Reasons why Christmas in Japan beats Australia: No summer Christmas identity crisis

Anyone else grow up watching classic Christmas movies like Home Alone? I still love that movie at this time of year as a fully grown adult, and I've got my kids into watching it annually as well. I guess maybe it's partially because of those kinds of movies that a winter Christmas just makes sense. Cold air, falling snow, and snuggled up around a source of warmth, and you've got a recipe for cozy festive vibes.

December in my local area routinely looks like this. Winter vibes galore.

Australian Christmases, on the other hand, can feel a bit dissonant. Heat and beach weather don't mesh with all of that inherited imagery.

Here, I get to have snowy white Christmases that are every bit the winter wonderland, and I think it just fits with the season a bit more. I do occasionally miss getting to wear a nice summery dress at that time of year, but a cold Christmas just feels more appropriate for the festivities.