Christmas has a way of stirring up nostalgia in all its forms. The smells, the sounds, the lights, the music – and of course the treats and delicacies that Ina Paarman and Betty Crocker would be equally proud of. All these memories that December brings made me realise again how each country lives its own traditions, but that there is one significant similarity: the search for light.

In London, Christmas was something magical – straight out of a fairy tale. I am a woman in my thirties, but the little girl in me literally cheered the first time we went to see the lights on Oxford Street. Because the sun sets at three in the afternoon, the lights cast a glow over the city very early. The biting cold bothers no one enough to stay at home. Street stalls fill the air with the smell of warm caramel nuts, and the pubs’ dim, steamed windows beckon you to come closer for a touch of warmth before you walk on again. Christmas markets spring up in every suburb – a true winter wonderland. And, of course, a mug of hot mulled wine is almost a survival aid. But above all, the abundance of lights and the effort with the decorations always leave me speechless.

When we started our first Christmas in Australia, it was in a way the same, yet completely different. The sun doesn’t set until very, very late here, and in Queensland, where the 30 to 40+ degrees wrap you like a blanket, everyone secretly wishes for a cold front. But as soon as it gets dark, the neighbourhood’s light displays assault you from all sides. The suburbs may not have the lavish London productions, but they’re still beautiful and full of character.

Christmas markets also have their own Aussie character: summer markets with grilled food, children strolling around with ice-cold ice cream cones, and the certainty that the drinks must be ice-cold. It’s hot, it’s cheerful, it’s noisy – but it’s real.

And yet, in both countries I see the same thing: December is a time of light. Lights in houses, in streets, in trees, and on rooftops. But also a time when people try to make their own hearts a little lighter after everything the year has brought. A time to reflect, to look back, to catch their breath – and to ask whether your light has shone this year.

Christmas taught me that light isn’t just something we hang up; it’s an aura we have. Whether you’re walking among snowflakes or melting away in the Australian sun, we’re all looking for the same thing: a little warmth, a little community, a little nostalgia (we all long for grandma’s leg of lamb, after all). Hopefully, this December we can not only look at the lights, but also remember to shine ourselves, even if it’s just in one other person’s dark corner.

Greetings
Charné

Also read: Hello Christmas in Canada