Auckland Christmas time

With 25-30 degree heat in Auckland, we've all been struggling to feel Christmassy so James and I went to buy a Christmas tree to put us in the Christmas spirit... it worked (well for 1 day anyway) we bought the tree in the pouring rain (got to feel a little christmassy in that weather) and after giving it significant time to dry out we spent the afternoon with christmas songs on decorating the tree. That evening we had a bit of a pre-Christmas celebration with Andy, Em and Bea round for a roast dinner (following a rather lengthy angel making competition between Andy and Em).
A couple of days later, still not really feeling in the Christmas spirit Bea and I spent the evening in Ponsonby. Out in Ponsonby there is a street where people go to town decorating their houses with christmas lights and decorations, the street is packed at night with people selling coffee and hot chocolate as well as people dressed up in Christmas costumes giving out mince pies and sweets.... a very bizarre experience! Further along the road one of the big mobile phone companies have set up a large christmas tree made of fairy lights with bean bags underneath to lie on and at all 4 corners, telephone booths for the children to call Santa with their Christmas lists.... again bizarre, so following a nice glass of wine in one of the nice wine bars Bea and I decided to chill out (in Shorts and flip-flops) under the tree staring up at the lights.... a somewhat unusual Christmas experience.