More than 1.2 million people flock to see the Myer Christmas window display every year. And by gumnuts, they’re in for a treat this Christmas!
The unveiling of the Myer Christmas window display marks the start of the festive season. The department store goes to great lengths to deliver a different theme every year. This year’s theme at the flagship Bourke Street, Melbourne store and at Brisbane Myer City store is Gumnut Babies – An Adventure Away From Gumnut Land.
Children of the 80s will instantly recognise May Gibb’s uniquely Australian characters. A talented author and illustrator, Gibbs is famous for showcasing the Australian spirit with her children’s storybook characters, the Gumnut Babies.
“May Gibbs’ most recognisable characters – the Gumnut Babies – take over the department store, reimagined as a magical bush fairy wonderland,” Myer said in a statement.
“Scenes include the Gumnut Babies playing in an Australiana-themed Myer Beauty Department, and even exploring a bush fairy inspired Giftorium.”
A very Australian Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Christmas
You can relive and share the May Gibbs magic with your kids. A Snugglepot and Cuddlepie Christmas: Precious Gift Edition book set is available exclusively to Myer for $19.99. A spectacular keepsake gift, the book is beautifully presented in a slipcase and includes adorable festive gift tags.
FUN FACTS
Here’s a snapshot of what went into creating the spectacular Myer Christmas windows this year:
- The windows have 136 Gumnut characters, 102 of them are animated.
- It took 560 hours of casting time and 240 hours of hand painting to produce all Gumnut characters.
- Other characters include a giant animated spider with eight articulated legs and a 1.5m hand-spun web. There’s also a 1m tall animated furry koala, a 5m hand-painted blue tongue lizard and an 8m long tail end of a goanna.
- 800 fully hand-cut and painted giant gum leaves covering 26 gum leaf pods, with the three giant pods requiring 60 leaves each!
Not only can you admire the Myer Christmas window and buy yourself the kids a brand new Snugglepot and Cuddlepie book gift, even MORE, awaits in store. Each Myer building floor will be dotted with May Gibbs inspired decorations, plus for those visiting Santa – you’ll receive a FREE May Gibbs Gumnut Babies Colouring Book!
Myer Christmas animated windows are open from 7:30 am daily, finishing with the last show at 1 am (though sounds and music stop at 10 pm). The window display wraps up on Sunday 5 January 2020. So you’ve plenty of time to get in and see it – and not have to join in on the mad Christmas Eve rush!
