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This season is the perfect time to enjoy a bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Picking your own produce provides the family with a grassroots experience and makes the reward ever so sweeter when it’s the fruits of your own labour. Fruit picking is not only a fun and leisurely activity, but also reduces food miles and ensures you know exactly where your food is coming from. Below are some of the best places to sample and pick seasonal fruits and products.

Head to Berrylicious Strawberries on one of their special ‘pick your own strawberries’ days to return home with buckets of freshly picked strawberries. Bookings essential. Address: 200 West Parade, Thirlmere Open: All year round

Catherine Park Estate recently celebrated Christmas in the most festive fashion. On Thursday 6 December, residents and Harrington Estates staff gathered at the newly completed Robbins Park to celebrate the festive season.  

The growth of the community throughout 2018 meant that the turnout was fantastic, with many old and new residents coming along to bask in the festive spirit. The mood was jovial and cheerful as residents mingled with old friends and met new neighbours as well.

Christmas around Catherine Park Estate is unlike anywhere else, with the spirit of the festive season being celebrated with true enthusiasm, joy and community.

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There are so many specialty vendors and craftspeople within the local area to help bring the festive spirit to life. So prepare for a fabulous Christmas and support local businesses at the same time.

Nothing says Christmas like the smell of a fresh Christmas tree radiating throughout the house. Local farm Top Forty Orchard has become an institution in the south west, offering affordable, high quality trees close to home. You can also pick up some freshly grown fruit and veges while you’re there.Top Forty Orchard, 1755 Burragorang Road Oakdale

November is the month before the festive season, and the time when wise people get sorted for the craziness that follows. There are a few ways to get organised in advance so that Christmas can be a season to be enjoyed, rather than a time to be dreaded, stressed through and tolerated.

By planning what you are going to do and where you are going to be for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can realistically allocate your most precious resource of all – time. Where will you be celebrating Christmas? What will you be contributing? Are you going to host it at home? Will you be going to church and if so, what time will you be going? Deciding on these factors will allow you to plan your time realistically and ensure you can factor in everything that is important to you.