What the Checkout Team is Buying for Christmas
This Christmas, give the gift of amazing hair, with a mask that promises to “reverse damage” for good.
These products are hand-picked by our team to help make shopping easier. We may receive payments from third parties for sharing this content and when you purchase through links in this article. Product prices and offer details are not assured, and should be confirmed independently with the retailer. Learn more
At news.com.au checkout, shopping isn’t just our job, it’s our passion. We can’t get enough of a good sale, plus if we love a product, we won’t stop raving about it.
Here we’ve rounded up all our favourite products that we’ve tried and tested lately – our top gift idea is the K18 Hair Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, the TikTok-viral beauty pick that’s designed to “reverse hair damage” and provide you with “incredible” results.
Who doesn’t want the gift of great hair on Christmas Day? We’ve spotted it on sale at Amazon right now for $75, down from $99.50.
Happy shopping!
WHAT THE NEWS.COM.AU CHECKOUT TEAM IS BUYING FOR CHRISTMAS
K18 Hair Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, $75 (down from $99.50) at Amazon Australia
“After 35 years of dyeing her long locks, my mum’s hair could do with a little bit of TLC. This year her only Christmas request was some haircare and you really can’t go past K18, the GOAT. It’s designed to reverse hair damage in just four minutes and has been clinically proven to help with damage from bleach, colour, chemical services and heat. Just what my mum needs. It’s definitely an expensive hair mask but if anyone deserves to treat themselves it’s our mums, right?” – Philippa Tonkin
Apple AirPods 4, $198 (down from $219) at Amazon Australia
”My boyfriend has spent the entire year without any form of wireless headphones and frankly, I am baffled at how he hasn’t lost his mind to boredom. So this year, I’m gifting him a long-awaited pair of Airpods, so he can finally head out on a walk with a little more available to his ears than just the sound of the breeze. Apple’s Airpods 4 are available with or without noise cancellation, so you can grab some Airpods at a more accessible price point if your loved one, like mine, isn’t interested in blocking out the sounds around them and just wants something that provides a crisp way to listen to music, a podcast, accept or decline calls or request something from Siri.” – Jessica Smith
Ordo Hydro Sonic Water Flosser in Rose Gold, $79.99 (down from $99.99) at Myer
”Let’s be real, nobody actually likes flossing. That’s where a water flosser comes in – honestly you’ll be shocked at how much comes out of your mouth when you use one of these things. I’ve been using a water flosser religiously for the past few years, and I think it makes the perfect Christmas gift because it’s something you don’t rush off to buy yourself. Give the gift of good oral hygiene! This one is also on sale for 20 per cent off and I’m lusting over this fabulous rose gold colour.” – Marina Tatas
NUTRIBULLET 900 Series in Matte Sand, $89 at The Good Guys
“I love making fruit smoothies in the mornings and my old smoothie maker has been on the way out for a while now. So this year, I put the Nutribullet 600 Series on my Christmas list and pointed my husband in the direction of the Good Guys website – I’m pretty sure it has been bought and now wrapped and under the tree. Can’t wait!” – Susannah Hardy
Wicked: Glinda Journal, $29.99 at Myer
”If you haven’t seen the big screen version of Wicked you’re seriously missing out on an excellent piece of cinema. I don’t normally like merch from movies and pop culture but this Wicked journal is the perfect gift for my sister, who has seen the film at least twice, and also watched the stage musical around six times and counting. The paper stock is really high quality, the cover design is really cute, plus there’s 240 ruled pages. I’m going to be a “popular” big brother this Christmas.” – Troy Nankervis
The Plotline Journal, $38.99 at The Plotline
“As someone who has been trying to journal regularly for the past few years with varying degrees of success, this is the gift that I’d love to receive. Perfect for the creative person in your life, this is no ordinary journal. It guides you to reimagine your life as a screenplay, putting you firmly as the main character in the story of your life. It’s such a fun way to write a diary and it’s helped me not only journal with consistency finally, but shift my mindset about what happens in my day. Why not do it for the plotline? Plus, it’s a beautifully bound notebook peppered with inspirational quotes throughout.” – Melody Teh
“I’m buying a case of wine from Naked Wines as a two-fer. After using up pretty much all my mental space planning presents, food, work, leave and fun I’ll have one thing I don’t have to think about – drinks – for me, for unexpected guests, to give as a gift. All chosen by someone else, an expert, so they should be good. Love this for me.” – Kara Byers
SVS x NALA Bundle – Top, Bra & Undie (Gee), $159 at NALA
“My guilty pleasure will always be nice lingerie and underwear. I’m the girl that needs to be wearing matching sets at all times, even if I’m the only one that knows it. In saying that, I’ve just found this gorgeous new leopard print at Nala and I can’t stop thinking about them. They’re wireless, seamless and free from harmful chemicals and toxins – need I say more? This set would make for a great Chrissie present for the lady in your life …” – Claudia Coy
Wreck This Journal, $19.54 (down from $22.99) at Amazon Australia
“This year, I’ll be giving my little sister a Wreck This Journal – it’s an oldie but a goodie that has recently become popular again due to TikTok. Being a teenager with very high screen time, she requested a gift that will keep her eyes off screens so this one is perfect. It’s filled with a variety of prompts and activities that encourage creativity and freedom, and the whole point of it is to not worry about it being perfect. It’s a fun and easy gift that anyone can enjoy!” – Harriet Amurao
SoundForm Play True Wireless Earbuds. $69.95 at Belkin
”This is the ultimate budget gift. I’ve always used over-ear headphones since earphones are usually too big so they fall and constantly and hurt my ears after a few minutes. These are comfortable, have amazing battery life, sound great and make a gloriously compact alternative to the big headphones. They’re perfect as a stocking stuffer and an easy affordable pressie that isn’t a shirt, candle or soap set.” – Tahnee-Jae Lopez-Vito
Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Gin 700ml, $78.90 (down from $91.90) at Barrel and Batch
“For the bougie loved one in your life who always has a well-stocked bar cart, you cannot go wrong with a premium bottle of the spirit of the moment: gin. This limited edition Grand Caberet gin by Hendrick’s is my pick. With a blend of stone fruits and botanicals, the gin tastes excellent neat, mixed with tonic for some refreshing G&Ts (a must in summer!) or as a base of many a cocktail.” – Melody Teh
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets, from $15.99 at LEGO
“I have a lot of kids to cater for in my family and most of them are at that age where LEGO is big. To avoid doubling up I’ve invested in a bunch of LEGO Creator 3-in-1 sets. What I love about them is that you can make three different models from each set. So even if they have it already, they can make one of the other two models instead.” – Stephanie Yip
Dyson Chitosan Post-style serum, $89 at Dyson
”Earlier this year, Dyson brought out its first ever range of haircare, and I think it would make a perfect Christmas gift for my mum. The Chitosan Post-Style serum is great for all hair types, and is designed to help with flexible, all-day hold without any unwanted crunch or residue. The rich formulation is also meant to help give you soft and shiny locks. How good!” – Marina Tatas
Nim Bucket Bag in BB Latte, $159 at Nim The Label
”This Christmas for my family Secret Santa I’m buying for my sister-in-law and I will be gifting her the ultra chic Nim The Label BB Latte bag paired with the matching Macrame Shopper. As a mum of two, it’s a great size for her to fit in some extra essentials and it’s also made out of 100 per cent EVA so can be wiped down super easily too. She also lives up the coast and I think the macramé shopper adds that super elevated beachy feel that will go with everything she wears. Honestly, this was by far the easiest present for me to buy this year.” – Philippa Tonkin
Tessa Sandal, $159 at Country Road
”I bought these for myself during the Black Friday sales and love them so much that’ll be buying a pair for my mum this Chrissie. They’re simple enough to work with most of your wardrobe, chic enough to add just the right amount of pop to a simple dress and comfy enough to wear on warm days that take you from the beach, to the bar to the backyard BBQ.” – Claudia Coy
Kinetic Sand, $19.99 at Amazon Australia
“I have three nephews and a niece all under five, and all they seem to want to do is make a mess. To make clean-up a bit easier, I’ve bought them a big band of kinetic sand. They can dig their hands into the funny feeling sand, make castles and have heaps of fun. Plus the clean up is a bit easier. Ticks all around!” – Rosalyn Fannin
Mia Napa Sandal, $136 at TKEES
”If you need to add just one more sandal to your wardrobe, it’s these. With a leather upper and insole, the simplicity and quality of these shoes make them a great staple in any wardrobe. I already own the cream pair but still have my eye on both the black and brown (Heatwave) and having worn them MANY times already, I can confirm that these would make a great gift.” – Claudia Coy
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