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Estimated read time: 14 mins
Somehow it’s already that time of year again – calendars filling up with festive events, end-of-year deadlines looming at work, and the realisation that gifts need to be sorted – pronto. Which means it’s that time of the year again for a bumper edition of a blog post – my annual gift guide, now going 7 years strong! Whether you’re shopping for that friend who is notoriously difficult to buy for, the kids in your life, or you’re simply looking for a few fun presents under $100 (because yes – good gifts do exist in that bracket), this year’s guide is being written with you, yes you – the time-poor but taste-savvy professional – in mind.
I’m a couple of weeks late with this year’s guide because, ya know, life. But this has been weeks in the making and the cumulation of hours spent scouring all corners of the internet, dumping them into my working google doc to pull together a list of gifts that feel thoughtful and actually useful. You’ll recognise a few things in the list that I own myself, and there are a fair few items here that I’d be stoked to unwrap.
As always, it’s grouped into categories to make it easy for you to browse, so let’s get started!
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For the under $100 category, I’ve pulled together a mix of classics and crowd-pleasers that genuinely get used. Starting with a shameless plug – my Huzzah caps (currently 25% off and not being restocked, get in before they’re gone forever!!). These make an easy, unisex gift and are perfect for summer days and low-effort sun protection. This Frank Green coffee cup is another reliable win, the magnetic closure alone feels like a tiny everyday luxury. For something stylish and sun smart, these sunglasses from Le Specs are a lightweight pair I’ve been wearing lately, they’re brighten up any outfit, particularly with the colour I’ve chosen (but they also come in darker shades too, if that’s more your jam. For the practical friend, they’d love to receive this crossbody bag from Patagonia – it’s a colourful take on the classic black version I’ve owned and loved for years. There are also the failsafes – Monopoly, because it’s a classic and Uno, for that same reason.
If you’re after some little luxuries, a Sheridan beach towel always lands well, and this boujee hand wash strikes that perfect “treat but not too spendy” balance. This handheld steamer is also surprisingly giftable – I bought one for my mum a couple of years ago. It’s just one of those practical, compact fixes for creases. For another everyday luxury, this Pantone Lexon clock in yellow is a nice designer-y homewares piece for one’s bedside table or desk. Then there are the beauty picks – this L’Occitane gift set, which is genuinely full of products people actually use, and Jo Malone Ginger Biscuit Cologne – a little luxe and festive without being too sweet. To wrap up this category, this pencil case from Oroton is one of those everyday luxuries that would see constant use (great as a slim makeup case too) and the retro Casio watch, which somehow looks great on everyone.
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For the little ones (and the not-so-little ones), these gifts are guaranteed hits. Owala drink bottles are leak-proof and hardy, perfect for school bags and gear bags for weekend sport, while Adidas sneakers and Blundstone boots always get worn on repeat. For cuteness overload for the tiny humans in your gifting orbit, check out this Jellycat penguin on a snowboard – complete with a tiny beanie – enough said.
Clothing-wise, Uniqlo’s Minecraft tee and Warhol tee are great stocking fillers (and in my experience, Uniqlo t-shirts are particularly hardwearing and long lasting making these ideal – my 6 year old is currently wearing a t-shirt his now 16 year old brother wore – talk about going the distance). Meanwhile, this Lego jumper is a fun, comfy option. Activity/game-wise, you can’t go wrong with a Globber scooter with lights (I denied my kids one of these light up scooters opting for hand-me-down scooters instead and I’m still copping flack from them for not having one!), the Bluey Dance Mode Chattermax (an iconic Bluey episode, right?!), or the VTech camera (any VTech is a winner imho).
For the Lego-obsessed, this Toucan from the Creator range looks great as well as this Modern Mansion, and the Lego lunch bag is a practical option if the Lego-obsessed person in your life is branching out into merch. Some other fun options include the Monster Tag Toss game, a classic T-ball set for the backyard, a Singing Machine for karaoke nights (sorry in advance), and to wrap up this section, here’s a suggestion chosen enthusiastically by my 8 and 6 year old boys who have been constantly looking over my shoulder as I’ve been putting these gift guides together – they would like for me to recommend Toilet Golf, which I will make no further comment about.
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If you’re looking to make a serious impression, these luxury picks are the kind of gifts that get kept, cherished, and worn endlessly. I’ve bought myself a version of this Gucci scarf earlier this year (so lightweight and just a classic piece), and my Loewe Puzzle bag remains one of the most reached-for pieces in my wardrobe. I also recently treated myself to these Celine oval sunglasses and cannot recommend them enough (psst, they’re also a few hundred dollars cheaper buying them from the link I’ve shared as opposed to popping into the Celine boutique – not sure why!), and if you want a statement shoe, Dries Van Noten heels have an awesome sculptural heel are forever show-stoppers – I get compliments every time I wear mine (that are a few season old now.
There are equally chic and bougie options like the Loewe sunglasses (these are decently priced), Gucci bag, the Saint Laurent quilted vanity bag, Toteme patent clutch, Bottega bag, Manolo Blahnik mules, Gucci ballet flats and Dries Van Noten sandals. For something a little more whimsical – and guaranteed to spark joy – the Anya Hindmarch Carmex keyring and Sriracha keyring are delightfully playful pieces not many people will own. To close out this category, I’ve also included a pair of sculptural Dinosaur Designs earrings, a classic Saint Laurent belt that I bought myself earlier this year, and these very wearable Gucci sneakers because, why not.
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I’m firmly in my home things era and have been especially obsessed with Dinosaur Designs lately – my closest friends gave me a few beautiful pieces for my 40th recently, and they’ve quickly become some of my most treasured things. Their sculptural pieces always spark joy, which is why the Drift Bowl, Temple Vase, Stone Servers, Orange Blossom Candle and Rock Resin Jug all make the cut – they’re functional pieces of art and instantly elevate a space. For the practical home lover, Joseph Joseph kitchen tools are always a safe bet – we love their nesting bowls and sets – and a beautiful chess set makes a great living-room display piece when it’s not in use. Our 16 & 8 year old boys are obsessed with playing chess at the moment!
There are also the little luxuries I swear by at home, my Sarah Flint slippers that I’ve had for years and are so cute with their little pom design, Aesop incense for a calming scent moment, and the Marimekko bath mat for a pop of colour. Coffee-table favourites like the Assouline Kyoto book and Monocle Book of Homes are perfect for design lovers. Soft furnishings always make thoughtful gifts too – this Sheridan cushion and Country Road cushion would make any sofa cosier. And for smaller, everyday delights – the Country Road butter dish in blue, the cult-favourite Lexon lamp, and the classic Moka Pot in the Dolce & Gabbana collaboration print – we’ve had ours for over a year and it still looks new!
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This is a category that I find the easiest to put together as a lot of the gear I’ve suggested here includes lots of bits I personally own and love – so if they spark joy for me, there’s a good chance they’ll do the same for someone on your list. At the very top is the Bellroy Navy Tokyo Wonder Tote because I genuinely swear by this particular style – and it’s just been released in a wearable navy! Beautiful classics like this bestselling Oroton bag, Gucci belts (and another style), and the timeless Gucci silk scarf always make elegant gifts, while the Uniqlo windproof blouson is a surprisingly chic everyday staple. For summer days, the A. Emery sandals are beautifully minimal and elevate the simplest of outfits, and when it comes to shoes, Bared Footwear remains my numero uno brand for stylish comfort – their flats, loafers and sandals are consistent winners. Jewellery-wise, I love Arms of Eve for high-quality, heavy, tarnish-resistant pieces – the Effie earrings, beaded bracelet, Helios cuff and Madison gold cuff all feel luxe without the price tag. And if you’re looking for bag options, I’ve got something a little playful here with this Alemais basket bag and then there’s the trusty Longchamp Le Pliage that your special someone is bound to get plenty of use out of.
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We’ve been on a bit of a journey with our coffee machine this year – as many of you know if you follow me over on IG. When I finally polled you on which machine you’ve loved the most, this Breville machine came out on top (by an absolute mile!), so it naturally earns its place here. And if you’re going to splurge, you want pieces that will earn their keep for years (gee, you’d bloody hope they would!).
Home cooks will appreciate the heirloom-level Le Creuset cast iron casserole and the fun (but supremely functional) Ooni pizza oven. I bought this for my husband for Father’s Day last year and the entire household has been able to benefit from it 😉 Then there’s a KitchenAid mixer – one of those forever pieces of machinery in one’s kitchen. Other iconic options include a pastel-perfect SMEG toaster and elegant Riedel wine glasses.
For other splurge-worthy pressies, how about an iconic Missoni towel, or this chic Gucci luggage, or this Loewe fringed blanket – these gifts are ones that the receiver might not ordinarily purchase for themselves. For practical luxuries, the Dyson purifier and Dyson Airstrait both earn gold stars (I’ve included other Dyson stylers including the Airwrap in this guide too) and the Bose noise-cancelling headphones genuinely elevate daily life. Finally this Pantone/Lexon gift set is a bit epic with a collection of fun gadgety everyday electronics; and for a jewellery splurge, the sculptural CompletedWorks earrings are truly stunning.
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For the beauty lovers – or anyone who heat-styles their hair as often as I do – these are the products and tools that genuinely earn their price tag. My forever favourites include the Dyson Airwrap (I have the old version and have linked the whizzband new Coanda version for you), the GHD Grand Tong (what used to be known as the Soft Curl Tong that I love using) and GHD Duet Blowdry, all of which make styling faster (and my hair far less angry). In terms of products, this hair oil is a consistent and mandatory part of my hair routine, as is this sea salt scrub at least once a week. If you Airwrap your hair, adding this mousse adds volume and gives your blow out proper staying power (without crunch). For luxe skincare, the Trudermal LED Mask is one I’ve personally spent time with (full disclosure it was sent to me a couple of months ago), it’s a proper me-time ritual and if I’m about to break out, I’ll use the blue light/acne function – and Go-To Face Hero remains a glow-inducing favourite.
Makeup-wise, Merit is genuinely my favourite makeup brand – the formulas are effortless, the colours always flattering, and their sets represent amazing value for money. I first tried the brand by investing in one of their sets last year and I haven’t looked back! The Intro Set and Colour Trio are fantastic starting points (note to myself: include links to the individual blush, minimalist perfecting stick and lipstick). Another great easy to use foundation is this one from Trinny London. For a fun little luxury, the Anya Hindmarch beauty bag is always a delight and the Chanel double mirror is small but very chic.
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For the travel lovers, my number one recommendation will always be the Bellroy Lite Carry On – my absolute favourite piece of luggage (watch that in action in my review video here). It’s incredibly lightweight, perfect for carry-on-only travel (which is very much our style), and it takes up minimal storage space at home. Bellroy just gets their carry gear/travel stuff right, so their Tech Kit, Hard Case Luggage, Lite Pouch Duo and AirTag keychain all make brilliant, practical gifts.
There are plenty of other useful bits and bobs that make travel smoother too – the Nere vanity case (a great cost friendly option), Go-To Minis (because one needs to maintain a beauty routine while abroad), and the playful Anya Hindmarch pouch are all great upgrades. For beach destinations, the Sea Level swimsuit (use VIRGINIA15 for 15% off) has a beautiful fit and feels like shapewear (I’m not someone who feels comfortable strutting around in a swimsuit but feel very supported in this one), and weather-wise, a Blunt umbrella never goes astray. For more classics, this Oroton beauty case that opens up in a really nifty fashion, Oroton weekender, a Kindle Paperwhite for the readers, and Bose over-ear headphones for blissful in-flight noise cancelling.
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I’ve unintentionally turned my husband – and honestly, our entire household – into Bellroy devotees, so it’s no surprise there are plenty of their pieces here. The Bellroy olive backpack is a bag my husband regularly uses for interstate work travel, this rolltop backpack is a new release and just a great stylish option while still offering all of the internal compartmentalisation Bellroy is known for, lite sling (a travel must for all the boys in our house) and classic Bellroy wallet are all practical, well-designed gifts he’ll use daily. Patagonia is another brand that never misses – everything lasts and gets better with age. And we’re lifetime customers of Patagonia now given their awesome repair service. So the Fjord flannel shirt, rain jacket and fleece pullover are reliable winners.
For the man who loves a gadget (or two), the Fujifilm camera and Polaroid camera make great creative toys, and the Lego F1 is a fun, display-worthy build. If you’re after something more classic, you can’t go wrong with the Oroton weekender bag or Montblanc cufflinks. And for the corporate types, a Ted Baker tie or reversible belt will be a safe (and stylish) bet.
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For the fitness lovers – or anyone trying to stay motivated over summer – these are the pieces I reach for constantly. MoveActive make my favourite grippy socks for reformer (I have many, many pairs on rotation) – this pair and this pair are standouts. Home workouts are made easier with a Pilates ring, Pilates ball and MoveActive hand weights. On the wellness front, the WelleCo Evening Elixir and Beauty Chef protein powder are great additions to a daily routine. For movement essentials, the Patagonia crossbody bag is a perfect lightweight bag for walks, and New Balance sneakers remain my go-to for sneakers. Tech-wise, the Bose Open Earbuds get rave reviews for walks and runs as they allow you to stay engaged with your surroundings (unlike full noise-cancelling options) and they’re really comfortable too. Meanwhile, this Bose portable speaker would be great for at-home workouts or outdoor sessions. For post-workout comfort, the Patagonia sweater is cosy without being bulky (I wear my Patagonia sweater CONSTANTLY and it is just one of those wardrobe items that will never die). And if you’re looking to treat someone to a proper activewear refresh, this is what I like to call the Lululemon starter pack – the Align tights with pockets plus the Flow Y bra.
As always, thanks so much for stopping by! Happy festive shopping!
