He Just Smiled and Gave Me a Vegemite Sandwich

Australia Day is just a week away! Time to gather your mates and do what Aussies do best: barbeque, eat Aussie 'delicacies', swim, listen to JJJ top 100 and gasbag late into the afternoon. It's set to be a sweltering day, so here's how you can make it fun and relaxing - the way Australia Day should be!

Be sure to include these Aussies staples:

• BBQ sausages and steaks with salad
• Lamingtons (try this cupcake version from Boyfriendly Cooking for an easy spin on the Aussie classic)
• Pavlova
• ANZAC biscuits
• Caramello Koalas
• Australia shaped biscuits (use an Aussie cookie cutter, colour green and gold and write Aussie-sims on them!)
• Mini toasts with Vegemite
• Aussie themed cupcakes
• Tim Tams
• Fairy bread
• Slice fruit in the shape of Australia (use the cookie cutter again)
• Meat Pies

Some decor ideas for your Aussie bash:

• Aussie bush arrangement - collect branches from bums, banksias, bottlebrush - anything native you can find (just be sure it's not illegal to pick like the Kangaroo Paw)
• Australian flags
• Flower arrangements with Yellow flowers mingled in with Australian flags.
• For a fresh twist think citrus green and yellow as your theme colours to brighten up your decor. Or for a more mellowed out pallet think subdued whites with splashes of red and blue.
• Be sure to visit your local $2 shop - they have loads of Australian gear on the cheap!

Here are a few photos to get you inspired for your big bash!