Make this a Christmas to remember on The Parade

Whether you’re seeking expert tips on how to create the perfect Christmas setting, tracking down presents for the whole family or filling yourself with wonder at a range of joyous seasonal artworks, The Parade is a rich source of seasonal inspiration this December.

Make Your Own Christmas Wreath

On Saturday 10 December, Blooms Flowers will host a Christmas Wreath Workshop so you can learn how to make a personalised wreath to hang on your front door. Master florist Cathie Manuelli will draw on three decades of experience as she teaches guests how to select and arrange a spray of Christmas foliage with a glorious ribbon to create a festive work of art. Fresh spruce and pine from South Australian suppliers help the finished product to smell as good as it looks, and Manuelli will teach guests how to refresh their wreaths so they can enjoy them for years to come.

Setting the Perfect Table and Festive Boards

The tree is the first thing visitors see, but the lunch table is where they will be sitting so it needs to look every bit as good. Fortunately, a team of expert stylists at The Parade have put together six easy-to-replicate table settings and platters that are sure to impress all your Christmas guests

WATCH TABLE & FESTIVE BOARDS INSPIRATION

The elegant Australiana Christmas setting emphasises natural tones and brings the outdoors in with timber chairs from Outdoors On Parade, recycled paper bonbons from Country Road and an elegant floral arrangement from The Flower Parade. Pair it with a Festive Charcuterie Board featuring thinly shaved prosciutto, chunky terrine and a selection of cheeses from Foodland and juicy truss tomatoes, grapes and dried apples from Metro Fresh. 

Or go for a more classical theme with the divine Scandi Christmas setting featuring a beautiful white tablecloth and napkins from Wheel & Barrow, matching plates and bonbons from Minimax and a selection of delightful table decorations including ceramic houses and wooden reindeer from Bed Bath & Table. The purity of the setting enhances the vibrant colours of a Festive Dessert Board that packed with dazzlingly fresh blueberries, strawberries and stunning edible flowers from Metro Fresh alongside Christmas shortbread, chewy nougat and seasonal star-shaped vol-au-vents filled with lemon curd from Foodland. 

If too much colour is never enough, go for a Vivid Christmas setting with striking fuchsia napkins, violet ribbed candles and equally colourful cutlery and bonbons from Outdoors On Parade that complement the spectacular waratah blooms from The Flower Parade. Keep the brilliant colour scheme going with a Plant-Based Grazing Board featuring Let Them Eat’s indulgent spiced cauliflower fritters and macaroni & not cheese and a rainbow of cherry tomatoes, crisp spears of asparagus and sweet baby carrots from Metro Fresh. 

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Walk Through a Christmas Wonderland

If you visit the Memorial Gardens in front of Norwood Oval this festive season, you’ll notice three striking cubes painted by celebrated mural artist Alexandra Bellas. “I wanted to do something seasonal,” she says, “but I tried to steer away from the typical Christmas colours and instead used lots of bright blues and pinks that are energising.” 

“The works are not too literal, so they’ve got a playful energy,” continues Bellas, who spent 80 hours creating the three installations where Christmas trees and abstract shapes hide various festive symbols, including candy canes, baubles, bonbons and a Christmas hat. And by turning one of the pieces into a black and white colouring sheet, Bellas has also invited local schoolchildren to add their own unique twist to the template before visiting her interpretation. 

Local schoolchildren have also channelled their creativity into decorating a forest of plywood Christmas trees and presents in the open-air Festival Gallery located on Osmond Terrace. Vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice Prize to help one lucky school win a $500 Parade gift card.