Expats abroad: Helen and Robert Le Riche Smith in Australia
Australia has been home for Helen Le Riche Smith and husband Robert Smith for 20 years, since they relocated from Telford.
"Whoa, where has the time gone?" she said. "We live in a fabulous little place called Bangor which is about 45 minutes from the centre of Sydney and 20 minutes south of the airport.
"It is a lovely suburban village or town surrounded by water and gum trees. The closest beach is Cronulla where we go most weekends."
She said: "A typical Aussie Christmas is very different to an English one as it is summer and also our main holiday time. We still have Christmas trees and lights galore, but a lot of people have their tree outside. Some even decorate palm trees.
"Christmas Eve is traditionally where most people would walk around the suburbs looking at all the fabulous homes decorated with wonderful lights and most families would open their home with mince pies and a glass of wine and lollies for the kids.
"On Christmas morning near us, you would see several Santas in their 'tinnys' boating along the river throwing sweets at all the local kids.
"We have a champagne breakfast of eggs and bacon, but a lot of people here seem to have croissants and leg ham.
"Most expats have a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings, but other popular options are apricot glazed ham and roast potatoes or a cold seafood platter with salads."
Not many families opt for a Christmas pudding and brandy sauce, Robert said, but most households love a huge fruit laden pavlova. "I have yet to master the good old Aussie pav," he added.
Tomorrow, the family, Helen, Robert and daughters Lottie and Hannah, will probably opt for an early morning walk along the beach or swim in the pool instead of going to church, while Boxing Day is legendary for a good Aussie catch-up barbecue on the beach.
And the traditional Aussie Christmas attire? "A bikini and a Santa hat. It is certainly very different to the English Christmases I remember, cold, dark, endless food, eggnog and lots and lots of TV. In Australia, it tends to be outdoor fun, beach barbecues and cocktails and no TV," said Helen.
