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 Shellharbour, 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 Craig, the store manager of Bush’s Fresh Meats. Craig shares that their best-selling holiday speciality is their own exclusive, house-smoked leg hams. To make holiday prep a breeze, Bush’s Fresh Meats offers a range of handy Christmas services: they can glaze and slice your ham, de-bone and roll a turkey, or even stuff and roll it for you. You’re welcome to bring your own stuffing or choose from their tasty selection. Services are affordably priced, with ham slicing and glazing at $20 each, stuffing options at $10, and turkey seasoning, boning, and rolling for just $10.

Meet 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.

Meet Tim, the store manager at Shellharbour Square Fish Market. With Christmas just around the corner, he’s gearing up for a season of sunny-day seafood staples like salmon, barramundi, prawns, and oysters, all set to fly off the shelves. Tim and his team source the freshest catch straight from Sydney Fish Market every Monday to Friday, plus a few local treasures from nearby fishermen.

Meet the local team at Woolworths, your one-stop shop for all things Christmas food! From fresh fruit and veggies (don’t forget the carrots for the reindeer) to the bakery and deli sections, where the team is up at the crack of dawn preparing fresh treats. And don’t miss their selection of Christmas confectionery – perfect for stocking stuffers. Woolworths has everything you need to make the season merry and delicious!

Meet Bijaya, the owner of Bakers Delight, where you’re greeted by friendly staff and the aroma of fresh-baked bread daily. As the holiday season approaches, get ready for a delightful array of Christmas specials! Look out for their festive holiday rack and side table, overflowing with seasonal goodies, including their famous Christmas value packs. And here’s the icing on the cake: when you buy their Christmas cake and six-pack tart combo for just $32, you’ll receive a free traditional loaf or six-pack of rolls!

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.