Get Your Home Holiday Ready

Transform Your Home into a Holiday Haven with an Unforgettable Day in Niagara

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 the Niagara Benchlands and St. Catharines 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’ers, the St. 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 welcomes custom orders

Stop 2: Treat Your Home to Some Holiday Accessories

Discover an array of enchanting accents for your home, from beautifully scented candles to cheery throw pillows, cute entertaining accessories, and welcoming holiday doormats. Find an abundance of terrific trimmings at these home décor and gift shops, ensuring your space is adorned with warmth and charm for the holiday season.

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 has to know that you borrowed a baker! Indulge in the finest bakery selections:

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 wonderful options.

Stop 5: Elevate Your Holiday Gathering with Effortless 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:

Stop 6: Stock 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:

Niagara ciders are another great beverage to have on hand for those who aren’t beer or wine lovers. 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:

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: