The invitation from our son to Southport at the Gold Coast was accepted with pleasure, a change of scenery is always welcome and our calendar was free. Spending time with my family, talking and laughing over coffee and meals are too important to turn down. The drive was quick in the middle of the day on the very busy highway called the M1, no breakdowns or accidents. The highway conveniently connects the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast.
When on holidays I do what everyone does, go exploring and have adventures. So naturally being a Friday yesterday as well as #marketFriday created by @dswigle, I was on a mission to visit a Christmas shop. There had to be a shop was my reasoning and to my delight there was. The memories of my last Christmas shop in Rothenburg in 2016 have never left me, it was one of my many exploits when travelling along the Romantic Road in Bavaria visiting Christmas markets.
This two photos I found in my library, one is the Kathe Wohllfahrt was such a treat for me, a little Aussie girl, and even more interesting was the walk through the fabulous German Christmas museum, set up beside the shop. This little Aussie girl learned a lot that day. Once finished at the museum all we had to do was walk through a doorway into the shop.
Both photos were taken by Bill Bennett, our travelling photographer.
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On Friday the 10 December 2021, in Australia on the Gold Coast, nothing prepared me for the Christmas shop called Christmas Galore located in a hugely busy and highly popular Wholesale Factory Outlet complex called Harbour Town. The carpark was full, Christmas shoppers of all ages were out shopping and to top it off it was hot, humid and sunny. It was far removed from the very cold German Christmas winter fantasy wonderland of historical Rothenburg.
In due course and armed with patience we found a spare car park and walked toward the Macca'a sign as we were told was near the Christmas shop.
Then once through the trees I stood in front of Christmas shops calle Christmas Galore and could only think of the incredible differences in light, temperature and settings between the Kathe Wohlifahrt and this Australian shop.
Inside I was blown away with the enormous displays of everything Christmas. Whatever kind of theme customers had in mind for the season it was here. Shelves were packed up high, displays everywhere and boxed up decorations nearby for the shopper to pick up and take home. Definitely a Christmas shopper's dream place.
I needed an all day affair to really see everything! Was I up for the challenge to venture into the massive display? It was sensory overload!
Here is an Australian backyard Christmas display for the Aussie who wants a casual relaxed decoration outside, maybe. Hmmm, I will leave that for someone else.
For the lover of a traditional Christmas there were plenty to buy. Check out the lovely ladies dressed in their Christmas best. I know of ladies who love them and of course bring them out each Christmas season.
Check out the little silver ute was eye-catching, a clever creative display to snare the shoppers.
It was fun to hear an excited voice of a teenager talk to her mother on the phone about these light displays one would see in the Northern Hemisphere. It would look impressive in a house's window on the nights before Christmas.
In a corner in between a huge blown up Santa and boxes I spied a little Aussie touch, a kangaroo with coloured lights on his back. The song Six White Boomers ran through my head, it is song written and sung by Australian Rolf Harris. This is the chorus!
Six white boomers
Snow white boomers
Racing Santa Claus through the blazing sun
Six white boomers
Snow white boomers
On his Australian run
The atmosphere was inviting for shoppers who came to find a decoration to highlight or match their colour theme at home. Something to fill a vase, place in a corner, hang from the ceiling, it was all here for the celebration on Christmas day.
Excitement filled the air as choices were made, arms full of joy and smiles of pleasure from satisfied customers walked to pay. My apologies for a blurry photo.
Eventually my Christmas joy bucket was full to the brim, I had seen everything I could possibly see on one visit and armed with a couple of snow globes and a pink fairy reindeer 'bobble head,' I headed to the counter and walked out into the hot sunny carpark back to the car with Six White Boomers still playing in my head.
ooooooooooooOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooo
The Christmas Galore shop will stay with me for a long time, reminding me of the sparkles, fun and togetherness that only special celebrations bring. It has filled me with a warm feeling of sharing and wish lots of happiness, peace and prosperity for the Christmas season and New Year to all the bloggers on hive.
What magic memories made in Rothenburg seeing a Christmas museum the cool months as always depicted that we Southerners never experience.
Specialty Christmas stores in Durban are available, with all adults we no longer set up trees or decorations in my home, my brother is the one who decorates inside and out.
Rolf Harris was popular here growing up and yes still enjoy his songs that pop into memory every so often.
That Christmas song is such a classic and lovely to hear popular in South Africa too.
We are away for Christmas this year but have put a little bit up for the grandchildren.I am thinking that the joy of Christmas shops are everywhere, it is good to learn this @joanStewart as I forget we are all so connected in this world to all the traditions.
Living in warmer climates I think we relate well to the songs, Christmas in the sun was another smile years later. Traditional dinners have changed over the years with many opting for outdoor meals with salads and cold meats 😌
Enjoy the little ones they bring the life back into putting up decorations and essence of Christmas excitement.
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What magic memories made in Rothenburg seeing a Christmas museum the cool months as always depicted that we Southerners never experience.
Specialty Christmas stores in Durban are available, with all adults we no longer set up trees or decorations in my home, my brother is the one who decorates inside and out.
Rolf Harris was popular here growing up and yes still enjoy his songs that pop into memory every so often.
!LUV
That Christmas song is such a classic and lovely to hear popular in South Africa too.
We are away for Christmas this year but have put a little bit up for the grandchildren.I am thinking that the joy of Christmas shops are everywhere, it is good to learn this @joanStewart as I forget we are all so connected in this world to all the traditions.
Living in warmer climates I think we relate well to the songs, Christmas in the sun was another smile years later. Traditional dinners have changed over the years with many opting for outdoor meals with salads and cold meats 😌
Enjoy the little ones they bring the life back into putting up decorations and essence of Christmas excitement.
Thank you @luvshares, appreciate your kindness.