Australians celebrate Christmas in summer, decorating their homes like Americans and English with trees, Santa Claus, and ornaments. They add two native flowers. Schools close a week before Christmas for summer holidays. Families follow traditions like lighting a candle on Christmas Eve and going to midnight mass. On Christmas Day they eat turkey and cold meats along with fruit pies and their favorite dessert, sausage. On New Year's Eve, Santa visits and leaves gifts under the tree. Easter celebrations in churches exceed expectations throughout the week with youth helping decorate and keep customs alive.