A mere mention of the festive season can send some people into a mild panic. Christmas time is a blessed time of year that we can spend time with relatives that we don’t really like or spend stupid amounts of money on cheap gifts that will probably end up in landfill. Ah yes, the silly season is almost upon us.
When you think of Christmas, you might think of snow, eggnog and Santa dressed up in his warm red coat. If you thought this, you are wrong. This is Australia mate, ‘round here, Christmas day is stinking hot, and Santa wears rugby shorts. A time of year where Nan has too many ports, and Uncle Graham gets bitten by a huntsman. It is a chaotic time of year that’s best avoided, but that would be rude, so instead, how about you read this quick guide on surviving the silly season?
Keep the bugs away
Bed bugs, software bugs, your nephew bugging you to play with him, bugs are gross, we all know that. Bugs in Australia are not only bigger and more poisonous than most other countries, but they are also all trained to fly into your face and ruin your food. While the humble citronella candle on the wood dining table works a treat, there are some other more “eco-conscious” options available.
Certain plants can be utilized for their natural bug repellent (such as marigold) and should be planted in tactical locations for maximum effect. Mosquito nets and flyscreens are a must in certain areas of Australia (shout out to my top end friends.) For those who want to keep it as natural as it gets, try keeping a pet huntsman under your pillow for all night bug protection.
Bring it to the table
The silly season in Australia forces you to be one of two places, near some water or the air conditioner. For most of us a Christmas holiday isn’t complete without eating too much meat and pretending that we go to the beach all the time. Coming together and gorging on delicious treats is far more pleasant with a good dining table.If you are eating outside and suffer from allergies, it is a good idea to bring your medication, which can be acquired online fro places like Express pharmacy. The last thing you want are people sneezing over the food!
Depending on your hosting duties, a nice wood dining table will suffice. If you have a large horde of friends and family, an extension dining table is a good choice. For regular diners, you can enjoy the small footprint of a regular table, but when it comes time party, the table can magically extend and fit a few more of your fave family members.
Lend a helping hand
The festive season is about coming together and spending time with those you love. Thanks to a gaping hole in the ozone above us, this beautiful country we love becomes very VERY hot. Every year Australia is battered with drought and fires, and if it weren’t for an army of volunteers, the country would have a very dark festive season.
As a change of pace this festive season, why not volunteer for your local fire service or state emergency service. Every year these heroes keep the power on and everyone safe. If Christmas is about giving, maybe we should be giving something back to our country and our people.
The festive season in Australia is aptly called the silly season for a multitude of reasons. Mostly its referred to as the silly season because people seem to go a bit mad. Our malls swell with crazed shoppers trying to pick-up last-minute gifts, and our roads choke on holiday travelers desperate to getaway. This silly season why not take it easy, have a big lunch on your wood dining table, and enjoy life for what it is.
To read more on topics like this, check out the lifestyle category.
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