It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas….
Editor’s Note:: As we creep closer to the big day and more local businesses release their deets we’ll be keeping this page updated so make sure to check back regularly.
Not only is it beginning to look like Christmas, it’s beginning to feel like it too.
Now we know that all Mariah wants for Christmas is you, but all WE want for Christmas is a guide to get us on the front foot with the co-ordination of all the Christmassy logistics.
So to help with your Christmas planning, here is our ultimate guide to the silly season in the Highlands.
From where to order your seafood to pics with Santa…. get yourself organised!
SHOP [LOCALLY] UNTIL YOU DROP
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The Fold Christmas Elves are excitedly putting together our 2024 Christmas Gift Guide and it’ll be ready to share soon, we promise!
In the meantime check out our some of our other Shopping Guides and Inspo.
And our local markets are always filled with fabulous finds, with many of them getting into the festive spirit with special Chrissy markets – here’s our directory of local markets to help you work out what’s on when and where.
THE ALL-IMPORTANT TREE
We would argue that it’s pretty hard to beat the unmistakeable, yummy aroma of a fresh and real Christmas tree.
From Wingello to Welby, and plenty of places in between, we’ve put together a list of businesses supplying and selling Christmas trees in the Highlands.
Get fresh, baby!
FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Pre Christmas Catch-ups
We love there are options out there for celebrating Chrissy and catching up with friends and family in the lead-up to December 25.
With so many of of us trying to split our time between multiple rello’s and homes over the Christmas period, being able to organise a catch-up before Christmas Day takes the pressure off, don’t you think?
Here’s some of our picks for doing just that!
- Citizen Kanebridge for cocktail hour [it’s actually 2 hours which we are sooo fine with] on Friday evenings 4pm-6pm for $15 cocktails.
- Celebrate with your crew and the crew at Robertson Public House with their 2024 Christmas Party on the 15th of December. Live music, yummy food, and even a visit from Santa!
- There’s always something exciting happening at Sutton Forest Inn…. Saturday Happy Hours[s], yes please!
- George’s or the newly opened Fire Kitchen at Osborn House are both exciting options.
- Ethos at Links House offers wonderful communal style dining that is delish.
- Get hands-on with the food prep and book a cooking class at Cucina Calabria. The Ricotta & Pear Tort Demonstration Class with Aperitivo Bites & Prosecco sounds molto bella!
- Equally delicious are the set Christmas menus ready to be enjoyed at Mittagong Hotel – take a look at the super declicious menu here. Such a great idea for your fam, work or friends Chrissy catch up. They’ve also got a big ol’ Christmas bash planned; a super-fun day for all locals to enjoy!
- Franquette Crêperie are hosting a wonderful sounding Christmas Eve Dinner complete with sparkling wine AND a cocktail… oooh la la!
- The Family Fun Day at Bundanoon Hotel on the 15th sounds like a jolly good time for the whole gang.
- The Cupcake Co. is giving us a total Highlands Chrimbo dream with their option for Christmas High Tea between 29th November – 22nd December.
- Or if you’ve got a crew who love to rock out then hit up The Matchbox 20 & Rob Thomas Tribute Show Christmas Party at Sylvan Glen Estate.
Citizen Kanebridge
Work Party Shenanigans
Who’s up for letting their hair down with their work colleagues and celebrating getting through another epic year?
Our hands are well and truly up [with glasses in them!].
Here’s some fun ideas and local venues to check out.
- Briars has loads of spots to choose from to settle in for a work party catch up – super stylish private dining rooms upstairs, head outside on the front lawn under the brollies, on the deck under the shady vines, the intimate and beautifully styled Throsby Lounge, book a table in the Bistro or head to the newly launched The Tin Shed where you can feast on spit roasts and wood fired pizzas.
- We luuuurve the sound of the cocktail making classes from Trolley’d. Their bars are mobile so they can come to you, they use loads of ethically sourced ingredients and they even have alchohol free options so any type of sipper can share in the fun.
- The Feast & Celebrate option at Lotus inside Park Proxi Gibraltar Bowral would be such a special way to show you’re work crew you appreciate all their hard work.
- Celebrate Chrissy with the gang ‘The French Way‘ at Franquette Crêperie.
- That special Christmas Menu we mentioned earlier happening at Mittagong Hotel is also a fab idea for a work party.
- Who says festive feasting can’t be good for you?! Keep it fresh and flavourful brunch or lunch at Raw & Wild Market & Cafe.
- Or for something a little out-of-the-box [and up the pole] Phoenix Studios is open for holiday themed pole or burlesque dance parties.
- The Mill Bowral has such a fun street food vibe, with plenty of different dining options to choose from… and an all-important bar for bevvies
- The Conservatory at Briars is excellent for every kind of celebration, comfortably fitting anywhere from 30 guests up to 160.
- Smaller groups can book in a private cooking class at Cucina Calabria for a taste of Southern Italy.
- The newly opened Graze at Fitzroy Falls is a beautiful spot for an event, or if you’re planning to host in the office, they offer bespoke catering.
For more inspo, have a read through our Guide To Christmas Party Ideas For The Silly Season!
Cocktail making classes with Trolley’d.
Christmas Lunch
Now, who likes to spend a little more time eating rather than cooking on Christmas Day?
Here’s some local restaurants offering up Chrissy lunch options so you can relax [+ not have to wash a thing up!].
Bistro Sociale at Berida Hotel is serving up their glorious Christmas feast again this year. With a hot carvery, cold buffet, salads and loads of desserts, you know they’ve got the goods. This one books out quickly so secure your spot ASAP.
Milton Park will also be serving up Christmas lunch and dinner this year and the menu looks mouth-watering. Seafood like oysters, prawns and fish, all the faves like turkey, beef AND pork. Plus drinkies for the grown-ups and a gift for kids under 12.
Christmas at The Robertson Hotel always looks beautiful. A buffet feast in such a stunning location- what a treat!
Centennial Vineyards are also popping into the mix with a 3 course lunch and the option to add on drinks for an extra cost. [Go oooon…. it’s Chistmas after all!]
Click through here to look at all of your options around the Highlands for Christmas Day Lunch. ENJOY!
Outsourcing Christmas Lunch
Step away from the hot oven, sit back and relax!
Check out this guide to outsourcing Christmas lunch and get in touch with these local caterers offering up a stress-free and super delicious alternative to slaving away in the kitchen all day.
Bendooley Estate Larder‘s Christmas Catering Menu
Christmas Ham
Did you know there is a Christmas carol called Whence Is That Lovely Fragrance Wafting?
We’re pretty sure it was written about Christmas ham – yuuuum!
Click here to check out our list of where to buy ham, turkeys and all your Chrissy carnivore needs locally.
The more glaze the better, we say….and don’t even get us started on 101 ways to eat the leftovers!
Christmas Seafood
We just completed a snap poll here in The Fold and have decided that fresh seafood is definitely one of the top five best things about Christmas.
But you don’t have to do the midnight schlep to the seafood markets in Sydney or the dawn trek to the coast to get your seafood.
There are plenty of local businesses who will do that for you!
Check out our list of where to get your seafood locally.
CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AROUND THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES
This year, the Southern Highlands is getting its festive on, like it never has before.
Businesses are decorating their windows, we have Christmas trees throughout the Highlands and the kiddos will love paying a visit to Santa’s Grotto inside Corbett Gardens, especially on the 21st for the ‘Festive Fun Day‘.
Unleash your Christmas creativity with ‘Wreath Making at Robbo Pub‘ on the 8th or the ‘Decorate for Xmas Workshop and Lunch‘ at Centennial Vineyards on the 7th…. or both!
Inside Ashbourne Estate’s Sales Centre you’ll find a festive Santa Room. You can stop by and take some photos amongst all the merry goodness, great for a Chrissy themed profile pic with the fam.
The Family Fun Day at Bundanoon Hotel sounds like it’s going to be a merry good time [hehe] as does the Mittagong Christmas Party.
Berrima’s Schoolyard Christmas Market is back for another year, yay! The Moss Vale Showground Christmas Market is set to be a goodie as well, with loads of stalls, miniature railway rides and a visit from Santy!
Plus the fun goes on… There are Chrissy themed pub lunches, Chrissy concerts, fancy lunches and dinners, raffles, Christmas Eve extravaganzas, shopping events – you name it, it’s all happening in December. Click here to have a read about all the fun happening in the Highlands in the festive season.
And if you’re wanting to grab that annual pic with Santa while you’re out and about, here’s a list of places the big bloke in red will be visiting for photos in the lead up to the big day.
BOOM BOOM SHAKE THE ROOM
Ok… now you’re sufficiently sorted for Christmas, relax your ears with this banging festive playlist with all our favs (who doesn’t love throwing it back to a bit of Wham, or maybe even a version of one of the classics by The Pointer Sisters?!).
Have a very, merry Highlands Christmas!!
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This piece is sponsored by the featured businesses and fully endorsed by The Fold Southern Highlands. We strongly believe in the businesses and all the information we share with you on The Fold and we’re excited to share the amazing stories and adventures of our local businesses. We want to say a BIG thank you to you for supporting our sponsors who help make The Fold possible.