Tasmanians are being encouraged to shop local as traders brace for the Christmas rush

There are only four sleeps until Christmas but there is still time to fill your stockings with Tasmanian-made presents. Here’s some tips >>

Farm Gate Market, Todd and Jasmine Rayner of Rock Hill Estate Ellendale with some fresh pink eye potatoes. Picture: Chris Kidd

THERE are only four sleeps until Christmas but there is still time to fill your stockings with locally made presents.

Tasmanians are being encouraged to “buy local” this Christmas as stores across the state gear up for a bumper week of last-minute shopping.

Tasmania is set to experience a 5.6 per cent growth in pre-Christmas sales from last year, with the Australian Retailers Association anticipating a $66bn spending spree nationwide.

Tasmanian Small Business Council chief executive Robert Mallett said he was expecting a “shopping boom” over the next week as people stock up before Christmas and at Boxing Day sales.

“I’m expecting this Christmas will be busier than other Christmases,” Mr Mallett said.

“The good thing about Christmas over these last few years is that Cyber Monday and Black Friday have kicked off a lot of the Christmas sales. People are in that Christmas shopping mode and so they tend to then do that more regularly right throughout December.”

Katie King designer of Cadey Collections jewellery at the Tassie Makers Market in Centrepoint ahead of the last few days of shopping before Christmas. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tassie Makers Market store director Nadia Tanase said she was expecting an influx in customers over the coming days, with Tassie-made goods set to be this year’s gift of choice.

“If you buy a candle that has been made by a lovely mum over in Howrah, you are helping that mum … simply put food on the table and have a really Merry Christmas. It has a direct impact on the local community,” Ms Tanase said.

The Hobart boutique showcases a range of artisan products crafted by makers from across Tasmania, including pieces by jewellery designer Katie King.

The Hobart based designer, who began stocking her Cadey Collection pieces at Tassie Makers Market earlier this year, said it was incredibly rewarding to see shoppers purchase her handcrafted items.

“If someone shops locally with my brand, it just means that my work is actually appreciated by someone, because everything is made from start to finish by hand,” Ms King said.

“It’s that personal touch to every single piece. There’s a lot of sweat, tears and blood that goes into it.”

Find the Tassie Makers Market at Centrepoint Shopping Centre, 70 Murray St, Hobart.

Farm Gate Christmas market to take over Mac Point

FORGET glazed ham and roast turkey – potatoes are looking to be the dish of choice this Christmas.

Locals will be able to get their hands on ten different varieties of Tassie potatoes at the Farm Gate pop-up Christmas market in Hobart this Thursday.

Todd Rayner of Rock Hill Estate in Ellendale, who will be selling potatoes, garlic and fresh fruit at the Christmas pop-up, said he has noticed more people turning to farmers’ markets for their weekly shop than ever before.

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Mr Rayner said his pink eye potatoes have been especially popular in the lead up to Christmas.

“We’re having a great season. It’s just been dry enough to grow a good crop and we’ve been able to get them out of the ground,” Mr Rayner said.

“The market is getting bigger and bigger nearly every week. People are more conscious of their food, I think.”

Fresh pink eye potatoes will be on offer. Picture: Chris Kidd

Farm Gate event manager Madi Peatti said the market was the perfect opportunity to stock up on fresh produce for Christmas lunch from more than 40 local growers.

“We’ve got potatoes, about ten different varieties of potatoes which have always been really hard to get,” Ms Peatti said.

“Hopefully, we’ll have the first cherries of the season, as well as raspberries and strawberries. We’ve got Christmas wreaths, loads of distillers, plum pudding and baked goods.”

Ms Peatti said it was really important for people to “buy local” this Christmas so Tasmanian growers and producers can keep thriving next year.

“This market is about relationships, it’s about food security and it’s about supporting our local economy. These producers – they’ve had a rough time over the past couple of years, it’s our third La Nina in a row – they need all support they can get.”

The Farm Gate Christmas Market will run from 3pm to 5.30pm on Thursday at Macquarie Point.

The weekly fresh food Sunday market will resume on New Year’s Day.