Gift shopping made simple at Christmas Market

MORE than sixty-five stalls stocking unique handmade jewellery, home decor, art, clothing, pet accessories, flowers, drinkware, craft supplies… plus much, much more will fill the grounds of Mandurang Valley Winery for the Bendigo Rotary Christmas Market on Sunday 8 December.

The annual event will also feature Devonshire tea, sweet treats, live music from Mariah McCarthy and the Goldfields Ukestra, a Rotary barbecue plus tastings of Mandurang Valley wines.

To top it off, the $2 entry fee (which includes the chance to win a framed artwork by local artist Kim Lowe) and proceeds from Rotary’s food offerings, which is expected to amount to several thousand dollars, will be donated to this year’s beneficiary, the Heathcote Dementia Alliance.

Rotary past president and Christmas Market stall co-ordinator Lyn Comer said preparations for this year’s affair started in April and the number of stallholders in 2024 will be a record.

“The market has grown and (prospective stallholders) just keep coming out of the woodwork all the time,” she said.

“People come from all over the place because it’s a great day out, something different, and it’s in a beautiful setting – the gardens are magnificent.”

She said the day offers something for everybody, the opportunity to buy Christmas gifts, and to support local small businesses.

“Some of the stuff I’ve seen this year is absolutely amazing. What the stallholders make is just incredible,” she said.

Jessie Jackson has been hooked on all things patchwork and quilting since the age of 12 and will be running her first stall at the market ahead of opening her first physical store next year – Patchwork Place Bendigo.

“There’s a bit of a gap in the market for quilt supplies because all of the stores have closed due to the owners retiring,” she said.

She’ll be selling fabric by the metre for all the DIY lovers out there as well as cushion-making kits and felt supplies.

“I’ve never been so I’m looking forward to it,” she said.

The Bendigo Rotary Christmas Market takes place on Sunday 8 December from 10am to 3pm at Mandurang Valley Winery.

Further information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.