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When my good friend visited from her home in New Zealand earlier this year, our conversation soon turned to Christmas and how different it feels when the festive season falls in the middle of summer.
While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere cosy up with hot chocolate and twinkling fires, Kiwis are basking in sunshine, enjoying barbecues on the beach, and celebrating with fresh blooms and ocean breezes. ☀️🎄
That chat sparked an idea: to design a summer-Christmas collection that captures the warmth, joy, and relaxed spirit of a Kiwi Christmas. The result became my Meri Kirihimete Collection, now available in my Zazzle store and as printable cards in my Etsy shop.
What Christmas Looks Like in New Zealand
Christmas in New Zealand arrives at the height of summer, just as schools are breaking up and families are heading off on holidays. Instead of snowmen and woolly jumpers, you’ll find:
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🌊 Beach picnics and barbecues – families gather outdoors for fresh seafood, salads, and chilled desserts.
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🍓 Pavlova – a light meringue topped with whipped cream and fruit, often crowned with bright red strawberries or kiwifruit.
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🌺 Pōhutukawa trees – known as New Zealand’s Christmas tree, their crimson blossoms blanket the coastline in December.
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🎶 Carols in the Park – outdoor concerts where communities sing under the stars.
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💬 Meri Kirihimete – the Māori phrase for Merry Christmas, heard everywhere with a smile.
It’s a celebration that feels carefree, connected to nature, and full of light — and that’s exactly what I wanted to bring into this design series.
The Inspiration Behind the Meri Kirihimete Collection
Each piece in the collection blends soft coastal tones with touches of festive sparkle. I imagined sunshine on the water, tropical greenery, and those iconic New Zealand creatures that make everyone smile.
The designs include:
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🥝 Kiwi birds wearing Santa hats and surrounded by pastel summer florals.
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🕊️ Kingfishers and fantails perched among gift boxes and native blooms.
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🌸 Pōhutukawa blossoms in soft pinks, corals, and golds.
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🌊 Surfboards and seashells adding a playful coastal twist.
Each design is a celebration of both the Southern Hemisphere Christmas spirit and the beauty of Aotearoa (New Zealand).
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Where to Find the Collection
🌿 On Zazzle
You’ll find the full Meri Kirihimete Collection on Zazzle, including cards with calendars or photos, and matching stationery pieces. Every design is customisable, so you can add your family’s name or personal message. Available printed and digitally too!
👉 Browse the Zazzle Collection
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🌸 Printable Cards on Etsy
For those who prefer to print at home or send digital greetings, I’ve also created a Printable New Zealand Birds Christmas Card Collection, available as an instant download in my Etsy store.
Each set includes two versions of six designs, featuring Kiwi, Kookaburra, Fantail and Owl and more, all editable in Corjl so you can personalise with your own names and message. You can see them all and try editing in the demo
They’re perfect for sending sunshine and festive cheer across the miles, whether your loved ones are near or far.
👉 View the Printable Card Collection on Etsy
Why I Loved Designing these
Designing these reminded me that Christmas looks different everywhere, but the feeling is the same: warmth, love, and connection.
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Whether it’s snowflakes falling or waves crashing, there’s beauty in celebrating the season in your own way. My hope is that these Meri Kirihimete designs bring a touch of joy to those celebrating under the summer sun and maybe inspire others to see Christmas through a new lens.
✨ Explore the full range on Zazzle and Etsy to find your favourite Kiwi-inspired design.
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