Feb 232020

Christmas Season is undoubtedly special all over the world. Especially in Australia, it has a unique flavor since they do things differently during Christmas. Have you ever heard of Twelve Days Christmas!? Or Have you all ever heard of Aussie version of Twelve Days of Christmas carol!? Today, i am going to tell you how Australians celebrate Christmas and What is Twelve Days Christmas in Australia!! Let us begin.

Australians celebrate Christmas in a different way i.e. for 12 days and they call this festive season of 12 days as ‘Twelvtide’, through out these festive days they celebrate the nativity of  “Jesus” by singing carols. Actually, the true Christmas Season in Australia starts on the very first day of Christmas i.e. 25th December and the rest twelve days are counted from December 25th to January 5th. Here i am going to explain the things that happen during Christmas festive season and also about the song.

What exactly are Twelve Days of Christmas in Aussie Style?

The Twelve Days of Christmas are official festive season days starts from the First Day of Christmas (December 25th), celebrates the ‘Nativity and Birth of the Jesus’ through out 12 days after December 25th until January 5th. Each day of 12 days Christmas represents the celebration of a saint, martyr or a feast connected with Jesus’ birth. In Christian Theology, the period of twelve days is actually said to be the span between birth of Christ and the coming of the Magi, the three wise men. Epiphany is celebrated after 12 days of festive season that is which falls on January 6th. Some Orthodox Churches celebrates Epiphany on January 19th since they celebrate Christmas on January 7th. Epiphany, sometimes often referred as ‘Three Kings Day’ since this is the time when Christians remember the Wise Men who visited Jesus. Orthodox and Catholic Christians majorly celebrates Epiphany.

Advent is one of the major festive seasons celebrated by most Christian churches in the Western tradition. This is celebrated four weeks before Christmas arrives. The preceding four weeks before Christmas are collectively called as ‘Advent‘ (begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on December 24). The word Advent is derived from Latin and the meaning tells that Christians celebrate this on a fun note i.e. they eagerly wait and starts countdown to Christmas.

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is a much loved Christmas Carol, though we do not know the original writer, the singer actually tells about the cool gifts that are received from one’s “True Love” during the festive 12 days of Christmas. Each and every item in the 12 Days Of Christmas song was a metaphor for a bible story. During Christmas holiday season, the song “Twelve Days of Christmas” is heard everywhere across the country from schools to shopping malls to Church functions to Television Commercials. Where ever you go, you will hear this most popular song in different versions. Yes, even i do not know about the versions of 12 days of Christmas but while researching, i have discovered a lot many versions which i have included in the post. The post includes the original three versions of Aussie style (i.e. koalas cuddling, kookaburras laughing, and dingos dancing) and the other versions too. In this way, besides weather and cuisine, a traditional Christmas is different from Aussie’s traditional Christmas.

As i said there are a number of versions of Aussie style ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’. Here, we have compiled the most famous versions using different Australian animals. This year you can celebrate the Christmas with these popular Christmas Carols.

Version 1

On the 1st day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me,
An emu up a gum tree.

On the 2nd day
of Christmas

My true sent to me,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 3rd day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 4th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing
2 pink galahs
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 5th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 6th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 7th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
7 possums playing,
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 8th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
8 dingoes digging,
7 possums playing,
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 9th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
9 wombats working,
8 dingoes digging,
7 possums playing,
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 10th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
10 lizards leaping,
9 wombats working,
8 dingoes digging,
7 possums playing,
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 11th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
11 numbats nagging,
10 lizards leaping,
9 wombats working,
8 dingoes digging,
7 possums playing,
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 12th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
12 parrots prattling,
11 numbats nagging,
10 lizards leaping,
9 wombats working,
8 dingoes digging,
7 possums playing,
6 brolgas dancing,
5 kangaroos,
4 koalas cuddling,
3 kookaburras laughing,
2 pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree

Version 2

On the 1st day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me,
A kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 2nd day
of Christmas

My true sent to me,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 3rd day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 4th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 5th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 6th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 7th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 8th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Eight dingoes dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 9th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Nine Crocs a Snoozing?
Eight dingoes dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 10th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Ten wombats washing,
Nine Crocs a Snoozing?
Eight dingoes dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 11th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Eleven lizards leaping,
Ten wombats washing,
Nine Crocs a Snoozing?
Eight dingoes dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

On the 12th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Twelve possums playing,
Eleven lizards leaping,
Ten wombats washing,
Nine Crocs a Snoozing?
Eight dingoes dancing,
Seven emus laying,
Six sharks a-surfing,
Five kangaroos,
Four lyrebirds,
Three wet galahs,
Two snakes on skis,
And a kookaburra in a gum tree.

Version 3

On the 1st day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me,
An emu up a gum tree.

On the 2nd day
of Christmas

My true sent to me,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 3rd day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 4th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 5th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 6th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 7th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Seven koalas climbing,
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 8th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Eight possums playing,
Seven koalas climbing,
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 9th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Nine wombats working,
Eight possums playing,
Seven koalas climbing,
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 10th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Ten lizards leaping,
Nine wombats working,
Eight possums playing,
Seven koalas climbing,
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 11th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Eleven numbats nagging,
Ten lizards leaping,
Nine wombats working,
Eight possums playing,
Seven koalas climbing,
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

On the 12th day
of Christmas

My true love sent to me
Twelve parrots prattling,
Eleven numbats nagging,
Ten lizards leaping,
Nine wombats working,
Eight possums playing,
Seven koalas climbing,
Six platypus,
Five kangaroos,
Four kookaburras,
Three Jabirus,
Two pink galahs,
And an emu up a gum tree.

We have discovered more versions using different types of animals that are typically seen majorly in Australia. Take a look at these versions too!!

Version 3

On the First day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

A koala in a gum tree!

On the second day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the third day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the fourth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the fifth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the sixth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos

and a koala in a gum tree!

On the seventh day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards,

2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the eigth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees,

3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the ninth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques,

4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the tenth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

10 cork hats, 9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons,

5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

11 pairs of thongs, 10 cork hats, 9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of vegemite,

6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the twelth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

12 slabs of VB, 11 pairs of thongs, 10 cork hats, 9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce,

7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

Version 4

On the First day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

A koala in a gum tree!

On the second day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the third day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the fourth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me:

5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the sixth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos

and a koala in a gum tree!

On the seventh day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

7 jars of Vegemite, 6 laming tons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards,

2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the eight day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of Vegemite, 6 laming-tons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees,

3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the ninth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of Vegemite, 6 laming-tons, 5 Bar-be-ques,

4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the tenth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

10 cork hats, 9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons,

5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the eleventh day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

11 pairs of thongs, 10 cork hats, 9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce, 7 jars of vegemite,

6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

On the twelth day of Christmas,

my true love gave to me:

12 slabs of VB, 11 pairs of thongs, 10 cork hats, 9 bottles of sunscreen, 8 meat pies with sauce,

7 jars of vegemite, 6 lamingtons, 5 Bar-be-ques, 4 wattle trees, 3 surfboards, 2 cockatoos and a koala in a gum tree!

Version 5

On the first day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
A koala in a gum tree.

On the second day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the third day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the fourth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the fifth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the sixth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the seventh day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Seven dolphins swimming
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the eighth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Eight roads a winding
Seven dolphins swimming
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the ninth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Nine opals shining
Eight roads a winding
Seven dolphins swimming
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the tenth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Ten roos a leaping
Nine opals shining
Eight roads a winding
Seven dolphins swimming
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Eleven wombats napping
Ten roos a leaping
Nine opals shining
Eight roads a winding
Seven dolphins swimming
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my best mate sent to me:
Twelve lizards running
Eleven wombats napping
Ten roos a leaping
Nine opals shining
Eight roads a winding
Seven dolphins swimming
Six kelpies playing
Five sharks with fins
Four crocodiles
Three kookaburras
Two meat pies
and a koala in a gum tree

In this way, even you can make different versions of Australian Twelve Days of Christmas using your own typical words and versions.

How Do People in Australia Celebrate Summer Christmas?

The most famous fact about Christmas in Australia is Christmas falls during hottest months of the year that means summer months. There is no snow, no frost, and is different showing its own charm. Why summer!? Australia is located in southern Hemisphere and displays quiet opposite weather conditions to Northern Hemispheres. For Example: When it is winter in Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere exhibits summer.

Australians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, December is the summer month while it is Winter in Northern Hemisphere. The heat of summer in December month has a great impact during Christmas season in Australia.

A few weeks before may be around first week of December itself, people start decorating their homes, offices, community centers, schools, and churches, send Christmas greetings to the near and dear through cards. The unique traditions of celebrating Christmas in Australia are:

  • Carols by Candlelight– Huge Christmas Tradition in Australia that is held all over the Country
  • Surfing Santa
  • Eating Prawns and having ‘Prawn Run’- 10 times more than usual sales happen during Christmas season
  • Outdoor Dinners at BBQ’s- As it is summer time, Australians would like to enjoy having dinners outdoors and food plays a major role in Australian’s Christmas celebrations.
  • Heading to Camping grounds and visiting Beaches- Elsewhere in the world, people wrap around warm clothes, blankets, and sit by the fire while in Australia, people wear typical attire including thongs and Santa hats and enjoy at the beaches and camping grounds.
  • Drinking beer at Christmas is a typical Aussie tradition
  • Playing Cricket anywhere, at the park, beach, street, and backyard, either while Christmas lunch/dinner is cooking or after their meal.
  • Boxing Day Test– Every Year the traditional Boxing Day Test happens on 26 December which is played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
  • Sydney to Hobart Yacht– Another most popular sporting event happens at beautiful Sydney Harbor on 26 December. This is Australia’s most prestigious yachting race.
  • Drinking Beer on Christmas is a typical Aussie tradition
  • Street Parties are very popular during Christmas since it is summer time. Games to play at Christmas family gatherings, Click Here.

5 best places to spend Christmas in Australia

Make your Christmas holiday more exciting by visiting different places all over the country. Here we have rounded off five best places to spend Christmas at your best in Australia. Have a look and plan for a trip to have more fun.

  •  Bondi Beach, Sydney
  • Yarra River, Melbourne
  • Lord Howe Island
  • Great Barrier Reef, Queensland
  • Wellington Square, Perth

Australia’s Most Famous Road Trips 

Here are the best and most famous Australian Road Trips, a best way to unwind during Christmas season.

  • The Great Ocean Road, VIC
  • Great Barrier Reef Drive, QLD
  • Flinders Ranges, SA
  • The Grand Pacific Drive, NSW

So, how and where are you celebrating Christmas this year!? I am sure you will have unforgettable time, celebrating Christmas in Australia. One more important fact is that Australians do celebrate Christmas twice a year that is on July and December month. But 25th December is the real and actual Christmas time in Australia. At low temperatures Australians would prefer to celebrate the Christmas in more of a traditional way which they cannot enjoy during hot climates. That is the reason Australians celebrate Christmas in July month as well.

The best, long, and worth trip to Australia if you are planning during Christmas season is explained in a brief way here. Try it once to have lifetime experience with Australia.

  • Australia: Check Out The Christmas Lights
  • Lord Howe Island: Meet Santa
  • Blue Mountains: Enjoy A Traditional Roast
  • Canberra: Visit Gelebe Park
  • Sovereign Hill: Experience The Lights
  • Melbourne: Spend Christmas in Luxury
  • Geelong: Attend Christmas Festival Of Lights 2020
  • Perth: Explore The Nightlife
  • Gold Coast: Attend Beach Celebrations
  • Adelaide: Visit Santa’s Wonderland
  • Sydney: Experience A 65-Year Old Boxing Day Tradition
  • Queensland: Enjoy a Sicilian Themed Party
  • Melbourne: Go On A Cruise
  • Perth: Visit Wellington Square

So, what are waiting for!? Plan a trip to Australia and indulge in a variety of exciting ways to celebrate Christmas in Australia.


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