How to celebrate Christmas, Gold Coast style

Sunny and tropical, the Gold Coast isn’t where you think of when you think of a classic Christmas. But that doesn’t stop us from making our own festive fun…

Hosting at home

Decorating your space

By now, you’ve probably got your Christmas tree up (no judgement if you haven’t). But why stop there? There are so many fun ways to make your home feel more festive, no matter how big it is. From scented Christmas candles to ornaments and stockings hung by the chimney (or TV) with care, here are a few festive pieces from local Gold Coast brands…

1. Drift Trading Co. White Christmas candle, from $21.95, drifttradingco.com.au
2. Kira & Kira stripe stocking, $79, kiraandkira.com.au
3. The Little Christmas Shop ornaments, from $2.95, thelittlechristmasshop.com.au

Planning your menu

Whether you’re hosting house guests or putting on lunch or dinner, the secret to success is to plan, plan, plan. Work out exactly what you’ll be eating and drinking during their visit and ensure you’re all stocked up – lest you leave your guests in the lurch as you make a last-minute dash to Woolies.

A few of our favourite crowd-pleasers…

Breakfast: French toast laden with seasonal fruits, especially berries (they’re cheap now, too!). Serve alongside an iced coffee to beat the heat – these popping pearls from L’OR add a fun touch.

Lunch: Seafood from your local fishmonger is the obvious choice – and don’t skimp out on the prawns. On the side, we’d opt for this orange, fennel and mint salad from one of our favourite Gold Coast recipe makers, Well Nourished.

Dinner: It’s all about the Christmas meats at dinner time – ham and turkey, to be specific. Have everyone bring a side dish to lighten the load, but make sure you provide some delicious wines to pair everything with. We’re stoked that we discovered Casillero del Diablo Carmenere just in time for the holidays.

Drinks: Whether you need to quench your thirst after a day at the beach or liven up after an afternoon nap, a cocktail (or mocktail) is just what the doctor ordered. We’ll have this one on high rotation – served in Gold Coast brand STYLD.’s new unbreakable silicone cups, of course.

Thirsty for more? Check out these warm-weather-approved cocktails.

Backyard and beach games

Now for the entertainment. Nothing helps you work off a long lunch – or work up an appetite for a big dinner – like some afternoon games. Whether you’re in the backyard or on the beach, we’ve got plenty of ideas to keep you entertained, right here.

Out and about

Sing your heart out

Nothing brings the community together quite like Christmas carols – and we have so many to choose from. Check out our summer what’s on guide for the full list, which we’re always updating.

Fire up the barbeque

Thanks to our bevvy of public barbeques, you don’t need a huge home to throw a Christmas party. Whether you prefer a park hang or a beautiful beach vista, we have so many barbeques to choose from here on the Gold Coast – these are our favourites.

See the lights

Some Gold Coasters go hard when it comes to decorating their homes for Christmas. In fact, there are so many amazing light displays to see around town, it can feel a bit overwhelming working out how to squeeze them all in. Thank god for the folks behind www.goldcoastchristmaslights.com.au – they’re the ultimate source for community light displays, and their interactive map is a game changer!

And if you’re looking to level up your light-viewing experience, why not hire a boat and see the displays as you cruise the water?

Still not feeling festive? Check out our guide to getting into the Christmas spirit right here.