Stress-free Christmas shopping at the Book Cow in Kingston

Heading towards the tail end of the year, it is about this time when many of us might start to stress about the festive season – not only the cost of Christmas shopping but the thought of battling through the crowds at the local shopping centre.

“Just picture yourself in the soulless concrete carpark now. The crowds. The fender benders. The anxiety,” says Peter Arnaudo, owner of The Book Cow.

He knows there is a better way.

“When you visit The Book Cow, you bypass all the hassle and enjoy your Christmas shopping, at the same time as you support local business and engage with your local community,” Peter says.

Online shopping can’t compare to the tactile and sensory experience of browsing through your local bookstore. Mr Arnaudo believes that being able to get a feel of the paper, the scent of fresh pages, and the ability to flip through before making a final decision, are part of the charm of the in-person experience.

The range stocked at The Book Cow – both books and non-book goodies – means that you complete all of Santa’s list in one destination.

“The best thing about a bookshop at Christmas is that you can literally do all your shopping in one go,” says Mr Arnaudo. “We pride ourselves on having a full range to suit all ages, tastes, and interests. We have something for Mum, Granddad, your distant aunt-in-law, and the neighbour who you know will get you a present even though you weren’t planning on getting them one.”

As this popular local bookstore has an abundance of pages for all ages, Mr Arnaudo has no doubt that they have the perfect gift for everybody. Helpful staff can help you tick the items off your list or help you find the perfect read for your giftee.

The community-focused business ensures that even our littlest readers are catered to with the largest range of children’s books in the ACT. Dedicated to providing for young readers, the team works with schools and early learning centres in our region to keep up to date with the educational sphere. This means that when community members come in looking for a read for a child in their life, they will have options that are engaging and complementary to school teachings.

“The biggest difference between The Book Cow and sellers at shopping centres is that this small but mighty local bookstore is part of the ACT community,” Mr Arnaudo says. The Book Cow team see themselves as a family welcoming you into their loungeroom and care deeply about the community and their place in that space.

“Our profits stay right here in the ACT; we employ local Canberrans and put a high priority on providing the specialised and personal service you can’t get on the internet or at big chain stores,” he says.

More than a place to buy books, The Bow Cow is a hub for the community, hosting regular events to engage and connect people from around our region, such as author events and book clubs. Mr Arnaudo says that these gatherings provide opportunities for attendees to connect with like-minded individuals, engage in stimulating discussion and expand their literary horizons.

Fostering a sense of togetherness among book lovers and families is a core element of The Book Cow philosophy, nurturing the next generation of book lovers through their story time sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays (11am).

Situated in leafy Kingston, The Book Cow couldn’t be any further from the blaring overhead lights, concrete walls, and rushed shoppers of shopping centres. Aromas from nearby cafes welcome you, there’s an abundance of easy parking, and the vibe is relaxed and not at all rushed.

A day in Kingston transforms what could have been a school holiday shopping nightmare into an enjoyable experience, with the first stop being The Book Cow.

“You can make a day of it, start with story time before visiting the store and ticking off your gift list. Then, with your Christmas chores out of the way, enjoy a lunch or coffee at one of the local cafes before strolling around the Kingston precinct to check out other shops,” Mr Arnaudo says.

“With all the time you save doing your Christmas shopping, you can buy yourself a book, too!”

No need to wait for those pesky shipping times; when you buy a book at The Book Cow, you take it out of the store with you. Take the book home, wrap it for a gift or dive straight in. According to Mr Arnaudo, the convenience of leaving with your purchase is great for last-minute gift buying.

“The Book Cow offers instant gratification and saves you from the uncertainty and potential delays associated with online purchases,” he says.

Preparing for Christmas morning couldn’t be easier than with the collection of books and gifts that can be found at The Book Cow.

“Just imagine ticking off all your Christmas shopping in one shop … You’ll also be popular with the family thanks to the fantastic presents you got them,” he smiles.

To make Christmas shopping even simpler, Mr Arnaudo shares his top picks for this festive season: