While Australia celebrates Christmas with (much) of the rest of the world, there are some major differences between how people celebrate on one side of the world compared to the other. For starters, in Australia, Christmas happens during the country's summer - this means that, for the most part, the seasons are reversed compared to when much of the world celebrates during cold-weather months. Therefore, rather than heavy roasts, hams, and turkeys, Australia celebrates with food that would traditionally be more summer-themed.

Additionally, the cuisine in Australia is rather unique compared to the rest of the world. Seafood dishes, light and vibrant desserts, and specific sides are served for Christmas. It's a day of fun in the sun, family celebrations, and BBQ... along with these foods.

Pavlova

While many would give a different answer on whether or not this dish belongs to Australia or New Zealand depending on where they live, there's no denying that this is one of the most popular holiday desserts in both countries. It's made every year for Christmas and it's quite simple, yet fresh, sweet, and satisfying. It's much lighter than many other desserts due to its toppings of fresh cream and fruit, and it's practically the perfect summertime dessert. It's almost like the Australian version of a holiday cake, but with a different texture and slightly different flavor.

Potato Bake

Traditionally known as a gratin or scalloped potatoes depending on where in the world this potato dish is made, a potato bake is definitely a staple of any Australian Christmas. In stark contrast to many of the dishes and sides served on Christmas, this dish is heavy and satisfying in all of its cheesy, potato glory. With a topping of crispy breadcrumbs and a generous helping of cream to bring all the ingredients together, it's no surprise that this is one of the first serving dishes to be empty by the end of the meal. The secret is to ignore all of the butter that goes into it... After all, the calories don't count on holidays, anyway.

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BBQ

Perhaps the center of every Christmas celebration is the BBQ. Rather than having a traditional sit-down, formal dinner (which some people still do), a BBQ is the semi-casual, outdoorsy way to celebrate Christmas in Australia. The food made at a BBQ can vary in anything from grilled seafood to lamb skewers and steaks, and it's always delicious. This is also where the phrase 'fire up the barbie' comes from, as it's so common for families in Australia to celebrate Christmas with a traditional BBQ party. If nothing else, Australians love being outside and soaking up the sun, so it's literally the perfect way to enjoy the holiday along with the company of family and friends, and some delicious grilled food, of course!

Cold Ham And Turkey

Similar to the reason behind having a BBQ for Christmas rather than standing in front of a hot oven cooking dinner, popular dishes also include cold ham and turkey. It's way too hot during Australia's summers to be cooking a giant bird or pork in the oven, therefore, both are cooked a few days prior to the Christmas celebration and when they're served, they're both served cold. So while ham and turkey are part of the celebration, they're just not served piping hot as they are in most countries. The best part about this is that the leftovers make for perfect day-after sandwiches, and since it's all served cold, it's all ready to go right back into the refrigerator and when everything is said and done.

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Prawns And Oysters

Oysters are a special treat in Australia for Christmas and there's no denying that they're a beloved holiday dish. The seafood in this country is unbelievably fresh so oysters are rarely ever served on their own - there's always accompanying seafood or shellfish, such as prawns, to go with them. Oysters are another one of the first dishes to be gone by the end of the day, as it's not uncommon for several people to hog this delicacy before the celebration is even over. Prawns, on the other hand, are at nearly every Christmas celebration throughout Australia. This shellfish is one of the most popular options to serve and it's a dish that's as common as having a BBQ for Christmas. Prawns come in fresh and are thrown on the barbie until they're perfectly-cooked and slightly smoky, giving them an unreal flavor, especially considering how fresh they are.

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