HerCanberra’s Local Christmas Gift Guide 2023: Part One
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Tis the season to go shopping, and there’s a whole lot of Christmas gifts to be found in our own backyard.
Spoil your loved ones with a beautiful, locally-shopped gift that supports our community. As per our own HerCanberra tradition, we’ve brought back our annual Christmas Local Lust List to make it easy for you.
This year we have so much local goodness that we’re bringing FOUR gift guides your way—one each week in the lead-up to Christmas! Here’s Part One!
Senate Pack from Parliament Shop
The Senate Pack is a limited-edition Senate-themed gift collection designed for lovers of democracy and made in Australia, available exclusively at Parliament Shop at Australian Parliament House.
It includes socks and a reusable coffee cup engraved with designs inspired by the Senate chamber seating plan, a magnet featuring the LEGO® Senate chamber – a snapshot of the 152,690-brick LEGO® scale model of Australian Parliament House built by Ryan ‘Brickman’ McNaught, and a Christmas card featuring a gold foil geometric tree design.
RRP $65 from parliamentshop.com.au or instore.
Capital Pears print from Just Ruby and Me
Keep a little slice of the capital in your home with the iconic National Gallery of Australia sculpture featured in Capital Pears by Emmy from Just Ruby and Me Fine Photography Prints.
The perfect gift for the Canberra lover, each of Emmy’s prints are professionally printed to order and gift-wrapped with care and love using eco-friendly, sustainable packaging with one native tree planted in bushfire-affected areas of Australia with every order.
Browse collections of ready-to-frame prints or mix and match to create your own custom gallery at home, brighten your workspace or create a perfect personalised gift for someone special.
Be sure to order before 15 December to get your print in time for Christmas Day! Prices start at $45.95 plus shipping.
Order online from justrubyandme.com.
Ferro Forma’s Signature Flatware Collection
Thoughtfully hand-crafted in lustrous stainless steel, Ferro Forma has playfully designed each piece in their flatware collection to be centred around enjoying delicious food with family and friends. A delightful accompaniment to cheese boards, salads, desserts, and for each tasty meal in your everyday. The perfect gift for every food lover.
Prices range from $65 to $285. Be sure to get your order in by 1 December!
Shop online at ferroforma.com.au
Canberra Thinks You’re Boring Too Mug
Want to have a jab at your interstater-hater friends and family? Tell them that we think they’re boring too with North/South Print Shop’s 300ml matte black ceramic mug.
The Canberra Thinks You’re Boring Too mug ($25) comes in matte black or white and is microwave-safe to ensure the tea is always hot.
Shop online at northdotsouth.com.
Upcycled Timber Breadboards by Thor’s Hammer
Give these stunning and sustainable Upcycled Timber Breadboards pride of place in your kitchen. Made from recycled hardwood timber offcuts, Thor’s Hammer has a selection to choose from and each one is a unique size, shape and timber species.
Visit the showroom, workshop and gallery at 10 Mildura St, Griffith or shop online at thors.com.au.
Finely crafted Japanese Tableware from Kura Manuka
Kura Manuka has established itself as a welcome addition to the Canberra retail scene after opening earlier this year, brimming with beautiful Japanese tableware and gifts.
A treasure trove of finely crafted and one-off items, find a unique gift – or just something special for yourself – in Kura Manuka’s personally sourced range of products from glasses, mugs, bowls and chopsticks to Japanese fabrics, clothing and accessories handmade from stunning upcycled kimono material.
Buy online at kuramanuka.com.au or at Kura in Manuka Court.
Watermelon Gin from Antipodes Gin Co
Canberra’s certified organic and carbon neutral distillery – Antipodes Gin Co is releasing a new gin – Watermelon Gin. The fruit of summer but just a lot more adult! (And a lot easier than cutting one up!)
Juicy watermelon, balanced with notes of lemon myrtle and juniper guide this gin to be an indulgent spritz – or mix with yuzu soda or Solo!
Watermelon gin also makes a delicious sour. Shake watermelon gin (60ml) with lime juice (15ml), aquafaba (30ml), mint and ice, finish with a dash of bitters – summer heaven!
Last orders by 10 December. Order online at antipodesgin.com
Pete Cromer Resin Budgerigar from The Museum Shop
Handcrafted by Australian artist Pete Cromer, each budgie ($75) is made from resin with hand-painted detail and has a unique colour patterning. Inspired by the optimistic personalities in people and wildlife, Pete’s work is renowned for his signature bursts of glowing colour.
Shop online at shop.nma.gov.au or pop into Museum Shop at the National Museum of Australia. And don’t forget their Market Day this Sunday 26 November from 9 am to 4 pm!
Bush Blend Bush Christmas Candle
Bush Blend’s perennial favourite “Bush Christmas” candle is back to spread the Christmas cheer to one and to all!
Featuring the warming aromas of clove, cinnamon and nutmeg, balanced with red wine, berries and a twist of citrus this fragrance will have you feeling the Christmas spirit from your head to your mistle-toes! What does this deliciousness smell like?! Think mulled wine or Santa-gria – sorry, sangria.
Like all Bush Blend’s products, their candle ingredients are sourced from local businesses only.
Prices range from $40 – $60. Buy online from bushblend.com.au.
Discover something unique at The Malbon
Escape Canberra’s packed shopping centres and take a trip to The Malbon in Bungendore, a unique retail collective in the Village located just 30 mins from Canberra.
Browse the extensive range of antiques and collectables, homewares, art and photography galleries. Wander through and explore the growing range of artisan products, local makers, artists and jewellers.
Make a day of it, and enjoy coffee or lunch from Eric’s Cafe and sit within The Malbon Nursery. Christmas shopping never looked so good.
Open 7 Days 9:30 am – 5 pm until Christmas Eve at 2 Malbon Street, Bungendore. themalbon.com
The Ecohuts at Kimo Estate
Under two hours from Canberra, discover Kimo Estate’s captivating off-grid luxury huts designed for couples, perched atop their own hilltops, offering panoramic country views that stretch for miles.
Offering luxury without excess, this eco-friendly getaway has everything you need at your fingertips. Each hut boasts a wood-fired hot tub, where you can unwind amidst nature’s beauty, and a private hot shower with awe-inspiring vistas of the sprawling farm.
Embrace the cool breeze and let the outside world fade away as you escape. The perfect sanctuary to disconnect from technology, savour uninterrupted moments together and immerse yourself in nature.
Book an Ecohut escape for a unique Christmas present or snap up a voucher for the ultimate flexibility.
Book online at kimoestate.com.
14K White Gold Studs with lab-grown diamonds from Arnold & Co
Finding a gift that is unique, timeless and special can be difficult – but not impossible. Diamond stud earrings are elegant and timeless, they look good on everyone and complement every outfit.
This stunning pair is made using lab-grown diamonds – lab-made gems offer a more affordable option to their mined counterpart, with the exact same chemical make-up; the only difference is how they are sourced.
Featuring 0.5ct diamonds (0.25 in each ear), the earrings are set in 14K white gold, with screw backings to ensure the diamonds are safe and sound. An incredible gift for that someone special.
RRP $850, Black Friday $630 ($630 will be honoured after the sale for LLL readers). Also available in 0.3ct, 1ct, 2ct diamonds.
Shop online at arnoldcojewellers.com.au or instore at Shop DF 12 /13, Canberra Centre, Bunda St, Canberra City.
Workshop 85 Jewellery from The Curatoreum
Workshop 85 by Sophia Emmett are unique, sculptural pieces wearable art formed with mesh. The Curatoreum stocks a broad range of styles across earrings, necklaces, and bangles.
Offering effortless style, the pieces are super lightweight and easy to wear.
Prices range from $38-$120.
Shop online at thecuratoreum.com (order by 14 December to be sure you make Christmas cut-off) or pop instore at National Portrait Gallery or the National Arboretum.
Canberra Glassworks’ Signature Continuum Platter
Designed by Jacqueline Knight, the Continuum Platter ($345) stands as a beloved cornerstone within the exclusive Canberra Glassworks Signature collection. Meticulously crafted in the Glassworks Hotshop, each platter is a testament to the art of glass blowing.
Choose from a palette teal and cobalt, apricot and purple, lime and grey, and purple and cobalt, to elevate your dining and entertaining experiences.
Shop instore at Canberra Glassworks, 11 Wentworth Avenue Kingston. Extended trading Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 4 pm until 2 pm Saturday 23 December.
Feature image courtesy of northdotsouth.com.
