Ultimate 2019 Christmas gift guide
There’s no time to waste trawling stores for presents with Christmas less than 48 hours away. Here’s 61 gifts perfect for every member of the family, including your furry friend.
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Christmas is almost here and with just a week until the man in red leaves gifts under your tree, many Australians are starting to scramble to get last-minute presents.
News Corp Australia has compiled 61 of the best gift ideas for every member of your family.
FOR HER – MUM, SISTER, PARTNER
KEEPCUP
Keep up-to-date with a fabulous grab from KeepCup. You can choose from the range of colours and cost between $14 to $155 — that is if you are getting the Star Wars Collector’s Box Set.
RRP: $14 to $155
WEBSITE: www.au.keepcup.com
BIRKENSTOCKS
Help the most loved woman in your life be trendy and comfortable at the same time by buying her a pair of Birkenstocks for Christmas. Just make sure you know her size first!
RRP: $60 to $360
WEBSITE: www.birkenstock.com.au
RE-USABLE WATER BOTTLES
Have your wonderful lady quench her thirst in the most eco-friendly way by gifting her a trendy re-usable bottle, which is composed of non-leaching and non-tocix 18/8 stainless steel. It is perfect for hot drinks as well as cold.
RRP: $25 to $45
WEBSITE: biome.com.au
SUSHI MASTERCLASS
Love sushi and know your partner or mother loves it too but you do not know how to make it? Sign up to a sushi and sashimi masterclass through Red Balloon. While this gift is Sydney-based, there are options to changing locations and finding classes in your area.
RRP: $99 per person
WEBSITE: www.redballoon.com.au
CANDLES
How about a present on the sweeter side of things? The beautifully crafted Yankee Candle Elevation Collaction features a sophisticated mix of complex and nuanced fragrances in soft décor-friendly colours, containing multiple wicks to allow for an even burn. With a sophisticated look, premium fragrances and on-trend colour pallet, the candles are fit for any occasion.
RRP: $49.99 to $59.99
WEBSITE: www.yankeecandle.com or www.amazon.com.au
MANICURE/PEDICURE
What better way to show the woman you love you care about her needs and nails by gifting her a pampering session – booking her in for a manicure or pedicure – at a nearby salon. Regardless of where you live, there are a range of deals on Groupon in many locations nationwide. They vary in price and type too, meaning you will most likely never get the same deal twice.
RRP: $15 to $50
WEBSITE: www.groupon.com.au
ACTIVE WEAR
She is one of Australia’s most influential personal trainers, and now your partner, mother or even friend can work out in the active wear Michelle Bridges swears by. The TV personality’s fitness brand is readily accessible at all Big W outlets, meaning it’s not too pricey to get or have the latest sporting tights, shorts, sports bras, shirts and equipment. The MB Active by Michelle Bridges line costs between $4 and $50.
RRP: $4 to $50
WEBSITE: www.bigw.com.au
BOOKS
• Dervla McTiernan’s The Ruin or The Scholar are great reads for somebody who is a crime-lover at heart. They cost $24.99 each and really have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
RRP: $24.99
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
• Nicola Moriarty’s The Fifth Letter is a top 10 bestseller and great choice for a Christmas gift. The book is about four friends, five letters and one big secret, and looks at the bonds of women’s friendship groups and the loyalty and honesty they demand along the way.
RRP: $19.99
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
• Get your hands on the Taste Top 100 SUMMER FRESH cookbook.
The book, from Australia’s No. 1 food site, taste.com.au, features 100 recipes including easy dinners, brunches, super salads and desserts.
RRP: $34.99
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
MAKEUP BRUSHES
Know your mum, partner or friend has been wanting makeup brushes for Christmas but you are not too sure which type? Check out Sephora’s Zoeva Vegan Brush Set. Inside it has eight high-quality brushes for eyes and face, which are made exclusively of synthetic hair.
RRP: $130
WEBSITE: www.sephora.com.au
PERFUME
Giorgio Armani’s limited edition Si Passione Red Maestro is a fantastic gift for women who like a floral fruity fragrance, with key notes of blackcurrant, rose and vanilla. There are two bottle sizes to choose from. But if that doesn’t take your fancy Chemist Warehouse as a range of scents on offer.
RRP: $149 to $209
WEBSITE: www.chemistwarehouse.com.au
SUCCULENTS
Take a walk on the wild side and gift your loved one a succulent they can take care of and cherish forever. They come in a range of colours and sizes, and are suited to many types of living conditions. Succulents can be purchased around the country – all you have to do is look for your nearest Bunnings.
RRP: $20 to $215
WEBSITE: www.bunnings.com.au
If you know your mum, sister or partner has been extra nice this year, extend the Christmas budget and get her a gift she will never forget. The Nverfull Louise Vuitton bag is a choice like no other, but there are many beautiful designer bags to choose from – depending on the type of woman she is.
RRP: $1590 to $2130
WEBSITE: www.au.louisvuitton.com/eng-au/homepage
FOR HIM – DAD, BROTHER, PARTNER
SPECIAL SOCKS
Socks looking a little glum for your hubby, dad or even brother this Christmas? Spruce them up by choosing quirky patterns at colours at Happy Socks. The team has a pattern for every type of occasion, such as snow men for Christmas, checkers for confidence and cats for animal lovers.
RRP: $13 to $120
WEBSITE: www.happysocks.com
BOARD SHORTS
Keep your hubby, dad or even brother on the latest trends in the board shorts world by investing a few dollars into new swimming threads at Kmart. One set or two won’t put too much stress on your pocket, so get him a few patterns to choose from. Prices start at $5.
RRP: $5 to $15
WEBSITE: www.kmart.com.au
KAYO SPORTS SUBSCRIPTION
Stream over 50 sports Live and On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV, computer, mobile or tablet. All it costs is just $25/month and has no lock-in contract. Get your 14-day free trial and start streaming instantly.
RRP: $25 P/M
WEBSITE: www.kayosports.com.au
AIRPOD CASE
Know Apple Airpods are your loved one’s pride and joy? Get them a leather case to protect them in the long run. You have four colours to choose from and do not have to worry about going out of your way to get them – just head to your nearest Apple outlet or order them online.
RRP: $79.99
WEBSITE: www.apple.com.au
BOARD GAME
Celebrate the golden age of video rental with a Blockbuster board game. It boasts questions about movies we all know and love – featuring two teams racing against the buzzer. The aim of the game is to get each team to describe their selected movies by acting, making up quotes and describing it with words.
RRP: $25
WEBSITE: www.kmart.com.au
STAR WARS
Is your hubby, dad or even brother a Star Wars lover? This one is for you. Whether you fancy featuring them all as a bespoke wall art feature, or serving up a delicious dinner to your guests on them, the historic take on a much-loved favourite will have the whole room talking. Each set contains four melamine plates featuring Lord Vadersworth, Baron von Three PO, Chancellor Chewman and Sir Yodington. May the forks be with you!
RRP: $39.95
WEBSITE: www.lalalandshop.com.au
WIRELESS CHARGER
Keep calm and charge on. That’s the message you should be sending your loved one, especially if they are a tech nerd or guru. Nomad’s Base Station charger is portable and the type of gift all will enjoy.
RRP: $99.95
WEBSITE: www.hellonomad.com
PATRON
Does the one you love like the finer taste of things in life? Gift him a beautiful bottle of Patron. There are a number of flavours to appreciate – from the soft and light tequila in Patron Silver ($89.99) to smooth and distinctive-tasting tequila in the Patron Añejo ($124.99). You can even gift him a limited-production Gran Parton Burdeos ($799.99). The añejo tequila
is twice distilled and aged for a minimum of 12 months in used American oak barrels.
RRP: $89.99 to $799.99
WEBSITE: www.firstchoiceliquor.com.au or www.danmurphys.com.au
FOXEL + NETFLIX SUBSCRIPTION
Foxtel currently has a Sports HD and Netflix offer that ends December 24. For $58 a month, customers can get access to more than 50 sports in HD, a Netflix standard plan, no iQ4 set up costs or installation fees and you can stream with the Foxtel Go App.
There are lots of other bundles to choose from, depending on what you enjoy watching.
For more News Corp subscriptions, you can check out deals for our papers and magazines too.
WATERPROOF KINDLE
Know the man in your life is a bit of a bookworm? Get him the thinnest, lightest Paperwhite Kindle yet, which is also waterproof – meaning you can take it to the beach, use it next to the pool or even in the bath.
RRP: $169
WEBSITE: www.jbhifi.com.au
BEER BREWING
If the man in your life loves a good beer, book him in to learn how to brew it at home. Spots are open for a brewing course in Sydney, which showcases the entire process of brewing five-litre batches at home. There will be plenty of tasting and talk on the day. If you or your loved one is not based in Sydney, check out your nearest brewing options online.
RRP: $95
WEBSITE: www.cornersmith.com.au
BRANDY
To mark the 10th anniversary, revered artisanal distillery Bass & Flinders Distillery (B & F) has launched a limited-edition French-Australian brandy blend, in collaboration with renowned French Cognac house, Normandin-Mercier (N-M). The specially curated blend of B & F Chardonnay-based brandy with N-M Petite Champagne cognac would be a great gift to give this Christmas, as the single-release is the world’s first French-Australian brandy blend.
RRP: $250
WEBSITE: www.bassandflindersdistillery.com
BOOKS
• Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe. It is a best-selling novel that has taken Australia, and the world, by storm. It is a Book of the Year winner and is based on a story of brotherhood, true love and friendships.
RRP: $19.99
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
• Bernard Cornwell’s Sword of Kings. It is the twelfth instalment of Bernard Cornwell’s New York Times best-selling series chronicling the epic saga of the making of England – set in 10th-century England.
RRP: $9.99
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
FRAGRANCE
Tom Ford’s Ombre Leather fragrance is the gift that keeps on giving and will keep the man in your life fresh all year round.
RRP: $260
WEBSITE: www.davidjones.com
GRANDPARENTS
CHRISTMAS CAKE
If your loved ones are not wanting to do presents this year, take over a Lions Australia Christmas cake during your visit. It’s a simple gift which has helped Lions Australia raise more than $60 million for the organisation and selected charities since first being sold in 1965. While it can mainly be picked up from nearby Lions Clubs and those participating nationwide, it can also be purchased through state co-ordinators listed on the Lions website.
RRP: $2 to $17
WEBSITE: www.lionsclubs.org.au
HOT AIR BALLOONING
Gift the experience of seeing a sunrise on a hot-air balloon flight over the Hunter Valley this Christmas. It is the perfect experience for two and includes a an la carte breakfast, one hour air balloon ride and glass of sparkling wine for each person.
RRP: $558
WEBSITE: www.redballoon.com.au
DNA KIT
Give the gift of figuring out exactly where you are from and who your relatives are. The AncestryDNA kit will be unforgettable and the type of gift that will bring knowledge to the whole family.
RRP: $89
WEBSITE: www.ancestry.com.au
PENGUIN PARADE
Not sure about the type of gift to get your loved ones? Buy them an experience they will never forget. Whether you are based in Victoria or not, checking out the penguin parade on Phillip Island is always an exciting thing to do. Tickets are very cheap – starting from $13.20 per child and up to $175 for a family underground viewing session – so you may want to look at flights and accommodation too.
RRP: $13.20 per child to $175 for a family underground viewing session
WEBSITE: www.penguins.org.au
WHALE WATCHING
Book your grandparents an adventure to go whale watching on Sydney Harbour. It will be the type of gift they will never forget, and one you could even take part in too if you felt like it.
RRP: $56 to $87
WEBSITE: www.whalewatchingsydney.com.au
DYSON
As the bushfires have recently sparked a rise in the sale of air purifiers, the Dyson Hot+Cool Fan Heater is expensive but is also one of the most popular on the market.
RRP: $399 to $899
WEBSITE: www.harveynorman.com.au
ELTON JOHN TICKETS
If your parents or grandparents are a fan of Elton John, buy them tickets to his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. Tickets are limited but are still available in certain areas, including Queensland and Victoria.
RRP: $139 to $1400
WEBSITE: www.ticketmaster.com.au
SNORKELLING
Treat your parents or grandparents to the beauty of life under the sea by booking them in for a snorkling session. While this offer will get them up close and personal to marine life at Tangalooma, there will be plenty of deals around the country – all you have to do is look. If you are feeling extra generous this Christmas and your parents or grandparents live out of town, book them flights too.
RRP: $25 to $59
WEBSITE: www.tangalooma.com
SLEEPWEAR
Peter Alexander is the perfect speciality sleepwear brand to get your loved ones this Christmas. They cater for men, women, kids and all types of body shapes.
RRP: $10 to $200
WEBSITE: www.peteralexander.com.au
KIDS
PAW PATROL CONSTRUCTION TRUCK
Tackle big rescue missions and save the day with the Ultimate Rescue Construction Truck. Equipped with lights and sounds, front and side scoop for heavy object and rubble pick-up, a dump bed to carry the load and a height adjustable swinging wrecking ball ready to knock down any obstacle that gets in the way.
RRP: $55.20
WEBSITE: www.bigw.com.au
COSTUMES
• No matter if you are a Woody or Buzz fan, CostumeBox is offering your child the opportunity to be both Disney characters this Christmas. The costume comes with a brown cowboy hat for Woody and a purple snood for Buzz so if one of them gets tired, change the hat, simply reverse the costume and jump into a different role.
RRP: $79.99
WEBSITE: www.costumebox.com.au
• This costume is perfect for any child who dreams of saving the world from evil villains and protecting their city. This authentic Spider-Man costume is a hit at dress up parties and allows kids to become their favourite hero film character in just minutes. The Spider-Man costume also comes with the matching, digitally printed snood with mesh eye coverings.
RRP: $49.99
WEBSITE: www.costumebox.com.au
• Elsa is back and CostumeBox is offering your child the chance to transform into Disney’s most popular ice princess with this beautiful costume. The dress is blue fading to lavender and features a printed mock light blue belt around the waist with silver trim and decorated with silver diamantés. The detachable cape that comes with the costume will certainly make your loved one feel like a true queen this Christmas and at any dress up party.
RRP: $51.99
WEBSITE: www.costumebox.com.au
• Encourage your child to embrace their inner Poppy from the movie ‘Trolls’ this Christmas and bring a little colour to the next dress up party. The costume features a velvet like texture on the top half and the bottom lined with shimmery blue tulle so your daughter will feel like a true princess. The costume also has a blue glitter spade design on the hemline, as well as Poppy’s signature tall pink troll hair, not to be missed at any costume party or event.
RRP: $59.99
WEBSITE: www.costumebox.com.au
STOCKING FILLERS
• Dominoes and Pick up Sticks – family classics that will provide fun for everyone. The wooden games are a great stocking filler for kids of all ages.
RRP: $9.95 each
WEBSITE: www.isgift.com
• Fill the kids stockings with bubbles you cannot only look at but touch. This is a great small gift to keep the kids entertained for hours.
RRP: $6.50
WEBSITE: www.isgift.com
TABLE CROQUET
Forget sweating outside in the heat to play croquet – now you can play it indoors with this mini version of Classic Tabletop Croquet.
RRP: $9.99
WEBSITE: www.yellowoctopus.com.au
BOOK
Sunday Herald Sun cartoonist Mitchell Toy spent years developing The Midnight Tram, in which a boy hops on to a tram at midnight and encounters a range of colourful characters and adventures. The book features Melbourne’s landmarks, such as the MCG, the GPO building, the Manchester United building, Princes Bridge and St Kilda’s Luna Park – and it is a great gift for little ones.
RRP: $24.95
WEBSITE: www.midnighttram.com
GIANT JENGA
Get the kids out of your hair with a Giant Jenga game. It can be played by kids of all ages, including those who are not technically kids anymore.
RRP: $168
WEBSITE: www.fishpond.com.au
OWLEEZ
Remember what it was like having a Furby as a kid? Now your child can have a toy similar too by buying them an Owleez. It is an interactive toy that flies and responds to touch.
RRP: $69
WEBSITE: www.target.com.au
APPLE AIRPODS
Has your child been extra nice this year? Reward them with something super special, like upgrading their headphones to Apple AirPods this Christmas. They are wireless and easy to use.
RRP: $249
WEBSITE: www.apple.com
NEW SHOES
Running out of options for what to get your little one at Christmas? How about a new pair of Converse. They will get a heap of use out of them throughout the year – so really, you are planning ahead – and they go with a range of outfits too, depending on the colour and style you opt for.
RRP: $40 to $80
WEBSITE: www.converse.com.au
LAST MINUTE
SCRATCHIES
Any Australian would know how great receiving a scratchie on Christmas, or even their birthday, is. It’s exciting, even if the scratchie or lotto ticket is cheaper than a coffee. It’s great to put with a card and a nice last minute buy for any member of the family.
RRP: $1 to $20
WEBSITE: www.thelott.com
Young Waverley man thanks Secret Santa for $10,000 Instant Scratch-Its win
— the Lott (@theLott) December 10, 2019
STORY: https://t.co/T8zD5nwahY#gambleresponsibly Gamblers Help 1800 858 858
BOOKS
• Help your loved ones sort out their relationship with money for good by gifting them Scott Pape’s The Barefoot Investor. It will help them create an entire financial plan so simple that it will help them to manage their money in 10 minutes a week.
RRP: $22.50
WEBSITE: www.booktopia.com.au
• From the lessons of a high-performance athlete’s career to appreciating the small things in life, Ellyse Perry’s book, Perspective, features stories and reflections from her childhood and career on the themes of dreaming, belief, work, resilience, appreciation, opportunity, balance and perseverance – and their importance in everything we do.
RRP: $16.99
WEBSITE: www.harpercollins.com.au
• Australia’s First Families of Wine is about eleven of Australia’s oldest and most respected family-owned, multi-generational wineries and the contribution they have made to the industry past and present. Written writer and journalist Richard Allen, with captivating photography by Kim Baker, Australia’s First Families of Wine celebrates iconic and important wine families and the vineyards and businesses they have built.
RRP: $69.99
WEBSITE: www.mup.com.au
PORTABLE SPEAKERS
Get the Christmas tunes flowing early on in celebration of finding the perfect last-minute buy with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom Two. They come in a range of colours and are a great choice for all age groups.
RRP: $99
WEBSITE: www.thegoodguys.com.au
BRIDGE CLIMB
Explore one of Brisbane’s most iconic landmark, even if you are not a Brisbane-ite yourself, and book in to climb the Story Bridge. It also makes a great last-minute gift as you can book far in advance and choose the trek that best suits you or the person you are buying for. You can also book into to climb bridges in other cities as well.
RRP: $188 to $403
WEBSITE: www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au or – for Sydneysiders wanting to climb the Harbour Bridge – www.bridgeclimb.com
FESTIVAL TICKETS
Not sure about what to get your loved one for Christmas? How about a Falls Festival or Bluefest 2020 ticket? There is a range of great gigs to go to, especially in the new year. All you have to do is find out what genre your loved one loves and book them in advance.
RRP: Tickets start from $49.99, depending on what festival or concert you book.
WEBSITE: www.moshtix.com.au
GYM MEMBERSHIP
Overheard your loved one wanting to start workout to get rid of the extra Christmas kilos? Sign them up to their nearest gym, just like Fitness First. There a range of memberships and specials on offer – all you have to do is call up and ask.
RRP: Prices start at $20 a week, depending on the length of membership and gym you look at
WEBSITE: www.fitnessfirst.com.au
APPLE WATCH
Keep up-to-date with a smart watch that keeps note of your heart rate and sends notifications. It is water resistant and has GPS, and it can be customised to the individuals needs – maybe they swim or workout, or want a certain look. Apple’s newest series five watch has it all.
RRP: $649 to $1259
WEBSITE: www.apple.com
MOVIE TICKETS
Still unsure about what kind of gift you want to get? How about a giftcard for movie tickets. They allow the recipient the freedom to decide on the movie they want to see, as well as their location and time.
RRP: $50 to $200
WEBSITE: www.hoyts.com.au or www.eventcinemas.com.au
PETS
DOG BED
Any animal lover will tell you that their pet’s happiness is their happiness. This year, spoil the
fur babies with a comfy yet chic bed from Happy Tails’ range of pet accessories. The Adventure Dog Bed is the perfect present for a tired pooch after a day of merriment. It’s
waterproof fabric makes it ideal for the outdoors, while its removable fabric make for easy cleaning and airing.
RRP: $5 to $75, depending on the Happy Tails’ bed you choose
WEBSITE: www.bunnings.com.au
TRAINING PUZZLES
Gifting your beloved pooch an interactive puzzle game will keep them entertained and mentally stimulated. They come in a variety of types, sizes and levels for your canine friends, which start from as little as $9.45.
RRP: $9.45 to $49.95
WEBSITE: www.dogtrainingproducts.com.au
CAT TUNNEL
Sometimes, the best kinds of toys are the simple ones. Such is the case with the All For Paws (AFP) Classic Comfort Cat Crinkle Tunnel, a toy designed to be a wonder of suspense for your cat. Made of strong canvas that gives it strength on the outside, the inside is an entirely new world of soft plush that cushions your cat as they play around.
RRP: $30.99
WEBSITE: www.mypetwarehouse.com.au
MATCHING BANDANA
Want to make sure your four-legged friend looks super adorable this festive season? Get him or her a tie or bandana, which you can match and put in your hair too. Prices start from as little as $9 at the NSW business.
RRP: $9 to $52
WEBSITE: www.dapperdorable.com
BOOK
Gift your beloved canine or cat friend a book in which they star in. Petlandia is the perfect way to show your love for your four-legged family member. You can personalise messages inside and even choose the adventure they go on.
RRP: $39.99
WEBSITE: www.petlandia.com
Originally published as Ultimate 2019 Christmas gift guide
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