My kids were born in Melbourne and it was often 90 deg Christmas Day! Most people had a barby (bar-b-que) which in those days (40 yrs ago)meant lighting a roaring fire and throwing the chops on the grill with flames licking all around them!! Such fun! Nice to have Boxing Day, though! Being Canadian, we introduced News Years Eve parties. The first year everyone sort of sat around stiffly so we didn't plan one for the next year, but yes, about 3pm on NY eve the next year, friends were calling to know what time they should come and what they should bring! Must say I was glad to get back to Canada and hug a fir tree, though! And the NY eve traditon is fully ensconced!!