Best of the Gold Coast 2018: the best locally-made Christmas gifts to spoil your loved one
Do you know someone who loves the Gold Coast and wants to show it? Well these products that scream GC will make the perfect Christmas gift. SEE THE FULL LIST
Best of Gold Coast
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THINK global and act local this Christmas and you’ll do your community and environment good. Amber Macpherson has rounded up 10 gifts made right here on the Gold Coast.
Local love tees
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Here is one for the true locals. If your intended gift recipient is loud and proud about where they live, let them (tastefully) show off their postcode pride with a piece from The Undercurrent. Far from a tacky tourist souvenir, the clothing range manufactures edgy urban tees and tanks ($39 each) with iconic Gold Coast suburb motifs.
“Using local artists who have a real passion for the Gold Coast and having a local printer (in Yatala) means that locals have really got behind this brand,” founder Carly Snodgrass says.
The artists are handchosen for their long affiliations to their hoods — and it shows. There’s a nod to vintage neon on the Surfers Paradise design and some local beachy avenue names for Mermaid moochers.
True locals will appreciate the Hi Miami tagline, the grinning Cheshire cat on the Palmy tank and cool Cooly icons including a bush turkey for dyed-in-the-cotton southerners. (Fun fact: the Cooly tee is The Undercurrent’s most popular order.)
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Carly says they send a lot of their wares overseas to homesick locals in London and LA and the pieces are great presents for Gold Coasters who might have moved away or simply just love where they live.
The locales cover the old beachside suburbs from Surfers Paradise to Coolangatta with a generic “good vibes” Gold Coast design to cover all bases. (Perhaps you might also know someone who’d be just the person to rock the Pacific Fair tank?)
“Gold Coasters are so proud to wear their hearts on their sleeve — literally,” Carly says. Check the web for local stockists. Delivery for online orders is free and, in true local spirit, for every item sold, $2 is donated to Surf Life Saving Queensland.
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Green gifts
Do you know an aspiring green thumb who is a little neglectful? A plant from this Parkwood business could be perfect for them. A side project for university lecturer Susan Sullivan, kokedama are small houseplants grown in balls of moss and mud. “It’s a form of bonsai. Kokedama literally translates to “moss ball” (in Japanese),” Susan says. They’re ideal indoor house plants because they’re super easy to take care of and don’t require direct sunlight. Susan recommends her parlour palm or birds nest varieties as the most stress-free upkeep, both costing about $30 each. They can be ordered online.
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Caring chocolates
These are chocolates with added heart. Little Cocoa is a business based out of Southport that makes boxes of artisan praline chocolates for special occasions. Little Cocoa chocolatier Alicia Chapman says her festive sampler box is the perfect simple gesture gift. “We’re getting ready with a Christmas gift box,” Alicia says. “It has a mixture of all the flavours we’re doing, and Christmas flavours — we’ve got a cinnamon ganache and ginger nut, and I’m also doing a rum and raisin flavour.” A 12-pack of chocolates costs $33, and can be sent via post to Australian addresses or picked up from the commercial kitchen.
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Pretty pick-me-ups
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Rushing around at Christmas can leave our bodies crying out for caffeine and some pampering. Luckily, Broadbeach vegan skincare range Neek Skin Organics has released a gift pack that combines both called Lipstick and Latte. Buyers choose a double-walled stainless steel reusable cup that keeps your liquid hot for 12 hours (or cold for 24), then add one of Neek’s 12 lipstick shades. Owner Angelique Ahearn says the $44 present ticks all the boxes for its sustainability and practicality. “It reduces waste, it’s environmentally friendly, cruelty-free, gives you healthy lips and is perfect for your wine or coffee.”
Stylish sunnies
Throw some shade under the Christmas tree this year with Valley Eyewear. The sunglass and spectacle label is designed and made in Currumbin Valley by Michael and Tenielle Crawley. The statement eyewear comes in unisex or men’s and women’s styles, as well as a new range for children with blue-light protection. “Our most popular styles would be the Seylah ($219.99), which is a small cat eye frame, for the men’s the new one is the Prisoner ($219.99). Our bold shapes, our oversized silhouettes, they have their own distinct look. You can tell it’s our designs — they don’t look run of the mill, which is cool.”
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Bespoke jewellery
For a present as unique as your loved one, you can’t go past a piece of bespoke jewellery. Currumbin Valley’s Ribs and Dust hand makes rings, necklaces and bracelets in gold and silver, and the raw textures of each piece looks like it’s come straight from the smithing block. Jeweller and owner Simon Goodburn says he usually creates custom jewellery, but has a small range of pieces available to order. “Everything’s made from scratch,” he says. “The most popular things would be our molten gold band rings ($750). For the girls, we’ve got melted, molten metal disc pendants ($220-$450).”
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Darling dresses
No one is more full of beans than children on Christmas Day, and this clothing range is designed to withstand the rough-and-tumble. Former Hi-5 presenter and Gold Coaster Lauren Brant created Loliboli, a little girl’s dress range made for dance and play. The fabrics are made from sportswear materials so they’re breathable and durable, but still definitely adorable. “When I’d look down into the mosh pit of children, their clothing would be getting in the way and turning them into hot and bothered little people. With that realisation I created Loliboli — pretty dresses, perfect for play.” A unicorn, mermaid or fairy dress costs $69.
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Boutique brolly
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Imagine the countries that shiver through Christmas, no beach or barbecues or picnics in the park. If your loved one likes to savour the sunshine, pick them up a Boutique Brolly from The Salty Merchants. The vintage sun protectors are manufactured out of Coolangatta, inspired by the days when consumer products were made once and made right. They have a broad canopy at 185cm wide and stand at 210cm tall, but fold down to 120cm. Coming in pastel colours or bright prints, they’re totally instaworthy and get a big tick from Sun Mum. The umbrellas start at $179.95 each.
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Smarter swimwear
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Buy one pair of togs from Selkie Swimwear and they’ll never ask for another again. The Tweed Heads label is made from recycled nylon, a durable material that retains its shape for years to come. “Our swimsuits lasts up to five times longer than other swim labels,” Seklie co-founder Beth Neville says. “They hold their shape really well. They have a really great sun protection with UPF50+. They’re simple, you can wear it all day, it doesn’t move around in the water, it’s really ultra flattering.” The most popular items are the paddle suit and the dolphin suit, both $149.
Home-brewed beer
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A batch of beer is no lazy present when it comes from Burleigh Heads Black Hops. With four core craft ranges and a selection of limited-edition cans, you can choose the tipple that suits your giftee’s tastes. Owned and brewed by three mates out of Burleigh Heads, Black Hops likes to push the boundaries of brewing and flavour. You don’t need an adventurous streak to enjoy the signature Pale Ale, though — it’s a smooth blend of malted barley with tropical notes. The range is available in small or big name bottle shops around the Gold Coast, or you can order a 12-pack online for $59.
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