Christmas in July

Last Friday, on the 24th of July, Tommy More held a Christmas in July formal dinner. The dinner was preceded by a special Christmas Mass in the chapel, and Christmas carols were sung during the service. The dinning hall was decorated for the occasion and even included a Christmas tree (or a plastic one at least). The usual buffet style dinner was transformed into a full service, four course meal complete with traditional roasted turkey and Christmas ham. Santa even made an appearance during the meal! Every resident of Tommy More brought a gift to the dinner and put it under the tree. When the real Christmas rolls around, these gifts will be given out to children who often don't receive any presents on Christmas.

Apparently the Christmas in July celebration is popular in Australia. I've heard that the reason behind the celebration is that it is far too hot in December in Australia for roasted turkey and ham and all the other British traditions that depend on a cold winter Christmas. Although, our celebration last Friday, in July, in the middle of the Australian winter was a cool 60 degrees. And most unfortunately, there was no sledding and not a snowman in sight.