20 perfect Christmas gifts for jetsetters
From sunglasses to swimwear, luxury suitcases to the ultimate travel watch, these are the best presents for your favourite explorer.
We have done the hard work for you for this festive season. Here are our top 20 gifts for the discerning traveller whether they want to swim in style or pack their chic essentials in the latest cabin luggage.
Talisker 45-year-old Glacial Edge Single Malt
The whisky distillery on Scotland’s Isle of Skye has taken the art of the single malt to extremes with the release of its first 45-year-old variety. This rare drop – only 2445 bottles are available globally – has spent time in charred American Oak casks that were “ice fractured” in sub-zero temperatures in Canada to boost the wood’s impact on the whisky. The result is an intense dark dram, mature and mellow, with notes of pepper and salt. It’s the third and last of the Talisker Xpedition Oak Series, so well-suited to the adventurer with a discerning palate; $7800 a bottle.
Mumm Central Otago Blanc De Noirs
Christmas isn’t Christmas without bubbles, and these ones come with a Kiwi accent. G.H. Mumm, the renowned 200-year-old French Champagne house, has teamed up with the producers of Central Otago’s pinot noir grapes to craft a sparkling wine using methode traditionnelle. It’s the latest in the Mumm Terroirs collection, which has already drawn on Tasmania’s reputation for the cool-climate grape variety; $60.
Everyday Cashmere Woven Wrap
Just added to this Sydney-based supplier’s range of pure cashmere travel accessories are finely woven scarves in soft pastel shades of coastal blue, doeskin, silver mist and ballet-slipper pink. Measuring a generous 86cm x 200cm, the lightweight trans-seasonal wraps are perfect to swirl around your neck on cooler days or drape over shoulders in spring and summer. Everyday Cashmere also has stylish new 115cm x 150 blankets folded in snug pouches, perfect for long-haul flights. Woven scarf, $285; blanket and pouch, $485.
Carriere Freres Christmas Candle
This heritage French maker’s festive collection features three woodsy, fruity blends to summon a traditional northern hemisphere Noel. Choose from Smoked Wood, Winter Rose or T+L favourite Festive Ginger, with a sweet, candied fragrance. The scents are all blended with Siberian pine and are also available as a beautifully boxed coffret trio of miniatures ($139). Free delivery for orders over $100; 185g candle, $99.
Samsung The Freestyle
Take Hollywood on holidays with this portable projector, which allows you to tap into your favourite streaming services anywhere. Standing just over 17cm tall, this compact remote-control device packs a punch, creating up to 100 inches of high-definition images and emitting 360-degree Dolby Digital sound. Connects to powerbanks with the supplied USB-C cable. Available in white for $1299; add colour skin in Blossom Pink, Forest Green (pictured) or Coyote Beige for $49. External battery and case sold separately.
Canopy Bay by Deborah Hutton
Skin cancer survivor and beloved media personality Deborah Hutton has solved the headwear dilemma of travellers with her collection of stylish yet packable hats made with light-weight and durable Flexibraid. The range doesn’t skimp on good looks, coming in a selection of shapes, colours and materials and, most importantly, with UPF50+ sun protection. Prices range from $120-$250. Pictured is the unisex Windsor fedora with ivory and navy headband, $125.
Wanderers Le Voyage Vanity Case
This Sydney brand produces a wide range of leather goods for the chic traveller. Case in point is this smart but simple vanity bag in soft, full grain cow hide. Zip open the lid to find seven elasticised pockets around the central cavity, creating plenty of space for potions, perfumes and tools of the trade. Available in six colours, from tan and black to a deep burgundy and Azzurra teal (pictured). Measures 21cm x 28cm x 20cm; $229 (on special for $160.30 until December 4; $118 for the petite version).
Mecca Cosmetica Destination SPF
The Australian beauty juggernaut’s SPF50+ facial range is called To Save Face and it does just that with all the key ingredients to fight the sun’s nasty rays. But more importantly, the tinted non-greasy sunscreen feels wonderfully light on your face like a moisturiser so you want to put it on every day, either by itself or under makeup. This travel-sized collection also includes body sunscreen and are perfect to throw in a suitcase or beach bag. $42
Terre D’Hermes Eau Givree Eau de Parfum
This men’s cologne from French luxury house Hermes combines citrus, juniper berry and timut pepper to create a light, fresh scent that could be worn by both men and women. Hermes perfumer Christine Nagel describes it as an icy breeze. The bottle is designed by Philippe Mouquet and is inspired by vintage bottle in a travel vanity case at the Hermes museum in Paris. 100ml $200
Haulier Large Utility Tote
Made in Portugal from 100 per cent cotton canvas and with Italian leather handles, this durable tote bag was the first product from Sydney fashion designer Jeremy Hershan’s label Haulier. The former RM Williams creative director has now expanded Haulier into clothing thanks to its success. In a new washed yellow colour, this large throw-absolutely-everything-into-it tote is good for shopping, picnics, the beach and sits neatly on top of your carry-on suitcase. Also comes in medium and small. $625
Alemais Meagan Silk Pant and Oversized Silk Shirt
This beautiful set is a collaboration between Australian womenswear label Alemais and American artist Meagan Boyd. Founded by designer Lesleigh Jermanus in lockdown in early 2020, Alemais originally came about as a way to help fabric makers in India left in the lurch by major fashion brands who cancelled orders in a panic. Just three years later, Jermanus opened Australian Fashion Week with her Alemais Resort 24 collection which included this set. Shirt, $425 and pants, $495.
Zimmermann August Plunge V Wire One Piece
Nicky and Simone Zimmermann know a thing or two about swimwear, having got their start selling it alongside dresses at Sydney’s Paddington markets in 1991 and turning it into a global fashion empire that recently sold for a reported $1.75bn. This glamorous one piece has adjustable straps and a removable belt with chain detail. It is part of the Resort Swim 2024 collection and is ideal for lounging around the pool and adding a sarong for evening cocktails. $330
Haigh’s Christmas Assorted Chocolate Box
Guarantee a genuine, delighted smile when you hand over a box of these delicious chocolates during the festive season. Established in 1915 by Alfred Haigh in Adelaide, this company has always offered something different from its better known European counterparts with its famous peppermint chocolate frog, Easter Bilby and flavours like mango and chilli, lemon myrtle and wattle seed. This large box of assorted chocolates has the best of everything. 480g for $75.
Four Pillars Christmas Gin
Four Pillars has only been making gin for a decade but it has managed a Christmas gin for eight of those years. Inspired by co-founder Cameron Mackenzie’s late mum Wilma and her tradition of making Christmas puddings using a 1968 Australian Women’s Weekly recipe, Mackenzie and his family make the puddings using the same recipe and steam them in the gin stills in Victoria’s Yarra Valley. The celebratory bottle label features nine artworks by Jo White. $100
Rimowa District Cabin Bag
Rimowa has released a new luggage range in leather instead of the grooved lightweight aluminium that the German company has been synonymous with since the 1950s. Called the District range, it includes a cabin bag in Navy or Black leather that also features its pioneering multi-wheel system, protective aluminium corners, telescopic handle and a colour-matched leather tag that can be personalised. A new production technique means the leather can be wrapped around the structure to ensure the distinctive groves remain. $4890
Aesop Arrival Kit
Awaken the senses after getting off a long haul flight with Aesop’s Arrival travel kit. It contains four of the aromatic skincare company’s most popular staples in a handy 50ml size: citrus-scented shampoo and conditioner, geranium leaf body cleanser and rind concentration body balm. The delicious orange scented moisturiser in particular will revive the travel-weary and also nourish skin dried out by the harsh air-conditioning on the plane. $45
Jaeger-Lecoultre Duomètre Unique Travel Time
This is the perfect watch for a regular traveller with the ability to tell the time in more than one part of the world. The dial of the rose-gold watch includes a world map, a second time-zone and a day night indicator. Engraved on the back of the Swiss watch are locations in every one of the world’s 24 time zones to inform but also inspire future travel. $86,000
Van Cleef & Arpels Lucky Summer Wave Earrings
The French jeweller, founded in Paris in 1906, has always taken inspiration from nature for its creations, and this year it has turned to summer and the beach for its new six-piece collection. These earrings are made from yellow gold and feature turquoise, white mother-of-pearl and diamonds and are designed to evoke memories of the sun glittering on the ocean. $30,000
Chloe Sunglasses
These sunglasses in Havana Blue will add instant glamour to any summer outfit. From the French womenswear designer, the butterfly shaped eyewear feature scalloped details on the front lenses. They also come in ivory, black and brown. $540.
Commas Men’s Shirt
This relaxed summer shirt features a beautiful print inspired by Fresco tiles and Greek gods. Commas is a Sydney-based menswear label founded by Richard Jarman in 2017 that offers a “modern and sophisticated take” on Australian beach culture. This shirt, made from 100 per cent Viscose, could be worn both on the Amalfi Coast or Bondi Beach and you would fit in perfectly. $495.
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