Smaller shopping districts holiday scene
Often it falls on smaller communities to organise their own festive celebrations as the larger centres dominate with fanfare. Khandallah Pharmacy on Ganges Road runs an annual Christmas evening for customers to display their newest items, and residents revel in the nibbles and glasses of champagne. ?The elder people found it really delightful as they could meet up with old friends. ?It is probably the most important thing we do over this time,? says owner Warren Honeyfield. He says the store has put particular emphasis on its window-front display this year and imported intricate decorations from England. ?Most of our efforts go into dressing the window up; this year it has a particularly clever display. ?It has delightfully crafted ornaments that hang from strings and people find them quite intriguing by night,? he says. Last weekend Ganges Road was closed off for the Khandallah Summer Carnival that boasts market stalls, live music and is the area?s holiday bash. Tawa business association chairperson Karen Pettigrew says a newly opened shop called Village Gifts is attracting much attention. ?He has only opened this year and is attracting people to his window display, which has this lovely big train set going with an engine and all the works. ?It just goes round and round and the kids love it, there is also a Santa that climbs up and down a little white ladder,? says Mrs Pettigrew. The association?s efforts last year have ensured another large public Christmas tree for the shopping precinct, which is also adored with banners and lights. ?It?s a real treat at night-time, but because of daylight savings ? probably its only downfall ? you have to stay up really late to see it,? she says.
