Some Like It Hot: The Argument Against Frosty Festivities Pale in Comparison to Celebrating in Summer.

Should we have gleaned anything from the influx of holiday movies, mass-produced decorations, and jingle bell-infused songs, it's that the cultural zeitgeist has determined Christmas is a holiday best served frosty. So they say!

The bigwigs in the top of the equator may have sold this idea globally, but that's only because they are without the innate knowledge we denizens of the south possess: a sun-drenched Christmas is simply superior. This season is stressful enough – irrespective of temperature – but at least we don't have to battle seasonal depression on top of it all.

Frosty Formative Years

And this isn't just an empty claim. I spent my formative years experiencing cold festive seasons. Despite my family originating in New Zealand, my father's career meant inevitable international moves. My younger years were scattered across the UK and the US, meaning every December brought early nightfall and a crisp sting on my cheeks. The sole silver lining? The fashion choices; layering is inherently stylish.

In fairness, a cold Christmas has its appeal. It's time-honored, iconic, and the prospect of snow is truly magical. The snug appeal of a chilly celebration is hard to dismiss. Yet, with my extended family an ocean away, I always felt I was lacking an authentic celebration that not even the most decadent hot chocolate could replicate.

A Move to Summer

Everything changed when another move brought my family to Australia. There, I finally experienced a proper festive family affair, joined by extended relatives for the first time. With a larger group to entertain, my father got experimental in the kitchen, crafting a potent vodka jelly that was famously strong. We slept soundly that night.

This became our tradition for years – sharing the day with family and friends, complete with water gun fights across the table. That was, until my parents heeded the opportunity of a new job and moved to a particularly cold part of northern England.

Nostalgia's Surprise

Visiting them for Christmas after a long absence, I anticipated a surge of fond remembrance. Instead, I found myself missing everything that made a summer Christmas special. Enjoying a cool drink in the sun. Feasting upon piles of fresh fruit. Loved ones being just a phone call away. Vibrant sunsets painting the sky. Suddenly, I was a hot-Christmas convert.

"The warmth soothed the sorrow in significant ways."

This feeling was cemented after my father passed away. My mother decided to move back to New Zealand. The first Christmas without him was incredibly tough, his absence felt everywhere. Yet, being once more surrounded by family under the gentle heat of the summer sun alleviated the grief in monumental ways.

Conflicting Celebrations

All this said, I readily admit to being a walking contradiction. This year, I'll be celebrating during winter in South Korea, and I'm truly looking forward to wander around Seoul in my warmest jacket, hoping for a glimpse of snow. The frosty festive ideal still has a little hold on me!

Nevertheless, I'm keen to return home for another New Year's Day under the bright southern sun. Knowing my family – including a newborn nephew – will be close by as we enter the new year fills me with a joy my younger self always yearned for. Not even the deepest powder can compare to that feeling.