December 19th, 2024A little Christmas bow never went astray…

It may not be boughs of holly but Daylesford resident Jenny Paradisi, with the help of friends Wendy Berry and Heidi Hauck, has decorated the main streets of Daylesford with colourful hessian bows.

Wendy, (pictured above right), said Jenny, (pictured above left) put a social media post on Facebook asking why the community was not putting up Christmas decorations this year.  

“There were lots of comments but nobody did anything, so we put up another  post saying ‘let’s get together’ but it ended up with me and her and Heidi.  

“Jenny initiated it and went to Spotlight and bought two rolls of hessian, 60 per cent off so why not, and we went to her house on Sunday (December 8) and cut  them up, sewed the edges and tied them up with string.  

“Then we went down the street on Monday at 8.30am and just started putting  them all up. We just tied them around the posts at Jenny’s height, because she is tall.  

“It was just something we wanted to do and I know some of the businesses have already put up decorations, but it can be expensive.”  

Wendy said those passing them in the street as they worked were “just so joyful and happy that someone was doing it”.

“When we finished we went into the shops  and asked if they wanted to donate towards the costs and people were putting in between $10 and $50, even some employees, and people just shopping.

“Everyone was so happy, and we not only covered our costs, we had $50 left over  so we gave that to Michelle Clifford at the Daylesford Community Op Shop.”  

Wendy said there was a plan to do it all again next year but go even further, not  just covering the main street.

“It’s just such a nice thing to do and people were really  grateful. I know lots of people but I have never had that many come up to me and say thanks for what you are doing. It’s the real spirit of Christmas.”

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Contributed