as well! Can’t wait to see what 2013 brings you.
Looks like you had a lovely christmas even if you are so far away from family & friends! It is hard sometimes, isnt it? Anyway, enjoy the house sitting and I see you in Melbourne soon!!
Happy holidays! Looks like you had a lovely Christmas even tough it was raining and far away from families. Even tough we’re back in Canada we are still a 4+ hour flight away from family, and a 4+ drive away from friends… distance seems to be the price to pay sometimes to get to do what you want to do!