When you think of fresh seafood, roast turkey, glazed ham, trifle, pavlova and Christmas pudding, they all belong in one place: on the table on Christmas Day.
Festive fare has a way of bringing family and friends together, all eating way too much and often leading to an afternoon siesta while watching a Christmas movie.
While everyone has their own traditions, Christmas the Sunshine Coast way is a festive tradition that showcases the best produce the region has to offer.
And this year, everyone can adopt a little homegrown tradition to their tables.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel has provided My Weekly Preview with his food inspiration to make your Christmas “full of local flavours”.
“Here on the Sunshine Coast, we’re absolutely spoilt for choice in terms of fresh, local produce which makes putting together a truly Sunny Coast Christmas spread so very easy,” he says.
“Always good to lead with Mooloolaba prawns – and you can’t get them any fresher than direct from Mooloolaba Fisheries.
“The key is pairing them with a homemade tangy mango salsa. So, go the extra mile and don’t be tempted to settle for a run-of-the-mill seafood sauce.
“If traditional is more your thing, ask your butcher for a local free-range turkey from the team at Bendele Farm.
“See if you can also get your hands on some roasted Noosa Red tomatoes and a mushroom medley from Eastwell Farms for the perfect sides to go with it.”
Mr Stoeckel says there is no shortage of local farmers’ markets or roadside stalls to pick up everything you need for gourmet salads.
“Think vibrant beetroot and Maleny Cheese buffalo brie, a zesty mango, finger lime and avocado salad, and a creamy sweet potato creation topped with salted chili macadamias from the folks at Nutworks.
“If you’re short of time to make a dessert from scratch, an iconic pavlova from The Country Chef Bakery Co. will do the trick, especially if it’s decked out with Maleny Dairies whipped cream or Coyo yogurt, fresh strawberries, glace Buderim ginger and edible flowers for a festive touch.
“Be sure to include a generous serve of Maleny Food Co. Berry Delight Gelato to go with it.”
When it comes to drinks, Mr Stoeckel says no Christmas feast is complete without Sunshine Coast gin. And what better way than to showcase it in a punch to share around.
“Christmas is a time to be fancy, and I called on a good mate, Matt Hobson, from Sunshine and Sons, for advice on how to splurge on the drinks these holidays.
“He reckons summer and citrus go hand in hand like bikinis and boardies and with that, they have created a new Citrus Summer Gin.
“The tasting notes have sold me, which describe it as ‘refreshing and fragrant with a delicate hint of fruity orange sweetness that makes the perfect serve for long, hot, summer days’.”
While he admits to not drinking coffee himself, Mr Stoeckel says local beans are a must this entertaining season.
“While I must be about the only person left on the planet who doesn’t drink coffee, my friends swear by the freshly brewed coffee from Glasshouse Plantation Coffee – which can be picked up from their new café in the Glass House Mountains.
“Pair this with some decadent Noosa Chocolate truffles or a platter of Woombye Cheese, and you are on the way to savouring the best of what makes us Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry.”
Deck the halls but watch paws, eyes and mouths
Christmas decorations, while beautiful, can pose significant hazards to pets, especially curious cats and scavenging dogs.
Pet Insurance Australia is highlighting tips for keeping pets safe from Christmas decoration mishaps.
Pet Insurance Australia’s Nadia Crighton says pet owners need to remain vigilant. She is emphasising the risks of certain objects and offering advice to keep the season merry and accident-free.
“Dogs are notorious for eating things they shouldn’t and during the holiday season, the risk only increases,” she says.
“The sight of shiny tinsel, baubles, and twinkling lights can tempt pets into chewing or swallowing dangerous items, potentially leading to costly vet visits or serious health complications.”
Data from last year reveals dogs have ingested items ranging from chocolate and grapes to unusual objects such as human medications, shoes and corn cobs.
Miniature dachshunds, groodles (golden doodles), golden retrievers, cocker spaniels and labradors are some of the most common curious breeds of dogs when it comes to ingesting foreign objects.
On the other hand, cats are known to play with small, dangly objects, which can result in accidental ingestion or entanglement.
“According to the 2024 PetSure Health Monitor, the average treatment cost for foreign body and toxin ingestions, without surgery, can reach a staggering $1064,” Ms Crighton says.
“With surgery, it was reported a pet owner faced a daunting highest treatment cost of around $41,671.
“In a time when the cost of living affects most households, these additional expenses during the holiday season could be incredibly stressful.”
Top tips to prevent yuletide mishaps with pets
- Choose pet-friendly decorations – opt for shatterproof ornaments and avoid tinsel or items with small parts that could be swallowed. Ribbons, bells and small decorations can also pose a choking hazard to pets.
- Mind the Christmas tree – make sure your tree is securely anchored to prevent tipping and avoid placing breakable ornaments within reach of paws. Consider using a pet-proof tree skirt.
- Keep toxic holiday treats out of reach – holiday favourites such as chocolate, grapes, sultanas, raisins, onions and garlic are toxic to dogs. Avoid leaving these foods unattended on tables or counters where pets can easily access them.
