In New Zealand, like its neighbour, Australia, Christmas comes in the middle of the very hot school summer holidays - two months! So, there is no snow and ice during Christmas in New Zealand.

Nevertheless, New Zealanders enjoy the same Christmas traditions as us: Santa parades through the streets, Christmas trees are decorated - New Zealand has two different types of Christmas trees, the one they put in their houses is the same as ours and one which grows outside, the Pohutukawa tree - carols are sung and Christmas cards are sent.

Even though it is the middle of summer, most New Zealanders have the same traditional English Christmas dinner and Christmas puddings as us: Turkey with all the trimmings. However, some do choose to have a picnic on the beach or a barbecue in the garden.

And of course, on Christmas Eve, just before the children go to bed, they hang up their stockings and the same Father Christmas who comes to visit you and me, visits them, and fills their stockings with presents. The children are not allowed to open their presents until after breakfast, when all the family is together.