Perfect gifts for the festive season
Looking for the ideal present for your favourite traveller or homebody? Try these for size.
FLITEBOARD SERIES 2, $17,795
The latest iteration from the Byron Bay-based hydrofoil specialist has a range of improvements on the original, from new fuselage design and LED lighting to new bags. It suits riders from beginner to expert and can be used on rivers and lakes and in the surf. With 20 virtual gears at your disposal on the hand-held console, you can cruise in Zen mode or zoom at up to 55km/h, with ride times of up to 90 minutes on one battery charge. Made of ash timber and aircraft-grade aluminium, the new series comes in five colours and finishes; for riders up to 100kg.
TRUDON CHRISTMAS CANDLES, 270g, $149
The exclusive festive season line-up of five ribbon-boxed candles from Trudon is inspired by the extravagance of the Sun King’s palace at Versailles and includes fragrances as intriguing as spicy chocolate, Espelette chilli and pine resin (Bayonne); wood and musky spices (Gloria); and a best-selling Christmas tree blend (Fir). The gold foil and Arabesque-stencilled vessels clearly evoke royal connections. Boxed sets of two 70g Fir and Gloria miniatures also available. Gift-wrapping is free plus complimentary shipping on orders $100 and over. Online or at Trudon Sydney Boutique, Paddington.
JAMES SQUIRE PIONEER COLLECTION, 750ml, $49
Get festive with the first release of acclaimed brewer James Squire’s limited-release, small-batch, barrel-aged Pioneer Collection. A variation on a hoppy English IPA, the beer features a hint of macadamia honey for sweetness and has been matured in single malt whisky barrels. Only 5000 of the long-neck bottles have been released. Available from Dan Murphy’s and on tap at James Squire Brewhouses in Queensland, WA, Victoria and NSW from early next month.
UNDERGROUND SPIRITS LIMITED-EDITION GIN, 700ml, $95
Canberra’s Underground Spirits has launched a limited-edition Ad Crescendum var Flosferam gin in association with the Australian National Botanic Gardens. The brand’s core botanicals of juniper, coriander and angelica have been blended with natives that include three banksia species, kurrajong and lemon-scented gum, all foraged from the bountiful ACT estate’s plantings. Underground Spirits also offers a popular caramel vodka and signature gins.
BISONHOME GLASS VOTIVES, $18
Dining outdoors during the balmy festive months just became more vivid and stylish with Bisonhome’s individually blown glass votives in assorted gem colours and sized to hold citronella tea lights to keep pesky insects at bay. The Canberra-based company also has coloured vases, beakers, bowls and lamp bases of multiple sizes in its glassware range. A set of four cut-glass tumblers in a choice of mixed complementary colours is $120; cut-glass mini bowl, $89.
FAIRFAX & ROBERTS TAIA BRACELET, $990
Here’s a Christmas gift that keeps on giving. Fairfax & Roberts has teamed up with Sydney’s Westmead Institute for Medical Research to create a delicate bracelet that features 0.12ct white diamonds surrounded by 1.97ct black spinel set in rhodium-plated sterling silver. The back of the spinel is engraved with the words: “From the darkness comes the light.” All profits from sales go to the WIMR, which conducts research into viruses such as Covid-19, cancer, HIV, diabetes, neurological and eye disorders, plus heart, kidney and liver disease.
THE LATIN AMERICAN COOKBOOK, $65
Compiled by Peruvian superstar chef and restaurateur Virgilio Martinez, this definitive tome cracks the cuisine of Latin America and its myriad native, colonial and immigrant influences. Green mango salad sounds a breeze, and most of us can handle rustling up a taco or tortilla, but let’s upscale to Chilean sandwich cookies, comforting stews (pictured), hearty salads and many hundreds of other regional recipes, some of which Martinez has “unearthed” from forgotten sources. It’s a big, bold book, with 450 photographs, and high production values. Stablemates in this superb series are The Nordic Cookbook by Magnus Nilsson and Australia: The Cookbook by Ross Dobson.
THE GIFT OF TRAVEL
Tourism Australia’s The Gift of Travel campaign encourages consumers to buy meaningful presents that do double duty by helping tourism operators and businesses get back on their feet. Gift vouchers for everything from hot-air balloon rides to guided gallery visits and Indigenous tours are just some of the ways Australians can give a boost to an industry TA says supports one in the three jobs and is worth $100bn a year.
SARAH SILVERTON TABLE NAPKINS, $25
Soft linen table napkins in 42cm squares by Sydney-based photographer and designer Sarah Silverton celebrate east coast lifestyle with pastel depictions of more than 20 marine and coastal locations and themes, including Bondi Icebergs (pictured). Roll or fold straight from the clothesline and mix and match for al fresco entertaining pizazz. Photo image scarves, sarongs and fine art prints on archival-quality rag paper are also offered, framed or unframed.
OPERA AUSTRALIA GIFT VOUCHERS, FROM $160 A DOUBLE
Whether for musicals, operas or concerts, indoors or under the stars, Opera Australia’s stylishly designed vouchers are valid for up to three years. In 2022, recipients could choose from the likes of The Phantom of the Opera (March 25-April 24) by Handa Opera staged beside Sydney Harbour, followed by Cameron Mackintosh’s production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic in both Sydney and Melbourne, and full seasons of Opera Australia in both state capitals, which next year includes Verdi’s La Traviata at Arts Centre Melbourne (from May 4) and Sydney Opera House (from July 12).
BELKIN SOUNDFORM FREEDOM EARBUDS, $199.95
For beachside reading without the bother of sandy pages, these wireless, noise-cancelling earbuds will convey the latest bestselling audio book to your ears. The silicon-tipped buds are sweat and splash-resistant, and offer eight hours of play time. An additional 28 hours of battery life is available from the charging case, which works with the Apple “Find My” network, enabling its easy location. Included is a 10W dual wireless charging pad that allows earbuds and smartphone to charge simultaneously. Available in black or white.
RIMOWA ORIGINAL CABIN MOON, $2355
Give your nearest and dearest travel buff the ideal excuse to plan their next trip. Rimowa’s limited-edition Moon case is the latest addition to its intergalactic series, which has already taken travellers to Mars and Mercury. The 35L aluminium case has TSA-approved locks, flexible dividers and the brand’s multiwheel system, but its most striking feature is the embossed exterior, which resembles the moon’s pitted surface. Only 750 of the cases were made, referencing the 750,000km that would have to be covered to go between Rimowa HQ in Cologne and Earth’s only natural satellite.