Serious cheer for Christmas

ONE could mistake it for Santa’s workshop, full of little helpers working hard to deliver colourful and festive items in time for Christmas.
But the bright lights, Christmas trees and plethora of decorations belongs to Dandenong-based Yuletide shop, Christmas 4 You.
The three-year-old business based on Cheltenham Road, Dandenong, sells an abundance of decorations and paraphernalia related to the festive season.
With the climax of the Silly Season just days away, the Christmas store is run off its feet according to staff.
Owner Ron Dulic described himself as a Christmas fanatic for his decision to open a shop with stock used to celebrate the year’s most special holiday.
But, according to Mr Dulic, Christmas decorations are popular throughout the year and the company offers a long-term layby from 1 February to 1 December to cater for other Christmas fanatics.
“We have everything,” he said.
“We have the biggest variety around, that’s the other thing that makes the business a little more special.”
The business is dedicated to spreading the Christmas spirit which was demonstrated when it recently donated a fibre-optic Christmas tree to a Noble Park family whose elaborate home Christmas lights were being used to collect charity donations from spectators.
Christmas 4 You has the largest range of the increasingly popular fibre-optic trees, Mr Dulic said, and as such it does not stock live Christmas trees.
Trading in Christmas supplies means the shop is busiest around Christmas and the months before it.
As a result of the ease of demand after Christmas, Mr Dulic said the business shuts down over January.
“Obviously we are a little more quiet,” he said.
“People still do layby, but we close for the month of January.”
The store also hires out equipment to companies, including Channel 7, which uses the decorations for several of its television shows, Mr Dulic said.
He added: “We’d like to wish everyone, including our customers, a merry Christmas and a happy new year.”