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Shop windows come alive with Christmas cheer

22 November 2024

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As the festive season takes hold of Hobart, the glass windows which line the city’s streets have once again transformed into spectacular Christmas displays.

Ornate decorations have emerged behind the panes of nearly 30 businesses in the city centre, creating a winding trail of spectacles for glassy-eyed onlookers to wander.

Whimsical lamps, old-fashioned spinning tops and a handcrafted wooden rocking horse are key elements in the Victorian-inspired window display at boutique toy store Lyrebird.

The shop’s owner, Karin Adams, has decorated the window with a Christmas theme each year since it opened in 2008.

“It creates a sense of wonder or joy for people as they walk past,” Ms Adams said.

“I often hear people outside chatting about the display and excitedly pointing out something that catches their eye.”

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Lyrebird's window display has a Victorian-era Christmas theme.
Strewn throughout the window cavity are classic children’s toys like a small drum, a jack in the box and a wooden truck.

Ms Adams said these tied in with the overall theme of her shop, which is to encourage creativity and imagination for children.

“My whole shop is about inspiring people to go back to basics to have an unhurried childhood,” she said.

“To be able to pause or slow down and for children to be able to discover for themselves rather than having things that are bombarding them with information.”

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Ms Adams says she loves seeing the joy on people's faces as they discover her window display.
Competition adds 'holiday spirit' to city

To commemorate the creativity of local businesses, Hello Hobart is running a competition where festive locals can vote for their favourite window display.

Quaint bookstores and bustling hairdressers are among the list of stores taking part in the tournament, with the winner set to secure tickets to the highly-anticipated Taste of Summer event.

Hello Hobart's Camilla Best said the competition was helping create a more vibrant and inviting atmosphere in the city centre.

"The window displays transform the streets into a festive experience for shoppers," Ms Best said.

"They add colour, creativity and holiday spirit to the city - making it a more joyful place to visit and shop this Christmas."

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The displays are helping add to the festive spirit across Hobart's city centre.

The shops taking part in the competition have a 'Hello Christmas' sticker on their window and are featured on the Hello Hobart website - where votes can also be tabled.

The voting period will run from Saturday, November 23 and run until Sunday, December 15, with one voter set to win a $100 gift voucher for their favourite small business in Hobart.

 

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