Southland Christmas 2019: Your guide to navigating the centre during the festive frenzy

If you’re among the tens of thousands of shoppers set to hit Southland, you’ll spend an average 80 minutes hunting for presents. Here are this year’s best gifts and most popular shops, plus opening hours and the top lunch spot.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to flock to Southland for Christmas shopping this December. Source: iPhoto

As the silly season enters full swing, shopping madness is sure to ensue – and retail workers at Westfield Southland have been busy bracing for full festive impact.

Tens of thousands of gift givers from Elwood to the Mornington Peninsula are expected to pack the Cheltenham centre ahead of December 25, with technology, cosmetic and homeware items tipped to be the most popular presents under the tree.

Whether it’s an extravagant gift for a loved one, a treat to a friend at the office or a simple stocking filler- management at Westfield Southland say most will spend an average of 80 minutes looking for it, with iPhones, bath bombs, eyeshadows and homeware products the most anticipated to fly off the shelves first.

Of the centre’s 400 retailers, Westfield spokeswoman Lisa Gribble said the Christmas crowd’s favourites included Mecca Maxima, Apple, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics and Kmart- with hungry shoppers looking for a refuel most likely to tuck in to a Malaysian hot soup at Laksa King.

Laksa King is a favourite lunch spot for hungry Southland shoppers

Mecca's Drunk Elephant Out of Office range set to be a Christmas hit.

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics team member Tara said the store’s bubblegum scented ‘Snow Fairy’ range was their hottest, featuring skin-loving body sprays, bath bombs and lotions.

“Our Christmas range this year focuses on veganism and is as ethically sourced as possible,” she said.

“We’re using a lot of packaging free alternatives and looking after the environment while still delivering really cool products.”

Lush’s Snow Fairy range is a Christmas most wanted this year.

MORE NEWS

CRANBOURNE CAR CRASH TEEN’S DAD APPEARS IN COURT

STATE OF THE ART VETERINARY HOSPITAL HITS DANDENONG

BENTLEIGH WINE BAR GETS INTO CHRISTMAS SPIRIT

Southland will be opened for extended hours in the lead up to Christmas Day, including 10pm closures on December 21 and 22 and midnight shopping on December 23.

The centre will close on Christmas Day and reopen for Boxing Day sales from 8am on December 26.

[e-mail]

Most popular gift shops:

Apple (Level 2, Myer wing, park at P2 blue)

Gift picks: iPhone 11 Pro (from $1,749) iPhone 11 (from $1,199) Apple Watch Series 5 (from $649) AirPods Pro ($399)

Kmart (Level 1, park at P1 blue)

Gift picks: True wireless headphones ($29) Xbox gaming headset ($30) oak look bookshelf ($49) cushion (from $8) framed prints (from $7.50)

Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics (Level 2, Myer wing, parking at P2 blue)

Gift picks: Snow fairy Amazeball bath bomb ($17.50) snow fairy gift pack (includes bath bomb, bubble wand, body lotion and shower gel, $54)

Mecca Maxima (Level 2, Myer wing, park at P2 blue)

Gift picks: Nourishing hand cream cracker ($22) Laura Mercier mini Lip Glace set ($69) Too Faced Let It Snow Girl set ($75)

Most popular dining spot:

Laksa King (Village Cinemas, park at P2 orange)

Eat: Chicken laksa ($14) nasi goreng ($15)

Open hours:

December 14, 15 9am-7pm

December 16, 17 9am-10pm

December 18 9am-10pm

December 19, 20 9am-midnight

December 21, 22 8am-10pm

December 23 9am-midnight

Christmas Eve 8am-6pm

Christmas Day closed

Boxing Day 8am-10pm

December 27 9am-9pm

December 28 9am-5pm

December 29 10am-5pm

December 30 9am-5.30pm

New Year’s Eve 9am-5.30pm

New Year’s Day 10am-5pm