Sleigh bells ring. Are you listening? If not, you should be! Christmas is on its way once again, and Eltham is on it. Local traders are beginning to deck their halls (aka windows) with Christmas decorations and line their shelves with gifts, while restaurants and delis are preparing for the influx of fresh fruit, meat, and seafood that make an Australian Christmas what it is.

It’s time to get into the Christmas spirit! And with that, it’s time to get into Eltham to get a head start on your Christmas shopping. If you start thinking now about what to get the person who’s always hard to buy for, you’ll be able to check that off your to-do list early and spend the rest of the season feasting and having fun. Sounds good to us!

This article shows you around Eltham and points out where you can find gifts, food, and entertainment for all this Christmas. Come along with us!

Christmas Gift Ideas

The best thing about Christmas gifts is that they can be whatever you want them to be! As long as you keep the person you’re buying for in mind and make sure you select something that’s very ‘them’; you’re onto a winner.

The Little Things in Life at 1032 Main Road in Eltham stocks just about anything and everything you could ever need when it comes to Christmas presents. There’s something for every member of the family, extended family, friend groups, and their families. Since there’s such a large range of gifts to peruse and select from here, set aside some time to make sure you’re not rushed!

The pots, bowls, sculptures, and other décor items at The Little Things in Life make great gifts for the aspiring interior designer in your life. Whether that’s your mum or your best friend, you’ll find the perfect finishing touch for their latest project here. We love the White Clam and Antique White Clam polyresin bowls, perfect for both looking beautiful and holding small items like jewellery or keys. There’s also a large range of vases in different sizes, shapes, colours, and materials, all just waiting to flourish further with flowers.

Looking for something for the bookworm in your life? Sorted! The selection of books at The Little Things in Life goes on seemingly forever and includes titles you won’t find in your typical bookstore. Renovation, self-help, men’s styling, how to begin beekeeping— it’s all here!

Meanwhile, you can find picture books and new release novels (among others) at Eltham Bookshop at 970 Main Road, along with graphic novels, sci-fi and fantasy books, stationery, and an extensive Young Adult section for anybody who loves the genre. Despite the name, Young Adult is for everybody— give it a go if you haven’t already!

It can be difficult to shop for some men since they claim they ‘don’t want anything’ (we all know the one!). Even the toughest to shop for will be thrilled with a gift from The Little Things in Life, such as the Handcrafted Spanner Bottle Opener or the Paolo Bar Utensil Set.

Since we’re all plant parents now, you can’t leave without the Fae Glass Watering Can from The Little Things in Life— whether it’s for you or somebody else! And If you haven’t gotten your fill of beautiful and practical gift ideas yet, head on over to pod&seed at 60 Commercial Place. Here you’ll find an oasis of calmness featuring Australian-made body products, home décor pieces, indoor plants, garden tools, and more.

As we’re coming into summer, we’re finding ourselves eating more and more salads, so salad servers can make a great gift for just about anyone! The Ridge Salad Servers at pod&seed are as stunning as they are useful, while the Franco Rustic Mixing Bowls are perfect for mixing your own salad dressings. Grab the Linen Table Runner to decorate the table that will play host to the delicious salads you’ll live on this festive season.

When the person you’re shopping for is concerned with sustainability above all else, you can’t go past Only Just at 6/906 Main Road. Here they concentrate on beautiful collections of ethical, handmade, and sustainable accessories, homewares, and more. Socks That Give and Socks That Support work just how you’d expect them to— purchase these Conscious Step socks to support a cause through a direct donation to a not-for-profit organisation. They’re available in men’s and women’s sizes, different patterns, and different colours, and go towards supporting mental health, protecting the crocodiles, and supplying water and books to those who need it most.

Not sure what to get for the person who seems to have it all? Gift vouchers never go astray! Most gift stores and retail stores offer gift vouchers, so if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for, give them the option to find it themselves.

Christmas Gift Ideas For Kids

Kids, on the other hand, are known to be big fans of gifts under the Christmas tree. While you’re at Eltham Bookshop, take a look at the children’s section, which caters to all ages and reading levels. Picture books, pop-up books, and touch-and-feel books are great options for the younger kids, while books from the 8-12 Fiction section can occupy a tween for hours upon hours. Andy Griffiths’ Just! series with titles like Just Tricking! will tickle funny bones to the core, and Max Brallier’s The Last Kids on Earth series is now an Emmy award-winning Netflix series which means the books are a must-read!

For the kids who like something a little more hands-on, Eltham Newsagency and Toys at 950 Main Road will have just the thing. Their gifts selection changes periodically, so coming up to Christmas you’ll find not only Christmas decorations, cards, and wrapping paper here, but also presents to light up young eyes on the morning of December 25th.

Eating Out

Has Christmas gift shopping tired you out, and now you need a rest, a feed, and a beverage? That’s completely understandable, don’t worry! Thankfully, Eltham has many highly-rated restaurants to replenish you during or after your shopping expedition.

La Zanya’s Restaurant & Bar at 953 Main Road serves up a mean Italian feast with honest food, great drinks, and no fuss. Whether you’re up for a long lunch, late afternoon drink, or a special dinner after late-night shopping, this is the place to go. If a smaller meal is what you need, Small Plates at 9 Arthur Street offers just that! They specialise in unique tapas-style dishes and share plates so you can taste it all without overstuffing yourself (we’ve all been there).

Fancy a hearty breakfast or main before strapping on your shopping shoes? The Main, located in Eltham Village Shopping Centre, is the perfect place to do so. This café, bar, and restaurant offers relaxed dining with a large range of sweet and savoury options to please every palate. Start here, fuel up, and get your shopping done all under one roof!

Entertaining At Home/Fresh Food

If you’re playing host this Christmas, it’s never too early to start thinking about your Christmas menu. All families— large, small, blood-related, or families of choice— have different Christmas food styles, so having a little of everything is always a good idea.

It’s not Christmas in Australia without fresh fruit, whether it’s in a fresh fruit salad or topping your homemade (or store-bought!) pavlova. Between Fine Fruits of Eltham in the Eltham Village Shopping Centre and Farmers Fresh Fruit Marketat 3/6-20 Luck Street, Eltham has all the fresh fruit you could imagine and then some.

Meat lovers fear not, as Eltham Deli has your needs covered as well. Also located in Eltham Village Shopping Centre, Eltham Deli stocks gourmet foods such as cured meats, fine cheeses, and local olives and can even pack you a take-home meal or freshly-prepared hamper. Now that’s what we call service!

Christmas Events In Eltham

When the weather starts warming up, and the schools start winding down, kids have one thing on their minds: Christmas! To welcome the Christmas and summer seasons, head into the Eltham Twilight Christmas Market on November 24th.

This event is back for the first time since 2019, which means we’re going all out! We’re overjoyed to see it back, and we hope you are too. The Eltham Twilight Christmas Market brings local traders, artisan market stalls, and the wider community together to celebrate Christmas and the spirit of togetherness we have here in Eltham. You’ll find unique gifts that you won’t find anywhere else, along with free kids’ activities, live music, and the best that local restaurants and small businesses in Eltham have to offer.

This event will take place in Eltham Town Square on November 24th between 4 pm and 9 pm, so save the date and bring your friends and family for some Christmas-themed fun. See you there!

Enjoy Christmas In Eltham

Whether you’re trying to get your gift shopping done before the mad rush, finalising your Christmas day lunch menu, or looking for a Christmas activity to do with the kids, you can do it all and more right here in Eltham. With such a large variety of retail stores that sell everything for everybody on your list, there’s no need to deal with the hassle of going into the city! Come on down to Eltham Town and celebrate Christmas with your favourite local traders.

ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS SEASON IN ELTHAM

Explore the full list of Christmas and End of Year Offers available in Eltham Town here!

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