For some, Christmas begins when December arrives. For others, the magic starts much earlier, with twinkling lights, festive decorations and the excitement of finding the perfect Christmas tree.
Open all year round, ‘Tis the Season Christmas Emporium in Mandurah offers customers the chance to experience a little Christmas magic in every season.
From families searching for their next treasured decoration to those who simply just love the joy of the festive period, the emporium has become a place where Christmas is always just around the corner.
For owner Cindy-Lou Richards, keeping the doors open throughout the year is about more than just selling decorations, but rather about sharing something she loves with the people who walk through the store.
“I choose to stay open year-round because we’re in a great position and we have a lot of passing trade, people just kind of expect us to be open now,” Cindy said.
While other retailers pack away their Christmas stock after December, ‘Tis the Season continues to embrace the festive spirit long after the presents have been unwrapped.
As new stock begins arriving in September, Cindy notices more customers coming through the doors, ready to prepare their homes for the season ahead.
“It’s just such a joyful time of year. It’s a bit of magic and people love to decorate their homes,” she said.
That excitement is part of what makes the store so special.
With the freedom to select the products that fill the shelves, Cindy finds it difficult to choose a favourite. However, the store’s elves hold a special place in her heart.
“My favourite item is everything because I get to choose the stock, so I do love it all, but I think the elves are my overall favourite,” she said.
Being able to browse decorations outside the traditional festive period means customers do not have to wait until December to enjoy that feeling.
For Gabby Pascoe, one of the biggest advantages of having a Christmas store open throughout the year is the opportunity to celebrate Christmas twice.
“The best thing about having a Christmas store all year round is definitely Christmas in July, because now we get to have two Christmases,” Gabby said.
Gabby and her family make a tradition of visiting the store in the middle of the year, choosing the biggest Christmas tree they can find.
“It always has to be the biggest and tallest one. It’s just a lot of fun,” she said.
For families like Gabby’s, these visits become more than a shopping trip. They are opportunities to create memories, continue traditions and find reasons to celebrate together, even when Christmas is months away.
Beyond the decorations, gifts and festive meals, the season offers a chance to slow down and spend time with the people who matter most.
For Cindy, that same feeling of joy extends into her everyday work. Rather than seeing the store as a job, she describes it as something she genuinely loves doing.
“I say I don’t work; I play. It isn’t like a job, it’s just the best,” she said.
