The magic of Christmas is taking on extra significance this year with a sleigh of initiatives to bring the Singleton community together to spread plenty of festive cheer, support each other and the economy.

Singleton Council has joined forces with Singleton Business Chamber and Singleton Rotary to sprinkle a little fairy dust – and plenty of decorations – in an extra big dose of Christmas festivities in the Singleton Town Centre to help keep spirits high in the face of the ongoing impacts of drought, bushfire and COVID-19.

That includes a relocation of the community Christmas tree to Pritchard Park, a trail of fairy lights down John Street to a Christmas display in Singleton Library, and initiatives to encourage businesses to compete for the best decorated window and young shoppers to spot Santa’s little helpers keeping watch in our favourite businesses.

A further $2,000 from Council’s Community Support Package will also be shared among four local organisations – The Salvation Army Singleton, Samaritans Foundation, Singleton Neighbourhood Centre and St Vincent De Paul Society – to help deliver joy to everyone in the community this Christmas Day.

Mayor of Singleton, Cr Sue Moore said it was disappointing that COVID-19 restrictions had ruled out Singleton’s traditional community street party, Christmas on John Street. But that didn’t mean the community couldn’t come together to celebrate.

“After an unusual and challenging year, we all need a little festivity more than ever. But rather than dwelling on what we can’t do, there’s still plenty we can do to raise Christmas spirit in our Town Centre, and more importantly encourage us all to celebrate what we have achieved by supporting each other and our economy,” she said.

“I’m hopeful what we’ve come up with will help to spread cheer and raise the sense of community right across our local government area.

“Visitors are also welcome to come in to see the fantastic range of retailers and businesses that we have in Singleton, and soak up some of our country Christmas spirit.”

Businesses are decking more than the halls in their efforts to be crowned best decorated in the Light Up Your Store competition. Prizes include a $1500 Spend in Singleton gift card for the winning business plus a $500 gift card to donate to a local community group of their choice. The winner will be decided by community vote and announced on 21 December.

Santa’s also coming early with a total of 50 Spend in Singleton gift cards worth $25 each up for grabs for hawk-eyed youngsters who spot one of the many elves keeping watch in local businesses in the Santa’s Little Helpers competition. It’s easy to report a sighting using the QR code in the business or on the Singleton Business Chamber website. Winners will also be drawn on 21 December.

Sue Gilroy, President of Singleton Business Chamber, said she hoped plenty of people would head to Singleton Town Centre for a dose of Christmas merriment.

“COVID-19 restrictions don’t mean we can’t celebrate Christmas and the festive season. There’s nothing like decorations and fairy lights to lift our Christmas spirits and a fantastic choice of retailers to make gift shopping easy,” she said.

“But if you’re shopping for that person who’s always hard to buy for, or who has everything, why not treat them to a Spend in Singleton gift card? There’s a huge array of participating businesses, from boutique retailers to cellar doors and award-winning restaurants.

“It’s more than a gift beneath the Christmas tree – it’s a great reason to visit Singleton and experience all that we have to offer.”

For more information about Spend in Singleton gift cards and Singleton’s Christmas initiatives, visit www.singleton@nsw.gov.au or www.singletonchamber.org.au