Green Ant Gifts
The Green Ant Christmas Craft Fair returns to the the Royal Darwin Showgrounds, offering gift givers and craft lovers two festive-filled days of fun with unique, locally crafted stocking fillers.
By Tierney Seccull
Formerly known as the Marrara Christmas Craft Fair, the name change came about when market creator Di Whittaker handed over the [sleigh] reigns to The Flying Gecko Project in 2018. Flying Gecko is made up of passionate local creatives Chiggy, Boo and Orlando – you’d be forgiven for thinking they were the names of Santa’s little helpers, and in a way, they kind of are.
Each year, they chip away on the next big craft fair, managing stallholder applications and organising food vendors, among other things required to create a weekend of Top End Christmas magic. The market hasn’t skipped a beat in its 32-year history, bar a small break in programming in 2020 due to, well, you know. Boo says the 31st market is shaping up to be a biggy.
“There’s about 150 stalls this year! We had to say no to quite a few people, and we had a record number of applications. We have a hopeful waiting list this year,” she says.
With a trove of trinkets and treasures on offer, the talent from Top End creatives never ceases to deliver.
“There’s certainly a bunch of new stallholders we haven’t had before … candles seem to be the big thing this year, there’s quite a few candle makers on board. We’ve got some interesting stalls creating things from wood, and some fantastic, really gorgeous crochet toys,” Boo says.
As cliché as it sounds, there’s something for everybody. There’s plenty for the little tackers and grandies, mums and aunties – even the blokes are sorted for a special something.
“It’s always harder to buy for guys at these kinds of things but there is a good selection of stuff for men. There are even baby fishing shirts, which I thought was cute!”
The stallholder Christmas decoration contest sees each stallholder create decoration for the Green Ant Christmas tree, and everyone that comes through the door gets the chance to score a door prize by voting for their favourite. With food stalls aplenty, including Ken’s Crepes, The Potato Man, Petra’s Raw Cakes and coffee – oh, the coffee – you can fill your bellies as you fill your Christmas stockings.
For a magical weekend supporting local artisans, and ticking a few items of that Christmas shopping list, get your goodies at Green Ant.
Green Ant Christmas Craft Fair
WHEN SAT 26 & SUN 27 NOV | 9AM-4PM
AT ROYAL DARWIN SHOWGROUNDS
COST $2 | FREE CHILD
INFO greenantcraftfair.com
Thumbnail & inset: Janie Andrews
Header: Sister Mother Daughter
