Christmas decorations and lighting are as rare as hen's teeth in many parts of the Illawarra this year.
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Illawarra Mercury readers have reported a shortage in many of the usual places that generally stock such items because supply has been restricted as a result of COVID-19.
Bunnings Wollongong is one of the businesses that still has a plentiful supply.
Complex manager Aaron Mott said one of the reasons decorations and lights were harder to come by this year was because people were shopping for them much earlier.
"We've actually seen lights going up in November which is very unusual. I think everyone is just excited to get some fun back at the end of this year."
Mr Mott said after COVID-19 people seemed eager to get out and shop again and have a reason to celebrate.
He said one of the most popular items was a penguin light which had sold out virtually everywhere.
Bunnings Wollongong's Kate Moore looks after the Christmas section and describes it as her dream job.
She loves this time of the year and is renowned for her own Christmas light house display. She is in her element helping other people choose theirs.
Ms Moore said a large toy soldier light was another popular item this year as were the inflatables such as Santa riding a shark, a giraffe and a llamacorn. It is a pink and purple unicorn crossed with a llama.
"I think everyone is really keen to spread more Christmas cheer this year."
Mr Mott said the serious Christmas decorators always got in early and knew what they wanted but it seems everyone else had joined them early in 2020. He said a new Christmas DIY guide on the website was really popular. The growth of DIY projects during 2020 had resulted in the store recruiting more staff twice this year.
Festive range buyer Bec Hevey said Bunnings had not experienced any stock fulfilment issues and encouraged customers to look online to check product availability or head to their local store to see what was still available.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
