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 Merrylands, 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!

Extended trading hours for the Deadline Dashers

First up, we know that convenience is key during the busy holiday season. That's why we're extending our trading hours, so you can shop at your convenience. Whether you're an early riser or a last-minute shopper, our extended hours ensure you can get everything you need for a delicious Christmas feast and more.

View hours here

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 Laxmi, the proud owner of Bakers Delight at Stockland Merrylands! Every morning at 3am, Laxmi’s team are already in action, filling the ovens and creating that irresistible aroma of freshly baked goodies. And when Christmas rolls around, they take it up a notch! Think festive favourites like their famous Christmas cakes, lemon tarts, Portuguese tarts, and all the bakery essentials – cob loaves, bread rolls, and sourdough. Laxmi promises there’s a treat for everyone!

Meet Yasmin, a friendly face and the store supervisor at Trim’s Fresh! If you're stopping by, don’t miss out on their Pistachio Papi – a creamy, 100% Italian pistachio spread that’s pure indulgence in a jar. Beyond their delicious offerings, Trim’s Fresh proudly supports the local community, sponsoring soccer clubs and donating vouchers and hampers to the Merrylands Club.

Meet Adrian, one of the owners of Joe’s Gourmet Poultry, where Christmas turkeys will be fresh and ready for pick up the week of Christmas. Pre-orders open in early December, so mark your calendar! As for Adrian’s own Christmas lunch, he’s bringing along their signature Slovaki stick kebabs – perfect for a holiday barbecue.

Meet Louise, a familiar face at ZAG Seafood. She let us in on a holiday secret: they’ll be extending their hours in the days leading up to Christmas, so you can stock up on all your seafood favourites. As for Louise, she’ll be enjoying one of their three-kilo tiger prawn boxes for Christmas lunch – one of their festive specials that’s too good to miss!

Meet the friendly team at Merrylands Spices & Teas, your go-to for over 300 single-origin spices, herbs, salts, peppers, teas, nuts, dried fruits, and superfoods. Whether you're looking to elevate your Christmas cooking or just add a little festive flair, they’ve got you covered. Tip: swing by to stock up on your favourite spices – and don’t forget the cinnamon sticks! Not only are they perfect for holiday recipes, but they’re also the secret to our bonus tip mentioned above: simmer cinnamon sticks and cloves on the stove to fill your home with the warm, nostalgic scent of Christmas.

Stay inspired

Looking for last-minute present inspiration? Check out our Christmas gift guide with all the best presents available in centre. Think stocking stuffers, gifts under $100, gifts for her, gifts for him, and more!

View gift guide

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.

For more everyday inspiration, updates on the latest trends and exclusive offers, register now as a Stockland Member to receive monthly updates, latest news, and exclusive events from your local Stockland Shopping Centre.

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.