Why Warmth Wins: The Argument Against Frosty Festivities Are a Feeble Imitation to a Sunny Season's Celebration.

Should we have learned anything from the deluge of holiday movies, mass-produced decorations, and festively themed songs, it's that the popular narrative has decreed Christmas is a holiday best served cold. Is that so?

The bigwigs in the top of the equator may have sold this idea globally, but that's only because they lack the inherent understanding we southern hemisphere folk possess: a warm Christmas is simply superior. This season is fraught enough – irrespective of temperature – but at least we don't have to contend with seasonal depression on top of it all.

A Chilly Childhood

And this isn't just an empty claim. I spent my formative years enduring cold festive seasons. Despite my family originating in New Zealand, my father's career led to inevitable international moves. My younger years were scattered across the UK and the US, meaning every December brought dark skies by 4pm and a biting chill on my cheeks. The sole silver lining? The fashion choices; layering is effortlessly chic.

In fairness, a cold Christmas has its charms. It's time-honored, iconic, and the prospect of snow is undeniably magical. The snug appeal of a chilly celebration is hard to dismiss. Yet, with my extended family an ocean away, I always felt I was missing out an authentic 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 extended relatives for the first time. With a bigger crowd to entertain, my father got experimental in the kitchen, crafting a potent vodka jelly that was famously strong. We all slept well that night.

This became our tradition for years – sharing the day with family and friends, complete with water gun fights 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 anticipated a surge of nostalgic longing. 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 short drive away. Vibrant sunsets painting the sky. Suddenly, I was a hot-Christmas convert.

"The warmth soothed the sorrow in significant ways."

This feeling was cemented after my father passed away. My mother decided to move back to New Zealand. The first Christmas without him was profoundly difficult, his loss palpable everywhere. Yet, being once more surrounded by family under the gentle heat of the summer sun alleviated the grief in monumental ways.

A Self-Proclaimed Hypocrite

All this said, I readily admit to being a walking contradiction. This year, I'll be celebrating during winter in South Korea, and I'm genuinely excited to wander around Seoul in my warmest jacket, hoping for a glimpse of snow. The cold Christmas propaganda still has a little hold 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 fluffiest snow can hold a candle to that feeling.