Paul Kelly's 'How to Make Gravy' Becomes Australia's Beloved Christmas Anthem

The unconventional holiday song, celebrated annually on 'Gravy Day,' captures themes of family, longing, and the complexities of Australian culture.

Paul Kelly's 1996 song 'How to Make Gravy,' narrated as a letter from a prisoner to his family, has become an iconic Australian Christmas tradition.
December 21, referenced in the song, is celebrated as 'Gravy Day,' with fans marking the occasion through various tributes, including leaving cans of gravy on porches.
The song’s universal themes of regret, family, and missing loved ones resonate deeply, while its references to Australia's summer heat and unique traditions ground it in local culture.
A new film inspired by the song premiered this year, expanding its cultural impact and providing a visual narrative to its heartfelt lyrics.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese referenced the song this week while announcing the release of five long-term prisoners, underscoring its significance in Australian society.