There was a time when the Christmas picnic meant soggy sandwiches, an overstuffed esky plastered with fading beer stickers and the endless hum of a battery-powered fan trying to outwit the Summer heat.
As with all good things Down Under, our festive traditions have evolved - and this year, the humble seaside picnic has had a glow-up. The new wave of Australian Summer gatherings is chic, curated and oh-so-Instagrammable. Welcome to the era of the Designer Esky and the Aperitivo at the Beach.
As the sun begins its slow descent and the salt air curls through linen shirts, today’s Christmas picnickers unfurl low-slung tables draped in soft throws and pastel-toned napery. There’s a hint of coastal luxe in every detail: woven baskets filled with artisanal cheese, sprigs of rosemary tucked into coupe glasses and ice clinking softly against bottles of natural wine. The centrepiece isn’t a roasting pan of prawns but the sleek, sculptural silhouette of a designer cooler - the modern symbol of festive style.
The once utilitarian esky has become a statement piece, just as essential to the aesthetic as it is to the chill factor. Gone are the clunky plastic boxes of old; in their place stand beautifully crafted coolers in muted blushes, creams and seafoam greens.
Labels like Business & Pleasure Co., The Somewhere Co. and Sunday Supply Collective have redefined the art of outdoor entertaining. Their eskies are as photogenic as they are functional, blending retro nostalgia with a minimalist coastal edge. Pair them with matching beach umbrellas and fringed towels and you have yourself the blueprint for the perfect Australian aperitivo moment.
What, exactly, is this aperitivo phenomenon doing at our beaches? The European ritual of pre-dinner drinks has long been synonymous with sun-dappled terraces and cicadas in the olive groves, but Australians have made it their own.
Swap cobblestones for warm sand and Aperol spritzes for chilled Pet-Nats or citrusy gin concoctions. A plate of prosciutto and figs sits alongside barbequed prawns and fresh mango slices. There’s something inherently joyous - and uniquely Australian - about blending continental sophistication with our easy, barefoot energy.
For many, the stylish picnic isn’t just about the look; it’s about slowing down. The ritual of packing each element - the handmade ceramic plates, the cool bag with its leather straps, the carefully chosen playlist - transforms a simple outing into an act of mindfulness. It’s the antidote to the chaos of shopping centres and frantic party planning. On the sand, with friends laughing and tide lapping close by, Christmas feels stripped back to what it should be: warmth, connection and celebration under the sun.
Even hospitality brands are catching the wave. Coastal cafés now offer curated picnic boxes with local produce and ready-to-pour cocktails.
Some boutique hotels lend guests picnic kits complete with parasols and designer coolers. There’s an understanding that alfresco elegance has become part of the modern Australian identity - a reflection of our love for the outdoors, our appetite for beauty and our effortless knack for reinvention.
As twilight deepens and fairy lights flicker to life, the laughter softens to a murmur. The designer esky, its contents well enjoyed, now doubles as a seat. Someone strums a guitar; another pours one last splash of rosé. The horizon glows with the quiet magic that only an Australian Summer can summon.
This is Christmas, 2025 style - where the beach becomes the dining room, the esky becomes the centrepiece and the aperitivo hour stretches well into the night. A season not of excess, but of elegance, light and the slow, golden art of living well.
