For the foodie in your life, this tinned fish from Spanish family-owned conservators La Narval ($8) will be a welcome update to their fish on toast. Caught and preserved in Spain, their range includes the classic sardines, as well as mussels in Spanish sauce and calamari in American sauce.
From Australian homewares brand Saardé, these soap bars made from olive oil ($9) make a nice stocking-stuffer. They can be used on the face, body or even to wash hair, and come in four different scents to evoke different regions of the world: Andalusia, Istanbul, Tangier and Anatolia.
Handmade in Margaret River, Western Australia, these chocolate bars ($10) from Bahen & Co are a great stocking-stuffer for chocolate lovers. You can’t go wrong with any of their range, but our pick is their macadamia bar made with organic milk chocolate and Jarrah honey. Each is wrapped in thick paper featuring a design from a local artist, meaning there’s little need for extra wrapping paper.
The best Christmas gifts under $20
Masterscraft Ceramic Chopsticks Rest from Hands, $12
These adorable little chopstick rests ($12 each) are made in Japan and come in 18 different styles to choose from, including a croissant, mochi balls and shiitake mushroom. They’re a nice present for someone who loves cooking or the friend who’s just returned from a trip to Tokyo.
Gerber Shard, $14
For the person who’s always tinkering on a DIY project or handy with a screwdriver, get them a Gerber Shard ($14). This multipurpose tool has seven functions, including bottle opener, flathead driver and wire stripper. It’s lightweight, easy to carry on a keychain and airline safe.
Kmart Microwave Toastie Maker, $15
This toastie maker from Kmart ($15) has recently gone viral on social media. Featuring a soft silicone outer shell and non-stick aluminium interior, it’s a great gift for frequent travellers or office workers, allowing them to make a toastie from anywhere they have access to a microwave.
Outback Tails Dog Bandana, from $18
For the person obsessed with their pooch, these dog bandanas from Outback Tails ($18) make a fun accessory for special walks in the park. Each style comes in three sizes and features an original design from an Indigenous artist, with a portion of each sale going directly back to the artist.
Bramble & Hedge’s nougat bars ($18) are handmade in Melbourne and make a great gift for the sweet tooth in your life. Their raspberry and vanilla bean flavour is a popular choice, but they’ve also got a range of vegan nougat and alcohol nougat laced with tipple like Jamaican rum or Italian limoncello.
Studio Roof Bumblebee Wall Art, $20
Great for the art and design fanatic in your life, this little bumblebee ($20) from Studio Roof is made from recycled cardboard and printed with vegetable ink. Other options from the brand include this seahorse and a pair of beetles. It’s a nice gift for an office worker to help brighten up their desk space.
The best Christmas gifts under $30
A fun, activity-based gift for the ancient history or architecture lover in your life, this model from Ugears ($22) is a 1:1000 scale replica of Rome’s Colosseum. It’s easy to assemble in around 30 minutes with no need for glue or other tools, and once complete can be displayed on a desk or mantelpiece. Other models at the same price point include Big Ben, a Dutch bicycle and the Eiffel Tower.
For the lover of modern architecture, this origami kit from Galison ($23) pays tribute to the work of Frank Lloyd Wright. The kit comes with 78 sheets of paper featuring Wright’s geometric designs, alongside instructions to create three different box designs that can then be used to store keepsakes.
D.S. & Durga Auto Fragrance from Mecca, $25
For the person who loves a road trip or faces long commutes, get them a fancy air freshener. D.S. & Durga’s Auto Fragrance ($25) is a cut above your average petrol station pine tree. Their “Concrete After Lightning” scent, designed to evoke the atmosphere of New York City after a summer storm, is a popular choice.
These chocolate bon bons ($27) from Haigh’s are a crowd pleaser and good option if you’re stuck over what to bring to Christmas lunch or a party. Wrapped in a festive cardboard package, they come with a solid chocolate Santa, milk chocolate bar and milk chocolate baubles.
Fancy Hank’s Mayonnaise Three Pack, $30
Mayonnaise doesn’t need to be boring. This three pack ($30) is made by Melbourne BBQ experts Fancy Hank’s with free-range Aussie eggs and is a great way to jazz up a meal. There’s original for the mayo purists, chilli flavour and an umami-rich chicken salt flavour.
Sheet Society Magnesium Balm, $30
A good option for the athlete or gym junkie in your life, Sheet Society’s Magnesium Balm ($30) can be used to soothe tired muscles, or rubbed onto pressure points to help with sleep. It’s all made with natural ingredients and oils like vitamin E, coconut and avocado.
The best Christmas gifts under $40
Yamani Hanafuda Small Plate Set from Minimaru, $32
This small plate set is inspired by the illustrations of Hanafuda, or Japanese playing cards. The set of five porcelain plates ($32) are great as condiment or sauce dishes (for the person who loves to entertain), or as vessels for jewellery (for the fashion lover). They’re also dishwasher and microwave safe, which is always a bonus when it comes to ceramics.
For the person who never has a bad hair day, these silk scrunchies are a little indulgence they’ll appreciate. This limited edition Christmas set ($32) comes with four silk hair ties designed to reduce friction and prevent creasing in fine hair.
Once Upon Photobook, from $35
This gift requires a bit of planning but is a thoughtful option for the sentimental person in your life. Creating a photo book with Once Upon (from $35) allows you to create a keepsake for someone special with all your favourite memories in one place. The brand works with printing shops around Australia, with an estimated delivery timeframe of five to 10 days.
This deck of UNO cards ($35) is perfect for the person who loves game night as well as fashion history. Each card features illustrations of iconic Barbie looks over the decades by fashion designer Robert Best, in a special collectible box.
Women’s Work relish gift pack, $35
This gift pack from Women’s Work ($35) features a trio of relishes from their range – ripe tomato, spicy green tomato, and caramelised onion – to add some zest to their meat and three veg. The Australian brand makes all their condiments in small batches with local ingredients – something the foodie friend will appreciate.
For the plant lover in your life, these chain pot hangers from Woljam ($39) are a stylish addition to their space. Available in a vast range of fun colours, they’re designed to fit a wide range of pot sizes, and are made from UV and corrosion-resistant steel. To keep the gift budget-friendly, pair it with a cutting from your garden, or if you have the funds, a pot plant from your local nursery.
The best Christmas gifts under $50
This gift pack ($45) from Australian brand Gentle Habits can help make the task of laundry that little bit more enjoyable. The soft woollen balls help soak up moisture and reduce drying time without harsh banging or causing damage to clothes. Adding a few drops of diffuser oil, made from Australian essential oils, gives a gentle scent to laundry.
Bondi Wash Kitchen Pamper Duo, $45
This set from Bondi Wash ($45) is a practical but luxurious gift for the home cook. Made from Australian botanicals like Tasmanian Pepper and Lemon Tea Tree, the pack features a 500ml hand wash and dish wash and comes wrapped in a gift box ready to present.
This gift set from Native Seed Box ($45) makes a lovely gift for the green thumb in your life. The set includes three boxes of seed bombs (balls of clay embedded with seeds) to help them start a garden filled with native wildflowers. Their individual seed bomb boxes (from $18) are also a great budget option.
Spibelt Original Running Belt, $45
If they’ve joined a run club, they’ll probably appreciate a good running belt to keep their belongings in check. This one from Spibelt ($45) is compact but expands to hold larger phones. Designed to sit snug on the body without bouncing, with soft elastic to prevent chafing.
Cult New York beauty brand Glossier arrived in Australia earlier this year. Their Balm Dotcom lip balm is one of their most popular products. This limited edition gift set ($50) features their biscotti and espresso flavours, and is a great option for the beauty lover in your life.
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