This Christmas, the Rocks is the place to go for managing both a fun afternoon and smashing all your Christmas shopping in one hit. And you can do it over a long lunch full of pampering and exciting new treats.
It’s early December and only nineteen more sleeps till Christmas! No matter what your thoughts are on Santa, chances are you have a loved one or two who are hoping for a special gift this December 25. You might be surprised to learn just how well the Rocks Christmas shopping guide has everything ready for you.
Sardis Boutique Summer Sets
The Rocks Friday Foodie Markets
Start your stroll on a Friday at the Rocks Friday Foodie Markets. It’s open from 9.00 – 3.00 pm on Jack Mundey Place. There are coffees and La Bastide French goods, for breakfast. Grab a juice from Dare with a Tex-Mex feast from El Camino Cantina and a snack from Emporium of Chocolate for a bigger bite. Hero Sushi Box and Phillips Foote can cover you for everything in between breakfast to ‘lunner’.
Sardis Boutique
Your first stop should be Sardis Boutique in the Rocks. Christmas shopping for her is easy with their contemporary women’s wear. Sardis Boutique offers women a simplistic and minimal wardrobe. Distinct and versatile it’s hard to go wrong here. Plus it’s packed full with 25 of Australia’s leading designers. Take a look at the new summer beachwear range for spot on bikinis and fluffy beach towels for your Christmas shopping.
Joe Bananas
How bold can you go at Joe Bananas?
Whilst we’re supporting locals, check out the gorgeous boys of Joe Bananas. Owners, Evan Sturrock and Kim Bourke, offer a unique range of made-to-measure linen and silk suiting for men (and the occasional designer piece for women). Christmas shopping can be rushed but at Joe Bananas it’s a truly old world client “pampering” experience. My favourite designs are in their Signature Collection. These hand-woven silk jackets have an exclusive range of colours inspired by Australia’s natural landscapes. Think black oak, paperbark trees, stringybark trees, bright galah and the super sexy opal. Ask them too, about the time Elton John came in and brought up the shop.
Sorry Thanks I Love You
When you’re shopping for that someone who’s really tricky to buy for, there’s Sorry Thanks I Love You. They have beautiful fresh flowers, gourmet food, craft beverages in the Rocks. Christmas shopping is easy with their range of unique designs from around the world for clothing, accessories, homewares and arts. This summer, Gourmet Traveller is celebrating their 50th Anniversary with a pop-up display of their favourite gifts for you to choose from.
Endota Spa
After all that shopping you’ll need a break and a treat for yourself, her or even him. Endota Spa was founded by women and offers seven treatment rooms, a spray tan room and a relaxation lounge with a refreshing herbal tea. Endota’s products are natural Australian ingredients and include an organic skincare range too. As an added boost to the environmental benefits, they also donate one percent of sales to Bush Heritage Australia to preserve our valuable wildlife, bushland, and waterways. Their layabout spa package includes a foot bath, body scrub, clay wrap or hot oil body treatment, massage, facial and is catered to your exact skin type and needs.
Sexy ‘Paper Bags’ at Uashmama
Uashmama
To protect all your goodies and give back to the environment this Christmas, stop in at Uashmama. They offer a range of paper bags, braces and aprons handmade in Tuscany using washable paper. It has the look and feel of leather but with a sustainability that is better for the environment. They come in all colours include metallic. There’s a new tech version that’s 100% water proof. Best of all, their totes are as strong as leather but weigh in at 650 grams – great weight savings for airplane carry-ons. A great new addition for the Rocks Christmas shopping.
MCA Store
My final not so secret Christmas shopping tip is the MCA Store. Just inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, the MCA store has a range of items from their current exhibition Japanese contemporary artist Tatsuo Miyajima. He’s famed for his room-scale installations and sculptures fixating on lights and numbers. For subjects including contemporary art, artists, design, architecture, visual culture the MCA store has a huge range available. Bonus, they offer beautiful gift wrapping for $1.
MCA Store’s Collection Handbook
Cherry Blossom Bar
After the MCA store and the exhibition wind your way downstairs to the fantastic outdoor Cherry Blossom Bar. It overlooks Circular Quay whilst you’re sitting sheltered by a giant cherry blossom tree and lanterns. Jared Thibault, mixologist at QT Hotel Sydney, has created a range of Japanese whisky and sake cocktails for the summer. You can enjoy your drink and view at this pop-up bar with share plates of Izakaya foods – gyoza, edamame and bento boxes.
Holiday Inn Old Sydney
To really spoil yourself for completing all your Christmas shopping, book into the Holiday Inn Old Sydney. This hidden gem is heritage listed with a rooftop pool and a candlelit lobby lounge and bar for your pre-dinner drinks. If you stay overnight Friday, you can wake up for an early swim overlooking the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Then wander down to the Rocks again for the weekend edition Rocks Markets. This summer the markets are turning 25 and they’re open every day except Christmas.
So this Friday tell the boss you’re taking a long lunch and stroll down to the Rocks for your Christmas shopping!
What: The Rocks, Sydney
When: Every day, but try the market days best: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
Website: Click here
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With thanks to The Rocks for hosting Sydney Social 101 for a beautiful afternoon stroll
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