Whether you’re looking to impress the workplace with a snazzy party or celebrate another year with your closest friends and family, here are some of the best locations to get your Christmas spirit on.

Bringing five-star hospitality to any party

Michael Sarino says the Hyatt Hotel Canberra can cater to all party sizes and themes.

The director of sales and marketing says the hotel offers elegant high teas in the heritage-listed tea lounge, gourmet, three-course lunch/dinners at The Promenade Cafe and festive garden parties in the courtyards with live stations, canapes and garden gnomes! 

“Our unique venue spaces certainly creates an elegant and celebratory vibe for end-of-the year Christmas parties,” he says. 

“Our guests always feel a sense of fun and occasion when attending events here, and our Christmas parties are often spoken about for years to come.”

Seeing a high number of their guests returning each year, Michael says they love the general “hum of anticipation and festivity across the hotel”. 

There’s very little that needs to be prepared before booking the celebration, as the hotel’s in-house event co-ordinators look after all of the logistics to make any event pop. 

“Canberra really comes alive over the festive season, and we love seeing guests dressed up and having fun in our gardens, over a high tea or at The Promenade Cafe,” he says. 

“I love seeing our teams deliver five-star hospitality with genuine care and a sense of excitement for the season.” 

After an event, Michael says he recommends guests take advantage of the heritage bar, Speaker’s Corner. 

“Soaked in nostalgia, it’s a great way to end the day,” he says. 

Hyatt Hotel Canberra, 120 Commonwealth Avenue, Yarralumla, call 6270 1234 or visit hyatt.com

Hotel that helps celebrate the year that was

On November 28 and December 5, Crowne Plaza will hold its book-a-table festive feasts or private events, suitable for events up to 100 guests. 

“Crowne Plaza is a great catering alternative for small teams and developments, up to the entire workplace,” says director of sales and marketing Tim Bruen. 

From cocktail-style events to an Aussie barbecue-style festive feast, Tim says bookings are now open and available online. 

“Christmas Day dinner and New Year’s Eve bookings are also open,” he says. 

“For larger or private events, fill out an enquiry form on the website, and one of our event planning team will be in touch to tailor your event.”

For daytime events, Tim says the hotel’s setting against Glebe Park provides a garden vista or shady terrace, making it a standout location. 

“For those looking to kick on in the city or swing by the casino in the evening, the Crowne is a great place to start the festivities with our location right in the CBD,” he says. 

Bringing a “great atmosphere” to the event spaces and atrium, Tim says the hotel’s favourite part of the festive season is seeing guests “celebrate the year that was, or signal the arrival of summer holidays”. 

On New Year’s Eve, Tim says the hotel will host a family friendly buffet, finishing just in time to walk to the lake for the 9pm fireworks. 

Crowne Plaza, 1 Binara Street, Canberra, call 6274 5500 or visit canberra.crowneplaza.com

Church spreads joy and Christmas spirit

The best part of the Christmas season is sharing it with people, says All Saints Anglican Church parish secretary Elizabeth Dixon.

On Christmas Eve, Elizabeth recommends the Ainslie church’s children’s pageant at 4pm and the midnight mass at 11pm. 

Congregation members can expect carols, stories, hymns and great company at both the pageant and the mass sessions. 

“The pageant is a day for the whole family,” Elizabeth says. 

“The children get dressed up and tell the story of the birth of Jesus.”

The church’s traditional high mass will be celebrated at 9am on Christmas Day. 

“Part of church is getting together and enjoying being with a community of people,” says Elizabeth.

“Our activities aren’t limited by whether you’re a regular at the church. Anyone can join in on them. We get people from all walks of life.

“Just show up when you’re able.”

Elizabeth says the church is known for its music and urges visitors to enjoy the spectacular music.

“It really lifts your spirits,” she says.

All Saints will also be hosting a Christmas Fayre from 9am to 1pm on Saturday, November 29. 

The church was originally built as the first
mortuary station to Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, in 1868. The stonework was moved to Canberra in 1957. The church offers history tours to individuals and groups. 

 All Saints Anglican Church, 9-15 Cowper Street, Ainslie. Call 6248 7420 or visit allsaintsainslie.org.au

Always a welcome, especially at Christmas

The Presbyterian Church of St Andrew Forrest welcomes the public all year round, but holds a special place in its heart for Christmas time, says session clerk Sue Clerk. 

“No matter what your denomination or faith, you are welcome,” she says. 

“Christmas brings a brighter glow to the flame of our Christian love.”

Running an outreach program every evening for the 10 days before Christmas, Sue says they also provide supper for those attending their Christmas Eve service, often seeing up to 400 people. 

“We sing carols and our minister delivers a Christian message.” she says. 

“Ringing our manual bells is also very popular.”

Often chosen from the book of Luke, Sue says they tell the story of Christ’s arrival. 

“Nine lessons and carols fill the church with wonderful music and sung praise,” she says. 

“We hear the readings of the Lord’s word, as we do all of our Christmas services.”

A nativity scene will be on show, which Sue invites the public to reflect and remember the humbleness of Christ’s arrival of being laid in a manger in a cattle shed. 

She says they also run youth programs, providing meals at their “messy church service”, a men’s breakfast and a ladies group to support their missions. 

Presbyterian Church of St Andrew Canberra, 1 State Circuit, Forrest, call 6295 3457 or visit standrewscanberra.com

Gift shop ready for an Aussie Christmas

WOMBAT Cards and Gifts is a small family business started by Monica and John Rolls in 2015.

“We started as a small market stall selling homemade greeting cards that I started making when I retired,” says Monica.

“Now I have most of my Christmas stock and decorations in, and people need to get in early because they sell quickly.

“We have all of the Australian animals with little Christmas hats on, and nativity scenes with Australian animals, too.”

Monica says she loves what she’s doing and loves that she’s achieving something by introducing people to Australian animals.

“We have indigenous, dot-painting laser-cut animals that my granddaughter painted,” she says.

“I love the Australian animals, I just think they’re so unique and I love expressing my joy through the store. It makes me feel happy when people come in and see the products that we have.”

Wombat Cards and Gifts, Shop 2, 31/35 Nettlefold Street, Belconnen. Call 0423 786222, or visit wombatcardsandgifts.com.au

News all day, every day at CityNews.com.au.