Christmas is all twinkling lights, happy memories, and – let's be honest – a sprinkle of festive chaos. Between juggling to-do lists and attempting to channel your inner MasterChef, the holidays are no small feat. But behind every joyful Christmas, there’s always that one (or maybe a few) unsung heroes making it all come together – we like to call them the Christmas Makers.  

Here at Stockland Birtinya, we see you, Christmas Makers. We know about the late-night gift-wrapping marathons, the early-morning kitchen hustle, and the endless quest for the perfect present. That’s why this year, we’re here to make things a little easier – and a lot merrier. 

To help you navigate the holiday hustle, we’ve put together the ultimate guide. From Christmas food ideas and must-have groceries to genius hacks (ever wondered how to keep cherries fresh?). Consider this your holiday survival cheat sheet, so you won’t be that person scrambling for whipped cream to top off your pavlova… Plus, we've chatted with local retailers, shared our trading hours, and packed this article with everything you need to sleigh the season! 

10 essential food tips for the Feast Makers

When it comes to Christmas cooking, a little planning can go a long way, but there are also those genius hacks that can make it all that bit easier. Here are our top ten food hacks to try this Christmas:  

1. Keep cherries fresh by soaking in sparkling water for 30 minutes 
2. Order seafood in advance to ensure availability and freshness for your Christmas feast 
3. Extend Christmas pudding shelf life: wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to three months 
4. Easy peeling: boil potatoes for five minutes, then chill in ice water before peeling 
5. Quick glaze: mix jam, soy sauce, and mustard for a sweet and savoury ham glaze 
6. Make-ahead gravy: prepare up to three days before, refrigerate or freeze 
7. De-shell easily: soak prawns in warm water for 10 minutes before peeling (and when you’re done pop them in the freezer until bin day!) 
8. Make-ahead mince pies: freeze unbaked pies for up to two months 
9. Green bean trick: blanch in boiling water, then shock in ice water to preserve colour 
10. Quick canapés: top toasted bread with cream cheese, smoked salmon, and capers 
11. BONUS TIP: simmer some cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove to fill your home with the scent of Christmas

Last-minute reminders for the Festive Dazzlers

To ensure a stress-free and joyful holiday, there are a few essential tasks to tackle: 

• Review your holiday menu and double-check your ingredients (we’ve even got a handy downloadable checklist below)
• Check postal cut-off dates for both international and domestic mail 
• Send out your holiday invitations if you're hosting 
• Confirm cooking times for your main dishes, like ham and turkey, so you’re not scrambling last-minute 
• Always have snacks for a quick-and-easy platter in the case of any unexpected guests
• Chill those beverages to avoid any warm toasts
• Make sure you’ve got enough wrapping paper for any last-minute gift wrapping emergencies
• Have some festive containers ready for guests who might want leftovers
• Make sure you’ve got extra batteries for new toys or gadgets
• Set the table early – include all linens, decorations, and place settings
• Don’t forget a Christmas Day playlist to set the festive mood
• Remember the small things that make Christmas magical: leave out treats for Santa and carrots for the reindeer

Meet your local Christmas Makers 

Our centre is home to passionate local retailers who bring the magic of Christmas to life. 

Meet Jess, the manager at Greensmith Grocers, your trusted spot for a curated selection of certified organic and locally sourced products, proudly supporting Queensland farmers and the Sunshine Coast community. This December, members can enjoy 10% off organic potatoes, apricots, nectarines, and peaches. Don't forget to explore their range of artisanal condiments, including homemade blueberry and chia jam and an assortment of relishes – ideal for adding an extra special touch to your festive charcuterie boards. 

Visit the award-winning team at Boocock’s Quality Meats – your go-to butcher for top-quality cuts in the area. Boocook Quality Meats are renowned for their exceptional range of grass-fed and free-range meats and were proudly crowned the 2024 QLD Regional Retailer of the Year. The team are here to make your Christmas feast stress-free and delicious. This year, let them handle the heavy lifting with their Christmas pre-orders, which are now open. Choose from their premium selection of ham, pork, turkey, chicken, duck, and more – simply fill out the order form with your details, and drop it off in-store or email it to order@boococksqualitymeats.com.au. 

Meet Alissa, one of the friendly faces at Bakers Delight, one of the friendly faces at gearing up for her first Christmas with the team – and she couldn’t be more excited to don the festive aprons! This season, they’ll have all your holiday staples, from freshly baked bread for your lunch spread and charcuterie boards to sweet treats like tarts and mince pies. Alissa’s top pick? A plate of their famous Portuguese tarts, her year-round favourite, which she’ll be proudly taking to her Christmas Day lunch. 

Visit the friendly team at Coles, bringing you all their down-down Christmas specials! Don’t miss out on their in-season cherries, mangoes, and lychees – perfect for a festive fruit platter on Christmas morning. And be sure to explore their Christmas aisle, where you’ll find everything from candy canes and advent calendars to a variety of delicious holiday treats. 

Visit the friendly team at ALDI, ready to serve up all your festive favourites with their mouthwatering Christmas food range. Swing by to shop for everything from premium poultry and seafood to festive sides like balsamic brussel sprouts, rosemary and garlic roast potatoes, and crispy croquettes. And don’t forget the iconic ALDI Special Buys, dropping every Wednesday and Saturday! Expect an array of gifts, including toys, tech, tableware, and more – perfect for ticking off your Christmas list in one trip. 

Download our Christmas Maker checklist

Having trouble keeping track of everything? Let us help you out! Download our handy grocery checklist, print it, and tick things off as you go. 

Download here

There you have it your holiday holy grail – the ultimate cheat sheet to ensure a Christmas that's merry, bright, and (dare we say it?) stress-free. Now it’s time to pour yourself a glass of eggnog, put your feet up, and let us handle the heavy lifting. After all, you've earned it, Christmas Maker.

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This information has been provided by our Stockland retailers. All reasonable care has been taken to ensure that the information is correct at the time of the content going live. However, no warranty is given as to the accuracy of that information. The information may change from time to time without notice. Stocks are limited and only available while stocks last with individual retailers. Products may vary from location to location. Prices may also change without notice. Please contact our retailers for more information.