There’s still lots of time to get organised for Christmas, and happily here in the Northern Beaches there is a lot you can do without venturing far from home, including buying a fresh Christmas tree and taking the kids to a pantomime. In this week’s blog, we’ve rounded up some markets and specialist shops to visit in the next month.
Support small creative businesses this year at Lakeside Park in Narrabeen on Sunday December 1 from 8am to 2pm. Choose from art, craft, jewellery, accessories and other gifts. Check out the council website for more information about this and many other local markets.
Also at Lakeside park is Carols by the Lake on Saturday December 21 - the 20th anniversary of this popular community event. There will be food stalls, Santa and fireworks, with pre-entertainment from 6pm and the main carols at 7pm. Arrive early to get a good spot and bring your family and friends.
Closer to home, we are proud to sponsor the Mona Vale Christmas Carols on Saturday, December 14 from 6-9pm at Mona Vale Village Park, with a live band, singers, food trucks and a barbecue.
The Mona Vale Xmas Market is set to be held on Sunday December 15 at Village Park from 10am to 4pm. There will be around 100 stalls, lots of food and rides for the kids - a great way to do some last-minute Christmas shopping and celebrate the end of the school year.
If you’re looking for a real tree this year, don’t miss the Belrose Scouts Christmas Tree sale. It’s on Saturday, December 7 from 7am to 12pm at Wakehurst Public School, 8 Glen Street, Belrose. Get in early to have the pick of sizes and support a local community group.
Christmas photo shoots tend to book out quickly, but Santa on the Beach Pics offer a swift and comprehensive service for some classic Aussie beach images. You can book your shoot at a range of beaches, including South Curl Curl, North Curl Curl, Narrabeen and Bayview. There’s also a premium option at Quarantine Beach in Manly, with dog-friendly sessions available.
Something for the little ones – Mrs Claus’ Christmas is set to be a fun pantomime with singing and wonderful costumes for kids aged two to seven. It’s on Monday December 16 from 11.15am to 12pm at Mona Vale Memorial Hall. Tickets are only $5.
A great spot for a little shopping in Mona Vale village is Berkelouw Books. This year’s hottest releases include Tonight from Northern Beaches local and founder of Recipe Tin Eats blog, Nagi Maehashi, plus Tim Winton’s first novel in six years, Juice, and, for the millennial in your life, Intermezzo by Sally Rooney. They also stock a great selection of books for kids, from the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid to new releases from Australian authors. Ask the friendly booksellers here for ideas – they are always happy to help.
We also like Armchair Collective in Mona Vale for prints, homewares and small gifts, along with a relaxed pre-Christmas lunch or coffee. While you’re out and about, pop into Mona Vale Quality Butchers to order your turkey and ham.
Local libraries will be holding their annual Christmas Wishing Tree appeal, collecting gifts for children, teenagers and adults. To help out, all you need to do is visit your local library, collect a gift tag, purchase a gift and return it, unwrapped, to the library, before Friday December 13. All gifts will be distributed by Local Kind Northern Beaches to families.
If the new year means a new home for you, call us at LJ Hooker Mona Vale for a no-obligation chat. We look forward to speaking with you.