Typically, cold weather, long nights, and open fires come to mind when you think of Christmas.
Christmas Day, however, falls in the middle of summer for people who reside in the Southern Hemisphere, where the seasons are reversed.
A group of Welsh expats in New Zealand, however, can't get through winter without a little holiday cheer, so they're having a party on Sunday, which is exactly six months before the big day.
Hannah Williams said, "The New Zealanders enjoy embracing our culture as well. It's really nice to get everyone together to celebrate.". .
The Welsh Dragon bar wants to give its patrons a genuine Welsh pub experience, which is why the wall is decorated with the Welsh flag.
It feels like Christmas because it is winter in New Zealand. ".
In Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, Hannah is the owner of the Welsh Dragon Bar, where the festivities will take place.
The staff at the bar claims that it is "home to all things Welsh in New Zealand" and that it is the only Welsh pub in the Southern Hemisphere.
We have a plaque that uses quotation marks to state this on the outside of the bar. We are the only ones, as far as we are aware. ” .
The pub offers customers "the whole Welsh pub experience," according to Hannah, with a beer garden, Brains beer on tap, Penderyn whisky on the shelf, dog-friendly policies, and a roaring fire.
The 33-year-old, who left Wrexham for New Zealand when she was 26 years old, has been employed by the Welsh Dragon Bar for the past four years.
Not the only Welsh person working behind the bar is her.
Three other employees, including the hostess of the pub quiz, Paula, are from Wrexham, and co-owner Andrew Jones is from Tonyrefail, Rhondda Cynon Taf.
They enjoy holding their midwinter Christmas event, according to Hannah, simply because it is "a good excuse to have a Welsh Christmas celebration.".
Hannah remarked, "Having [the actual Christmas] in the summer is fun, and it's nice to have barbecues and things here for Christmas dinner.".
But Wales is something we really miss. ” .
Hannah claims that the secret Santa and holiday decorations help the pub get its patrons in the holiday spirit.
A three-course meal with turkey for the main course, tinsel and a tree decorating the pub, and a secret Santa gift exchange between all the guests are all part of the celebration. .
Wellington, New Zealand, is expected to experience 17C (62F) and rain on Sunday, which means the temperature will be similar to that of a Welsh Christmas Day, despite being a few degrees warmer.
Hannah claims that the event is completely sold out and that both Welsh and New Zealanders enjoy it greatly.
In the pub, there are many members of the New Zealand community who like to participate and take in the atmosphere, she said.
Many of the staff members working behind the bar were born and raised in Wales, so Hannah is not the only one.
Hannah continued, "New Zealand and Wales are very similar. The same great, lovely people, pretty much. ”.
While she does miss home, this means that she and her coworkers get to experience "a great sense of Wales in the pub.".
Hannah claimed that the pub receives a lot of tourists from all over the world aside from their midwinter Christmas.
She noted that New Zealanders and numerous tourists frequent the area.
"They like the Welsh pub experience because it's so different from most bars or establishments in New Zealand," said one traveler. ”.
And on December 25, the bar celebrates a traditional, cozy New Zealand Christmas.
We celebrate Christmas Day in the pub. Hannah stated that it is typically sunny.
Everyone enjoys a drink in the garden on Christmas Day because we have really good beer that draws a lot of people.
"It's wonderful to accept the culture on this side of the globe.
. ”
