Many Canberrans are inspired to step up further and make a difference in their community at Christmas.

And the team from The Reindeer’s Retreat, in Narrabundah, have created the perfect opportunity to do that, whilst immersing yourself in the magic of Christmas.

They call it ‘Magic with Meaning’.

The Christmas experience store, open from October through December, is a self-funded social enterprise where visitors can purchase anything from themed decorations, including wreaths, garlands and bonbons, to unique gifts, jewellery, cards, and more.

It employs staff who may have survived domestic and family violence or who are living with neurodiverse or other medical conditions. The Reindeer’s Retreat provides its staff with a flexible environment sensitive to their needs and goals.

Owner Adele has also always loved Christmas and believes that everyone should have access to its joy.

“Since I was a child, Christmas has been about connection, community, and you know, the things, I’m sure, that a lot of people do, that whole ritual of decorating the tree, and the excitement,” she says.

In a fortunate twist of fate last year, Adele’s hairdresser knew that she needed to introduce her to another client, Pene!

And now with the store in its second year of successful operation, it’s clear why.

Not only did Pene’s 23-year-old daughter Ainsley become one of the store’s valuable retail and admin assistants, and an experienced ‘Elf’, but Pene is now employed as Store Manager year-round, as well as a Senior ‘Elf’ during the Christmas period.

“I was on board with Adele’s vision from the beginning,” Pene says.

Pene says that Ainsley, who lives with a neurodiverse condition, previously worked in retail environments where she often experienced discrimination and exclusion.

“But being here, she’s thrived, and I’m not sure she could have foreseen what she was capable of without it,” says Pene.

“Ainsley’s more confident, has made more friends, is making and selling her own jewellery and even running resin workshops.”

Ainsley’s resin workshop is one of 11 workshops available in the lead up to Christmas, all run by members of the team.

Pene, who started as a volunteer, said it was important to her that the store stayed open beyond Christmas for the team.

So, she offered to help Adele make that happen.

And this January, Christmas will once again be temporarily packed away, for the store to reopen in February as the ‘Goodie Locker’ gift store for the rest of the year.

Where, ‘Every product tells a story, and every purchase makes a change.’

Adele is proud of their purpose and team and says that because of this synergy, the store is doing well commercially.

Adele says that it is also important that the store stocks local and Australian-made products, including those produced by Australians with similar backgrounds to their staff.

“I believe that we can do good business and have a positive social impact, and that one doesn’t have to come at a cost to the other”, she says.

And it certainly seems so, with the business on track to becoming self-sustaining.

However, to continue to employ more staff and keep providing opportunities for them to use and develop their talents, Adele says they need more foot traffic.

“Our biggest challenge is that most people don’t know we exist!”.

So, if you want to make a difference this Christmas, Adele says that Canberrans don’t need to ‘donate’ to them.

“Our team don’t want handouts,” she says.

“Just visit the store and buy something.

“Take it to the counter, let my staff member get that experience, and that business or retail learning.”

Adele and Pene are delighted that two of their previous staff have ‘graduated’ from the store and are now pursuing further opportunities with the confidence and skills they acquired during their time at The Reindeer’s Retreat and Goodie Locker.

“This is what we want for all our staff if they wish.”

“Everything we do comes back to our brand … and to whether we are making a difference and having an impact.

But both Adele and Pene stress that The Reindeer Retreat also exists because they simply love Christmas.

“It’s just joyful,” they say unanimously.

The Reindeer’s Retreat is located at 45 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, with Sunday visits available by appointment and for workshops. For more information, visit reindeersretreat.com.au