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The holidays are meant to be about spending time with your loved ones.

But if you're thousands of miles away from your family at this time of year, that affection is better off turned to the beach.

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There's plenty of them around Australia's endless coast, and matched with the searing temperatures that comes with a summer Down Under, travelers come in droves to beaches around the country. Everything else is closed, after all.

So while you're probably sipping on egg nog, rugging up in something woolen and staying indoors in the northern hemisphere, you're missing out on trees made of sand, waves, and a whole lot of holiday cheer... just done a little differently in Australia.

The McCormack family from Portland, Oregon pose alongside the sandcastle Christmas tree they made on Bondi Beach.Credit: Getty ImagesSurf lifesavers patrol Bondi Beach.Credit: Getty ImagesGareth, Indy and Lauren Morton, from Aberfeldy, Scotland, frolic in the surf.Credit: Getty ImagesDipping your toes in the water on a sunny day.Credit: Getty ImagesMax Bennett and Olivia Tilton, from London pose in front of Bondi Beach.Credit: Getty ImagesTom Christian, Jordan Peters, Pete Addison and Tom Rigden from Kent, England, frolic in the water at Bondi Beach.Credit: Getty ImagesFrank Groot and Josephine Groot, from Amsterdam, The Netherlands, play on their inflatable couch.Credit: Getty ImagesThe obligatory beach selfie.Credit: Getty ImagesIt's the summer of love.Credit: Getty ImagesEven dogs are getting into the action.Credit: Getty ImagesJust make sure you don't get your selfie stick wet.Credit: Getty Images