If I could trade places with someone for a Weekend, I guess I'll pick my buddy 
Second, I'd like to know first hand how it is that Aussies prepare for Christmas. That is, of course, if they celebrate Christmas at all.
It would also be an interesting transcultural experiment. I'd leave a lot of things ready so, my Aussie friend can have a proper taste of Venezuelan goodies for Christmas. I won't include photos so this is an exercise of reading (I don't have the photos. I don't even know if we are having any of the goodies this Christmas, but let's pretend).
By coming here, the G-dog would be able to have a taste of:
Hallacas
This is something Latin countries have. The reference is a Mexican Tamal. However, that falls short to explain an Hallaca. Imagine corn dough filled with a stew, boiled egg, potato, onion, olives, raisings. These are athe usual filling of Hallacas in the east side of Venezuela. The stew might be chicken, pork, beef and even fish. It is all wrapped in a plantain leave and boiled. The result is a very interesting food you can't put in simple words.
Each one is unique. We can't never say the Hallacas someone else's makes are better than the ones made by our mothers.
Pernil (pork)
It is a cur from the leg of the pig. It is marinated and baked. It tends to be on the dry side. It isn't the main thing of the Christmas dish, but it is the crown of the reheated food days. Those are December 25 and January 1st. It is great for sandwiches.
Chicken Salad
Made with shredded chicken breast. This salad also varies according to the region. Around here, we make it with steamed potatoes and carrots. The dressing is a mix of mayonnaise and mustard. And when we get fancy, it has peas as well.
Ham Bread
This is a thing we wait all the year to have. It is a long bread filled with smoked ham and bacon. It had raising and olives. The best part here is the dough. Each baker makes their own recipe to have the best of a sweet and savory experience. You're on for a treat! I make a killer one. So I might even make you more than one so you can take back and share with the wifey.
These are some of the important foods for Christmas we tend to have in Venezuela. A lot of it changes according to the family as well. We could call these the inmutables
I'd also love to add the fact that anyone willing to make a Christmas Switcheroo is welcome, I'd love to have some Christmas foods from all over the world.
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