Stores were asked to decorate their store windows before Bendigo Advertiser readers voted online for their favourite display.

Almost 5500 votes were cast with Bill Wilkinson Optical winning the small business category and Myer winning the large business category.

More than 4200 votes were cast in the small business with Bill Wilkinson Optical getting 15.8 per cent of the vote.

Bill Wilkison Optical employee Jason Richter said optometrist Nicole was responsible for the store's festive atmosphere.

"She was mostly responsible for everything and decorated the shop and got the promo happening," he said.

"We have been spreading Christmas cheer right through the shop with Christmas music playing all week and getting the word out on social media."

Myer polled 57 per cent of the vote, ahead of Mulligrubs Play Centre which polled 30 per cent.

Myer store manager Shane Asbury said its theme resembled the one being displayed by Myer in the Bourke Street Mall in Melbourne.

"It's the first time in a long time we have had a Chritsmas window. The team was great and went and source their own decorations," he said.

"It's fairly simple and traditional and that's what drew people in I think.

"We tried to do the same thing as the Melbourne Myer with Santa and the three bears."

The competition also encouraged people to shop in Bendigo.

"From the moment we put the window display up we had people stopping," Mr Asbury said.

"Hopefully it happened at other stores as well and drove people into the shop rather than just walking past."

Kristy Rutter won the voter's prize.