Christmas in the Inner West brings out decorations galore, with Christmas lights and plenty of cheer to go around. And after what has been a tough year for most of us, this is a wonderful time to take a break.
If you find yourself scrambling to get ready for the holidays, do not panic! From the dinner table to the best places to see Christmas lights in the Inner West, we have you covered. We have some great tips on how to create that Christmas look and feel in a few easy steps.
Putting up the tree
When it comes to the holidays, many people struggle with the question of when they should put up the Christmas tree.
In Victorian times, it was tradition to wait until Christmas Eve to erect the tree and adorn it with lights. Trees were lit with tapered wax candles in those times, so it only makes sense people would not want to put them up any sooner than necessary. Nowadays, it seems most Australians break out their trees on 1 December and leave them up until as late as 5 January.
In a year that has felt like such a struggle at times, we recommend putting up the holiday tree whenever you feel like it. If it helps to spread some holiday cheer and brighten your mood, we say go for it! Want to poke a little fun at 2020? Add a few coronavirus-themed Christmas decorations to the tree.
Ideas for the table
Decorating the Christmas tree is just one small part of readying yourself for the holiday. Bringing the essence of Christmas to your dinner table is a great way to enhance your holiday feast.
Festive napkins, good silver, special dinnerware and place cards always have a place at the holiday dinner table. Adding décor that accentuates the mood and complements the overall theme of your dinner menu will help the Christmas turkey or prawns taste even better.
On the Balmain Peninsula, we’re lucky in that we have one of the most talented decorators in our own backyards. Tara Dennis is one of television’s most recognised faces, offering interior decorating tips for more than two decades. Stop by her shop in Balmain or visit her online store to get some great decorating ideas and tips for your table and the rest of the house as well.
Interested in some living plants to spread holiday cheer in small spaces? A Little Green specialises in sustainable, hand-crafted ferneries that can be delightfully decorated for the holiday.
And for décor that won’t break the budget, head to Kmart or Ikea for some Christmas table inspiration.
Making merry with food and drink
Christmas decorations get everyone in the spirit for the holiday, but what many look forward to are the delectable dishes served at the holiday table. Plum pudding is a favourite among Balmainians. If you haven’t already started making yours, it may be too late in the game to pull it off. No worries – head down to Papa Joe & Co to buy some excellent Christmas puds and other Christmas treats.
Bring the essence of Christmas to your holiday meal with some homemade eggnog. Making your own is not difficult. All you need is a rich mixture of egg yolks, sugar, rum, and cream. Follow your favourite recipe to ensure you get the right mix of ingredients.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…
Taking in the Christmas lights in the Inner West is a great holiday activity. Not sure where to go to catch the best displays? Here are some top picks to get you started.
Out and about during the holidays? We have a holiday tradition of placing a Santa’s elf around the area, so keep a lookout for it and contact us for all of your Balmain real estate needs.
Looking for help selling your home or renting your investment property? Our team at Belle Property Balmain support homeowners across Balmain, Balmain East, Birchgrove, Rozelle and Lilyfield. Feel free to get in touch for a no-obligation discussion or property appraisal.
