Does getting your home prepped for the holidays seem like more of a chore than a task you adore? Borrow this Niagara itinerary for a fun day of touring around St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands to fill your trunk with holiday helpers guaranteed to make your home merry and bright.
Stop 1: Gather Your Holiday Greenery
From gorgeous garlands to long-lasting arrangements and beautiful holiday urns, Niagara is home to a collection of fantastic flower shops, greenhouses and markets that make greening your home for the holidays a breeze.
- For the DIY’er, the Catharines Farmers Market and The Watering Can always have a great selection of boughs and branches for holiday wreaths and urns.
- If you’d like to make your own arrangement or urn but want some guidance along the way, The Watering Can offers excellent hands-on holiday workshops. Be sure to stop by the on-site café for a delicious lunch while you’re there.
- Niagara Nurseries has an excellent selection of wreaths, boughs, garlands and mixed green arrangements that are made on-site and also welcomes custom orders.
Stop 2: Treat Your Home To Some Holiday Accessories
Whether it’s a beautifully scented candle, some cheery throw pillows, cute entertaining accessories or a holiday doormat to make your guests feel welcome from the moment they knock on the door, you’ll have no trouble finding terrific trimmings at these home décor and gift shops.
- The Maple Market
- The Local Life
- Hus & Rooms Inc.
- Everlove Design
- Not Just Art
- Pocket Change
- Avant-Garde Emporium
Stop 3: Stock Up On Holiday Sweets & Treats
The many bakeries located in and around St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands are happy to help with your holiday baking! Throw your goodies into your own cookie tins, and no one even has to know that you borrowed a baker! Bakery best bets include:
- Con Gusto Artisan Bakery
- Sugar & Butter Baking Co.
- Itty Bitty Pie Co.
- The Keto Crumb
- De La Terre
- 13th Street Bakery
- Niagara Food Company
- Budapest Bakeshop
- Beamsville Bakery
- The Old Post Bakery
- RPM Bakehouse
- Tay’s Treats
- The Baking Twins
Stop 4: Fuel Up With A Tasty Lunch
No matter where you’ve landed at the end of your morning’s travels, you’ll have no problem finding a delicious spot to stop for lunch. If you’re in St. Catharines, give Rise Above, The District, or Wind a try. If you’d like to enjoy lunch at a scenic winery or craft brewery while you’re in Niagara, Vineland Estates, Megalomanic and Bench Brewing Company are all lovely options.
Stop 5: Buy Some Easy Holiday Appetizers
Having a selection of gourmet ingredients and easy-to-prepare appetizers in your pantry, fridge, and freezer is a lifesaver when unexpected holiday guests arrive. The friendly staff at these St. Catharines and Niagara Benchlands businesses will help you find everything you need for relaxed holiday entertaining:
- Bushel and Peck
- Antipastos
- Savoia Hors D’Oeuvres
- Grand Oak Culinary
- The Cheese Cellar at Niagara Custom Crush Studio
- Upper Canada Cheese Company
- Blossom Bakery
Stop 6: Top Up Your Bar With Niagara Wine, Craft Beer, Cider and Spirits
The dozens of wineries that call St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands home make it so easy to mix and match an interesting collection of reds, whites, rosés, and sparkling wines for the holidays. To switch things up, try a few wineries that are new to you. Some excellent options include:
Rockway Vineyards, King’s Court Estate Winery, Flat Rock Cellars, Malivoire Wine Company, Rosewood Estates Winery and Meadery, Angels Gate Winery, Harbour Estates Winery, Creekside Estate Winery and Sue-Ann Staff Estate Winery.
Niagara ciders are another great beverage to have on hand for seasonal sipping. Excellent stops for tasty hard ciders include Fielding Estate Winery, Tawse Winery, and Lincoln County Ciders.
Craft breweries in and around St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands will be pleased to help you curate some delicious holiday six-packs. Choose from Merchant Ale House, Cold Break Brewing, Decew Falls Brewing Company, Dragan Brewing & Wines, Lock Street Brewing Co., Bench Brewing Company and Newark Brewing Company
In addition to top-shelf spirits for your own bar, Dillon’s Small Batch Distillers stocks a fantastic selection of cocktail kits that are perfect for holiday gifting.
Stop 7: Take Care Of The Tree
Why trudge through a crowded parking lot to find your tree when you can get one fresh from a Niagara nursery or cut-your-own tree farm? Excellent local choices include:
- Piotts’ Tree Farm
- Farm On Fifth
- Niagara Nurseries
- The Watering Can
- Ridgeview Fruit Market & Garden Centre
Get even more ideas for preparing for and enjoying the holiday season in St. Catharines and the Niagara Benchlands.
Supported by the Tourism Partnership of Niagara
