The Thousands

There is great joy in giving people gifts when the gift you give them just nails gift giving to the wall hard. It’s now ten days out from doomsday. That’s enough time to get a gift that kills it but not really enough time to browse around. We help. Our annual Christmas shopping/gift guide tackles Christmas shopping hell by breaking things into gift categories; homewares, books and music, clothing and accessories, and miscellaneous things you can give anyone. And we’ve stuck to a budget of up to $80.

With the whole Occupy Christmas thing going on, we also thought it important to focus solely on bricks and mortar stores. So once we settled on a real world store, Penny sent a two-man crack team in to snoop around for the best gifts, take a photo and see how easily they can be stuffed into your average sized Christmas stocking. The result is books! Ceramic bowls! Socks! Body products! All photographed and price listed for you. 

 

Homewares

Leah Jackson ceramics at Mr Kitly

Leah Jackson is a Melbourne ceramicist. She’s also a babe and her cups and dispensers are now in store at Mr Kitly. All greys have sold out but you can get the white spotted cups for $42, white plain cups for $45 or the white dispensers for $60.

 

Akao teapots at CIBI

Every time you get a cup of tea at CIBI you say, “Oh, this is a nice teapot” and that is a true indicator of a good gift. These teapots are aluminium with a lovely pattern on them. The small ones are $50 and the medium are $60. They will last like forever.

 

Harvest Textiles Pillowcases at Harvest’s pop up Christmas shop

Who has nice pillow cases? No one does. Until they’re given some. These pillow cases are hand printed and only $25 a pop. The one with rain drops is the best. And note, the Harvest pop up Christmas shop is open until Christmas Eve so y’all know where to go when poop hits fan.

 

Sandra Bowkett ceramics at Craft Vic

Craft Vic? Ch-ching? Not so. These ceramics are $55 for the small and $65 for the medium. Probably best for a mother or mother-in-law.

 

Dylan Martorell pillowcases at Alice Euphemia

These pillowcases are good for boys because they avoid the whimsy of most design pillowcases, I think. A set of two is $65 and there are four different illustrations. A pillowcase made of t-shirt material? Oh you didn’t! This is the best Christmas ever!

 

 

Books and music

Ron van Mierlo, Wild Animals at Perimeter Books

Dan’s top pick for a gift from Perimeter Books is Ron van Mierlo’s Wild Animals. Mierlo is a Dutch artist whose double spreads of animal wash paintings are beautiful and also quite funny. And what’s more it’s $49! Hahahahaha.

 

Full Drop Co. 2012 Calendar at Parts & Crafts

Calendars are great things to buy for Christmas presents. Everyone knows that. But not everyone knows Rob at Parts & Crafts. This guy is incredible and he’s stocking these Full Drop Co. calendars for $30 each. Printed via Riso and a limited edition of 40, proceeds help fund the graduate show for RMIT textile students.

 

Tony Nourmad and Graham Marsh, Hollywood & The Ivy Look at Metropolis

Molly says this is the best book at Metropolis to give as a gift this Christmas. There is no arguing with this lady. This IS the best book to give to someone this Christmas. It’s $65, heavy, shiny and pulls together a collection of Hollywood stars kicking about Ivy League style.

 

Zine Instant Hit gift packs at Sticky

The Mail Order Department at Sticky now do zine gift packs! Choose from Zine Instant Hit (A) for $25 (five titles and dog-tag), Zine Instant Hit (B) for $50 (10 titles and dog-tag) or Zine Instant Hit for $75 (15 titles and dog-tag). Go ‘ere to order and Tom will sort you out.

 

Hany Armanious, The Golden Thread at World Food Books

Look at this book. It is hard cover and cloth-bound. Of course it is! It’s Hany Armanious‘ new monograph The Golden Thread, published on the occasion of his Australian Pavillion presentation at this year’s Venice Biennale. Fancy book for fancy friends (not fancy price – $30.)

 

Clothing and accessories

Socks at OK-OK

Okay okay, I know what you saying about socks for Christmas presents. Too easy? That’s the point! These socks are unisex, cotton and are patterned with anchors and stripes. Nautical is neutral which means everyone like it. They come in black/red/grey/navy and white at $13 a pair.

 

WITU necklaces from Monk House Design

Jewellery is a great thing to give people but sometimes it’s like, “Why did that creep give me jewellery?”. We think these necklaces get around that because they are not too ‘special’ right. WITU make them and Monk House sell them for $44.

 

Christmas ‘pick and mix’ stockings at Obus

Obus are doing pick and mix christmas stockings. Stockings are going for $29, $39, $49 or $69 depending on how many nail polishes, belts, socks, earrings and stockings you can pick and mix.

 

Sunglasses at m.e. & co

The sunglasses at m.e. & co are cheap ($25) and they look great. Give it to a friend who is also like this. m.e. & co also stock some sweet stationery: Field Notes note books for $13 and pencils for $6.

 

Hamish Munro balloon necklaces at Edition X

Now here’s a bit of fun. Some colourful balloon and rope necklaces for $35 each. You can turn them into bracelets too which is versatile. And you can layer them. I love you! You’re my best friend!

 

Me & Zena bunny head rings at Lenko

These rings remind me of Donny Darko. If your friend/sibling/partner is a gold person, get the gold bunny with green stone eyes. Give silvers the silver ones with blue stone eyes. $49 each.

 

Benjo’s waxed cotton laces at Incu

Incu have incredible things and we do not mean to be cheapskates or disrespect-ers but laces make such good gifts. These are waxed cotton and come in yellow, green, purple and blue for $6.

 

Rosteroids bodywear (and Speakrbox!) at Somewhere

Rosteroids bodywear goes for $45 and you just can’t ever have enough undies. Somewhere stock a range of colours and patterns but don’t go too nuts – classic is always better. You can’t put a Speakrbox on your nuts but they also make a good present at $60.

 

CBK 5 Panel Cap at Comeback Kid

If you know how big your friend’s head is, why not buy them a cap? These guys come in navy, green and orange contrasted by a classic khaki. $49. Boom.

 

Summer Bummer bags at Zoologie

Zoologie stock Alexandra Cassanti’s label Summer Bummer. This bag is called the ‘Endless Possibility Bag’, and let me tell you, the possibilities are endless with it. See me clutching. They are $66 each and come in striped, paisley (the one you can see here) and a newsprint pattern.

 

 

Miscellaneous

Plain & Simple candles at Corky Saint Clair

These candles look great, are all natural and burn for 40. Corky is stocking four scents (Lime, Basil & Mandarine, Sage & Pomegranate, Green Tea, Citrus & Sage) for $25 each. Lighting them might be difficult (look at the top of that bottle?) so maybe supply with long matches.

 

Salt Water Taffy at Third Drawer Down

Since its invention in Victorian times, salt water taffy has been enjoyed on television by Nucky Thompson and Sarah Jessica foot face alike. In real life, KIOSK at Third Drawer Down stock the original and best – Shrivers salt water taffy from New Jersey. Treat a sweet tooth at $20 a box.

 

Felt foods at Dagmar Rousset

What would anyone do with these felt foods right? And yet, they are a total hit! I gave an Italian friend the ravioli and she just died. Handmade in Portland by Pickle Things, they range from $22-$28 and aside from ravioli you can get sandwiches, sushi, pancakes and veggies.

 

Toothbrush holder (or some tape?) at FAT

Does your friend brush their teeth? Then they’ll need a place to put that toothbrush. Get them a tooth-shaped toothbrush holder from FAT. $30. Or this mmmg sticky tape – not only for toothbrushes. $13.

 

Royal Doulton candles at Alpha 60

Mr Doulton must be kicking crockery to the curb and doing candles. Check out these scents: Sandalwood, Pomegranate & Sage, Wild Fig & Apple Blossom, Ginger & Hyacinth, Peony and Red Chillies & Raisins. Red chillies and fucken raisins! Mr Doulton! Stop it! $39 each.

 

100% Magick Egyptian Magic Skin Cream at Someday

For the magicians out there, here’s some 100% pure magic skin cream. The tub is $52 and you can use it on skin and hair. What’s magical about this is that it keeps you looking younger for longer. Rohan is actually 140 years old but you never know it because he puts the Egyptian Magic Skin Cream on twice daily.

 

Jet Set packs at Aesop

Aesop is obvious but why fight it. If anyone you know is travelling over the holidays you should get them one of these Jet Set packs. For $39 you get a small shampoo, conditioner, body wash and moisturiser.

 

Origami paper (and socks!) at URA

Give the gift of paper for people who are good with the hands. URA have beautiful origami paper for $4. It doesn’t come with instructions but Matsu says that’s what the internet is for. Japanese socks for $15 also available.