Village gift house feeling festive

IF supporting local makers is high on your Christmas list this December, the Buninyong Gift House has you covered.

Based in one half of the Old Buninyong Library, the little store is open every day until Christmas eve, and is an initiative of village residents Sonya Sutcliffe, Lisa Cressy, and Miranda Donald.

“We’ve had a dream and vision for a long time to create a space where we can showcase local makers’ work, and when this building became available, with its history, we thought it was time to do it,” Ms Sutcliffe said.

Stock has come from makers and producers between Creswick and Geelong, and includes Grow Kind terrariums, Just Coz candles, art by Tegan Crosbie and Bryony Donald, earrings by Kylie Bickerdike, and Amy Banks jam.

There are treats from Sharon’s Kitchen, Barry bags, Corey’s Creations woodwork, Dimpledot Designs iPad pods, fresh flowers, scrunchies, handmade cards, plants, and pots.

“We have over 20 passionate makers taking part this Christmas already,” Ms Sutcliffe said.

“This is an option for them to have their items for sale, and keep doing what they love, without needing to run a market stall, or an online shop.

“Our aim is to offer a wholesome, warm shopping experience, with gifts at all price levels. Our feeling is this will become a space that makers will want to be in, and our minds are bursting with ideas.”

Hampers made by Sutcliffe, Cressy, and Donald especially for the Gift House are for sale, alongside those put together by Raven Collective, a project which provides employment to women who have experienced domestic and family violence.

Buninyong Gift House is open 10am to 4pm each day until Saturday, 24 December, and will re-open during the weekend of the Federation University Road National Cycling Championships in January.

“People will be here from all over Australia and the world, and so we’ll be looking for some new makers for that period. Those who are keen can contact us,” Ms Sutcliffe said.

Beyond the RoadNats, the shop will be open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, from 10am to 4pm. Gift wrapping is available.