It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Said, um, not very many people. Christmas Day, sure, love it! The lead-up? It’s busy, stressful, full of family tension and long, long to do lists.
Never fear! Consider us Santa’s Christmas elves this year, because we’ve pulled together this tried and tested list of presents that will keep you in the good books all the way through to next year!
Everau x Kerrie Hess Papillon Loafers
For the loafer lover, there is no more stylish a gift than the Everau x Kerrie Hess Papillon Loafers. Dorothy might have worn red, but we’re sure she’d have been swayed by the soft blush pink leather of these beauties. Delicate applique golden butterflies adorn each shoe and we adore them. Kerrie Hess is herself adored by brands like Tiffany, Cartier, and The Langham Sydney for her stunning illustrations, but the shoe game should be her new calling. $220 https://www.everau.com.au/products/everau-kerrie-hess
ROEMY Edition 1
A Melbourne-based fragrance house. Sustainable, hypoallergenic, community-driven. And cool. There are only good things, very good things, when it comes to ROEMY fragrance. Buy your bestie this cute, bite-sized sample set and help them kick start their fragrance overhaul. The collection dips into each of the brand’s flagship Edition 1 fragrances so they can work out if they’re all about summer Resort, autumn Forest, or maybe even Solstice, a dark and mysterious mix of Jasmine, Moss and Musk. $49 https://www.roemy.com/collections/all/products/edition-1?
Geomag – Green play with recycled plastics
Tested by a few of the Daily Addict teeny tot family members, its official these toys won out over Lego! If you haven’t heard of them this sustainabily focused Swiss company invented their first magnetic toy in 1998. Today they use 100% renewable energy and latest innovation is the eco-friendly range which is made from 100% recycled plastic. This building block construction series kept them entertained for hours and the more advanced 88 piece Confetti and Super Panel set even had mum and dad entertained! For more information on the rage see here
Vivo X60 Pro 5G
Techies look out. The Vivo X60 Pro is here and it’s a world first. Not the phone part, though it ticks all the boxes there. It has in-built gimbal stabilisation for the 48MP Pro camera inside. Your snap-happy family or friends will thank you when they have crisp, clear pics and videos from now on. The specs are top-notch – vivo ZEISS Co-engineered Imaging System, hefty 12GB RAM and 256GB Storage capacity that will hold plenty of content. And for some, just as important, the UI is clear and easy to use. There’s a large 6.5 inch screen, and plenty of guidance to get users familiar with the operating system in no time. RRP $1,099 https://www.vivo.com/au/products/x60pro
Craft Cartel Xmas Tinnie Tree
Well, it’s nearly Christmas and an easy way to entertain friends is with a beer tree! You can choose from two different Craft Cartel Christmas Tinnie Trees – the ‘Crowd Favourite’ is $275 and includes 48 handpicked Australian craft beers (12 beers x 4 of each). One of our favourites was the Brick Lane Sidewinder Hazy Pale! Go a bit more ‘posh’ with the ‘Premium’ for $399, which includes 48 handpicked Australian craft beers (24 beers x 2 of each), several of which are limited releases, including Stockade The Mountie Maple, Akasha Korben Double IPA, and Moon Dog Splice of Heaven Mango Ice Cream IPA. Our tree-top is going to glisten with these delicious beers! Both trees come flat packed and ready to assemble (to use year on year), with free delivery and $100 worth of vouchers! Craft Cartel have included 5 x $20 vouchers with the Tinnie Tree. Alternatively, the Top 10 Tinnies and Craft Beer Subscriptions (3, 6 or 12 months) are perfect as stuffing fillers and gifts.
Lavazza A Modo Mio SMEG
In our minds, the Lavazza A Modo Mio SMEG is like the Italian race car of capsule coffee machines. It certainly looks as sleek – benchtop goals right here! It’s full of power, with 1250W and 50-60Hz, brewing in under 30 seconds. Like their sports cars, Italians take their coffee seriously. The A Modo Mio SMEG offers 7.5 grams of pre-tamped coffee (other capsule brands won’t always offer this), ensuring water passes through the coffee easily. For the lover of a well-made short or long black, the SMEG won’t disappoint. Powerful, intense, creamy, all at the press of a button. We’re sold! Put this one on your own Christmas wishlist! RRP $349 https://www.lavazza.com.au/en_AU/coffee-machines/smeg.html
Great Wrap – compostible cling wrap
For the sustainability foodie in your household! Great Wrap was co-founded in 2020 during the global pandemic, by husband and wife duo Jordy & Julia Kay. They developed a world first compostable formula using food waste,
taking less than 180 days to break down into carbon and water in your compost pile. Australia alone goes through 150,000 tonnes of stretch wrap each year, Great Wrap are on a mission to turn â…“ of that into Great Wrap by 2023. Packs arrive in two easy to use 2x30m rolls with a natty zip slide to cut each panel perfectly. See more at Great Wrap
Cricut Joy Machine
Haven’t you heard? Label makers were so 2020. This year it’s all about Cricut machines. These devices have attracted a cult-like following among DIY-ers up-styling everything from spice jars and pantry staples to doormats. The Cricut Joy is a small but mighty device that’s the perfect entry point into the world of Cricut electric printers. There are bigger models that print onto more materials, but this baby is perfect for printing labels, cards, even mobile phone decals. Within minutes of downloading the app, we whip up a few pantry labels (using a template but arty folk can design their own), print them out and hey presto, the pantry is cuter than a Howards Storage World brochure. Joy bringer indeed. RRP $278 Available at Spotlight or Harvey Norman
Haven Luxe candles
Cocktail Hour candles. Now we’re talking!! The team from Haven Luxe seem to know just what we’re thinking. And not just about cocktail hour. Who doesn’t want their home to smell like ‘Spa Day’ or a ‘Hamptons Getaway’? We can’t lie, we weren’t quite sure how they captured ‘Fashion Week’ as a scent, but by golly they do! The best part is these candles have a pretty compelling price point. Find them at Woolworths, from $20 http://haveninspired.com.au/
UGG Express Leanna Crossover slides
Got a friend whose Zoom dress code is all business up top and pyjamas below screen? Give them the gift of pillowy-soft slides this Christmas with the UGG Express Leanna Crossover slides. Life is too short to be uncomfortable, and we can attest, these are as comfy (and fluffy) as they look. The Australian sheepskin will keep things cool in summer and warm in winter too. RRP $135 https://uggexpress.com.au
CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask
Seen it on TikTok, Insta, FB? LED light therapy masks are all over the internet and they’re the only type of face mask we ever want to put on again, of any kind. Unlike others, CurrentBody’s design is made from flexible silicon, wrapping around your face. It uses light-emitting diodes (LED) to give the skin a head start on doing some serious self care – we’re talking firmness, tightness, glowy-ness (not a word, but seriously, after a few sessions with this on your skin, it feels it). This is no one-hit-wonder either. The mask is designed to be used over a 4-6 week period (it’s pricey but you’ll get plenty more wear than 6 weeks) and is clinically proven to reduce wrinkles by 35% in that time. It uses red and near infra red light therapy to work its magic and has a slew of awards on its sleeve. RRP $515 https://www.currentbody.com.au/
PersonallyPicked Hampers
Picky friends are sorted thanks to PersonallyPicked. The online gift store has more than 160 different gifts to choose from – we’re talking luxe eye masks, copper cocktail tumblers, heat packs, personalised blocks of chocolate, gourmet BBQ sauce, cookbooks, kids toys, dog toys. The list is long and lush. You can pick a pre-made box or get really specific. The choice is yours. Beware you might end up making your own box, the goodies are that tempting! https://personallypicked.com.au/
Rakuten Kobo Sage
Make the bookworm in your life very, very happy with the e-reader of all e-readers. The Rakuten Kobo Sage ticks all the e-reader boxes, but comes with a few extras that really take things up a notch. There’s the ComfortLight PRO adjustable brightness and E Ink Carta 1200 glare-free screen that have kept our eyes merry and bright while reading late into the night. There’s Bluetooth and wifi for instant connectivity. There’s access to millions of books AND audio books through Kobo’s store. And there’s direct access to Overdrive, one of the largest library apps out there. For those of us who have discovered the joys of library e-borrowing, that is a real advantage over other e-readers. Oh, there’s also the fact this baby is waterproof, the battery is an absolute beast and there’s direct Dropbox capability that means you can read, edit and create documents (add the Kobo Stylus and bob’s your uncle). That’s quite a list. RRP $439.95 https://www.jbhifi.com.au/products/kobo-sage-ereader
Oscar Amherst Soy Candles
If Christmas isn’t the time to light up the special candles, when is? Ultra luxe is the name of the game with these Australian-made goodies. They’re almost too good to gift, so maybe buy one for you, one for someone you love and call it a day! The ‘All I want’ Christmas scent is as delectable as it sounds – with Christmas pine, hints of cinnamon, rosemary and even Eucalyptus, it’s like the best of Christmas Australia-style. We’re also pretty loved up on the Balmoral and Escarpment candles if you’re looking to give a little bit of Aussie spirit this year. RRP $79.95 each, $140 for 2, $205 for a pack of three www.OscarAmherst.com
VATÉA Pure Body Oil
Gift completely guilt-free with VATÉA; plant-based products that are so free of nasties they’re practically airborne. The brainchild of Elizabeth Johnston, who is the daughter of Dermaveen’s co-founder, the brand is all about putting skin self-care first. We practically soaked in the pure body oil – well, we did literally – since it can be applied straight to the skin or dropped into the bath. Camomile and lavender on the nose, creamy, lush on the skin, it’s a dream. Go full size or send a special someone a gift pack. The Skin to Skin Mum and Bub box is perfect for new mums needing to refill their cups with a little at-home bliss. From $42 https://www.vatea.com.au
Funky Monkey 12 Funky Days of Christmas
On the 12th Day of Christmas… we ate all the cookies! Out with the chocolate Advent calendar, in with a festive gift pack of 12 chunky Christmas-themed cookies from Funky Monkey. Born out of lockdown and everyone’s insatiable hunger for jumbo-sized, treat-filled cookies, Funky Monkey began in a Hunter Valley kitchen just a few months ago and now ships all over Australia. The Christmas 12 pack includes classics like Gingerbread and Coconut Ice, but it’s the fun ones like pavlova, rocky road and Christmas pudding that are the real show stoppers. Sweet lovers will sink their teeth into the candy cane! RRP $95 https://funkymonkeycookies.com.au
Lighthouse Keeper
Yes, you read that right. But these lighthouse keepers are helping support a different kind of safe harbour. The Lighthouse Foundation not-for-profit supports vulnerable Australian children and young people. You can nominate someone to be a Lighthouse Keeper by buying a monthly donation in their name to the Foundation, giving a gift that will truly keep on giving. Lighthouse Keepers receive a lighthouse key ring as a reminder they’re helping make the world a better, brighter place. https://donation.lighthousefoundation.org.au/
Waterpik Ultra Plus Water Flosser
If you know someone who is all about their pearly whites and winning smile, this gadget is so up their alley. The Waterpik Ultra Plus looks a little like a mouth-sized version of a high-pressure hose for your gums. There’s 10 different pressure options to choose from so there’s certainly no blasting happening, but there is the satisfaction of watching plaque begone! Using water pressure to remove plaque is up to 50% more effective than normal floss – it’s a serious nightly routine upgrade that’s for sure. Along with the flosser, the Waterpik comes with five other tips, including a toothbrush, so you’re just really giving the all-round gift of good dental hygiene! RRP: $204.95 https://www.waterpik.com.au
Joode Socks
Socks might have once been the go-to gift for well, the men in your life, but no more! Coming in all shapes, sizes and colours of the rainbow, socks are in, in a big way. Especially these cuties from Joode. Melbourne-based designer Sarah Wilmott is turning Aussie toes into works of art one pair of socks at a time. Bright pops of colour, fun patterns and a few fabulous prints are the name of her game, along with a commitment to using quality materials. To boot, or should we say foot, she’s raising money for Chronic UTI Australia. From $16.95 https://joode.co
BrewArt
If you’re hunting down the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life, Brewart has a ‘pitcher perfect’ solution, and we promise to stop with the puns now. Long-gone are the days when home-brewing was relegated to the garage, stinking out the house and producing some questionable results. Brewart claims to be the world’s first fully automated personal brewing system, able to brew 10 Litres of top-notch beer with just the press of a button or even via an app. All you need to do is add the ingredients, sit back and enjoy! BeerDroid: $799, BrewFlo: $699 https://brewart.com/au/
Personalised Pet Harness – IdPet x Bigi Nagala – Mura Friend
Best friends come in all shapes and sizes. And they all deserve the best. Give your fur baby a wardrobe upgrade with a personalised harness from IdPet that will put them ahead of the pack in the park. IdPet have a huge range of personalisable pet products – collars, harnesses, toys – for you to choose from. Our pick is the new Mura Friend print by Aboriginal Bidjara woman and Artist Sheri Skele, which is simply gorgeous. Beware, once you take your pup (or cat!) for a spin in this gear, you’ll be going back for the matching lead and collar! From $49.95 https://idpet.com.au
And… what’s Christmas without the good stuff? Here’s our Christmas Booze Guide
Highland Park 15yr Old Viking Heart New Release
Highland Park, knows it’s whisky – well, its being going for 223 years so it should do by now! Based on the Orkney Islands off the northeastern coast of Scotland, it has launched a new, 15 Year old single malt Scotch Whisky, Viking Heart which arrives in a stunning ceramic bottle in a collaboration with UK based Wade Ceramics. Created from casks hand-selected by Master Whisky Maker, Gordon Motion, it has a high percentage of first-fill European oak sherry seasoned casks (thinks yummy warm, dry spicy notes) while first-fill American oak sherry seasoned casks give a soft vanilla flavour. It’s a rich and complex, just think freshly-baked sponge cake, warm from the oven, and you’ll find cinnamon again and lovely waves of peat smoke. You can buy for $185.00 a bottle at selected leading Independent retailers, a list of key stockists can be found here.
Patient Wolf x 6Ft6 Pinot Noir Gin
What do you get when a Melbourne gin distillery and a Geelong-based winery play together? The Patient Wolf x 6Ft6 Pinot Noir Gin is a love child from a match made in heaven. Seriously, when you hear husband and wife team Scott and Belinda Austin and Patient Wolf founders Matt Argus and Dave Irwin talk about each other’s products and the gin baby they’ve all produced together, their excitement is cute and catching. As the name suggests, fresh Pinot Noir grapes went straight into the production process and the result is a decadent blend of berries on the palate that goes down a treat, especially whipped up in a French 66 cocktail – one of the Patient Wolf’s mixologists’ creations. RRP $72 https://6ft6wine.com/
Mr Black & ST. ALi ITALO DISCO Coffee Liqueur
There’s always at least one coffee lover on the Christmas list. Wow their socks off this year with this limited edition liqueur from Mr Black and Melbourne coffee aficionados St. ALi. Mr Black’s cold brew coffee liqueur makes a delicate, delicious espresso martini, but the Italo Disco takes things up a notch. The crew has leaned into St. ALi’s Italo Disco blend with an Italian Dark Roast that packs a punch. RRP $69.99 https://mrblack.co/au/
Tamar Ridge Reserve Pinot Noir 2019
Pinot-philes in your life look out, they’re in for a real treat with this Tasmanian beauty that’s produced only when the grapes are just right. Tamar Ridge is well known for its pinots and this one is a cracker. Soft tannins, balanced fruits, plenty of berry and a long finish make this a drop to open at the start of Christmas dinner. Don’t wait until the turkey is out of the oven – it’s a perfect pair for the big bird, but it’ll also go down well with the cheese plate. RRP. 65.00 https://www.tamarridge.com.au/product/tamar-ridge-reserve-pinot-noir/
The Company You Keep (TCYK) gin
The name says it all. This Marrickville-distilled gin is seriously good company. The London Dry style gin is everything it should be, and more, with plenty of juniper and solid doses of citrus. A little lavender for complexity and native botanical pepperberry for some oomph, it goes down easily in the hot weather as a classic G&T and will keep the festive season very merry indeed. RRP $65 https://tcykgin.co/products/sydney-dry-gin
Pirie Sparkling Vintage Rosé 2016
Nothing rings in the festive season quite like a bottle of bubbles! The 2016 Pirie Sparkling Vintage Rosé is perfect for the long summer days we have coming, or will sit nicely for the next few years. There’s a creamy palate backed up by the boldness of pinot noir grapes that hits all the right notes. Cool climate wines and sparkling are the name of the game down south and this drop shows off why. RRP $48 https://www.tamarridge.com.au/product/pirie-sparkling-vintage-rose-2016/
Moreau Apple Pie Liqueur
Just like homemade apple pie. With the gold medals to prove it. Got a sweet tooth in the family? Help them stay merry through the festive season with this sweet tipple from Sydney-based Mobius Distilling Co. Hot tip – drizzle over vanilla ice cream and you’ve got pie a la mode and some very happy dinner guests. RRP $75 https://mobiusdistilling.co
