MasterChef alumni Reece Hignell is taking inspiration from his beloved Nan to create beautiful desserts for his first Christmas range at his Hamilton bakery, Cake Boi. "The whole idea with this Christmas range is that we want to make it really special, like my Nan always would at Christmas time," Hignell says. "She always brought out all the cherries, the passionfruit ... everything would become a bit more fruit-driven and a bit more pretty." The Christmas menu includes eight options (pre-orders collected from the store on Christmas Eve), including festive versions of favourites such as Cake Boi's carrot cake ("We will replace the nutmeg and allspice with cardamom and use pistachios instead of walnuts"). Cake Boi's Persian Love Cake is re-created as a pavlova-style dessert for Christmas. "The pavlova itself is more a dacquoise [layered dessert], so it has a pavlova jam-packed with textural delights and Middle Eastern flavours, like pistachios, rose, almond, halva and white chocolate." Cake Boi, 48 Lindsay St, Hamilton. cakeboitakeaway.square.site

The distillery side of Carrington's Styx Brewery is getting into the spirit of Christmas. The label's small batch Christmas Gin release brings together frankincense, myrrh, juniper, gold leaf and mistletoe. The 500ml bottles are $90 online at styxbrewery.com.au

Capri Archer's family owned the long-running lolly shop on Glebe Road at The Junction, so it was only natural she grew up with a love of sweet treats. Last year Archer launched her business, Cappy's Candy Co, which specialises in lolly bars, lolly platters and lolly bags for events, as well as loaded rocky road. "A big part of my teenage life was spent at that shop. After it closed, I decided I wasn't quite finished with the lolly industry," Archer says. She has launched festive flavours: Peppermint Christmas (candy canes, mint slice biscuit pieces, spearmint leaves, marshmallows and Christmas sprinkles); and White Christmas (white chocolate with marshmallows, spearmint leaves, Christmas M&M's, topped with crushed Scotch Finger biscuits, red frogs and drizzled with red candy melts; $11 for four pieces); plus hampers filled with treats and products supplied from Newcastle businesses ($60). cappyscandyco.com

Hailey Dodds of Batter and Dough serves the Gloucester area with fresh sourdough breads and custom buttercream cakes. "I decided to leave my job and throw myself into my business full-time and add desserts, sourdough, cakes, pies and all manner of sweets. I have been run off my feet ever since," she says. Her festive treats include a Christmas tree cookie cake with vanilla bean and lemon sugar cookies, filled and topped with creme diplomat, raspberry gel and an assortment of chocolates, sprinkles and raspberries, dusted with edible glitter ($65 serves 15-20). She also offers pavlova shells which can be ordered empty or filled with vanilla bean whipped cream, topped with seasonal berries, passionfruit and gold leaf ($48). batteranddough.com.au

The espresso martini is the perfect tipple for getting the party started during the festive season. Newcastle's self-proclaimed "Mullet Lord" and coffee king Dan Brown of Lords Coffee has concocted a cold brew blend that is perfect for making the popular cocktail. Lords Espresso Martini Mix is available in 1-litre bottles. Simply shake 90ml of the mixer with 45ml of vodka and serve for the perfect Christmas cocktail. Gift packs include a gold shaker, gold strainer, gold jigger and tote bag. lordscoffee.com.au

Newcastle's first dedicated coffee and cookie bar owners Nath and Mel Marshall have been busy creating a range for Christmas. The Christmas cookies gift pack contains six giant 200g New York-style loaded cookies. Flavours include coconut ice; rum and raisin, gingerbread, candy cane, espresso martini, and rocky road. The gift packs cost $39. marshallanddaughters.com.

Pastry chef Gareth Williams unveiled his Christmas range at Mayfield-based patisserie Covered In Crumbs this week, with everything from large tarts and cakes available for pick-up on Christmas Eve, as well as pastries, breads, cookies and sweets. Large desserts to share include strawberry and licorice bundt cake; chocolate and cherry tart; apple and almond frangipane pie with cherries and vanilla brandy custard; and a gingerbread cake with vanilla buttercream and fresh raspberries. If you prefer a little DIY, Covered In Crumbs also has make-at-home kits. Order online at coveredincrumbs.com.au. Christmas orders close December 18 at 6pm unless sold out prior.

Maitland-based Chunky Boiz Cookie Co has created a range of festive-themed treats as well as DIY Santa cookie kits. Christmas cookies include the Papa Noel with original dough, milk choc chips, candy cane pieces, milk chocolate centre, topped with milk choc, sprinkles and a candy cane; Santa's Coal with cocoa dough, Christmas M&Ms, milk choc chips and Toblerone centre, topped with coloured white choc and sprinkles; and the Mrs Claus with original dough infused with cinnamon sugar, white choc chips, biscoff centre. The DIY kit includes six medium Chunky Boiz cookies (white, milk or Caramilk choc chips), white choc and milk choc melts, three types of Christmas sprinkles, six Christmas icing decorations and an information card. Kits cost $35 (plus delivery). chunkyboizcookieco.com.au

They're famous for producing some of the region's best beer, but Murray's is also making a mark with their range of craft spirits, too. And just in time for Santa's arrival, Murray's is releasing a Black Forest Sweet Christmas Gin, with notes of cherry, cocoa, juniper pine and Christmas spice barrel aged in oak. Available ($55 per 350ml bottle) online or in-store at the brewery's Bobs Farm location.

Newy Distillery has released another batch of mulled wine gin which blends the label's award-winning dry gin with premium Australian red wine, fruits and spices to give the seasonal gin soft citrus undertones followed by a warm and fragrant seasoning. Newy Distillery's popular Boozy Christmas Baubles are also back. Available in two-packs ($19.95) or six-packs ($49.95), the baubles are filled with a choice of dry gin or shimmer vodka, presented in a gift box. Order online at newydistillery.com.au

Maryville bakery Uprising is always a good idea and their Christmas range is no exception. Impress your family with a Boozy Christmas Cake ($39), stollen ($22) or fruit mince pies ($27.50 for six) or pick up a pavlova base for $20 to top and create your own festive dessert. For gift ideas, Uprising's jars of Maraschino Cherry Biscuits are available for $39, or choose from their coco clunk biscuits, ginger biscuits or walnut shortbread biscuits ($10 per pack or $30 for a box). Uprising is also stocked at Harris Farm Market in Cooks Hill.

Muse Kitchen at Lorn's 'Take n Bake' menu for December is designed for the festive season, with the feast option ($160) covering all bases with the inclusion of tiger prawn cocktail with cos lettuce; oysters with finger lime mignonette; maple glazed ham steaks with braised red cabbage; roasted lamb shoulder with all the trimmings; pea and mint salad; duck fat roasted chats; and strawberry trifle. All dishes available for individual purchase. Orders are available to pick-up at Muse Kitchen on Saturdays and Sunday (orders close every Thursday at 5pm). Order online at musekitchen.com

Cocoa Nib's Christmas production line is in full swing. Think Rudolph the reindeer chocolate pops, hand-painted chocolate Christmas baubles (gift boxes start at $26.50), and chocolate "salami" logs which is a chocolate truffle log flavoured with rum soaked fruits, nuts, hazelnut praline and crushed chocolate cookie ($35). Their popular Crystal Christmas Tree is a painted chocolate tree filled with chocolates and chocolate coated nuts that makes a special centrepiece on the table (only available in-store; $42.50). Purchase at Cocoa Nib at The Junction shopping centre or their Pokolbin store and online at cocoanib.com.au

Eclairs are their main jam, but Choux Patisserie is also the place for deliciously soft panettone in December. French chef Nicolas Poelaert creates his spin on the Italian favourite every Christmas with two flavours available: toffee, chocolate and peanut or white chocolate and dried fruits (small $9 or large $34) which both make for a perfect sweet breakfast on Christmas Day paired with a glass of bubbly. Other goodies include tawny Christmas cake ($26) and a Christmas gift pack filled with festive treats, including strawberry watermelon jam, tropical fruit jam and golden fruit and nut mix ($25). Visit the store at Charlestown Square or order at chouxpatisserie.com