Berry streets are packed with shoppers and holiday-makers and things were no different at Christmas time in the early 1900s.
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In 1904 Stewart MacIndoe advertised his stock in The Berry Register in the lead up to Christmas.
The Queen Street, Berry storekeeper claimed his Christmas cards were acknowledged as the best in and out of Sydney.
He stocked toys of all kinds ‘from a trombone to a trumpet’, while his double colmun adverrt was headed Dolls! Dolls! Dolls!
He stocked currants, plums and raisins ready for Christmas cooking, along with a ‘thousand other lines’.
The Arnott's Christmas cakes did not impress Berry baker Robert Jamieson, whose single column advert was headed "Xmas Cakes" and stated "support local industry."
Fruit was the focus of James Wilson & Co. which mentioned Mildura sultanas, best picked currants, muscatels, extra golden lexias and tinned fruits.
Hams from 10 to 14 pounds had been brought in from New Zealand and Queensland, while Arnotts’ celebrated Christmas cakes were also stocked by Wilsons.
The Arnott’s Christmas cakes did not impress Berry baker Robert Jamieson, whose single column advert was headed ‘Xmas Cakes’ and stated:
“Support local industry and order your Xmas cakes at once. Xmas cakes made from best ingredients; 10d per lb, 1s per 1b iced”.
A.Waddell & Co had an assortment of cards for the season, and gifts ranging from fishing tackle to laces, but his emphasis was on toys.
For those wishing to get away for the holidays, the NSW Government Railways had introduced holiday excursion tickets for the period between December 14 and January 31.
The Christian ministers of Berry had a busy time, with Rev. Donald McLennan conducting services at Berry, Kangaroo Mountain and Kangaroo Valley.
The big entertainment in Berry was a picnic and sports event on Boxing Day at the showground. With cash prizes offered, competitors came from as far as Sydney.
The period between Christmas and new year saw temperatures of 107 Fahrenheit in the shade one day, when bushfires raged part of the district.
