10 Australian-made gifts that will be stocking stars this Christmas
PARTNER CONTENT: As we move into festive season more and more Australians are looking to find locally made gifts. Here are just a few of the quality gifts you could put under the tree.
As we move into festive season more and more Australians are looking to find locally made gifts.
We’ve uncovered a stocking stuffing amount of Australian-made products that will ensure you’re not only giving a quality gift, but you’ll know you are backing local jobs.
Bloke Soaps — Soaps, skincare and candles
This natural, cruelty-free soap and skincare collection may be named after different types of Aussie blokes, but the ladies love them too.Handcrafted on the NSW South Coast with “no fake stuff”, the range includes bar soaps infused with plant-based ingredients like lime, peppermint and Kakadu plum, along with face foam, hand cream, moisturisers and more. “My father and I have always loved handmade soaps, so we decided to put an Aussie spin on our own range of soaps and skincare,” said founder Will Kent.
blokesoaps.com.au
State of Escape — Meridian large tote
From a Sydney studio to the streets of Chile and Norway, these neoprene bags are making a global sustainability splash. The functional fashion accessories with rope handles are made to order and hand-cut to minimise waste. One range even features rubber made from oyster shells. “Manufacturing in Australia has always been fundamentally important to us,” said co-founder Brigitte MacGowan. “We collaborate daily with our makers - quality is always paramount - leaving nothing to chance.”
stateofescape.com
My Little Love Heart — Christmas baby gifts
Nothing says made in Australia quite like a bub sporting a kangaroo-print burp bib, or a Snugglepot headband. The eco-friendly range of baby gifts, stitched by a former wedding dress designer, can be bundled into a ‘build your own’ hamper. The Perth-based Colombian maker Luisa Figueroa was inspired to make her own baby range when her daughter was teething and suffering from reflux: “I couldn’t find products that were functional and stylish”.
mylittleloveheart.com.au
Paper & Bloom — Plantable cards: Daisy (left), Frida (right)
Calendars and cards that bloom into wildflowers? These are the gifts that truly give back. Perth-based Paper & Bloom makes plantable seed products and gift tags, with 1 per cent from every purchase donated to tree planting projects. “There is no Planet B, and Paper and Bloom is on a mission to shake up the Australian gifting industry,” said owner Sarah Rebut. paperandbloom.com.au
My NooK — Nook play sofa
Play sofas that turn into rockets, racing cars and UFOs? That’s got the kids’ attention. But parents are also fawning over these handmade modular sofas that come in ten pieces and are high quality, hardy and boast a top design award. “My husband and I started My NooK as we were looking for quality play furniture for our own children,” said co-founder Olivia Rudomino. “Prioritising Australian Made construction was a way that we could ensure a sustainable business generating jobs in our local community. We still work with the same local small businesses today that we started with back in 2020!”
mynook.com.au
LIEF toys — Ollie the koala
Not only do these cute critters put a smile on children’s dials, they are a tick for the planet. Made from merino wool felt, the kangaroos, koalas, platypuses, penguins and wombats are devoid of plastics, synthetic glue and harsh chemicals, and boast biodegradable stuffing.
Founder Karla Ortega Garcia said each piece was ethically made in Australia, “supporting local makers and embracing a circular economy”.
livinginfancyecofriendly.com.au
Elume Candles — Australian Escapes soy candles and reed diffusers
Whether it’s the Barossa Fig, Blue Mountains Mist or Daintree Lime, you’ll be transported to another place with these heavenly candles and diffusers. Husband and wife duo Mark and Joelle Lavender have been capturing the scents of Australia since 1999 after the business idea was brewed up in a coffee shop. Mr Lavender drew on his science background to create the candles, including developing the distinctive “snowflake effect” in the brand’s pillar range. “We’re proud to keep that Australian-made craftsmanship alive,” he said.
elume.com.au
Buttonworks — Australian Christmas tree
From gum tree trivets to carved Christmas ornaments, these durable wooden gifts celebrate Australia’s flora and fauna. A family of makers craft the collection from Australian timber including Tasmanian Oak, Jarrah, Blackwood and Myrtle - using sustainable materials and practices - on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. “As a family business we are committed to employ local people, prioritise local materials, work with like-minded suppliers and support the protection of our natural environment and native wildlife,” said one of the founders, Liza Murray-Clarkson. “Being an Australian made business allows us to keep that commitment.” buttonworks.com.au
Harrisson Australia — Tan leather belt
Make a sartorial statement with wallets, belts and accessories cut from locally sourced cowhide and kangaroo leather. With 50 years in leather making under their belt, the Bexley family is pushing back against mass-produced imports with their boutique, Melbourne-based brand. “All of our products are made by hand using traditional techniques and hand tools,” said director Jake Bexley. “This attention to detail produces a more refined and superior product.”
harrissonaustralia.com.au
Eco art and craft — Biodegradable product range
Slime, playdough, exploding volcano kits… kids have all the fun! Best of all, these art and craft supplies are made from vegetables, roots, flowers and seeds, so all the parents need to worry about is the mess. The couple behind the award-winning business is walking the walk, developing the range from their off grid, solar-powered forest home in the NSW Northern Rivers. “Our daughters’ love for craft led us to create safe, plant-based alternatives that nurture creativity while honouring the earth,” said co-owner Megan Townsend. ecoartandcraft.com
Maine Beach — Great Barrier Reef hand and body wash
Lather up in ligurian honey from Kangaroo island, or bathe in sea salts from the Great Barrier Reef. Maine Beach may be based among the vines and lavender in McLaren Flat, but the brand’s home fragrances and body care products reflect Australia’s most iconic regions. General manager Stanzee Treliving said the “hero botanical ingredients” were sourced directly from growers and producers to capture the “true essence of Australia”. mainebeach.com.au
This article is part of the Back Australia series, which is supported by Australian Made, Harvey Norman, Westpac, Bunnings, Coles, TechnologyOne, REA Group, Cadbury, R.M.Williams, Qantas, Vodafone and BHP.
