It’s that time of year again, Christmas Gift Guide time. Christmas seems to be rolling around incredibly quickly this year, I’m sure our various lockdowns have had something to do with it.
Whether you are looking forward to it or feel like having a year off, here are some fun local Australian based gifts from (mostly) small businesses for the foodies in your life. Or just yourself - we all need a pick me up now and then!
Tea Towels from Bec Fing Designs
Bec Fing Designs* Tea Towels - Finally some super bright and colourful linens! Bec Fing Design’s Tea Towels (and her whole range really), are such a fun sight to behold and are great for the colour lovers in your lives. Everything is made in Goondiwindi Queensland, and are based on paintings by Bec.
Pantone Tea Cups from Rabbit Hole Tea - When I saw these I was instantly in love. I haven’t bought any for myself (yet), but I feel it’s only a matter of time. I really like the pink and the green cups, and paired with one of Rabbit Hole’s teas (I can highly recommend Ginger Snap), it would make a lovely gift.
Tea & Blooms Tea Towel from Tilly’s Table
Tilly’s Table Tea Towels - I am still obsessed with everything Tilly creates, and her tea towels are no exception. These are the type of tea towels that will instantly beautify your kitchen and take pride of place as ‘the good tea towel’. I also love the cards Tilly produces, especially these new Australian Summer ones. Everything made by Tilly are photographs by her, with her amazing styling and use of florals.
Small Rock Candy Vases by Yo-Dan
Yo-Dan Glass Vases - These amazing glass vases are made in Adelaide, and they are truely some of the most beautiful work I’ve ever seen. The vases come in different sizes (pictured here are the small size - light pink and green vase is called ‘paradise rock candy’ and darker pink and purple vase is called ‘rose rock candy’), and there are cups too. There is a Yo-Dan online store restock planned for this weekend (Sunday November 28 2021, 7pm Adelaide time).
Harvest Apron by Gorman x Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation - This is the cutest apron I’ve seen in a while! And I know I’ll be pretty disappointed if I don’t manage to get myself one. Along with a few other items like kids clothes and a picnic rug, the profits from this collab will be contributed to the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation.
Small Jug by Ruby Pilven Ceramics
Ruby Pilven Ceramics Jug - I love everything Ruby makes, especially the kitchen/baking ware like this jug (this is the small size). I love her colourful style and use of metallics in some of her designs. Everything is handmade by Ruby in Ballarat, Victoria.
Spreads by Messina - I think these sets of Spreads made by Gelato Messina would make a lovely gift. You can buy them from their online store so you don’t need to live close to a Messina store to get them. They have two sets, the Christmas Spreads which contains Dulce De Leche, Choc Hazelnut Spread and Pistachio Fudge Spread and Signature Spreads which has Waffle Cone Spread, Choc Hazelnut Spread and Dulce de Leche. You know which set I picked!
A Year at The Market Subscription from Naomi Loves
Naomi Loves A Year At The Market Subscription - I have been subscribed to A Year at the Market all year and have so enjoyed receiving a guide each month. Each guide is designed by Naomi with her magnificent illustrations, along with two printed cards each month with an illustration of the fruit or vegetable which is the topic of that months guide. A lovely present for a food or market lover in your life, or a year long present to yourself.
Italian Food from La Dispensa - For the Italian food lover in your life (all of us?!). I recently found La Dispensa when I was googling ‘crema di pistacchio australia’, as I do every few months and finally came across a local business who not only sells crema di pistacchio, they sell 1kg tubs of it (!!!), AND so.many.other.Italian.goodies! They have what looks like every type of panatone possible, and the fancy Dolce & Gabbana food collabs too which would make a great gift (I obviously want this one).
Iced Voco and Strawberries Felt Food by Catering by Lucy Alan from Wattle and Twine
Handmade Felt Food by Catering by Lucy Alan from Wattle and Twine - These are just so cute! I know they are made for children, but I really couldn’t resist these when I first discovered them. The selection of food available has expanded since I first bought some, and you can also get choc chip biccies, fried eggs, fairy brad and more, along with the Iced Vovos and strawberries pictured here.
Feather and Nest Tea & Toast ’Bake’ Letter Parcel - For the stationary lover! I adore Kim’s Tea & Toast Boxes, and this little Tea & Toast Letter Parcel is the perfect little gift to pop in the post for someone who loves baking and stationary. Kim curates these parcels and there is always a gorgeous illustration from her son Lew in there too.
Variety Gift Box from Grounded Pleasures
Grounded Pleasures* Variety Gift Box - The ultimate gift for the chocolate lover in your life! A 50g mini of every Grounded Pleasures drinking chocolate, plus their chai. A great way to try them all. Add a packet of their marshmallows to your order and you’ll be set for hot or iced chocolates for the festive season!
Handmade Chocolates by Meltdown Artisan, Ms Peacock and Chocolate on Purpose - If you are looking for delicious, interesting handmade chocolates from excellent small businesses these are the businesses I would look to first!
Olsson’s Sea Salt Flakes Stoneware Jar
Olssons Sea Salt Flakes Stoneware Jar - I bought this canister of salt a few months ago, well, because the canister is really nice looking! However I’ve actually used quite a lot of the salt, and have found having the canister on the bench really handy, especially with it’s little spoon attached to the jar. It would make a lovely gift, as would the Christmas special Gift wrapped version of the salt. I also really like the Sea Salt Flakes made in collaboration with EmmyLou Loves.
*The tea towels by Bec Fing Designs are a mixture of those I have purchased myself and been gifted by Bec.
*The Grounded Pleasures Mini’s Gift Box was gifted to me by Grounded Pleasures as part of a paid photography job. Image used is from that paid project, however the recommendation is my own and not part of the paid project in any way. I love the Grounded Pleasures products and buy them myself when I am not working with them.
