In Australia, New Zealand and the rest of the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas falls in the middle of summer, and the celebrations move to beaches, backyards and barbecues. This landscape 7 x 5 inch card celebrates a sunny Christmas. A bright sky blue background meets a band of ocean and golden sand at the bottom. A smiling sun wears a Santa hat in the top right, a green palm tree leans in from the left, Merry Christmas appears in red brush script, FROM DOWN UNDER in navy capitals, and a playful line mentions sun, surf and Santa. A final line wishes a beautiful summer holiday.
Christmas in Summer
For Australians, Christmas Day often means swimming at the beach, a barbecue with prawns, cold ham and salads, backyard cricket and pavlova for dessert. Many families celebrate outdoors and head on summer holidays after Christmas. A summer card captures this unique way of celebrating.
The Sun in a Santa Hat
A smiling sun wearing a red Santa hat is a cheerful, funny symbol of a hot Christmas. It instantly tells friends overseas that your Christmas is sunny, while keeping the festive spirit.
Beach Scene Details
The sea and sand bands are gentle curves, and the palm tree adds a tropical feel. All elements are editable, so you can add a surfboard, a beach umbrella, or a koala from the Elements panel.
Editing the Summer Card
Click the greeting lines to change them, and edit the family line with your names and city. You might write love from the Taylors in Perth, Sydney or Auckland.
Aussie Christmas Wording
Australian slang adds fun: have a beaut Christmas, merry Christmas, mate, or no worries, it’s Christmas. Friends overseas will enjoy the local flavour.
Cards for Friends in the Northern Hemisphere
Sending a summer card to friends in snowy places is a playful reminder of the different ways Christmas is celebrated. Add a note about your beach plans to make them a little jealous.
New Zealand and South Africa
New Zealanders celebrate with p?hutukawa trees in bloom, and South Africans often enjoy a braai. Change the wording to suit your country, such as Meri Kirihimete for a M?ori greeting.
Printing the Summer Christmas Card
Download a PDF and print at 7 x 5 inches in landscape. The bright colours look cheerful on matte card.
Summer Christmas Card Envelopes
Bright blue, yellow or red envelopes match the sunny design. Allow plenty of time for international post.
Sharing a Sunny Christmas Online
Download a JPG for email and social media. The sunny scene stands out in December feeds full of snow.
Summer Cards for Businesses
Surf shops, beach cafes, tourism businesses and holiday parks can use the card for customers, adding a summer offer on the back.
Christmas in July
Some Australians celebrate Christmas in July with a winter-style feast. If you celebrate both, keep this card for December and create a cosy winter version for July.
Summer Christmas Safety
A friendly reminder on the back, such as slip, slop, slap, and have a safe swim, fits the Australian summer spirit and shows you care.
Summer Christmas Food Traditions
Mention your favourite summer Christmas dish, such as pavlova with mango and passionfruit, fresh prawns, or a cold Christmas pudding ice cream.
Summer Christmas Card Questions
Can I change Down Under?
Yes. Edit the navy line to name your country or city.
Can I add a koala?
Yes. Add a sticker from the Elements panel.
Can I print it portrait?
The design is landscape; resize the canvas for portrait.
Carols by Candlelight
Carols by Candlelight is a much-loved Australian tradition, with outdoor concerts held in parks on warm December evenings, often on Christmas Eve. Families bring picnic rugs and candles and sing together under the stars. Mention it on the back of your card, or invite friends to join you at your local carols event for a uniquely Australian Christmas experience.
The Boxing Day Test and Sydney to Hobart
Boxing Day in Australia is famous for the Boxing Day cricket test in Melbourne and the start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. Many families spend the day watching sport after Christmas lunch. A line about your Boxing Day plans adds a fun local touch for friends overseas.
Summer Cards for Expats
Australians and New Zealanders living abroad can send the card to friends in their new country, sharing what Christmas looks like at home. Expats from the northern hemisphere living in Australia can also send it to family back home, showing off their sunny new Christmas traditions.
Native Christmas Plants
Australian Christmas bush and Christmas bells bloom in December and are used as festive decorations. Add a red Christmas bush sticker from the Elements panel for a native touch.
Summer Card Colour Variations
Try a sunset palette of orange and pink, or a bright turquoise sea with lime palms, while keeping the sun in its Santa hat.
Summer Christmas Card for Schools
Australian schools break for the long summer holidays just before Christmas. Teachers can send the summer card to families with end-of-year thanks and wishes for a safe, sunny break, mentioning the first day of the new school year in late January or early February on the back.
Summer Card Printing Tip
Bright blues and yellows look best on bright white card; avoid cream stock, which can make the sky look green.
Summer Cards for Surf Clubs
Surf lifesaving clubs can thank volunteers and members with the beach card, adding patrol dates for the holiday season on the back.
Summer Cards for Caravan Parks
Holiday parks and campgrounds can send the card to regular guests, inviting them back for summer holidays and sharing booking dates for the busy Christmas season.
Summer Card Gift Idea
Pair it with sunscreen and a beach towel for a fun summer Christmas gift.
Sun, Surf and Santa
Add your names and print your summer Christmas cards. A smiling sun and a sandy beach share the warmth of a southern hemisphere Christmas.
