Christmas 2023 guide to Vogue, Kidspot Body & Soul, Taste, Delicious and Escape
With Christmas on the horizon, we’re making life easier by bringing together – in one place – our best articles on parenting, food, fashion, gifts, decorating, health and lifestyle from across News Life Media’s network of lifestyle brands.
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Researchers say Australians will spend about $30 billion leading up to December 25 – that’s a 10 per cent increase on spending compared to Christmas 2022.
Most of us will spend about $1479 on presents, food, alcohol, dining out and travel this Christmas, Finder.com.au research shows.
Victorians will be spending the most of any state with $1765 set aside by most residents.
New South Wales locals will spend about $1657 followed by $1200 per WA resident, $1160 per South Australian resident and $1064 per Queenslander. Data for NT, ACT and Tasmania was not available.
Meanwhile, Monash Business School’s Australian Consumer and Retail Studies (ACRS) researchers say the majority of Australian shoppers are intending to purchase Christmas gifts this year but that the number of gift-givers will fall to 88 per cent in 2023 compared to 90 per cent in 2022.
“Our research found Australian shoppers are more bargain-driven than ever before, with more and more planning to take advantage of the slew of sales events coming up in the final quarter of 2023, such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Boxing Day, with 65 per cent planning to make a purchase at an upcoming sales event (trending up from 61 per cent in 2022 and 49 per cent in 2021),” the ACRS report says.
YOUR CHRISTMAS READING IN ONE PLACE
To help make your Christmas preparations easier, we’ve pulled together all the best stories, features and how-to guides on parenting, food, fashion, gifts, decorating, health, relationships and living. The articles are from our lifestyle brands: Body and Soul, Kidspot, Escape, Vogue, Vogue Living and GQ, Taste and Delicious.
FOOD
Taste and Delicious will deliver recipes and Christmas guides throughout the coming weeks to ensure everyone has the best advice on food in the lead-up to December 25 and of course, for the celebrations to welcome in 2024.
“Christmas basics are the foundations of a good Aussie Christmas feast,” Taste digital editor Rebecca Nittolo says.
“This year, more than ever, people will be looking to keep things simple with easy classics like glazed ham, gingerbread, fruit cakes and roast potatoes.
“But they won’t necessarily make them traditionally – now where’s our air fryer?
“For the many home cooks avoiding spending too much money this year, we’ll be showing them that it’s possible to make affordable food special. We’ll give them vibrant salad inspiration for their bring-a-plate parties, budget sides that will still make everyone’s mouths water (hi there, butter bath potatoes) and few-ingredient showstopping desserts like Charlottes and sweet wreaths.”
Rebecca says DIY festive food is huge in 2023.
“People will muddle their own cocktails at home, make sauces from scratch and ‘bake’ bread in their favourite appliance to impress everyone,” she says.
“Rocky road, white Christmas and Christmas crack are all proving extremely popular, whether people are looking to make DIY gifts or just simplify their sweet treat offering.
“It’s going to be our tastiest Christmas yet!”
Check out all our food trend predictions for Christmas 2023 here.
35 Christmas breakfast recipes to kick-off your festivities
Whether you’re looking for a traditional buffet feast or just want something light, our Christmas Day breakfast ideas will help inspire your festive menu.
37 ham-azing ways to use up your leftover holiday ham
Thinking about divvying up that Christmas ham so soon? Think twice before you do, you could be giving away weeks worth of fuss-free meals for when you least feel like cooking.
Hosting a Christmas party? Here are the best cocktails to serve
It’s not a Christmas party without festive drinks! From the non-alcoholic to the boozy, the creamy to the refreshing, we’re showing you how to shake up your hosting game with our best Christmas cocktails, one sip at a time.
Spread some Christmas cheer with these gingerbread recipes
Gingerbread is the taste and smell of Christmas, and no house is complete without the delicious scent of a fresh batch and a plate in the living room for all to enjoy.
The salads that will be huge this Christmas (or summer)
All the festive staples like potato and pasta, some layered showstoppers and shareable platters, these are the Christmas salads we think everyone will be bookmarking not just for the big feast but for the whole of summer. Don’t worry, they’re not all super-fancy – there are lots of affordable options too that will still wow a crowd.
Beginner’s guide to cooking a four-ingredient Christmas fruit cake
We’ve just found the perfect 4-ingredient Christmas fruit cake.
How to make a traditional pavlova
Making a perfect pavlova depends on a few simple steps.
Recipe for traditional Christmas pudding
Enjoy a classic Christmas with family and friends with this delicious recipe for traditional pudding.
How to stuff and cook a turkey
Stuffing and cooking a turkey doesn’t have to be a drama with these handy hints and recipes.
This step-by-step Christmas food planner will make your life easier
Follow our lead and make this year’s Christmas food prep a breeze.
Plan your Christmas menu with this handy guide
Select the number of people you’re cooking for and plan your meal to perfection with our handy guide.
12 tips for staying organised and stress-free in the kitchen this Christmas
Skip chaos in the kitchen this Christmas with 12 simple tips for staying organised and stress-free.
Science explains why ham has rainbows and if it’s safe to eat
Why does my ham have rainbows on it?
Expert tips on perfecting pastry for Christmas mince pies
“Mincies”, as we affectionately call them, are one of our favourite Christmas treats. If you’re like us and love to make them during the festive season, follow these pastry making tips for best mince pie results.
Christmas pudding how-to guide
Nothing says Christmas like a fragrant, steaming pudding, heady with spice and studded with moist, sticky fruit. They’re wonderful paired with delicious homemade or good quality store-bought custard.
Low-effort Christmas sweet treats made with 5 ingredients or less
Whether you’re after the perfect edible gift for your foodie friend or terrific treats to take centre stage at your Christmas soirée, these sweet treats are not only delicious but super low-effort to make (and you only need a handful of ingredients).
100 of the cutest mini Christmas desserts
This silly season will be all about serving Christmas desserts on a platter so your guests can help themselves – and we’ve rounded up the best ones. We’ve got everything from tiny cheesecakes to miniature muffin pan fruit cakes to petite desserts made in a pie maker!
Follow these steps to preparing a ham
If there’s one skill you should master, it’s how to prepare a ham.
The ultimate guide for cooking for a crowd
Organising a menu for the masses is simpler than you think. Here’s how to make life easier when you’re planning a super-sized Christmas feast.
Your ultimate Christmas shopping list
Once you’ve got your Christmas menu sorted, it’s time to sit down and write out your shopping list. It’s easy to forget all the extra bits and pieces you’ll need throughout Christmas, so to save any last-minute dashes to the grocery store, here are our musts.
These six Christmas baking tips will level-up your food game
Baking for family and friends is one of the many joys of Christmas time, but before you begin it’s important to check a few basics.
Tips for the perfect Christmas turkey
Don’t stress about cooking your Christmas bird, here are all the secrets you need to make a succulent roast.
How to throw the ultimate Christmas party
From pre-party prep to the best-tasting finger foods - our guide to getting it right this festive season.
Jamie Oliver’s secret to perfect roast potatoes
Actually, there’s more than one secret - and he’s spilling them all.
PARENTING
My tween girl is asking me if the Elf on the Shelf is real
“Isn’t she too old to believe the Elf magically moves around? Should I burst her bubble?” Kidspot’s Jordana shares her parenting wisdom for this mum’s dilemma.
‘I’m calling it. Santa photos are a total rip-off’
“Am I the only person who finds this utterly insane? It’s a total rip-off.” Would you pay this much for a digital file?
Are bon bons safe for kids? Nurse explains hidden dangers
Aussies have been left scratching their heads over questionable prizes inside Kmart’s luxury bon bons, but experts warn it’s not how cheap the toys are that’s the problem.
I’m dreading Xmas: I’m not emotionally prepared for this upcoming mum milestone
“Will this be our last magical Christmas? I’m planning to hide and sob in the bathroom,” writes mum Melissa for Kidspot.
I’m an ex-teacher: this is why my girls won’t get phones
“Mobile phones are the main source of cruel segregation between kids; it’s a competition about whose parents can afford what,” writes Aussie mum Shona.
TRAVEL
Aussies love to get away from it all during the Christmas and New Year period, so the team at Escape will be doing their best to deliver the best of travel coverage for the holiday season.
“As Australians hit the highway for the holidays we remind them of all the ways to drive safely and any quirky rules to be aware of, plus a survival guide for navigating the airport this Christmas,” Escape editor Rowena Ryan says.
“We’ve also got expert tips for caravanning and camping and a guide to summer cruising plus the best beaches without the crowds over summer as the country is set to swelter.
“Domestic travel is set to boom these holidays and many caravan parks already have limited availability. Regional Aussie towns, like Newcastle in NSW, are also luring visitors with new fancy restaurants and hotel openings.
“Australian travellers are some of the biggest cruisers in the world so we’ll see a lot of our readers taking to the seas as many of the biggest ships call Australia home for the summer.
“With a sweltering summer predicted, our readers will be hitting the beach at new and old coastal hot spots.”
20 gift ideas for the friend who’s always planning a holiday
Need a leg-up with your shopping this festive season? Say no more. Here is our ultimate gift guide for the holiday lover in your life.
These last-minute cruises beat the airport Christmas crush
It’s not too late to book a summer cruise from your nearest Australian port - and skip the Christmas chaos of the airport.
Is Christmas a good time to visit Japan?
Christmas in Japan sounds like an incredible experience, but is it really worth it at that time of year?
How to make the most of the Christmas markets
Before you immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Christmas markets, here’s what you need to do.
I ditched the tent and it was the ultimate camping hack
Welcome to the no-whinge summer holiday.
Camping etiquette: The 11 golden rules of camping
When you hear the phrase “camping etiquette,” what springs to mind? For me, it’s bright lights, loud music and generators. Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to the game, no one wants to be the bad news story broadcasted around the park. Here are the unspoken rules you should know about if you want to make friends, not foes.
What to do when your flight is delayed – again
You’re not imagining it. Things are getting worse.
SHOPPING
Bottoms up! ALDI’s gin and beer advent calendars are back
Grown-up goodies are hitting the middle aisle - and they might just be the most affordable thing you buy this Christmas.
The Kardashian-Jenner Christmas gift guide includes a $35 Aussie favourite
The Kardashians and Jenners have released their annual gift list, and boy does Santa have his hands full this year.
HOME
I’m an interior designer and this is how to style for Xmas
Gone are the days of having a plain old Christmas tree, glass baubles and a star. Having more than one tree set up is just one fancy trend people are following this year.
Mum’s obsession with quirky balloon Christmas trees
A Sydney mum has ditched regular ornaments to create a balloon extravaganza in her home this Christmas. And she’ll never go back.
How to make Christmassy alien tree ornaments
Take your tree outta this world with these some space-themed craft.
The best Christmas tree decorations, lights and stockings to shop this festive season
Christmas is coming. So make it your most stylish yet with Vogue Living’s pick of the best decorations.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Body & Soul editor Ashleigh Austen says Christmas is a stressful period for many but her team will help readers navigate this by offering articles designed to keep their mental and physical health in tact.
“In the lead up to the holidays we’ll be covering everything from how to deal with family conflict and maintain your fitness gains to the best alcohol-free booze options and your failsafe guide to avoiding burnout,” Ashleigh says.
Experts say putting your Christmas decorations up early is actually good for you
Waiting for the right moment to trim your Christmas tree? Experts say, the sooner the better.
We’ve got to stop drinking with our families at Christmas
There’s a common mistake we all make at this time of year, and although it might be seen as normal, it also needs to be stopped.
FASHION
Over the coming weeks Vogue, Vogue Living and GQ will reflect and look ahead, Vogue/GQ director Francesca Wallace says.
“Rounding up our favourite fashion, design and celebrity moments of the year, and looking ahead, our content entertains and reflects,” she said of the pre and post-Christmas holiday coverage.
“Simultaneously, we (will) provide respite from the day-to-day with health, fitness, beauty and lifestyle stories which help our readers be the best version they can be.”
15 summer looks to inspire your travel wardrobe
“The airport is my runway,” Victoria Beckham once said. So take a cue from Posh Spice’s rulebook and prep for your next flight.
13 Christmas movie style icons that we adore all year round
Here’s to every fashionable character in our favourite Christmas flicks.
44 of the best home and design-inspired gifts for Christmas
Give the greatest present this Christmas with our edit of the best homeware gifts to shop in 2023.
The best makeup and beauty advent calendars in Australia of 2023
A little treat to unbox every day of the festive season? You shouldn’t have. Here, Vogue rounds up the best beauty advent calendars for 2023.
30 gifts under $150 that promise to impress
The holiday season is said to be one of the most joyful times of the year, but anyone who’s celebrated Christmas with their family will know there are disclaimers in the fine print. One of them is the financial burden of December, especially if your network of family and friends—and the gifts they require—are outside your budget for the remaining 11 months of each calendar year.
The best Christmas gifts of 2023: What the Vogue editors have on their wish lists this Christmas
As Vogue editors, we do a lot of window shopping. Whether pulling together looks for photoshoots, combing through options for stories, or being introduced to new products through brands, the volume of fashion, beauty and lifestyle effects that sweep past our desks is immense. So it follows that, when it comes to Christmas, we can—with no hesitation—name exactly what we think will make the perfect Christmas gift.
40 thoughtful gifts to buy your mum this Christmas
If anyone deserves an indulgent present this year, it’s mum. Here are our picks of the best gifts to buy mothers this Christmas.
Originally published as Christmas 2023 guide to Vogue, Kidspot Body & Soul, Taste, Delicious and Escape
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