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The best way to nail Christmas shopping — in other words, buying your friends and family gifts they’ll treasure at a bargain price — is to plan ahead. If you have an idea of what to buy for everyone, you can monitor the item’s prices, jumping in to buy them when you see them in the sales.
This is where this handy Christmas gift guide comes in. While you might not want to buy a specific gift on this list, it’ll still help you to get ideas flowing for presents you do want to get.
Related: 10 Housewarming Gifts So Good You May Want to Keep Them for Yourself
Related: From Trendy to Timeless, These Are the Best Dinnerware Pieces You Can Buy Right Now
Ahead, we’ve rounded up our picks for Christmas gifts that’ll suit everyone, from the colleague you barely know but drew in Secret Santa, to your aunt who, let’s be honest, already has everything she possibly needs. Basically, there’s a gift idea to suit every Christmas gifting situation — and, importantly, budget.
Gifts Under $50
Candle
Sure, candles might seem ‘done’, but they’re done and done again, for a reason — they really do make for great gifts. For some sweet-smelling options, consider Palm Beach Salted Caramel and Vanilla, $49.95, Glasshouse Lost in Amalfi, $54.95, or Diptyque Etincelles Candle, $116.
Sunscreen
While sunscreen is probably not your typical holiday gift, someone you know who loves being outdoors will appreciate it as they can never have enough of it. This Naked Sundays SPF50+ Hydrating Glow Mist comes in a Christmas cracker, $39.95, while this Mecca Max Cool It Kit Watercooler duo, $40, includes both a sunscreen and a serum.
Gifts $50-$100
Voucher for a Self-Care Treatment
If there’s someone in your life who you know doesn’t indulge themselves in self-care treatments, get them a voucher for a facial, massage or even an energy healing session for something different. Access Bars is a gentle treatment using light touch on the head that anyone can use and will appreciate getting as a gift. The cost varies on the individual practioner, but it’s around $100 per session.
Endota Spa’s The Freedom Gift Card can be sent to a recipient over e-mail with a 150-character personal message or be given as a physical card. The brand has spas all around the country and offers treatments including massages, facials and even tanning and waxing.
Quality Sheet Set
Most of us could do with a bedding upgrade and would appreciate getting gifted a beautiful set. If you don’t know the person’s tastes all that well, go with white, black or cream colour. These Sheet Society Eden Cotton Butter Bed Sheets, $85, for a fitted sheet, will brighten any bedroom.
Baking Set
Anyone who loves baking will appreciate quality bakewear. This space-saving Rose Gold Smart Stack Bakewear Set, $90, which includes two loaf pans, muffin pan, square pan, cookie sheet, roaster and cooling rack.
Packing Cubes
File packing cubes in the folder ‘things you didn’t know you needed until you got them and now can’t live without’. Any jetsetting giftee will appreciate these Kathmandu Packing Cube 3pk, $49.98, made from two recycled plastic bottles and featuring a clear front panel so they can easily find their gear.
Gifts $100-$200
Hooded Towel
For someone you know who lives at the beach, grab them this Sun Rays Terry Hooded Towel, $99.99. It’s a poncho-style towel they can slip into before or after a swim or surf. Helpfully, it comes with pockets and is made from a super comfy cotton fabric.
Backpack
A well-made backpack makes a great gift for someone who’s always on the go. The Kanken Re-Wool, $279.95, is made from recycled wool and, helpfully, has a back panel and a base, while the Lululemon All Day Essential Backpack, $109, comes with a padded pocket for a laptop.
For any giftees you know who love to cook, get them an investment cookware item. Ironclad Co’s Lil Legacy, $200, is made with the highest grade recycled iron and has been designed to withstand at least 100 years of daily use. Another option is the GreenPan Venice Pro Noir Frypan Set, $131.98 (down from $329.95), which includes a 26cm frypan and a 30cm pan, both with a lifetime warranty.
Crew Neck Jumper or Hoodie
While you might never have thought to gift someone a crew neck jumper or hoodie, it actually makes for a great present. You often don’t need to know the recipient’s exact size when you buy a hoodie, or whether they actually need one — most everyone could do with another. The Nike Forward Crew, $150, uses thin layers of fibres for a super lightweight feel and is made with at least 70% recycled content.
Straw or Bucket Hat
For the outdoor lovers in your life, gift them a hat that’ll not only protect their face from sun exposure, but have them looking stylish, too. This TJ Swim Riley Bucket Hat ($89.99) is made from biodegradable, durable fabric so any giftee can use it for years to come.
Meanwhile, this unisex Will and Bear River Sand hat ($119) is made with heavy weave, meaning it’s durable, and with its natural sand colour, will go with every outfit.
Kettle
While definitely not a holiday gift you might’ve ever thought of, a sleek kettle will be appreciated by more giftees than you think, all of who would’ve welcomed the update. This Philips Eco Collection Kettle ($129) was made with recyclable and durable material, including, incredibly. cooking oil and other plant waste.
Gifts $200-$300
Sparkling Water Maker
Sparkling water is a great alternative to a sugary, carbonated drink, and you can let any giftee make their own at home by getting them an easy-to-use SodaStream Duo Sparkling Water Machine (on sale for $249, down from $299). The machine comes with both a dishwasher-safe glass bottle and a plastic one so she can take her fizzy water with her wherever she goes.
Slides
To coincide with warmer weather, grab someone a pair of slides for the holiday. These unisex Adidas Yeezy Slides 2.0 2021 ($350-$500) are made from textured rubber with strategically-placed grooves for traction and cushioning. Another option is these Aquila Bronte Pool Slides ($129). They’re for men and show off a European tailored style.
Gifts $400+
Portable Speaker
A portable speaker is another good gift idea to coincide with summertime when we’ll spending more time outdoors and so might want to bring one to set our soundtrack. Voice-controlled Bose Portable Smart Speaker ($549.95) is water-resistant and has up to 12 hours battery per full charge.
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