The Case for Heat: Why Cold Christmases Pale in Comparison to Celebrating in Summer.

Should we have gleaned anything from the deluge of holiday movies, ubiquitous decorations, and festively themed songs, it's that the cultural zeitgeist has determined Christmas is a holiday best served chilly. So they say!

The powers that be residing above the equator may have convinced the world, but that's only because they lack the innate knowledge we denizens of the south possess: a warm Christmas is simply the better way. This season is fraught enough – regardless of temperature – but at least we don't have to battle seasonal depression on top of it all.

A Chilly Childhood

And this isn't just an empty claim. I spent my entire childhood experiencing cold festive seasons. Despite my family hailing from New Zealand, my father's career meant inevitable international moves. My younger years were spent in the UK and the US, meaning every December brought early nightfall and a biting chill on my cheeks. The sole upside? The style options; layering is effortlessly chic.

In fairness, a cold Christmas has its appeal. It's time-honored, iconic, and the prospect of snow is undeniably enchanting. The cosy charm of a frosty gathering is hard to disregard. Yet, with my extended family on the other side of the world, I always felt I was lacking an true celebration that not even the most decadent hot chocolate could replicate.

The Southern Shift

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

This became our routine for years – celebrating together with family and friends, complete with playful battles across the table. That was, until my parents answered the call 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 expected a surge of fond remembrance. Instead, I found myself yearning for everything that made a summer Christmas unique. Sipping sangria in the sun. Feasting upon piles of fresh fruit. Loved ones being just a phone call away. Hot-pink sunsets painting the sky. Suddenly, I was a summer celebration advocate.

"That summer heat eased the grief in monumental ways."

This feeling was reinforced 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 profound ways.

Conflicting Celebrations

All this said, I readily admit to being a massive hypocrite. This year, I'll be spending Christmas during winter in South Korea, and I'm genuinely excited to explore Seoul in my warmest jacket, hoping for a snowfall. The frosty festive ideal still has a slight grip on me!

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