Why Americans are losing it over ‘bizarre’ Australian Christmas tradition they spotted in a Bluey episode
Americans have been left stumped after spotting a popular Aussie Christmas tradition on an episode of Bluey.
Those who watched the ‘Christmas Swim’ episode of the Australian cartoon would have seen the family of dogs gather around a table for a festive lunch donning an array of colourful tissue paper crowns.
But only those in Australia and the UK could relate to what was going on.
‘Apparently the rest of the world doesn’t do paper crowns at Christmas,’ an Aussie posted on Reddit alongside a snap of the episode.
It’s a tradition in Australia and the UK for guests to pop open Christmas crackers, or bon bons as they are often called. The cardboard tubes are wrapped in festive paper designs and contain a paper crown, a written joke or riddle, and sometimes a toy.
The paper crown is then worn for the remainder of the meal by all guests.
‘It’s a British Commonwealth thing. They are in some of the Harry Potter Christmas scenes for example,’ an Aussie expat responded.
‘Yeah I just asked a Canadian and he assured me they have crackers and paper hats and knew what was talking about,’ another replied.
Those who watched the ‘Christmas Swim’ episode of the Australian cartoon would have seen the family of dogs gather around a table for a festive lunch donning an array of colourful tissue paper crowns
‘Apparently the rest of the world doesn’t do paper crowns at Christmas,’ an Aussie posted on Reddit alongside a snap of the episode
Those in England identified a slight difference, however, which also leads to some awkwardness around Christmas time.
‘We have them in England too and as far as I’m aware we exclusively call them crackers. Bon bons are a type of lolly,’ a woman from the UK said.
‘This made for some interesting stares when I worked on the help desk of a shopping centre in Cairns, and kept directing people to the lolly shop when they asked for bonbons.’
It’s not the first time the Christmas Bluey episode has left American viewers stumped.
In 2023 Brittany, a mum from the US, noticed the coloured ‘crowns’ and immediately posted in the ‘Adult Bluey Fans’ Facebook group to ask why.
It’s a tradition in Australia and the UK for guests to pop open Christmas crackers, or bon bons as they are often called. The cardboard tubes are wrapped in festive paper designs and contain a paper crown, a written joke or riddle, and sometimes a toy
‘Can any of our lovely Australian members tell me why they’re all wearing the crowns in season two, episode 26 Christmas Swim? I thought it was so cute and would love to know more about it!’ she wrote.
More than 1,300 people flooded the comments and many couldn’t believe it wasn’t a universal tradition.
‘It’s tradition in Australia. Bad jokes, paper crowns, salads, seafood, cricket, Christmas is awesome,’ a proud Aussie wrote.
‘Christmas lunch is one of the most quintessentially Australian traditions,’ another woman added and detailed what a classic Aussie Christmas looks like.
She explained the due to Christmas falling in the middle of the Australian summer, rather than winter time in the northern hemisphere, the lunch gathering is often outside under the patio, by the pool or inside next to the air conditioning.
‘The food is usually the most eclectic mix of hot turkey/chook, roast potatoes, ham, salad, prawns, seafood and BBQ followed by pavlova and Christmas pudding,’ she continued.
‘All around a plastic tree. After it’s all done the water fights, backyard cricket and playing in the pool begins.’
Other Aussies couldn’t believe bon bons aren’t used internationally during the festive season.
‘My mind is blown, I thought Christmas hats/crackers were universal. It is basically Grinch behaviour to not wear a hat at Christmas lunch in our family. We need to send you some!’ another said.
After reading the comments Brittany added: ‘Wow that is so neat! Thanks so much for telling me about this. My family may adopt this as a new tradition!’
