What the FJ team is gifting their loved ones this holiday season
IMAGE VIA @alexandtrahanas/INSTAGRAM
WORDS BY DAISY HENRY
Gift ideas for your best friend, mum, siblings, partner and most importantly, your pets.
Somehow, we’ve hit December. Summer is officially here and with that marks the countdown to the festive season. City streets are lined with fairy lights, advent calendars are popped open and it’s now considered socially appropriate to deck your house out in Christmas decorations.
It also means the window for present shopping is getting narrower by the minute. If you’re anything like me, this comes with a flood of excitement. I love everything about gift-giving – scrolling online and selecting the perfect gift for my favourite people, channelling my inner crafty-girl and getting overly ambitious with my present wrapping.
Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.
However, I know not everyone approaches this time of the year with the same gusto. The holidays can be expensive, stressful and not everyone gets the time (or dopamine hit) from scrolling, planning and shopping like I do.
So to make things a little easier, myself and the Fashion Journal team put our heads together to share what we’re gifting our loved ones this holiday season. Whether it’s artwork, jewellery or ceramics you’re looking for, there’s inspiration at every price point.
Le Labo Santal 26 Candle
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
For: Her grandma
Candles get a bad reputation when it comes to gift-giving! They’re often dismissed as a last resort, something impersonal you get for people when you can’t think of anything else. However, I think that with the right one, it can make a perfect gift. The Le Labo Santal 26 candle smells incredible (if you know, you know) and my grandma wouldn’t usually spend this much money on herself, so she’ll feel spoilt.
Get it here.
Custom photo print by Lula Cucchiara
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
For: Her boyfriend
I’m copying Molly’s idea of only exchanging ‘gifts for the house’ this year with my boyfriend. We moved countries earlier this year and left all our framed photos and art behind, so our walls need some love! I’ve ordered a custom print from Lula Cucchiara, one of my favourite photographers who recently opened her own darkroom in Sydney. I’ve chosen a photo of some sassy ladies at a beach in Napoli to hang in our lounge and remind us of summer. Send her a DM if you want one! Support your favourite artists this time of year, it makes gifting feel even better.
Get it here.
Alex and Trahanas Lido Ceramic Wine Cooler
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
For: Her best friend
In my opinion, the best gifts are beautiful, special things you might think are silly to buy for yourself. A hand-painted ceramic wine cooler is exactly that, it’s perfect for summer entertaining and something you’re unlikely to splurge on for yourself.
Get it here.
Westhill Silver Diamond Sharp signet ring*
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
For: Her partner
Despite knowing him better than anyone, I find buying for my partner so hard each Christmas. I tend to give all the best ideas to his friends and family, so I’m always left scratching my head. Nothing feels personal or romantic enough, and every time I try and buy him something fashion-adjacent, he declares it too ‘out there’. I think I’ve struck the right balance with this signet ring though. It’s understated (hardly risky) and the addition of a diamond lends it a little romance. Apologies in advance to Matt if you’re reading this, please act surprised.
Get it here.
Ceramic bowl and dinner plates by Valerie Restarick
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
For: Her kitten
I live up the road from ceramicist Valerie Restarick’s studio in Carlton North. Her shelves are lined with the most incredible handmade pieces, from mugs to dinner plates, to ‘snakeskin glaze’ fruit bowls and vases in all shapes and sizes. I’m picking up some lemon yellow-glazed plates for the house, plus a small turquoise water bowl for my kitten, Pinto.
Get it here.
Lush Yog Nog gift set*
Picked by: Molly Griffin, Fashion Journal’s Advertising and Partnerships Manager
For: Her mum
Growing up in a country town, coming to the city and buying some special goodies from Lush was something we really looked forward to and it’s still the easiest way to buy my Mum a gift! As most Mum’s do, mine very rarely will put herself first, so this luxurious Yog Nog gift set from Lush will be perfect for a head-to-toe pamper.
Get it here.
Zonzo Estate gift voucher
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
For: Her in-laws
Although I’m not married, my boyfriend’s parents hold a very special place in my heart. I recently went to Zonzo after receiving a gift voucher for my birthday and felt so relaxed sitting outside in the sun, sipping on one too many of their iconic Limoncello spritz’. It’s fun to mix things up and giving them an experience means they can treat themselves out to a full day out in the Yarra Valley while they’re on summer holidays.
Get it here.
Halo X3 Titanium 3 Piece Hair Curler*
Picked by: Lara Daly, Fashion Journal’s Features Editor
For: Her mum
My mum is always borrowing my hair tools, like my Dyson Airwrap, which she doesn’t really know how to use. So this year, I’m gifting her a curling tong of her own that seems nice and user-friendly. I like the look of the Halo X3 Titanium 3 Piece Hair Curler as it has three different barrel sizes, which I think will all work on my mum’s amazing silver hair. I’ll just need to teach her how to do it!
Get it here.
Food for Everyone poster
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
For: Her brother
The men in my life are increasingly hard to buy for, with none into fashion and all having accumulated almost every tech or cooking gadget known to man. My brother is the hardest though, as everything he wants (which is very little) he buys for himself. I was contemplating yet another Uber Eats voucher but instead I’ve settled on a print by social enterprise Food for Everyone. My reasons are twofold: 1) his apartment has empty walls and I know he’ll be open to hanging this, and 2) if he doesn’t love it, there’s the nice backstory of it also having donated 10 meals to those experiencing food insecurity.
Get it here.
Curious Grace Blow Wave Hot Air Brush in Lilac Burst*
Picked by: Georgina Woolcock, Fashion Journal’s Branded Content and Production Executive
For: Her Mum
Like Lara’s mum, mine is constantly borrowing my Dyson Airwrap to dry her hair whenever she comes to stay at mine. The round brush attachment is the only one that sees the light of day for her, so why not buy her a tool of her own? The brush features a wide ceramic barrel, a cool tip and three heat settings, so the learning curve shouldn’t be too steep.
Get it here.
Flavedo cheek and lip Dew tint
View this post on Instagram
Picked by: Giulia Brugliera, Fashion Journal’s Managing Editor
For: Her Secret Santa
Beauty products are deeply personal so I’m typically loathe to gift any skincare or makeup, as much as I love receiving them! But the Dew Tints by Australian company Flavedo (formerly Flavedo and Albedo) tick all my boxes for a Secret Santa gift. Coming under the oft-adopted $50 cap, it’s hard to go wrong with a cream blush as the consistency will work on most skin types, including older skin. Colour matching is hardly an issue with many people adopting ‘blush wardrobes’ these days, and if the giftee isn’t madly into blush, this one doubles as a lip tint. The packaging is also festive and fun, making it a neat one to open.
Get it here.
Blackfinch Jewellery Moontide Earrings*
Picked by: Daisy Henry, Fashion Journal’s Assistant Editor
For: Her best friend
These Moontide earrings are beautiful and have been on my best friend’s wishlist forever. I wouldn’t usually spend this much but her birthday falls just after Christmas, so a few of us are going to pool together and treat her to a pair as a combined gift. I already know she’s going to feel so special wearing them.
Get it here.
*Products marked with an asterisk are produced in partnership with each listed retailer. For last-minute gift ideas, try this.
Liked this? You’ll love these...
