There’s never been more choice when it comes to Christmas gifting. To help you cut through the noise of the festive season, we’ve done the hard work and handpicked the best Christmas presents on offer this year, no matter what they’re into – from the fashion lover to the fitness obsessive and everyone in between.
The best Christmas gifts for fashion and beauty lovers
Fluff lip oil in original tint, $53
A good lip product is a beauty essential and no one makes them cuter than homegrown brand Fluff. The lip oil ($53) is nourishing, made with natural vegan ingredients with a subtle shine for daily use, and it can also be applied to eyelids and cheeks for a hint of colour. It comes packaged in the brand’s signature refillable cloud compact that’s so cute they won’t want to hide it away in their handbag. Available in six shades, pictured above in original tint.
NN07 “Hank” open collar shirt rosin, from Maple Store, $240
A nice button-up collared shirt never goes unappreciated. If you are after a gift for someone who isn’t afraid to stand out give them the Hank open-collar shirt ($240) from Copenhagen menswear brand NN07. The boxy and oversized fit is universally flattering, perfect from day to night this summer.
Em Mulholland on Holiday “Rather Be” cap in lemon, $60
Can’t financially afford to gift them a holiday this year? Why not a bold hat with a relatable statement? Australian brand Em Mulholland on Holiday’s embroidered “I’d Rather Be On Holiday” cap ($60) in lemon is youthful, fun and the perfect year-round outfit essential. No need to worry about sizing as one size fits most.
Lusso Cloud scenario slide in sage, from Up There Store, $130
Lusso Cloud scenario slides ($130) are like the cooler, grown-up cousin to the Croc. These lightweight and flexible shoes are made from partially recycled EVA plastic making them good for beach days, post-workout and everyday casual wear. The grooved outsole provides traction with every step, even on wet surfaces. Available in various colours, pictured in sage.
Salt and Stone santal and vetiver natural deodorant, $33
Gifting someone just any old deodorant is a sure way to ruin Christmas. However, all will be understood the second they get a whiff of Salt and Stone’s santal and vetiver natural deodorant ($33). The gender-neutral scent is extra strength, formulated for 24-hour wear and features hyaluronic acid to moisturise the skin. The fragrance is so good they will want to skip perfume.
Dyson Airstrait straightener in Strawberry Bronze, $749
Dyson never ceases to amaze with its innovative haircare technology, and the Airstrait Straightener ($749) is no exception. The two-in-one blow-dryer and hair straightener combo promises to take hair from wet to dry in 25 per cent less time, leaving you with frizz-free styled hair only using air. The Strawberry Bronze colourway is a special edition.
Gabriele Frantzen weekender bag in safari mix, from Lee Mathews, $549
The Gabriele Frantzen weekender bag in safari mix ($429) is the perfect everyday tote. Hand-crocheted by artisans in Madagascar from 100 per cent raffia. It’s available in other colours and designs. The very roomy bag (at 51 by 40 centimetres) is a great beach, market or shopping companion.
Ruby “Marnie” maxi dress, $282
Buying clothes for someone else can be a gamble but this chocolate brown dress from New Zealand clothing brand Ruby is a sure win. The Marnie maxi dress is made from organic cotton and features ruched straps, flattering bust details and an A-line gathered skirt in this season’s trendiest colour. The best part? It has pockets. Available in sizes four to 20.
For the eco-conscious fashion lover, look to Melbourne brand Par Moi which creates made-to-order pieces handmade from dead stock. The Chatter earrings ($89) are a stainless-steel flower pendant with gold-plated sterling silver huggies. The mixed metals are the best of both worlds and take away the pressure to guess if your giftee prefers gold or silver. This particular style is ready to ship.
The best Christmas gifts for foodies
A Fish for All Seasons by Sydney Fish Market, $59.95
Sydney Fish Market is on a mission to change how Australians enjoy seafood with its first-ever cookbook, A Fish For All Seasons ($59.95). The book shines a light on 35 overlooked and underappreciated seafood species. Alongside 70 seafood recipes, complete with substitutes, and tips on how to buy and prepare the meal, you’ll find 29 recipes for salads, sides and sauces.
Although washing up is the least exciting part of the cooking process, it still needs to be done, so make the chore more enjoyable. High-end personal and home fragrance brand Diptyque’s dishwashing liquid with orange blossom ($68) is 500mls of the best-smelling dish-washing liquid in a reusable glass bottle.
Robert Gordon Set of 4 Measuring Spoons, $40 and Set of 4 Measuring Cups, $55
If you are lucky enough to have an extraordinary baker in your life who also happens to love cute things, be sure to give them these stoneware measuring spoons ($40) and measuring cups ($55) from Robert Gordon’s flower market collection. If you’re lucky, they might bake you a gift in return.
Food for Everyone Salt and Vinegar Fish by Ken Done and Josh Niland A2, $130
For the person desperate to make a reservation at Sydney’s Saint Peter, get this Food For Everyone Salt and Vinegar Fish poster is a perfect present. The print is available in A2 ($130) and A3 ($100) sizes and is a collaboration between iconic Australian artist Ken Done and iconic Australian chef and restaurateur Josh Niland. The limited edition poster is made entirely from recycled coffee cups and purchasing one poster provides ten meals to charity SecondBite.
Bespoke Letterpress Heirloom Recipe Book, $53
Bespoke Letterpress’ heirloom recipe book journal ($53) is the perfect gift for the sentimental chef or baker in your life to write down all their favourite creations that can eventually be passed down the family tree. You could even start them off by sharing a recipe of your own. The book contains a kitchen reflections section, a contents page, 90 pages for recipes and a reference chart for recipe conversions. Available in 11 colours and optional foil monogramming ($20).
The Store Pavlova T-Shirt, $55
What better way to announce your love of food to the world than by wearing it? This Good Food pavlova recipe T-shirt ($55) gets extra gift-giving points this Chrissy for being festive. The unisex shirt, made from 100 per cent combed cotton jersey, is extra sweet with a dollar from every purchase going to Two Good Co, a charity supporting women experiencing homelessness, domestic violence and trauma.
Tasteology Oyster Shucking Knife, $39 and Cocktail Fork, $19
We all know that one person who is obsessed with slurping back oysters. Speak their language with a Tasteology Handmade oyster shucking knife ($39) with a resin handle and stainless-steel base. If you are feeling particularly generous pair it with the matching Tasteology cocktail fork ($19). Available in emerald (as pictured above), taupe and monochrome.
The best Christmas gifts for the men in your life
We all know a man who deserves to experience the comfort of wearing good-quality undies. Treat him this Christmas to a pair of Step One’s best-selling boxer briefs ($35). They are made from bamboo viscose, a silky material good for wicking away moisture. Available in various original colours and limited edition prints.
Saarde nutcracker, $69
Elevate even simple tasks in his life, like cracking nuts. Saarde nutcracker ($69) is handcrafted from natural olive wood that is durable and non-porous. Finish off the gift by pairing it with a 500g bag of Australian mixed nuts in shells ($9) from the Nut Shop.
Wavelength, $50
Get inside his mind these holidays with the social guessing board game Wavelength ($50) which has taken over TikTok. Players take turns rotating the dial and work together to decide where the clue falls on the spectrum. The party game is suitable for two to 12 players.
GoPro Hero, $350
Need a gift for a man who just can’t stay still? For the adventurous kind, look no further than a GoPro Hero ($350), with a $170 12-month app subscription, if you’re feeling generous. No matter his activity of choice, the camera can take 4K video and 12-megapixel photos and is waterproof up to 16ft. The Hero is small and light by design, making it easy to use on action-packed adventures or capturing the family holiday.
Leatherman Wingman multi-tool, $170
For the handyman, give the gift of never being without his tools with the Leatherman Wingman multi-tool ($170). The multi-tool combines 14 tools into one, including pliers, screwdriver, bottle opener and scissors. When folded the stainless-steel tool is 10cm so it’s easily slipped into a pocket and ready for anything.
Sarah and Sebastian Tactile silver ring, $380
If your man likes the finer things in life, treat him to something with a little sparkle this year. Australian brand Sarah and Sebastian have a great range of men’s jewellery, like the Tactile ring in silver ($380). The handcrafted sterling silver piece is perfect for everyday wear.
The best Christmas gifts for outdoors and fitness lovers
On Cloudsurfer Next running shoes, $250
Swiss brand On’s sneakers are a popular choice among amateur and serious runners right now. While they have a range of styles to suit different activities, their Cloudsurfer Next running shoes ($250) are a practical option for every day. They feature an extra cushioned sole for comfort and a lightweight breathable upper for summer.
Nimble Activewear Sweat to Splash Short, $79
These Sweat to Splash shorts from Nimble Activewear ($79) are purpose built for the person in your life training for a triathlon or who likes to take a post-swim dip. They’re made from recycled plastic bottles and are quick-drying and fully lined so they won’t go see-through when wet. Available in three different colours.
TriggerPoint SK2 Contour Stick from Rebel Sport, $60
This Contour Stick from TriggerPoint ($60) is a handy tool for runners, climbers or gym junkies. It works a bit like a foam roller or massage ball, helping to sooth sore muscles and speed up recovery. Unlike a foam roller, the flexible design means it’s easier to travel with, and is a good option for those who have trouble getting down on the ground.
Zorali AeroGlow Pump, $70
For the habitual camper in your life, this nifty device from Australian outdoors brand Zorali ($70) is a lantern, vacuum pump and air pump all in one. At 96 grams, it’s lightweight and offers 25 minutes of pumping life or up to 10 hours of illumination for bedtime reading.
Audible membership, from $16
Give them something to listen to while they’re training for their next marathon. An Audible membership gives them access to a whole library of audiobooks and podcasts, whether they’re into self-help, biography or true crime. Prices start at $16 for one month of listening. Alternatively, you can choose to gift a specific Audible book.
For the protein shake obsessed person in your life, get them this blender from Ninja ($80). The design enables you to blend in the drinking cup, which comes with a lid for easy transportation, while its powerful blades can crush ice and frozen fruit easily.
Atollo Printshop Roland Garros 1988 poster, from $55
This vintage-inspired Roland Garros 1988 poster is a nice gift for the tennis lover in your life. Made by Melbourne print shop Atollo, art is printed on thick museum quality paper, with prices starting at $55 and a choice of different sizes and frames.
Vibram Five Fingers, from $179
We wrote about the rise of this “barefoot” shoe, and its incursion into the fashion world, earlier this year. But whether it’s fashion or function they care about, Vibram’s Five Fingers (from $179) are ultra-comfortable and great for everyday wear, hiking or running. There is a range of colours and styles to choose from, with different options depending on their needs.
The best Christmas gifts for expecting and new parents
Brillo Beauty The Pregnancy Trio, $117
This Pregnancy Trio ($117) from Australian brand Brillo Beauty is a thoughtful gift for expecting or new mums that they can continue to use once baby comes. The kit includes a body butter and body oil – both great for hydrating and nourishing changing skin – and a magnesium spray to soothe achy muscles and help with sleep. All products are vegan, Australian made, pregnancy safe and come in a neat little toiletries bag.
First Aid Course, various
Credit: Getty Images
A first aid course is a thoughtful and helpful gift for new parents in your life. There is a range of course options, both online and in person, on offer around Australia, including:
- Tiny Hearts, online ($150) or in person ($210: Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Geelong and Canberra).
- CPR Kids, online ($89) or in person (from $160: Sydney and Brisbane).
Due Belly Flop Pregnancy Pillow, $139.95
A good night’s sleep is important for everyone, but especially if you’re pregnant. This cosy pillow from The Memo’s recently launched brand Due ($139.95) can help them get comfortable, whether they’re in bed, on the couch or in the car. And once the baby arrives, it can be used for breastfeeding support.
Dinner Ladies voucher, various
One of the best and most helpful things you can do for new parents is to take the stress and mental load of meal preparation off their plates. It’s always a nice idea to prepare some homemade meals to fill their freezer up with, but barring that, a Dinner Ladies voucher is the next best thing. All their meals are handmade and snap frozen, with a rotating menu of meals and snacks to choose from. The Sydney-founded company now services Victoria, Queensland, the Australian Capital Territory and South Australia.
The best Christmas gifts for arts and culture lovers
Fritz Hansen Ikeru Vase Low from Cult, $295
For the person who has always wanted to be a florist, get them the Ikeru Vase, designed by Spanish artist Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen ($295). Inspired by Japanese Ikebana, the vase consists of metal tubes at different levels that open up endless possibilities for floral arrangement.
Fictional hotel notepads, $25
These fictional hotel notepads ($25) are a great gift for the cinephile in your life or the person who loves making to-do lists. Inspired by hotels in some of the most iconic movies in cinema history, they come in a set of three and are printed on sustainably sourced paper. Options include one from Twin Peak′ s Great Northern Hotel and The Shining’s Kellerman’s Resort.
Museums Victoria limited edition Triceratops 3D Printed Tail, $250
A special gift for the big kid in your life and lover of natural history, this limited edition art piece from Museums Victoria ($250) is an exact replica of the last four bones of the Triceratops horridus specimen in their collection. Designed and made in Melbourne, all proceeds go back into supporting the museum’s work.
Cult of Scent Bookish Eau de Parfum, from $55
From Sydney-based perfumer Jocelyn Fullerton, this literary-inspired Eau de Parfum, Bookish (from $55), is the perfect gift for book lovers that isn’t a book. If you’ve ever buried your head in an old book, then you’ll have a bit of an idea of what this might smell like – a delicious blend of dry wood, vanilla and amber – all brought together by hand in Fullerton’s studio.
DocPlay gift card, $80/year
A DocPlay gift card ($80 for one year) is a thoughtful gift for the documentary or film lover in your life, giving them access to hundreds of movies from around the globe they can enjoy throughout the year. Current titles include Anonymous Club, a 2021 documentary following Australian musician Courtney Barnett and Gus Berger’s The Lost City of Melbourne.
The 1980s: Image of a Decade, Henry Carroll, $90
A nice gift for the Gen X-er in your life or the person who’s always reminiscing about the “good old days”, The 1980s: Image of a Decade ($90) tells the story of this pivotal era in history and its rich visual language. From the first episode of The Simpsons to Gordon Gecko, the AIDS epidemic and the fall of the Berlin Wall, it’s a fascinating and forensic-level look at the social, political and cultural machinations of the 1980s.
Fleur & Fable Bookplate Rubber Stamps, from $119
These bookplate rubber stamps (from $119) from Fleur & Fable are a special gift for the bookworm in your life. Handcrafted in Sydney from Australian Jarrah wood, they’re inspired by vintage Ex Libris (bookplates) that typically bore an owner’s coat-of-arms or a particular motto. Fleur & Fable has a range of styles to suit different tastes, and each can be personalised with the giftee’s name.
Pop! Vinyl Figurines, from $21
These little figurines from Pop! Vinyl (from $22) are a fun and affordable gift for the pop culture lover in your life. There is a huge range to choose from across different eras of film, television, music and gaming, including our picks above: Amy Winehouse, The Wizard of Oz’s Tin Man and Christopher Moltisanti from The Sopranos. They make for great companions sitting on a work desk or car dashboard.
The best sustainable and impactful Christmas gifts
Ikuntji Artists gift voucher, various
The art lover in your life will appreciate a gift voucher to Ikuntji Artists, a not-for-profit Aboriginal art centre in Central Australia. The shop has a wide range of art, clothing and homewares to choose from, including beautiful printed fabrics for the home sewer, and edition prints at different price points. All profits from every sale go directly back to the artist.
HoMie Heavy Weight Shorts, $60
These shorts from Melbourne-based social enterprise HoMie ($99) are a great unisex option for the summer months. Made from a heavy-weight cotton, they’re a practical short for hiking and camping, yet stylish enough to wear to a casual Sunday brunch. 100 per cent of HoMie’s profits go towards supporting their work to end youth homelessness.
Coral Gardeners Adopt a Coral, from $30
Why not gift the ocean lover in your life with a piece of coral (from $30) they can call their own? Coral Gardeners takes fragments of coral and plants them in reefs around the world. You can give each piece of coral a name which, after adoption, they can track in real time online, and Coral Gardeners will email them pictures and personal updates to keep them in the loop about its growth.
Two Good x Alémais Cook in Colour Kit, $225
For the person who likes to entertain in style, get them something from social enterprise Two Good’s collaboration with Aussie fashion label Alémais. Their Cook in Colour Kit ($225) includes a thick denim apron featuring an original Alémais print and a pair of Two Good’s cookbooks. Fifty per cent of profits from each sale go towards Two Good’s work supporting women facing homelessness.
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