Support your local creative industries this Christmas
25 November 2024. Written by Sally Glaetzer.
The festive season is well and truly upon us at the TSO, not least because of the excitement in the halls as we prepare for our concert finale for the year – Bach’s Christmas Oratorio.
The office banter has been dominated by plans for the staff Christmas party and the annual debate over best Christmas movie (Love Actually narrowly pips Die Hard in the straw poll among musos and staff).
Even the beautiful melodies emanating from the rehearsal rooms seem to have taken on a decidedly festive tone.
It’s natural then that the chatter has lately shifted to the topic of Christmas gift buying – a source of sheer joy for some TSO team members and a source of sheer dread for others.
With that in mind, we’ve assembled a festive gift guide to cater for those in both camps – one that embraces the spirit of giving while providing an antidote to the perils of consumerism.
Know someone who already has everything? Want to avoid simply giving more ‘stuff’? Looking for a way to shop that’s kinder to the planet? Read-on to discover how to wow your loved ones with gifts with extra meaning this year.
Give a year of experiences
Our Customer Manager Cameron Bryer is perhaps the biggest Christmas fan at the TSO.
Having worked as a Santa photo assistant and performed backing vocals for the Brisbane Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols, Cam is well qualified as our resident Yuletide expert.
‘I’ve always loved Christmas, it’s always full of fun and joy and – for me – Christmas is always about singing,’ Cam says.
Cam’s tip for Christmas gifting this year – a TSO concert package of course!
‘Another reason I love Christmas is that we get a lot of subscribers purchasing a season package for a friend or a loved one. I love hearing customers’ stories about their love of music and why they want to share that experience with someone else,’ Cam says.
How does it work?
Head to our packages page and select from one of our fixed packages or Create Your Own. The packages are fully flexible, so simply select three or more concerts across the year that you think the recipient may like and they can change it up later if needed.
Shop local and support Tasmanian talent
There is a lot to be said for shopping in your local bookshop this Christmas. Aside from the very important benefit of free gift wrapping (Fullers and The Hobart Bookshop have particularly fetching paper), our Tassie book stores are also filled with exceptional writing by local authors.
We asked Andy Durkin from Petrarch’s Bookshop in Launceston for the books at the top of her gift list this Christmas.
‘We have been spoilt with choice with books released in 2024 from Tasmanian creatives. Here is a taste of just a few titles, but please visit us and we can match you to many more titles that celebrate Tasmania for all interests,’ Andy says.
‘Dusk by Robbie Arnott (pictured left, at Fullers) is amazing and I also recommend Undersong by Hilary Burden, The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson by Karen Brooks, The Chocolate Factory by Mary-Lou Stephens, and Wild Heart of Tasmania by Greg French,’ she says.
For younger readers, Andy suggests music-themed Rock Dogs by Sally Sutton and Purinina by Christina Booth.
'Another beautiful gift is Faeries of Tasmania Vol 2 Illustrations by Tasmanian author and illustrator Terry Whidborne,’ she adds.
Surprise and delight with unique handmade objects
We’ve covered off on the experiential and the practical, but sometimes an object of beauty is what’s required. When that’s the case, why not ditch the factory-made for something made by hand?
Allanah Dopson of Hobart’s Handmark Gallery encourages gift-buyers to think outside the square when shopping for someone who’s hard to buy for, or who ‘has everything’.
Let’s face it, even the very youngest people in our lives probably don’t need another toy, so why not gift them an artwork they can treasure for a lifetime?
‘Artwork and handmade jewellery can be very affordable and make a unique gift that won’t be forgotten. If you can’t decide, a gift voucher is always an excellent choice,’ Allanah says.
‘Christmas is a great time to decide to give a gift that his handmade and made with love,’ she adds.
Also in Salamanca, head to Spacebar Gallery for quirky pieces by emerging creatives, or buy directly from the jewellery makers at State of Flux Workshop.
The gift shop at Launceston’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery (QVMAG) is a secret gem, offering free gift wrapping (yes, we’re obsessed) and a flat $10 postage fee. Look out for exquisite shell jewellery by Tasmanian Aboriginal artist Jeanette James, and greeting card sets, including this one featuring the photography of Olegas Truchanas.
The designedmade Makers Market is on again at Hobart Town Hall, from 6-8 December, featuring some of Tasmania’s best designers, artists and makers.
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