The Christmas gift guide: what to buy the ones who have everything this year
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. Christmas brings festive fun, holidays, some seriously good food and of course – presents! If you’d rather not be stuck at your local shopping centre on Christmas eve scrambling for last-minute gifts, then we have a few ideas on what you can get your loved ones, mates and colleagues – no matter what they are into.
For the gin aficionado
If your giftee is a libation lover of the gin variety, Sunshine Coast boutique spirits haven 2020 Distillery has your stocking stuffers sorted this festive season. For spirit enthusiasts or those looking to learn a little more about the botanical sip, a premium three pack of 200-ml gins including the East London Dry, Pink and Queen Garnet gins is the perfect addition for the home bar cart. Happy sipping!
For the tech geek
The tech obsessed among us may already know this tidbit but for those not in the know, Facebook and Ray-Ban have teamed up to release the next generation of smart glasses, Ray-Ban Stories. This Inspector Gadget-esque accessory lets you snap high-resolution photos, pause a song and receive phone calls with a single touch. Cool, huh? Check them out here.
For the Dolly Parton fan
Calling all Dolly devotees! If you know someone who likes to sing ‘Jolene’ at every karaoke session and has an obsession for a certain blonde country bombshell, then we know the hottest ticket in town to snag – the smash-hit musical, 9 to 5! The much-anticipated stage show, based on the movie of the same name, is set to hit QPAC in May 2022 and it is not to be missed. Grab your loved one a ticket here.
For someone who needs some R&R
In a win for stressed folk looking to indulge in a bit of self care, West Village will soon become the home for Gold Coast-born relaxation station Soak Bathhouse. Perfect for those wanting to truly unwind and treat themselves, the rooftop bathhouse and wellness destination will boast seven mineral pools ranging from cold plunge baths to hot spas. Know someone in need of a little rest and relaxation? Score them a gift card here.
For the oenophile
Who doesn’t love a good bottle of wine as a present? If you want to step up your wine-gifting game this Christmas, then our in-house sommelier Olivia Evans is here to help. Whether your familiar leans towards a red, white or sparkling, Olivia knows all of the top-notch drops ready to be popped in a present bag. For the ultimate grape juice gift guide, head here.
For the staycay lovers
Give the gift of me time this Christmas with Emporium’s luxe Poolside Cabana Suite. These sky-high 54-sqm suites boasts high ceilings, a spectacular handmade bronze bar, a free-standing bath, a double marble shower and a private balcony to enjoy the stellar views of the city skyline. Plus, these lavish pads are mere steps away from the hotel’s rooftop infinity edge pool and have direct access to the pool deck – so remember to bring your togs! Those who are feeling extra fancy will be happy to hear that they have complimentary access to the inner-city chauffer service in a Maserati Levante. Rates start from $594.55 per night and suites can be booked here.
For those hungry for adventure
Already running food and wine tours out of Byron Bay, the Tweed hinterland and Tamborine Mountain, tour company Kiff & Culture has recently launched Brisbane’s first artisan food and drink tour. For those who want to experience the crème de la crème of the city’s culinary scene, you can get them a Kiff & Culture gift voucher, which can be used towards any of Kiff’s tours.
For the sweet tooth
We all have a sweet tooth in the family – the one that can’t keep their hands out of the Favourites box come Christmas Day (okay, we admit it, it’s us). For something a bit fancier than the usual confectionery aisle choccie box, we suggest snapping up one of New Farm Confectionery’s Christmas Gift Boxes. These babies are filled with dark chocolate rocky road, macadamia brittle, plain honeycomb, milk chocolate with roasted almond and smoked salt bark, salted caramel, and rose and pistachio nougat. We hope your giftee likes to share.
For those who deserve a whole box of goodies
Remove the headaches associated with Christmas shopping this year and give festive gifts with a conscience courtesy of gift-hamper company The GoodsTube. These gift hampers see locally made delights bundled inside transportable tubes get delivered straight to the door of your Secret Santa. You can even choose which region you want to support specifically, whether it be Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales or Western Australia. Shop the tastebud-tantalising range here.
For the beach-happy folk
If there’s one thing we need to remember this summer, it’s to slip, slop, slap. Weather permitting, we plan to spend a fair chunk of our holidays outside soaking up the sun. That’s why this Mecca Cosmetica sunscreen Christmas cracker is a stellar (and SPF-friendly) pressie for the outdoorsy mate or family member.
For the gem in your life
For something truly special this Christmas, Vermilion Jewellery is worth setting your pretty peepers on. This homegrown jewellery range is handcrafted using venetian glass, gemstones and precious metals – making each piece one-of-a-kind! Choose from gorgeous green pendants, peach-hued topaz rings, stunning azurite earrings and much more. Shop the full range here – but be warned, trying to resist buying something for yourself may prove futile.
For those who always smell nice
We all have the one friend that seems to always smell like they walked through the perfume counter at a department store. If you or one of your nearest or dearest is on the lookout for a new scent, then let us introduce you to Odesse Solid perfume. This pocket-sized aroma is extremely cute, good for the environment and will have you smelling divine. Shop the range here.
For the weekend market chaser
If your mate’s tote collection is looking a little flimsy and worse-for-wear, then we’ve just caught wind of a reusable shopping accessory that is anything but. Designed with careful attention and sustainability in mind, olve. bags are made with antibacterial protection that is woven into the fibres to keep you and your food protected from bad bacteria – pretty cool, huh? You can grab yours here.
For the wannabe Tony Hawk
Have a sk8er boi (or girl) in your life? Look no further than Gold Coast-born skater brand OBfive Skateboards for your Christmas shopping this year. Whether they ride longboards, cruisers or surf skates, you’ll find some super-cool designs at this online skater’s paradise. Shop the radical range here.
For the goon-loving gal
Ah, the ol’ goon sack. An icon living, and a handy accessory for any alfresco sipping session. For friends who also froth a classic boxed vino, Alice Nightingale has designed a super-cute goon bag set using salvaged and secondhand materials. This handbag is too hot to handle, so please do so responsibly.
For the nostalgia lover
The perfect gift for 90s kids, Flowerbed Nails stickers, are easy-to-use, cheap (just $23 for a couple of sheets) and will take you back to the good ol’ Y2K days with their colourful designs. You can soak in the 90s/2000s nostalgia and adorn your digits with pastel-hued chillies, smiley faces, cherries, flowers and more. Grab some here.
For the green thumb
Avid horticulturists are easy to buy for thankfully, but what do you get the gardener who already has it all? An Edible Flower Planting Kit, that’s what! This handy kit includes florals like nasturtium, viola, cornflower, hyssop and sunflower, which can be grown in your veggie patch, admired … and then eventually eaten. Bottoms up.
For the amateur chef
Everyone’s favourite sweary, anti-jar-sauce warrior, Nat’s What I Reckon, is back! This time around, he’s actually written a whole cookbook and it’s filled with plenty of ripper recipes and a few solid laughs. This bookshelf must-have is a primo gift for those who love to spend their spare time in the kitchen. Get yours here.
For the homewares enthusiast
A new season calls for a bit of a home redecorating and this embroidered wool cushion cover featuring artwork by Rama Kaltu Kaltu Sampson is the perfect addition for any abode. Designed in Australia and handmade in Kashmir, these eye-catching cushions are a cultural and economic exchange between Australian Aboriginal artists and traditional cottage industry artisans in Kashmir – oh, and they are pretty darn beautiful, too.
For those who want to slink into something sexy
Whether you’re shopping to treat yourself or your partner, a little lingerie never hurt nobody. Just this week, Bras N Things dropped its exclusive collection with everyone’s favourite funny gal Celeste Barber – just in time for some festive shopping. Designed by Celeste and inspired by her favourite pieces, this lingerie line is as sexy as it is comfortable – or in other words, it’s the tits! Shop the range here.