Local guide to the giving season

GETTING your Christmas shopping list sorted? Local producers and retailers are banding together to spread the good word of supporting local.

From clothing, to accessories, candles, health foods and other gift ideas, everything you need for the festive season is available right here in the Ballarat region.

As we come to the end of a second year living in the coronavirus pandemic, shopping local is also a great way to show your appreciation for small businesses that have done it tough, with Commerce Ballarat’s handy gift guide.

 

Share the cheer

Kristine Macfarlane, owner and operator of homemade candle and boutique store Essential Candle Co, said her store is the ultimate space for shopping locally this year.

She’s collaborating with more than 25 businesses this Christmas, transforming the space into a “Ballarat-made stall” to make gifting easier.

“Someone could just walk into the shop and want a candle and walk out supporting six or seven other local businesses,” she said.

Essential Candle Co is stocking everything from candles, jewellery, keyrings, jams, books, plants and more; all locally owned and available at its Sturt Street shopfront and Stockland Wendouree pop-up.

But what Ms Macfarlane is most proud of this year is her raspberry drops candle, which is flying out the door.

“We’ve created the scent to depict the raspberry drop taste, we worked quite hard on that this year and it’s just taken off, we’re in talks currently with Sovereign Hill to work on a collaboration,” she said.

 

Gifts and more

Located on Creswick Road, Studio g.a.s Ballarat is a one-stop shop for fashion, footwear and gifts.

Owner Vicki McGuigan, who took over the 15-year-old business 18 months ago, said people come from far and wide to visit the store.

“We took over in between the first and second COVID waves and I think if it wasn’t a well-established business with a good name, we may not have survived,” she said.

Named for its gifts, apparel and shoes, Studio g.a.s Ballarat also features a fully licensed cafe with a range of locally sourced produce, wines and charcuterie boards.

Ms McGuigan said her range has kept increasing as we approach Christmas, securing a new shoe brand and offering a range of festive gifts.

The store is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

 

Dress to impress

Whether you’ve got a Christmas party coming up or you’re looking to expand your, or someone else’s wardrobe, Dressing Room Recycled is the perfect place to find pre-loved, high-quality dresses without breaking the bank.

Owner Diane Opie said her own love of recycled clothes inspired her to open this unique shop on Main Road.

“I love recycled things, there’s a lot of clothes out there that get thrown into bins that are quite good to use,” she said.

Dressing Room Recycled offer everything from underwear to “after five” and glitzy dresses from the 1920s to today, located on iconic Main Road.

“Main Road is really historical for old pubs and there’s quite an eclectic mix of people in it,” she said.

“There’s an antique book shop which is fabulous, there’s a place that does antiques and collectibles, hand-made vintage clothing, bric-a-brac shops, it’s a nice little street to visit.”

This Friday, 10 December, Main Road traders will celebrate the start of the Christmas season with a special twilight bazaar from 5pm to 9pm, with all shops open for business.

 

Healthy and happy

If you’re looking for health foods and products, look no further than Go Vita Ballarat.

On its shelves you’ll find a range of gifts perfect for Christmas, including cosmetics, chocolates, treats, specialty health foods, baking essentials, as well as the usual range of vitamins, supplements, protein powders and health foods.

“At Go Vita we stock a large range of products that are made locally, so not only are our customer supporting our business and employees but also other local businesses, creators and makers as well,” proprietor Chris Mobbs said.

Go Vita prides itself on its customer service, and customers have access to expert naturopathic support and advice each day.

Getting into the Christmas spirit, Go Vita Ballarat is running its “Health Elf on the Shelf” competition, with customers who find the hidden elf eligible to enter to win a prize each week.