We’ve put together a quick holiday season gift and get together guide from businesses at The Mill Castlemaine.
GIFT IDEAS
This gifting season is an opportunity to think local, ethical and handmade when you buy. It’s a wonderful way to support local small businesses.
Here are some of the many options available from businesses at The Mill Castlemaine.
This year’s Cabosse & Feve Chocolates Christmas range comprises around 13 different products, all made on site, from baubles with coated almonds inside, chocolate trees, different special pralines, shards and special marshmallows every week.
They have also released an Advent calendar, which took over 10 months to organise! It is selling extremely well and contains 24 different chocolates for every window, with special products only made for the calendar.
Not looking for the Christmas vibe? They have also released more new products – 36% white chocolate coated slightly salted macadamias, as well as cooking buttons made with their bean to bar 70% chocolate using beans from Solomon Islands.
In other great news, they have also received 2 new machines from Italy which will increase the products they can make. Bring…..it……on!
WOOLLYKINS’ Textile Repair Kits for young and old are the perfect gift for Christmas! Be inspired to attend to your wardrobe with creativity and the spirit of resourcefulness. Woollykins aims to help you get the most out of your wardrobe by making it last the test of time. With their carefully selected wool care products and a little mending love they help you keep your woollens in great condition for life. Their Darning Kit has quickly become the essential modern mending kit for textile and planet lovers everywhere.
Orders can be placed online here for local pick up Monday to Saturday.
All Woollykins garments can be viewed in their studio at The Mill Castlemaine and purchased online at woollykins.com.au
How about giving the gift of relaxation and pampering this season?
Mimosa Botanicals is an old-world apothecary studio which specialises in creating luxurious bath soaks, artisanal apothecary goods, and botanical perfumes that embody the essence of nature’s finest offerings.
Their products are 100% free from synthetics ensuring that you can indulge in guilt-free luxury that’s gentle on both your skin and the environment.
Explore the whole range online here. Need to pick up a gift in a hurry? A range of Mimosa Botanicals products is also stocked in the CastleMade section of the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar, open every day from 10am to 5pm.
Handpicked Ethical Floristry is once again offering Christmas wreaths, completely handmade from local grape and wisteria vines woven with gorgeous locally grown florals. Stocks are limited so order yours now!
And if you’re looking for a gift that is a bit different, check out the Vintage Vase Club – an online site that celebrates flowers and vintage vases while teaching members how to design and decorate via regular video content. This is a subscription-based membership.
Of course, there are also fabulous ethical and sustainable floral arrangements and gift hampers.
All available via the online store.
Give the gift of comfort this Christmas with Wonderpants organic cotton underpants, ethically made right here at The Mill Castlemaine. Available in the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar and on the Wonderpants website.
Left it to the last minute? Gift vouchers are also available.
Speaking of gift vouchers…. a gift voucher from the Castlemaine Vintage Bazaar is the perfect festive gift!
There’s definitely something for everyone.
From hand made gifts, vintage vinyl, not-fast fashion, ships in bottles, Lego, coffee table books, books about coffee tables and everything you’re not looking for – plus a lot of things you are looking for.
Pick up your voucher in store during opening hours.
Open 7 days a week from 10am-5pm, closed Christmas Day only.
Remember to check the art studios on site too, where you’ll find something made with heart, soul and boundless imagination: Artpuff is open Thursday to Sunday from 11am-5pm and The Drying Shed Art Space and Studio MA56 are open Wednesday to Monday from 10.30am-3.30pm (ish). All are open on public holidays.
LOCAL FOOD AND BEVERAGES
We’ve got festive season gifting and meals all wrapped up with our list of local produce and other delicious fare from makers at The Mill Castlemaine.
Your Christmas table will be the talk of the town when you serve Oakwood Smallgoods Aussie free range porchetta or rolled loin pork roast with all the trimmings! Order yours now by phoning 0449 857212, and don’t forget the ham (glazed or not) or the charcuterie to enjoy on platters with your family and friends.
Other options for food and beverage, direct from the maker, include Shedshaker Brewing Co‘s range of craft beers, Boomtown Winermakers local wines and gift cards (redeemable in the Bistro or for a wine purchase in the Cellar Bar), Long Paddock Cheese artisan cheeses and dairy products, Icecream Republic take-home tubs, including special Christmas flavour, Harvest Fruit and Veg fresh, local and organic produce, Cabosse & Feve Chocolates, Sprout Bakery sourdough goods and then freshly roasted coffee beans from Coffee Basics / Das Kaffeehaus – available in the cafe or online.
GET TOGETHERS
If you’re looking for a location to celebrate with work mates, friends and family, leaving all the work to others, The Mill Castlemaine has fabulous dine-in hospitality offerings, with Das Kaffeehaus, Shedshaker Brewing Company’s Taproom and Boomtown Winemakers all offering a range of delicious eating and drinking experiences.
