As December unfolds and the world dons its winter coats, Australia gears up for a Christmas unlike any other…well, at least unlike any other in the Northern Hemisphere! While many envision a snowy landscape and cozy fireplace gatherings, Aussies are embracing the holiday season under the blazing summer sun. Christmas in Australia is a unique blend of traditions, where the scent of eucalyptus mixes with the aroma of barbecues, and families gather not around a hearth, but rather at the beach for a swim. 

All this to say, Christmas in Australia takes a bit of getting used to for those of us who hail from the Northern Hemisphere.  I grew up in Colorado where a white Christmas was all but guaranteed and you could basically find Christmas trees in your backyard.  Thus, I struggle to reconcile the winter-centric decorations that are synonymous with Christmas with the blazing sun-filled summer days that are our present reality - as I write this it’s 35 C outside and I am happily hiding in my air conditioned office (that’s 95 F for my American readers!).  

And so, when I started getting questions about what Christmas decorations we were going to carry at Wovenwood I admittedly started to panic.  I realised I was going to have to make amends and come to terms with my Christmas identity crisis.  But then something lovely began to happen.  With each beautiful item I found that truly felt like Christmas to me, be it our hanging bells or our one-of-a-kind vintage brass pieces, I also found JOY.  I’ve allowed this JOY to guide the curation of the entire Christmas Collection and as if my magic, I have also renewed my love for the holiday season, even if it means trading scarves and jumpers (Americans, jumpers = sweaters) for bathing suits and sandals.  

Thank you for being here and for sharing in this JOY with me.  I am profoundly humbled by and grateful for the community that has built up around our little brand in the less than four months we have been here for.  I quite literally could not do this without the support and encouragement I have been shown from so many beautiful friends and strangers alike.  You all bring me such JOY and there is no extended group I’d rather be with to take my Aussie Christmas training wheels off.  So with that I say, Happy First Day of Summer and here’s to many sun-soaked festivities Down Under. From beachside barbies to carol-singing under the Southern Cross, let's unwrap the JOY and warmth that make an Aussie Christmas truly one-of-a-kind.