The end-of-year holidays in Australia are a time filled with lots of food, sunny days and trips to the beach. But, they’re also time to spend with family.
As an international student, you might not be heading home for the holidays to see friends and family, but it’s still important to spend time with good people. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, now’s the perfect time to celebrate the end of the year with pals and enjoy friendmas!
Here’s your foolproof guide on how to sleigh the holiday season this year with your besties.
1. Throw a themed friendmas party
Go bold with a themed friendmas party – nothing screams friendship like a chaotic group chat that will inevitably lead to everyone showing up in the same costume.
- Embarrassing t-shirts: Like a summer version of an ugly sweater competition, except you gift the t-shirt to someone else at the party and they must wear it. Most shocking wins!
- Potluck roulette: Everyone brings a dish, and you hope that nobody shows up with a pie made of mystery ingredients. It’s a culinary adventure and maybe a test of your immune system.
- Karaoke battle: Belt out All I Want for Christmas Is You until your neighbours come knocking. Extra points for the best interpretive dance!
2. Secret Santa: Silly friendmas edition
Draw names from a hat or online generator – who you draw is who you buy for. Introduce a twist that guarantees laughter and maybe some light humiliation.
- Gag gifts: Who wouldn’t love a mug that says World’s Okayest Friend?
- Secret Santa race: This is a personal favourite. Meet outside a store like Kmart, draw names, set a time and price limit (keep it short and cheap) and race off into the store to find a gift.
- Re-gift redemption: Dig deep into your closet and wrap up that weird gift from last year. It’s kind to the planet and a budget-friendly friendmas idea.
3. Bake, burn and bond: Friendmas cooking ideas
Channel your inner chef – or at least try. Cooking together is messy, chaotic and joyful.
- Biscuit decorating chaos: Start with good intentions but end up with cookies that look like they survived a cyclone.
- Mystery cook-off: Grab random ingredients, set a timer and see who can create something edible. Spoiler: It probably won’t be edible.
4. Go on a friendmas adventure
The holidays are a perfect time to explore your city. Gather your friends for an unexpected excursion.
- Ice skating fiasco: Half of you will glide gracefully; the other half will look like baby giraffes.
- Escape room shenanigans: Test your teamwork and see who’s secretly a control freak.
- Christmas festivals: Light up your lives with some good old-fashioned community fun. See what’s on in your city:
5. Dish out some gratitude at your friendmas
The holidays are about appreciation, so take a moment to get sentimental. Your friendmas guests might be new, or those who have stuck by your whole international student journey – either way, it’s time to celebrate them.
- Write letters: Share what you love about each other, with a sprinkle of humour. “I love how you always show up late…because it makes me look punctual.”
- Create a memory jar: Fill it with notes about your favourite moments together and read them out.
- Friendmas awards: Everyone is good at something. Think – Most Likely to Bring Snacks or Worst at Keeping Secrets.
The best gift is friendship
Friendmas isn’t about perfection – it’s about great laughs, epic fails and reminding your friends why they put up with you. Celebrate the people who make your life a little brighter. Happy friendmas all!
