Christmas food traditions have survived continents, wars, cultures, generations and insane grocery prices. We don't even think about it, we just add the hams, turkeys, chicken legs, prawns of course, and gelatinous cranberry sauce to our cart, then slave in the kitchen for hours to share delicious flavours and history with our loved ones. But why these? Apart from their deliciousness, what about them allowed them to stand the test of time and remain icons of Christmas? 

Let's start with Christmas past!

Ham: The Oldest Christmas Tradition on the Table

Ham might feel like a timeless Christmas staple, but its roots are ancient. Long before Christmas existed, Northern Europeans held midwinter feasts celebrating the solstice. One key tradition was sacrificing a wild boar to the Norse god Freyr — a symbol of fertility and good harvests in the coming year.

When Christianity spread across Europe, the tradition transformed to fit the new beliefs of citizens. Wild boars were rampant in the woods and later domesticated pigs, which made the meat accessible for many. The boar became a celebratory ham, cured and preserved to last through the winter.

By the Victorian era, where gastronomy was kicking off, glazed ham had become a centrepiece of the Christmas table in European countries, as well as across the pond in the US and Australia. It cemented itself as an icon of Christmas, with its luxurious flavour, comforting warmth and its ability to feed large crowd. 

Christmas present
Despite Aussie Christmases being in summer, meaning we don't need to eat cured and preserved meats, Aussies love ham. It remains a staple, not just because of its history, but because it suits our climate. It can be served hot, cold, or anywhere in between, for lunch or dinner.

Christmas future

We doubt ham will go anywhere, due to its versatility and ability to feed large crowds. However, we hope the future of this Christmas staple does evolve to suit the values of future (and current) generations. Pork that is ethically raised, nutritionally fed, and chemical free is hopefully the future of Christmas.

You can find added-nitrate-free and free-range hams at Sunshine Coast Organic Meats.

We have other great pork options as well!

Turkey: The Xmas Expat

Unlike ham, turkey is a much more recent Christmas phenomenon. This is due to turkeys not originally being available in Europe. When European settlers established themselves on the American continent, they were easily able to catch and butcher these exotic birds. These birds were exotic and exciting for families, and large enough to feed entire families. These new Americans exported turkeys to Europe and it became an instant hit to families there.

It wasn’t until the Victorian era that turkey became strongly associated with Christmas. Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is partly to thank: Scrooge’s famous gift of a giant turkey helped cement the bird as the ideal Christmas centrepiece.

Turkey was also easier to raise than peacocks or geese, which were previously used for feasts. By the 19th century it had become the aspirational Christmas dish for middle-class English families.

Christmas present

The turkey is an impressive centrepiece, but it has evolved a little in Australian summer. Especially in Queensland, a hot centrepiece is not always a practical choice. Instead, turkey is served room temp, or alongside other fresh sides. For those who do serve a hot turkey roast, nothing is better than cold turkey sandwiches on boxing day. 

Christmas future 

Turkeys will continue to be a great Christmas option for large families, and evolve to suit the needs of families. For example, turkey Marylands are blowing up as easy and cheap options for smaller families on smaller budgets. In the future, we'd love to see more people being able to access organic, ethically raised turkeys - or even wild-caught turkeys! 

Try turkey roast here, or try other turkey options including rolled breast, or buff.

Prawns: The Aussie Christmas Icon

Prawns don't scream 'white Christmas'. In England in the 1600-1800s, no one would dream of cold, shell-on prawns for Christmas, but for us Aussies it's a different story. Prawns are an iconic part of an Australian beach Christmas.

Before widespread refrigeration and agricultural seafood, this tradition belonged only to Aussies on the coast. From the 1950s onwards — thanks to better refrigeration, an expanding fishing industry, and the rise of the "modern Australian summer holiday” — prawns became a luxury treat.

By the 1980s, seafood suppliers began promoting prawns as the perfect hot-weather Christmas food. It worked: Australians now consume tens of thousands of tonnes of prawns each December.

It isn't just convenience or coincidence that has us eating seafood for Christmas. In italy, there is the Feast of the Seven Fishes, where Italians enjoy a lavish seafood spread including white fish, clams, calamari, eel and prawns. This was inspired by Catholic fasting rules. Spain and portugal also has historical seafood dishes for the Christmas season, facilitated by salt curing. Of course, in Scandinavian countries where seafood is the staple for all of winter, fish is an iconic element of Christmas.

Christmas Present

What screams Christmas than bright red prawns? These crustaceans feel uniquely Australian, but the love of seafood at Christmas is shared across the globe. Many Australians enjoy a variety of seafood dishes for Christmas, including white fish and smoked salmon. 

Christmas Future

On our wishlist next year is better acquacultural practices. With many concerns about the health of both fish and humans due to current practice, we're hoping for more transparency, better practices and more access to wild-caught or organic seafood for all.

Cranberry Sauce: The Jewel At the Table

In early American colonies, cranberry sauce was paired with turkey during autumn and winter harvest celebrations as a bright, tart contrast to the deeply savoury and umami flavour of turkey. Just like us aussies adding pineapple to a beef burger, the cranberry jams and sauces were vital to the vibrancy of festive meals. It later became part of traditional Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

When the turkey made its way to European markets, so did cranberry sauce. By the 20th century, as global food culture blended and packaged cranberry sauce spread worldwide, it became a natural partner for Christmas turkey everywhere.

Even in Australia, where we have so many great options for bright, fresh fruits at Christmas, the cranberry is found on nearly every table. It's not only served with turkey, but chicken, brie cheese, potatoes and more. 

Christmas Present

Whether you make your own or buy a high-quality cranberry sauce in-store, it is a great choice to adorn your Christmas table. 

Christmas Future

Which locally grown fruit will find their place on the Christmas table? Mango chutney, pineapple sauce, lychee cream? It's exciting to see what the future holds for us all.

At Sunshine Coast Organic Meats, we love that these traditions continue to evolve. Today, families mix the old and the new: traditional hams and turkeys next to salads, seafood, and fresh Aussie produce.

Whether you choose a slow-roasted turkey, a beautifully glazed organic ham, or a big platter of ethically sourced prawns, Christmas is really about one timeless tradition:

Sharing good food with the people you love. 

Offer your loved ones the best with delicious, nutritious and ethically produced hams, turkeys, chicken, pork collar, roasts, rolls and sides from Sunshine Coast Organic Meats. Christmas orders close TODAY. 

After this weekend, some Christmas products will still be available on the shelf. If you miss the deadline to order online, come-in store to see what's on offer.