For most of the world, Christmas means snow, scarves, and chimneys, but not for us in the southern hemisphere. Growing up in Argentina and now living in Australia, I’ve always celebrated Christmas under the sun. There’s music, laughter, colour, outdoor BBQ’s, that vibrant sense of party that doesn’t quite exist in a cold, white winter.
In my illustration, Papa Noel is inside his cozy cottage, happily packing for his summer getaway. Instead of wrapping woolly coats, he’s folding board shorts and t-shirts, checking his passport, and tucking a surfboard beside his luggage.
Outside the window, his reindeer, including Rulfus, peek in with excitement, their own passports and summer hats ready.
This piece plays with the idea of tradition and warmth — literally. It’s a playful reimagining of Santa that celebrates the joy and brightness of a southern-hemisphere Christmas.
Through humor and detail, I wanted to show how illustration can bridge culture and imagination — turning familiar stories into something fresh, inclusive, and full of personality.
