Your Ballarat Christmas all wrapped up

WHEN shopping around for Christmas gifts this year, take the opportunity to kick-start our local economy and show some love to Ballarat businesses, makers and producers.

Commerce Ballarat CEO Jodie Gillet said it’s never been a better time than now to support Ballarat based and made businesses for all your festive needs this season.

“Commerce Ballarat encourages everyone to look over their shopping lists in the lead up to Christmas and spend local,” she said.

“Ballarat has such an array of amazing, unique stores and we all need to support them through their recovery.”

From handcrafted goods and home-grown specialty products to eclectic ranges and boutique selections, there’s sure to be something on everyone’s Christmas list in Ballarat this season.

Ms Gillet said that every dollar that goes into a local business has a flow on effect and supports increased spending.

“Every time you spend in Ballarat you are supporting local jobs, building our economy and making a local business smile,” Ms Gillet said.

This year, more than ever before, the upcoming festive season brings with it a chance to show some love and support to those who deserve it most.

To spread some cheer within the region, consider buying gifts from your local makers, producers and retailers who have had it especially tough this year.

Thanks to the support of Commerce Ballarat, buying and supporting local, especially at Christmas time, has never been easier.

 

Sweet as a rose

For those seeking a standout scent or signature essential oil for someone special, Sweet Fern offers a wide range of specialty perfumes, luxury candles and natural body products.

Although the store was forced to temporarily close this year, owner Carlyn Mobbs said she felt the embrace of Ballarat in

supporting her and her business.

“We had the benefit of being online and doing home deliveries which was fabulous,” she said.

“Now that we can reopen, we will be open Sunday all throughout December, from 10am to 3pm, and we will have rolling specials which can be found on our Instagram.

“When Christmas shopping, given our offering, I think we’re more than able in Ballarat to cater to most people’s needs.”

The store boasts a range of natural, high quality brands including the much-loved Aesop and Leif, as well as the Victorian-created Murphy and Daughters which is a little closer to home.

“Our message here at Sweet Fern is that we concentrate on only botanical essential oils,” Ms Mobbs said.

“We pretty much cater to anyone that loves luxury body pampering products and everything is paraffin and paraben free including our niche perfumes.

“Leif and Aesop do gifting kits for seasonal and Christmas gifts which are perfect and there’s lots of body and hand products popular at this time as well as gift vouchers which can be used for perfume purchases or our masterclasses that we hold here each month.”

 

Crafty idea

Tucked away within the Mechanic’s Institute, eclectic craft and game store Playing in the Attic has a gift for all ages this festive season.

With a wide range of papers, craft and painting gear, boutique toys and puzzles, accessories and bags, owner Trudy McLauchlan said with her offering she hopes to feed people’s creativity.

“I started off as stationary based, I have all sorts of paper and things, but with a hope to inspire people to do things themselves whether it’s write letter, or journal or be creative,” she said.

“I’ve got some arts and crafts supplies as well to spark ideas and I love colour and great design.

“When I’m selecting things, I try to find things from overseas that nobody else has and I even have a couple of different lines that are nowhere else in Australia but here.”

Open every day up until Christmas, Ms McLauchlan said the shop will be a part of the Ballarat Christmas Emporium festival which aims to champion local shops, makers and creatives.

“It’s the first three Friday’s in December and there will be live music playing and all the shops along here will be open from 5.30 to 7.30pm which will be fun,” she said.

“I also love to support other local artists, I’ve got Suzi McCray’s work here and Anne Langdon, I’ve got her journal covers and tote bags and Christine Hickson, she does little face pins and little things like that.”

 

Well made to last

For those who prefer sustainable brands and long lasting, utility fashion, Ballarat’s new clothing retailer The Outpost is the place to go.

With a taste for great quality pieces, both vintage and new, owner Patrick Ibrahim said they’re constantly updating stock and

bringing specialty products and garments to their customers.

“We’ve just started stocking a few new brands including Dues Ex Machina and we’re getting Carhartt WIP in as well which will be perfect for Christmas shopping,” he said.

“Just also started carrying the women’s line of Nudie Jeans which includes jeans, skirts and t-shirts.

“We’re going to have a big selection of hats for the summer, a massive range of t-shirts as well, we also have the Proud Mary coffee, shoes and jewellery which is handmade from the US.”

With prices starting at around $25, Mr Ibrahim said they hope they can offer sustainable and long-lasting gifts for any budget.

“Any type of person could find something they like in here, there’s no specific demographic,” she said.

“Just someone who wants to buy something for someone that enjoys quality products anything from a good pair of jeans or a handmade hat.

“At some point in December, we’re also hopefully going to be doing complementary gift wrapping in store as well.”

 

Fashion first

Operating on the corner of Grant Street for just over a year, boutique clothing store Teddy & Fletch quickly became a Golden Point staple for women’s unique fashion pieces.

With an exciting range of pieces that’s consistently updated along with the seasons, co-owner Lisa Parrot said they are happy to help shoppers find a great gift and an outfit while they’re at it.

“Although we don’t have any sales here, we offer reasonable prices for everything and nothing in here is over $90,” she said.

“We have a huge range of stocking fillers like body products, jewellery, sunglasses and accessories to choose from as well.”

Whether you’re looking for a present for mum, something for your sister or a Christmas outfit for yourself, the diverse offering at Teddy & Fletch hopes to cater for most ages, styles and budgets.

“We’re going to be open longer hours and hoping to be open every day before Christmas,” Ms Parrot said.

“We’ll even be doing lovely gift wrapping so that you can just get it all done here.”