French hens, turtle doves, and partridges in pear trees might seem like romantic gift ideas. But for presents you and your loved ones will truly appreciate, flip through this week’s guide for inspired ideas from some of our region’s leading businesses.
Canberra Centre Christmas Pop-Up Bar
Christmas should be a joyful time of year for everyone, not sleighed down by hours of hectic gift shopping.
Take a break during your weekend of finding the perfect presents to enjoy a delicious complimentary beverage and treat at the Canberra Centre Christmas Pop-Up Bar.
Located on Level 1, Monaro Mall near David Jones, you’ll find the perfect spot to pause during your shopping adventures.
For one weekend only, Underground Spirits are taking over and serving a selection of festive cocktails!
The Kambah boutique distillery promises a duet of drinks: the Sunset Forage, which will have you back in the mood to shop in no time with its sweet and refreshing taste, while the second surprise cocktail incorporates their famous caramel vodka.
Book your space online at canberracentre.com.au to receive your complimentary cocktail, plus a treat.
The bar will be flowing with Christmas cheer on Friday 10 December 5-8pm, plus Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 December 12-3pm.
Bookings required.
Canberra Labor Club Belconnen makes Christmas easy
Christmas is the most wonderful time to spend with your family and loved ones.
Make the most of your time with your family and join us this year at Canberra Labor Club Belconnen for our Christmas Day Luncheon!
We cook, we clean and you get to sit back and enjoy!
Selections Bistro will be offering three menu options:
- Traditional Four Course (alternate drop) – $98 per person
- Children’s Menu (aged 5-14 years) – $45 per child | Children under 5 years eat free
- Vegan & Vegetarian Four Course – $95 per person
We can also cater to any dietary requirement upon request.
Come enjoy Christmas Day with us at the Canberra Labor Club Belconnen, stress and hassle-free!
Bookings can be made by calling the club on 02 6251 5522 or emailing [email protected]
Find the perfect gift at Canberra Outlet!
Still on the hunt for the perfect Christmas gift? The Canberra Outlet Centre has a huge range of gifting options from the likes of Nike, Ralph Lauren, Freedom, Adairs, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Guess and more! If you’re still stuck for ideas, take a look at the Canberra Outlet website and use their gift generator. Simply sort through the abundance of options from retailers with the easy-to-use filters, taking all the stress out of your gift shopping. It has hundreds of great ideas at a range of prices, so you can impress and spoil your loved ones on Christmas morning. The Centre is open late most nights leading up until Christmas Day, so you’ve got plenty of time to purchase everything you need. While you’re there, don’t forget to visit Santa for a Covid-safe photo in his Magical Woodland at the Atrium near Caffe Cherry Beans! Make your booking online this year and find the dates and times on the Canberra Outlet website.
337 Canberra Avenue, Fyshwick
Share the joy of Christmas at Cooleman Court
Share a little extra this Christmas at Cooleman Court. We’re continuing to give back this year with the Communities@Work Christmas Gift Appeal. Christmas is a particularly important time to provide hope for our vulnerable Canberrans. Help bring Christmas to people who may otherwise miss out by donating to the Communities@Work Christmas Gift Appeal by Sunday 19 December.
To find out all things Christmas at Coolo and how you can help, visit coolemancourt.com.au/christmas-2021
Diamonds Manuka for all your Christmas sparkle
Experienced gemmologist and diamond grader, Robert Hunt, has over three decades’ experience assisting Canberrans to acquire the best quality precious jewellery.
Robert and the team at Diamonds Manuka specialise in handmade jewellery, offering a wide range to choose from that features D colour flawless diamonds, South Sea pearls, black opals from Lightning Ridge, and a variety of coloured stone jewellery.
Diamonds Manuka also has a supply of Australian Argyle pink diamonds, including from the Desert Rose collection. These pink diamonds are becoming increasingly rare and valuable since the closure of the Argyle mine. Also on offer are yellow diamonds from Ellendale.
For the unique buyer, why not shop from a comprehensive range of unset stones, from which you may select a gem to have a piece of custom jewellery created.
To provide the best service during the festive season, Diamonds Manuka will extend its opening hours from 12 December to 10am-5pm, 7 days a week.
- Shop 4, Manuka Arcade, Manuka
- T: (02) 6295 6448
- E: [email protected]
12 Days of Giveaways and Explore to Score at South.Point!
Shop at South.Point this Christmas for your chance to share in over $11,000 in prizes. Spend $50 or more in a single purchase, at any retailer, and you could win. There’s something for everyone – Mum, Dad, boys, girls, the outdoors, kitchen and more! Simply take your receipt to the Customer Service Desk on the ground floor, fill in your entry form and you’re in the draw. Starts Sunday 12 December. T&Cs apply. See website for details. ACT TP 21/01957
While you’re in the centre, why not join our Explore to Score adventure? Download the South.Point app to receive all the clues you need to find our elusive Elf and receive your very own Elf plush toy to take home. It’s free and fun for the whole family. For T&Cs and more details, go to southpointcanberra.com.au
Celebrate in style with Stonehenge
This Christmas, have your home ready to show off to visitors – with the help of Stonehenge Beltana. They are Canberra’s boutique landscaping and garden supply centre. Located in Pialligo, Stonehenge has been a preferred landscape supplier to the Canberra market for over 50 years. Specialising in natural stone paving and retaining wall products – decorative rocks, mulches, sands and soils.
For gift giving this Christmas, you can choose from a large range of giftware, gardenware, ponds and pots.
The professional team at Stonehenge Beltana provide exceptional service to their customers to fulfil any landscaping or outdoor design project no matter the scope.
Come in and visit the displays and speak to the expert team at 8 Beltana Road, Pialligo. Open 7 days a week.
The perfect Christmas gift at Thompson Bespoke Jewellers
If you’re stuck for ideas for a Christmas gift for one of your loved ones, swing past Thompson Bespoke Jewellers in Braidwood. With a large selection of reasonably priced and custom-made jewellery, you can rest assured you will find one-of-a-kind pieces like no other. The unique hand-made pieces are filled with beautiful bright gemstones, so whether it is a pair of earrings, a necklace or a bracelet you’re after, Thompson Bespoke Jewellers have you covered. From the moment you walk through the doors to the Braidwood main street store, you will be met by friendly and experienced staff to help you find exactly what you need. With their jewellery being requested by customers all over Australia, you can be sure you’re getting top quality – but get in quick for the widest selection! You might even find a piece for yourself while you’re there.
Shop 7, 119 Wallace Street, Braidwood NSW
Have a Gardens summer adventure!
Head to the Australian National Botanic Gardens for summer adventure and outdoor escape. Enjoy a cool misty walk through the Rainforest Gully and share a shady picnic on the Eucalypt Lawn. While you’re there, you can climb into the canopy of the Paperbark Treehouse, explore the children’s Who Did That? trail or even take a Secrets of the Australian Bush family adventure tour on the Flora Explorer electric bus. Stop in at Pollen café for a snack or meal and get in some special gift shopping at the Botanical Bookshop. Pamper yourself or a loved one at Jindii Eco Spa. Why not end your day at the Gardens with a movie under the stars at Sunset Cinema until February 2022.
W: anbg.gov.au
Christmas Gifting with Bannisters Hotels at Mollymook
This Christmas, give an unforgettable experience with a gift voucher for Bannisters Hotels Mollymook. Gift vouchers can be used for luxury coastal getaways, memorable dining experiences, and relaxing spa treatments.
Discover Bannisters by the Sea and Bannisters Pavilion, located only 800m apart so guests can enjoy the best of both hotels. Enjoy extraordinary ocean views from your private balcony, contemporary suites only footsteps away from the beach, and pet-friendly stays.
Indulge in locally sourced seafood at the renowned Rick Stein restaurant, where you’ll find fresh flavours and dishes inspired by Rick’s travels around the globe.
Indulge at Spa by the Sea where the dreamy menu of treatments will leave you feeling relaxed and restored.
Valid for three years, gift vouchers can be purchased online or by phone, and delivered direct to your inbox. Thoughtful and versatile … the ideal gift this year.
Pamper yourself at Elegant Image
At Elegant Image Skin, Body and Day Spa Centre, it’s all about you. These holidays, why not treat yourself to the range of services that are sure to make you glow from the inside, out?
With over 30 years of experience, Elegant Image understands all clients have individual skincare requirements and we are committed to ensuring your skincare treatment is delivered with the highest levels of technical professionalism, with all the luxury and pampering expected from a tier one provider.
Featuring a range of services including facials, light therapy and imaging, and salon and spa treatments, you need to visit Elegant Image and experience the difference.
Shop 14 Four Seasons House, 191-203 Anketell St, Greenway
Cutting edge design at Escala Shoes
A pair of Escala shoes is polished, chic, and comfortable footwear that takes pride in attention to detail and elegant finishing touches.
Escala’s distinctive range of quality shoes and accessories, hand-sourced from the most in-demand designers in Europe has extended from Spain, to Germany, Austria, and now Italy, with a line of present-red Thierry Rabotin – just in time for the holidays. Spread seasonal joy with a pop of colour in your outfit.
“The capacity to engage with comfort and quality has been Escala’s policy for over two decades,” says owner, Gail.
“We have such a wide range that a gift from Escala could please almost everybody. And if choosing the perfect gift is too difficult, we offer gift vouchers to allow your special somebody the joy of choosing themselves.”
Shop 1, 21 Bouganville Street, The Lawns, Manuka
It’s beginning to look a lot like a Fishco Christmas!
Christmas trading hours have been set, trucks have been serviced and summer staff rostered – FishCo Fish Market is fully stocked and gearing up to help thousands of customers choose their fresh fish and seafood for their summer celebrations!
Along with FishCo’s great range of fresh fish and seafood, customers will find fresh fruit and veggies, fresh baked bread, and shelves upon shelves of condiments and packaged groceries.
With fresh fish and seafood arriving daily, FishCo typically sells five to seven tonnes of fresh seafood every Christmas. They pride themselves on supplying a variety of fresh prawns and oysters – and even encourage customers to taste fresh oysters and cooked prawns before buying.*
FishCo have extended trading hours for Christmas, opening 5am on Christmas Eve. Go to their website for more information and follow FishCo on Facebook for recipes, product information and competitions.
*Subject to COVID safety rules.
- T: (02) 6239 6415
- W: fishco.com.au
Shop fresh this Christmas at Fyshwick Markets
There’s no place like home this Christmas. And at Fyshwick Markets, we have everything you need to keep your family food traditions alive this festive season. From juicy cherries to fresh seafood, glazed hams and more, allow us to help you serve up home-cooked meals with family and friends this Christmas.
The atmosphere is festive, the parking is free, and our hours are extended, with trade from Thursday 16 December right up to Christmas Eve.
Celebrate family traditions this Christmas with the Fyshwick Markets.
Extended Christmas trading hours:
Open every day from Thursday 16 to Friday 24 December
Gates open 5am on 23 and 24 December
Closed 25 – 29 December
Reopen 30 December 7am and 31 December 6am
Closed New Year’s Day
36 Mildura Street, Fyshwick
Jet Flight Simulator Canberra
Jet Flight Simulator Canberra offers two distinct ways to fly this Christmas. Jump in the pilot’s seat of their realistic replica of a Boeing 737 jet aircraft. Ably assisted by a qualified pilot and sim instructor, you’ll take off from and land at your choice of 24,000 airports around the world. Explore the sophisticated navigational features, or simply fly off into the sunset over a tropical paradise. A fantastic educational and entertaining experience.
Or try their ICAROS Active Virtual Reality for a unique Canberra experience. An unforgettable VR experience for novices and experts with this blend of health-science and gaming technology. Manoeuvre through the obstacle course or battle the alien invasion to save the world.
W: jetflightsimulatorcanberra.com.au | T: 0438 834 026
Christmas baking and gifting sorted!
What’s a party without cake?… Declarations of love without chocolate?… Or a special dinner without dessert? Trends may come and go but baking as a love language is here to stay.
Latorta specialises in ingredients and equipment for the cake decorator, the baker, and the chocolatier. We have over 4000 products tailored to meet every need for home cooks, hobbyists, and professionals. We welcome you to browse our store and let your food dreams run wild.
Our team of professional cake decorators provide advice and tips so everyone can achieve success in their baking and decorating projects.
For Christmas and Teacher gifts, consider the hugely popular cookie trend where cookie embossers have made it so easy to create stunning effects with minimal effort.
Latorta is located at Shop 17 Majura Park Shopping Centre, Canberra Airport.
- T: 6257 1248
- W: latorta.com.au
Give the gift of Scott Leggo’s Australia
For a classy, thoughtful Christmas gift, consider acclaimed Canberra-based landscape photographer Scott Leggo’s stunning new coffee table book, Australia – a photographic journey. The premium quality hardcover 224-page coffee table book features over 200 photos capturing the beauty, breadth and wonder of this big, wide land.
According to Scott, Australia is ‘a must-have’ for the coffee table of “anyone who has travelled across this country and for those who dream of the opportunity to experience more of its diverse landscape”.
“A lot of people don’t appreciate how much incredible beauty Australia has on offer,” he says.
With gift ideas for everyone, consider a Scott Leggo jigsaw puzzle, acrylic desk block, small framed print or gift card. For something bigger, check out the in-stock artworks ready to take home.
Shop local and veteran owned this Christmas, with the Scott Leggo Gallery. Open 7 days.
45 Jardine Street, Kingston
- T: (02) 6179 7422
- W: scottleggo.com
Exquisite gifts at the museum shop
If you’re looking to buy a considered, premium quality gift this Christmas, look no further than the National Museum of Australia’s museum shop for a wide range of exquisite products.
Whether buying for him, her, children or pet lovers, indulge them in designer fashion, jewellery, quirky Australiana Christmas decorations, homewares and beauty products; whether it’s a pair of funky dot painting socks, deluxe dog treats, a jigsaw puzzle celebrating Australiana, fine soap scented with an intoxicating blend of native ingredients, or any one of a range of native Australian-made condiments and seasonings for the foodie in your life.
If sending gifts across the country or even the world, buying through the museum shop online allows you to circumvent the local post office by mailing presents out directly – Christmas order cut-off dates can be found on the museum shop’s website.
- W: shop.nma.gov.au
- T: (02) 6208 5222
Come to Cassidys for Christmas fashion
Cassidys at Jamison Plaza has a wide range of known brands in the right colours and styles to make you look and feel great this Christmas. Whether you’re buying for yourself or you’re after the perfect gift for a loved one, Cassidys has something for everyone. New styles and ranges of daywear, sleepwear, underwear and accessories for ladies and men have arrived just in time for Christmas. From classic elegance to boldly beautiful, come in and let our friendly staff help you to find your style at Cassidys.
Jamison Plaza, Bowman Street, Macquarie | T: 6251 1911 | W: cassidysjamison.com.au
Hudsons Gourmet Takeaway – Higgins
Hudsons Gourmet opened in 2020 to provide fresh and frozen homestyle meal options for Canberrans during lockdown and isolation.
Providing excellent coffee and quality meals-to-go, including fresh sandwiches, toasted rolls and salads as well as pastas, cottage pies, roast dinners and curries, plus a great range of sweet treats to finish with. There is something for all the family to enjoy!
Quality and convenience mean less stress.
Pop in today and see what is on offer this week.
Find ideal gifts at Moto Central
Moto Central owner Don Murray knows a thing or two about balance, having represented Australia at the World Championships for Moto Trials.
“Learning to balance early without training wheels gives kids a huge boost in confidence in their formative years,” he says. “The look on their faces when they get the hang of it says it all.”
For a limited time only, Moto Central has a stock of Sherco Electric Balance bikes.
Available in sizes to suit riders aged two to seven, they’re the perfect Christmas gift for your budding adventurer.
Make a pitstop at Moto Central today at 12 Sandford Street, Mitchell.
Canberra authors inspire children
Canberra couple, Michael and Alysia Ssentamu, are health professionals and parents who have written a book that inspires children to believe that, no matter what, they have the power to choose to overcome their fears. The couple created Sticky Icky Vicky – Courage over Fear, an age-appropriate story for children six to ten.
Sticky Icky Vicky loves the outdoors but has a fear of water. When she receives an invitation for a party at a water park, Vicky really wants to go. Will she have the courage to get over her fear once and for all?
Buy it now: www.stickyickyvicky.com
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