UQ Diaries

Age: 25
Degree: Bachelor of Psychology
Occupation: Administration officer
City / Town: Brisbane

Every time we hear the song The Gambler, by Kenny Rogers, we must get up and dance. Yes, this has resulted in my family members being politely asked to leave an establishment after they started dancing on tables. I love the meaning of it, as it was one of my dearly departed grandfather's favourite songs, but on occasion it can be quite embarrassing to make a scene!

Age: 49
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (Journalism and Media Studies)
Occupation: Illustrator
City / Town: Singapore

Every Christmas – without fail – we get a large, decadent order of English Christmas goodies from Fortnum and Mason delivered to wherever we are. We aren't British, yet we adore the great fanfare that this institution brings to the festivities in the form of hampers, puddings, biscuits and Christmas tree decorations.

We have had hampers delivered to us all the way from the cold of London to sunny, humid Singapore. And for almost 2 decades – while we were living and running a hotel in the South of France – Christmas was always a very British affair, with Fortnum peppermint creams, rum-laced puddings and clotted cream biscuits. We never get tired of it and we certainly look forward to this online Christmas shopping tradition every single year.

Age: 36
Degree: N/A
Occupation: Media and communications staff member
City / Town: Tanawha, Gubbi Gubbi Country

Last year, after many questions as to why we didn't have a magical elf, I caved and went out to buy an Elf on the Shelf. But alas, it was 11 December and not one elf on one shelf could I find.

I ended up finding a very strange-looking, yet magical, elf guy at the dollar shop. The next morning, 'Gelf on the Twelfth' was born. He appears each morning from 12 December until Christmas day, with a small rolled note in his hand that lists chores the kids will be responsible for that day. I highly recommend leaning into the magic of Christmas to help make your kids do something productive!

Age: 22
Degree: Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours)
Occupation: Services ambassador
City / Town: Brisbane

On New Year's Eve, everything was round or circle-themed, which means more fortune for the year. My mum would buy 12 different round fruits, and this would be placed in the middle of the table when we ate. We also wore polka dot patterned outfits.

We ate seafood or pasta/noodles for a long and healthy life, and we would have sticky rice for dessert, so luck sticks with us for the year. When midnight strikes, the kids are told to jump as high as they can so they grow tall during the year.

I’m from the Philippines and, even though I grew up in Australia, we still did these traditions every year to feel at home.

Age: 41
Degree: Master of Governance and Public Policy
Occupation: Project officer
City / Town: Brisbane

We eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's eve. I'm from Peru and my family has always done this back home. I think it's a tradition that has its origins in Spain. Grapes are sweet, so you are wishing for each month of the year to be as sweet as each grape you are eating.

Age: 29
Degree: Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Occupation: PhD student
City / Town: Brisbane

When I was younger, we would all stay up late on Christmas Eve. Then we would open our presents at midnight. We would typically gift each other books, so Christmas day was usually spent reading the books and having a big Christmas lunch. I loved it!