Watergardens is inviting all shoppers to embrace their inner child, with the launch of its Merry Everything Christmas campaign, which is set to reignite holiday joy in the lead up to the festive season.
The campaign started on 2 November and customers can look forward to a wide range of exciting entertainment and competitions, all designed to celebrate the festive spirit and deliver a memorable shopping experience.
Among the fun, families will be able to visit Santa with a number of experiences on offer including Pet Photography, Baby’s First Christmas and traditional photos. For the first time, Watergardens will also be offering Auslan Santa sessions. Children who primarily communicate through Auslan will have the chance to convey their Christmas wishes with a Santa fluent in Auslan.
For shoppers who need a little help with their wrapping skills, Community Gift Wrapping stations will be available from 6 to 24 December, with all proceeds going to the Ronald McDonald House charity.
A tree lighting event will be held in Station Street, as well as Rudolph’s annual dinner where children can enjoy a delicious meal, entertainment and goodie bag for only $20.
Watergardens centre manager Trish Gardiner says the Merry Everything campaign will continue until Christmas Eve, offering special festive moments that will delight customers.
“We want families to feel connected and we hope to inspire family fun and remind people that Christmas is about love, celebration and joy,” Ms Gardiner said.
“This year has been tough for many Victorians with the rising cost of living and we’re looking forward to events such as our free Christmas Tree Lighting festival, our family-friendly Dinner with Rudolph and the Spend to Win activities providing affordable family fun.
“We’re thrilled to be spreading the joy this Christmas, with more than a dozen activations across more than six weeks.”
With the inevitable spending Christmas brings, consumers can be rewarded at Watergardens with shopping rewards, surprise and delight moments and random acts of kindness up until Christmas Eve.
Participating shoppers can win instant prizes and share in more than $25,000 in gift cards as part of Spend to Win, providing a welcome holiday boost.
Customers can also determine whether they are likely to be on Santa’s naughty or nice list by entering an online Naughty or Nice quiz – with all participants going in the draw to win a $1,000 gift card. Extended trade and Black Friday announcements will also be part of the Christmas 2023
campaign, with Watergardens shoppers to be entertained by a ‘surprise and delight’ Treat Bar for the Black Friday sales.
For more information on the festivities, visit the Watergardens website or see the list of activities below:
* Dinner with Rudoph ($20 per child incl. meal, entertainment & goodie bag valued at over $40)
Friday 8 December, 5pm, 6pm & 7pm (3 sessions)
* Tree Lighting in Station Street (Free) 5pm – 9pm: 11 November
* Pet Santa Photography 5:30pm – 8:30pm 19 – 22 November; 5:30pm – 8:30pm 25 – 29 November; 5:30pm – 8:30pm 4 – 6 December ;
5:30pm – 8:30pm 11 – 13 December.
* Sensitive Santa 7.30am – 9am November 18; 7.30am – 9am December 4; 7.30am – 9am December 11
* Auslan Santa 6pm – 9pm December 1
* Traditional Santa and Baby’s First Christmas various times 11 – 24 November
*Spend to Win 16 November – 10 December
* Naughty and Nice Quiz 2 – 24 December
*Gift Wrapping 6 – 24 December