Christmas at the Farm: Watermelon, Magic, and Endless Games

When I think about my favorite Christmas memory, it’s not the presents or the tinsel on the tree that come to mind—it’s the long, lazy summer days spent at my grandparents’ farm with my cousins. For me, Christmas in Australia is about sun-kissed skin, laughter in the air, endless games, and a big slice of juicy watermelon in hand.

Every year, my family would pack up the car and make the trip to my grandparents’ farm, where Christmas was celebrated in true Aussie style. The farm was our playground a sprawling paradise of open fields and endless room to explore. My grandparents’ house, with its wide verandah and old-fashioned charm, became the heart of our Christmas gatherings.

After a big Christmas lunch, which always featured, cold ham, and salads galore, we’d head outside, trying to escape the afternoon heat. My cousins and I would grab slices of watermelon from the giant tub my grandparents filled with ice that morning. It wasn’t just any watermelon it was farm-grown, perfectly ripe, and sweeter than anything you’d find in a shop.

We’d sit together on the grass, the juice dripping down our chins as we tried to see who could spit the seeds the furthest. But the fun didn’t stop there. We played countless games of cricket, three legged races, running barefoot through the grass until we were too tired to move. The laughter was endless, and even the adults would join in, showing off their bowling skills or cheering us on from the verandah.

And then there was Grandad. Every Christmas, he would pull out his box of magic tricks a collection of cards, coins, and illusions that seemed impossible to figure out. We’d all crowd around him, wide-eyed and eager, as he made coins disappear, guessed our chosen cards. We never tired of his tricks, even though we swore we’d figure them out someday (we never did). Grandad’s magic brought us all together, and for those moments, the world felt truly magical.

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, the farm came alive with the golden glow of a summer evening. We’d sit on the verandah, swapping stories and eating more watermelon, while Grandad shared tales of Christmases past. The day always ended with us huddled under the stars, tired but happy, the sound of cicadas and our shared laughter filling the warm summer air.

Looking back, those farm Christmases were so much more than a day of celebration they were a reminder of what really matters. It wasn’t the gifts or the decorations that made it special. It was the togetherness, the laughter, and the simple joys of being with the people I loved most.

Even now, whenever I bite into a slice of watermelon or see a deck of cards, it takes me back to those golden days at my grandparents’ farm. It’s a tradition and a memory I carry with me, and one I hope to pass on.

Because in the end, that’s what Christmas is all about family, laughter, magic, and those small, beautiful moments that stay with you forever.

What does Christmas look like for you? Let’s share the joy of the season together. Merry Christmas 🎄

Christine Bunn

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