If you are flying to Australia between , pack your swimmers (bathing suit), boardies (shorts), thongs (flip-flops), and a sunhat. You are arriving at the height of the Aussie summer—a time for mangoes, beach cricket, late sunsets, and celebrating Christmas in 35-degree heat.

So, let’s settle the debate:

Because the actual Christmas falls in the middle of summer, Australians celebrate the actual holiday with beach cricket, seafood BBQs, and surfing Santas.

It is weird, wonderful, and utterly iconic.