Phew! Another year about to pass us by and Chrissy will be here before you know it. Amongst all the busy-ness, one thing we can help you with is the Christmas shopping.

Cream presents a bumper Christmas Gift Guide packed with brilliant ideas for besties, good mates and family.

Pour yourself a cuppa, get comfy on that sofa, and enjoy scrolling through our compilation of innovative and interesting gift suggestions.

Consider this year’s gift-giving pretty much wrapped up!

Guide compiled by Antonino Tati, Lisa Andrews & Michael Mastess

↑ WHAT: Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal Le Parfum, 30ml. DESCRIPTION: Forget convention and let her express herself. This eau de parfum is as intense in scent as it is in aesthetic, the bottle depicting a pair of shapely legs in the air, giving the user permission to do, well, whatever the heck they want. A little spray here and there and they’ll have folks feeling hot under the collar.

The fragrance itself is a floral amber-y scent, with salty caramel notes, black vanilla and a surprise explosion of jasmine. In a word, intoxicating. But we kind of called it intense already, so there’s that… AVAILABLE FROM: Myer, David Jones and of course the jeanpaulgaultier.com site direct.

↑ WHAT: Glasshouse Fragrances Night Before Christmas Candle, 380g. DESCRIPTION: Glasshouse Fragrances create candles with natural lead-free cotton wicks and the highest quality non-toxic soy blend wax for a burn that is pure and intensely fragrant.

Get into the holiday spirit with this gorgeously designed and packaged ‘Night Before Christmas’ candle, subtitled ‘Dancing Sugar Plums’ due to its inclusion of delicious plum in its middle notes.

These fall between base notes of musk, oak moss and spice, and top notes of blackcurrant and redcurrant. There are also hints of lavender, lemon and rose in the mix, the glorious combination of these scents filling the room, and suitable for a large area where the fragrance throw will go far. No Parabens. No Silicones. No PEGs. RRP: $59.95 for the 380g size. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality outlets such as ChemistWorks, Freedom, Peter Alexander or direct from the glasshousefragrances.com site.

↑ WHAT: Vivienne Westwood ‘Murray’ Tote Bag. DESCRIPTION: Made in Italy, the Murray tote bag in black leather and recycled polyester has a grained finish and soft cotton interior lining. Eyelet detailing, side pockets, an interior pocket, and silver-tone hardware including the infamous orb plaque, the silhouette is classic; the look perfectly postmodern. RRP: $1,045.00. AVAILABLE FROM: viviennewestwood.com.

↑ WHAT: We Wander Experience Gift Box. DESCRIPTION: They say good things come in small packages and an experience gift box from We Wander is testament to that! Each little box holds a catalogue of wonderful experiences for the recipient to choose from, ranging from fine dining for two to magnificent outdoor bucket-list-type adventures. The Gourmet Dining experience box offers an array of exquisite dining experiences at some of the most iconic restaurants and venues across Australia, while something like the Bucket List box offers 450+ experiences pre-selected by gift experts that’ll appease adventure types and lovers of the great outdoors. RRP: Gourmet Dining experience box priced from $150.00. AVAILABLE FROM: wewander.com.au.

 

↑ WHAT: Hermès Porcelain Change Tray. DESCRIPTION: A gorgeous signature statement from the house of Hermès, this change tray is useful for trinkets and chump change alike. With a velvet goatskin base, both the tray and the surface you’re showing it off on will remain unscathed. Features a design by Benoît-Pierre Emery and decorated using chromolithography, a method of lithography for creating intricate colour prints. Made in France, of course, darling. Dimensions: L 21 x W 17 cm. RRP: $950.00. AVAILABLE FROM: Hermès but instore only.

www.thepopshop.shop

 

↑ WHAT: Wild Turkey Longbranch VAP 700ml, ABV 40%. DESCRIPTION: Whether you like your Bourbon Whiskey neat, on the rocks, or with a mixer, you can’t go past the quality and great taste of Wild Turkey Longbranch.

Refined with Texas mesquite and oak charcoals, this 8-year-old Kentucky Straight Bourbon goes down smooth and boasts a sweet vanilla flavour balanced by a slight smokiness.

Perfectly packaged for the holiday season, this gift set contains a 700ml bottle of Longbranch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey plus two premium tasting glasses. All set to watch the sunset with drink in hand this summer. RRP: $69.99. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets including Dan Murphy’s, Skull and Barrel, BWS, and Paul’s Liquor.

 

 

↑ WHAT: ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ Plush Cushion Case. DESCRIPTION: Get in on the surveilled state conspiracy trend – at least with one eye winking. This cushion has a premium velvet finish on the front, and wide-stripe corduroy fabric on the back (more of a blood red hue at the back in contrast to the zesty tones on the front). Features a discreet zip-fastening closure with Ben Frost logo tag. The case size is 50x50cm but stuff it with a 60x60cm feather insert for a fuller, fluffier feel. RRP: $50.00 being for the cushion cover only. AVAILABLE FROM: benfrostisdead.com.

 

 

↑ WHAT: Dog Yog x Snoopy Peanut Butter & Super Berry Spread and Treat Mat. DESCRIPTION: Spread the love this Christmas with the best dang peanut butter ever made for dogs! Made of 100% peanuts (butter’d) with a mix of powdered super berries, this is one healthy treat in a jar.

Spread it on the Dog Yog Snoopy shaped treat mat and your pooch will be in licky heaven!

The mat can stick to the floor, wall, basin or bath so you can treat your dog during times of grooming. It features a super suction bottom so that it sticks to most surfaces, plus grooves on the top side designed to let the peanut butter stick while your dog enjoys lapping it up. Made with 100% human grade silicone, the mat is safe for both freezer and dishwasher. RRP: $15.00 for Peanut Butter & Super Berry Spread, 375g; $20.00 for the Dog Yog Treat Mat. AVAILABLE FROM: dogyog.com.au.

Antioxidants like vitamins E and A leave the eye area and lips looking absolutely refreshed.

The Hydration Boosting Lip Masks are enriched with peach, cherry blossom, aloe vera extracts, hyaluronic acid and collagen to deliver a burst of hydration and smooth texture for lips ready for your favourite lipstick matte shade or gloss. Each product comes in recyclable containers free and the products themselves completely dissolve in water. RRP: Rejuvenating Eye Masks $60.00 for a 30 pair pack; Hydration Boosting Lip Masks $60.00 for a 20 set pack. AVAILABLE FROM: Salons and spas nationwide and direct from kenzina.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Sgt. Pepper Ceramic Mug. DESCRIPTION: Good Morning, Good Morning, Good! Get your morning started with a touch of Beatles nostalgia. This Sgt Pepper illustrated montage on a ceramic mug is perfect for any Beatles fan. Material: Ceramic. Capacity: 330ml. Microwave-safe. Dishwasher safe. RRP: $28.95, free shipping. AVAILABLE FROM: thepopshop.shop.

↑ WHAT: EVERAU Anti-Slip Cloud Slippers Plus. DESCRIPTION: When these slippers arrived in the post, we were absolutely taken aback. They looked so… big. So chunky. So… puffy. But once your feet slip into them, you feel like you’re walking around in seventh heaven. Engineered for ergonomic comfort, EVERAU Anti-Slip Cloud Slippers Plus are extra-lightweight, easy to slide into, boast a cushy foam convex sole, and have excellent skid resistance. Oh-so cushy, they’re perfect for the beach (built-in drainage holes ensure your feet dry real quick) or for just floating about the house. Available in black, green, grey, pink and white. RRP: $50.00. AVAILABLE FROM: uggexpress.com.au.

 

↑ WHAT: Baileys Tiramisu Limited Edition Flavour Irish Cream Liqueur. So you’ve been asked to bring dessert to the table for Chrissy lunch. Don’t have the time, but they’ll forgive you for bringing a bottle of Baileys new Tiramisu flavour.

For a limited time only, Aussies can explore the delightful fusion of Baileys Irish Cream married with the decadent flavours of Italian tiramisu.

Indulge your palate with the creamy decadence of mascarpone perfectly intertwined with the bold richness of espresso, finished with delicate hints of chocolate. Probably less calories than a dish of the good dessert, anyway! RRP: $42.99 for 700ml bottle, ABV 17%. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets nationwide and online until stocks last.

↑ WHAT: Herd Mentality Board Game. DESCRIPTION: We’ve seen this game on the shop shelves for a while now but have finally tested it’s fun factor. Score out of ten for fun? Nine at least. The aim of the game is simple: think like the herd and aim to write down the same answers as your friends. If your answer is part of the majority, you all win cows. That’s right, little squishy squeezy cows. If everyone else writes an answer that is matched by at least one other person, but yours is the odd one out, then you land the angry Pink Cow, and your cattle is worthless until you can offload Pinky onto someone else. The first player to collect eight cows wins. It’s like nothing we’ve ever, er, herd before, really. RRP: $39.00 from Big Potato Games. AVAILABLE FROM: JB Hi-Fi, The Gamesmen, Hobbyco, K-Mart and more.

 

↑ WHAT: Tesalate Sand-Free ‘Bohemian’ Beach Towel & Beach Blanket. DESCRIPTION: These are no ordinary towels and beach blankets. Tesalate create antibacterial, odour-free towels and blankies for those who are serious about keeping clean and keeping dry. Built for a new world where health and safety are more important than ever, the brand has engineered a safe antimicrobial additive into the very core of the towels’ and blankets’ fabric. The result? A fast-drying, bacteria-killing towel and beach blankie that always stay fresh, no matter how intense your swimming session might be, or how messy the picnic gets.

Lightweight, compact and way fancy with their double-sided designs! The Beach Blanket’s full size is 160cm x 160cm, and the Beach Towel’s full size is 160cm x 80cm. RRP: $119.00 for the Beach Blanket; $79.00 for the Beach Towel. AVAILABLE FROM: tesalate.com.au.

 

↑ WHAT: Lük Beautifood Lip + Lash Trio. DESCRIPTION: This is the ultimate gift-ready edit for the bestie who knows her makeup – a gorgeous lineup of subtle shades and easy-wear lip and lash essentials. Packaged beautifully, choose from a box of soft shades (containing an Espresso Lash Nourish Mascara, Guava Blush Lip Nourish Lipstick and Lychee Sorbet Lipstick Crayon) or nude shades (Black Tea Lash Nourish Mascara, Tea Rose Lip Nourish Lipstick and Caramel Kiss Lipstick Crayon). Each product is antioxidant rich, gentle to the skin and leaves a natural finish. Their lips and lashes will be on fleek, as they say. RRP: $69.00. AVAILABLE FROM: lukbeautifood.com.

↑ WHAT: Lux by Kim Evans ‘Goddess Package’. DESCRIPTION: If you love body oils, you’ll be fully addicted the Lux Body Oil – a highly concentrated blend of Olive and Sweet Almond oils with a soft, delicate scent. Also in this handy pack, perfect for the divine diva in you, is a Kim Evans Lash Serum, KE Gro Mascara, Brow Styling Soap, Brow Spoolie Brush and Makeup Purse. RRP: Excellent value at its ordinary price of $319.00 but available at a very special price of just $230.00. AVAILABLE FROM: lux-brows-lashes.myshopify.com.

↑ WHAT: Gonzo Vino Throw Shade 2023 Cabernet Rose. DESCRIPTION: It’s goon… but all grown up! Gonzo Vino have the product, the packaging and the people’s sensibility all down pat. The ‘tinta barocca’ grapes (notes of dark plum and spicy undertones) are proudly picked on Erawirung land in Riverland, South Australia – earlier than when the other vineyards pick ’em. This modern practice allows for more natural acidity, brighter aromatics, and lower alcohols – the result being a stupidly drinkable and smashable rose that’s just as at home with a slab of stinky cheese, as it is sipping  by the pool with a giant flamingo floatie. RRP: $66.00 for a 3L bag-in-a-box design. AVAILABLE FROM: gonzovino.com.

↑ WHAT: Shokz Open Comm2 Stereo Bluetooth Headset. DESCRIPTION: When it comes to open-ear audio technology, Shokz are the brand to look out for. The Shokz OpenComm2 UC headset, pictured, is the perfect design to elevate levels of efficiency and productivity of work – whether in the office or working from home.

The open-ear design allows the user to stay in touch with their surroundings, keeping them connected to the world while remaining comfortable for long periods of time. They don’t compromise on sound quality either, utilising 7th generation bone conducting technology, making sure they hear every word clearly and without distortion.  We know it’s the holidays but at least make their work something to look forward to: Shokz headsets provide easier communication, great clarity and an overall seamless user experience without compromising situational awareness thanks to their functional design. RRP: $199.95. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality outlets such as Officeworks and direct from shokz.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Revlon The Eksperience™ Hydro Nutritive Trio (Hydrating Hair Cleanser and Conditioner, plus Blow Dry Control Cream). DESCRIPTION: Does your bestie need to take a good look at their locks? This trio of products are a perfect start and the nicest of subtle hints. First there’s the Eksperience™ Hydrating Hair Cleanser – ideal for dry and treated hair. This cleanser removes impurities and leaves hair with replenished moisture and nourishment. Follow with the Hydro Nutritive lightweight Hydrating Conditioner – a vegan formula without any unnecessary colorants. End with the brilliantly clever Blow Dry Control Cream – ideal for dry and undisciplined hair in need of control and hydration. That’s lots of hydro in three beautifully crafted bottles. RRP: $105.00 for the trio of products. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality outlets like Cut And Dry, ssshair.com and of course the Revlon Professional site direct.

↑ WHAT: Omorfi Active Skincare ‘All-Rounder’ Trio Pack + Anti-Ageing Trio Pack. DESCRIPTION: Omorfi means ‘beautiful’ in Greek and that’s exactly what Omorfi Active Skincare promises to deliver – beauty on the inside and out. Omorfi products improve skin and help rejuvenate confidence – you’ll be radiant, glowing and gorgeous. You’ll be OMORFI! Made and developed in Australia with natural ingredients and no nasties,

Omorfi Active Skincare products are jam-packed with active ingredients that target specific skin concerns – without the fillers, buffers, inactive ingredients and fluff. This holiday season, Omorfi has two luxurious gift packs on offer.

The Omorfi Active Skincare ‘All-Rounder’ Trio Pack (above) delivers the gift of hydration, repair and anti-ageing properties for skin, and includes the Botanical Cream Cleanser, Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid 1% Serum and Skin Correcting Niacinamide Formula.

 The Omorfi Active Skincare ‘Anti-Ageing’ Trio Pack (pictured left) Revive ‘B’ Serum, Gentle & Hydrating Lactic Acid Cleanser and Multi-Vitamin Skin Balm – all of which work to rewind the clock and combat anti-ageing, exfoliating, hydrating fine lines and wrinkles away, brightening and evening-out skin tones. Plus key ingredients of Vitamin A, C, E and aloe vera ensure dry skin types will rejoice. You’ll experience results with Omorfi that are more than just skin deep. You’re already amazing; Omorfi just helps your skin keep up. RRP: $147.00 + $150.00, respectively. AVAILABLE FROM: omorfi.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Bouncee Cooler. DESCRIPTION: A super cool Australian invention that’s ahead of the curve, the Bouncee Cooler is the first-ever light-weight, collapsible cooler designed, made and supported in Australia. The bouncee can go anywhere as it packs up or down, is super durable and easier to carry than traditional coolers.

When you’re ready for your next outdoor adventure, simply flip it open, pack your goodies using the super flexible ice brick system and get ready to go.

At the end, pack it down and store with the minimum of fuss and space. Unlike bulky old-fashioned coolers, bouncee collapses to half its size, allowing you to store it easily in your boot, home, boat or camper. From whoa to go, the whole system is Australian made and supported. It’s the ultimate collapsible cooler that lets you chill out when you get out. RRP: $109.00 for 43L size. AVAILABLE FROM: bouncee.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Dr Spiller Argan Oil Deluxe. DESCRIPTION: Give the luscious gift of this specialised nourishing facial oil that targets and relieves superficial dryness, tightness and dehydration. Dr Spiller Argan Oil Deluxe is rich in biomimetic triglycerides and fatty acids, restoring acid mantle function. RRP: $65.00 for 30ml bottle. AVAILABLE FROM: Select beauty salons and day spas Australia-wide or select a stockist at dr-spiller.com.au.

↑ WHAT: MyPureSkin, MyCollagen Lift. DESCRIPTION: MyCollageLift is the ultimate solution for users looking to achieve younger-looking skin. Through the use of only natural ingredients, including marine collagen peptides, their formulas are designed to stimulate collagen production to provide firmer skin. Developed by anti-aging experts, give their skin a supplement that provides fast and effective results. RRP: $280.00. Note, this special trial pack equates one month’s supply and includes free whisk and free shipping. Buy MyCollagenLift.

↑ WHAT: Cookbooks from Murdoch Books. DESCRIPTION: When it comes to cookbooks, some of the best come from the stable of Murdoch Books. If you’re looking to gift a friend or family member who loves pottering around in the kitchen, consider one or all of these:

Recipes for a Lifetime of Beautiful Cooking by Danielle Alvarez with Libby Travers (pictured, above). An acclaimed restaurant chef (Alvarez) and prominent food writer (Travers) join forces to bring you a book of comfort food, best served with friends and family. The recipes are eclectic ranging from Italian to Indian, Greek to good ol’ classic Aussie. There are 100 recipes in total, suitable for anything from a simple weeknight dish to an elaborate weekend three-course for friends. RRP: $49.99 in hardcover.

The Milkwood Permaculture Living Handbook by Kirsten Bradley (pictured, below). Your guide to improving your home, health, happiness – and the planet – one simple step at a time. Packed with practical skills and projects, it’s regenerative living for busy people who want to make a positive impact in a world out of balance. Beautifully bound and packed with tips and gorgeous photographs. RRP: $45.00.

Rumi by Joseph Abboud. Chef Joseph Abboud’s food looks Middle Eastern because its proud origins are a little bit Lebanese, a little Persian, and a bit Turkish – but it also represents the heart of an honest and enduring eatery in inner Melbourne’s Brunswick, named for the 13th-century poet. Dishes in this book, including salads, fish, veg, meat and toum (with almost everything) all command their place in a meal at Joe’s table. Best of all, you can try cooking them yourself at home, with 60-plus recipes throughout. RRP: $39.99.

All available through quality bookstores.

↑ WHAT: Santa Margherita Pinot Grigio 750ml, ABV 12.5%. DESCRIPTION: Have you noticed everyone is suddenly booking holidays to Italy? Delve deeper and you’ll note folks are heading to quainter towns and villages (known as paesi) and not the typical hotspots like Florence or Rome. This might have something to do with these regional areas offering a more genuine experience of Italian life than the big cities do.

Part of the genuine experience is tasting the good food and wine of each region, and if you happen to venture to the Trentino, Alto Adige region in north Italy, be sure to stop by the Santa Margherita vineyard which has been operating since 1961.

If you can’t make it north, drop into your local bottlo’ and pick up a bottle of their Pinot Grigio. It’s the benchmark by which all other ‘dry-style’ Pinot Grigio’s are measured. Seriously. The fruit is harvested in early September (Italian autumn) and as the crates arrive into the winery, the team separates the skins from the must to prevent any hint of colour. The must is then fermented for two weeks at a relatively warm 18°C then stored in steel tanks, leaving a delicate white wine with a shimmering hue that boasts summer aromas of crisp green apple and pear, citrus zest and a hint of peach. So delicioso, all that’s left to say is Salute! RRP: $22.00, 750ml bottle. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets including Dan Murphy’s.

↑ WHAT: Palm Beach Fir & Cedarwood Bon Bon Room Mist. DESCRIPTION: Slip straight into the spirit of the holidays with this Palm Beach Collection must-try Christmas-themed fragrance. Packaged in as a handsome traditional bon-bon, inside is a 30ml room mist with warming base notes of cedarwood, sandalwood, tonka and clove, and top notes of great Australian eucalyptus, pine, orange and grapefruit. With a heart of rose, fir, Lily of the Valley and jasmine, it has all bases covered and will leave every room smelling so fresh. RRP: $14.95. AVAILABLE FROM: oscura.com.au or direct from palmbeachcollection.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Hair & Skin Science Treatment. DESCRIPTION: Hair & Skin Science clinics offer a range of reputable treatments that deliver rapid and impressive results. The Australian-based company has 30 clinics Australia-wide, each of which can treat hair loss and skin problems for women and men. Treatments are performed by Australian registered nurses, doctors and cosmetic surgeons, while Hair Skin Science are the largest provider of natural hair loss treatments and skin treatments in the country. Specialists offer professional treatments such as microneedling, antiwrinkle injections, laser treatments, fillers, and even thread lifts. The best part is, Hair Skin Science offers free consultations – provided by certified medical doctors and registered nurses. For more information, visit the Hair Skin Science website. RRP: Various. INFORMATION: hairandskinscience.com.au.

↑ WHAT: The Chameleon Card Game. DESCRIPTION: This is a fun and easy social deduction game that’s all about clever word filtering. One of the players is the hidden Chameleon, but who? At the start of each round, each player receives a card that tells them if they are the Chameleon or if they are hunting the Chameleon. Using one carefully chosen word each, players try to smoke out the cunning creature – who’d be bluffing like mad throughout to keep pinning the blame on someone else. The refreshing thing about this game is that each round lasts just 5 minutes – it’s a bit like a mini Whodunit, without the rigmarole. RRP: $39.95 from Big Potato Games. AVAILABLE FROM: The Gamesmen, Toybox Tales, Hobbyco, K-Mart and more.

↑ WHAT: Peppermint Grove Lemongrass & Lime Bath Salts. DESCRIPTION: A nice, practical stocking filler, this. Give them permission to relax and unwind with these luxurious bath salts that’ll leave skin smooth, nourished and wonderfully scented. Peppermint Grove’s Lemongrass & Lime boast top notes of lime, bergamot and melon; middle notes of lemon, mandarin, orange, peach and cedar; and base notes of sandalwood, vanilla pod and musk. A lot of natural love there – surprisingly not made in Peppermint Grove, Perth but lovingly handmade in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales. RRP: $15.95. AVAILABLE FROM: peppermintgrovefragrances.com.

↑ WHAT: Skullcandy Smokin’ Buds. DESCRIPTION: It’s difficult to imagine a time when we wore bulky headphones connected to clunky Walkmans solely to hear our favourite tunes coming from scratched CDs or warped cassettes. How far we’ve come in terms of music technology! A certain sign of this are Skullcandy’s cool Smokin’ Buds, back again after 10 years of their original release. The new, environmentally-conscious earbuds are made with 50% certified recycled plastics, a consolidated part count, and mindful battery capacity. Consider them the perfect gift for any greenie that loves their tunes.

Smokin’ Buds are sweat- and water-resistant, making them suitable for long summer walks. You simply cannot go wrong with this gift – for anyone! RRP: $69.95. AVAILABLE FROM: Trusty outlets like JB Hi-Fi or available direct from skullcandy.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Buckley & Phillips Aromatics Christmas Pillar Candles. DESCRIPTION: Two must-have additions to this year’s lunch or dinner table.

These Buckley & Phillips Aromatics candles are made in Australia, vegan and cruelty free, feature lead-free cotton wicks, and boast a remarkable 60-hour burn time.

The ‘Christmas Tree’ candle sees woodsmoke mingling with the fresh resins of cut cedar, scotch pine and sandalwood, and decorated with garlands of bay leaves, zesty bergamot and narcissus flower. The ‘Christmas Pudding’ candle is a classic twist on the famous dessert of warm vanilla pudding – filled with spiced currants and plump cherries, toasted almond and pistachio, topped with lashings of sweet brandy cream. Either candle, or both, would look wonderful at the Chrissy lunch table. RRP: $15.95 each. AVAILABLE FROM: buckleyandphillips.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Wiltshire Easycook Basil and Gold Non-Stick Cookware. DESCRIPTION: Match the festive season to your cookware with the Wiltshire Easycook basil and gold aluminium non-stick 3-piece set, ideal for all cooking needs. Complete the seasonal kitchen look with the traditional green-hued pans and pots with stunning gold finished handles. RRP: $159.00 for the 3-piece set. AVAILABLE FROM: wiltshire.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Feel Good Inc. Kakadu Plum Sunscreen Lotion or Signature Sunscreen. DESCRIPTION: Besides possessing the name of a really cool Gorillaz song, Feel Good Inc. are a reputable company from  Australia that knows our weather better than most. Their signature sunscreen formula with added Native Kakadu Plum is a broad spectrum, non-greasy product that lasts up to 4 hours of water resistance to give you maximum coverage. With added Vitamin E and Aloe Vera and at SPF 50+ skin could not be better protected. Also available is the Signature Sunscreen Lotion without the plum! RRP: Kakadu Plum Sunscreen SPF 50+ $32.95; Signature Sunscreen SPF 50+ $17.95. AVAILABLE FROM: wearefeelgoodinc.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Fresh Face Skin, Hydrate Me Travel Pack Minis. DESCRIPTION: This travel pack has been designed for new fresh faces, who are not sure where to start with a skincare range or for skin that is suffering from dehydration, dull skin tone or skin sensitivity. The perfect bundle for all skin types and concerns, to trial or take on your next trip away, keeping skincare simple! The Travel Pack bundle includes: 1x Soother Cleanser 30ml, 1x Hydration Booster 15ml, 1x Soother treatment 15ml. RRP: $99.00. AVAILABLE FROM: freshfaceskin.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Smooch Body Ellie Fine Fragrance Mist. DESCRIPTION: Meet your new bestie – bold, sweet and loveable with just a hint of drama. Whatever the vibe, she’s always got your back. Smooch Body mists make a great stocking filler or Kris Kringle, ready to be carried anywhere by the recipient for that needed hit of mist throughout this long hot summer. The Ellie Mist boasts top notes of raspberry and pear, heart notes of water lily and sweet pea, smoothing down to a base of soft musk. RRP: $36.00 for 90ml. AVAILABLE FROM: smoochbody.com.

↑ WHAT: Skinstitut Be Bright Bauble. DESCRIPTION: Don’t you just love it when something looks good on or under the Chrissy tree and then has hidden wonders inside of it? This tastefully packaged bauble contains a Lactic Cleanser (50ml tube), Glycolic Scrub (50ml) and handy Retinol Serum (10ml).

This powerful trio of Skinstitut bestsellers have been curated to clean, brighten and refine the skin.

All products leave definite results but are gentle enough for those with more sensitive skin types. RRP: $39.00. AVAILABLE FROM: Adore Beauty and other quality beauty and cosmetic outlets.

↑ WHAT: Lonely Planet Book – Your Trip Starts Here. DESCRIPTION: Embark on an incredible voyage of personal exploration with Lonely Planet’s Your Trip Starts Here. Whether it’s hiking the Larapinta trail in Australia, cycling the breadth of New Zealand, or canoeing the wild and remote Yukon River in Canada, this transformative guide present over 50 life-affirming journeys to step outside of your daily routine, slow down and embrace the world. RRP: $44.99. AVAILABLE FROM: booktopia.com.au.

↑ WHAT: PetSafe® Automatic Ball Launcher. DESCRIPTION: Gift your fetch-loving dog the ultimate playtime companion – the Automatic Ball Launcher. This interactive marvel takes fetch to the next level, ensuring your furry friend stays engaged while giving your arm some well-deserved rest. The water-resistant automatic dog ball launcher is perfect for outdoor frolics or indoor fun. It accommodates standard tennis balls, holding up to three at once and even includes two tennis balls to kickstart the fun. You can customise the launch distance and angle, catering to your dog’s play area.

Safety is a top priority with built-in motion sensors, preventing launches if your dog is too close. Audible tones signal impending throws, keeping your dog ready. After 30 minutes of play, an automatic sleep mode offers your dog a 15-minute break. Trust PetSafe® ANZ for your pet’s well-being. Key features include Automatic ball launcher for endless fetch fun; comes with two tennis balls, holds up to three; water-resistant for indoor or outdoor use; adjustable settings for launch distance and angle; motion sensors for added safety; audible cues for playtime readiness; automatic sleep mode; and powered by an included adapter or with 6 D-Cell batteries (not included). RRP: $268.79. AVAILABLE FROM: au.petsafe.net.

WHAT: PetSafe® Busy Buddy Range. DESCRIPTION: Experience the ultimate in canine entertainment with PetSafe®ANZ’s Busy Buddy® Treat Ring Collection. These four incredible additions are already on the market and available now to enrich your dog’s playtime, combat boredom, reduce anxiety, and enhance dental health.

Busy Buddy® Chompin’ Chicken (RRP$14.99). Indulge your furry friend with 20-30 minutes of engaging play. This chicken-scented, BPA-free rubber toy doubles as a dental health aid, ensuring both fun and oral hygiene.

Busy Buddy® Bouncy Bone™ (RRP$14.99) The Bouncy Bone™ offers a versatile 3-in-1 experience, featuring a nylon bone, a rubber ball, and treat-holding rings. With six tasty treat ring refills included, it’s perfect for dogs over six months old.

Busy Buddy® Bristle Bone® (RRP$14.99) Stimulate gums and promote teeth cleaning with the Bristle Bone®. Crafted from durable nylon and heavy-duty rubber, this multifunctional toy is a reliable choice for dogs over six months old.

Busy Buddy® Cravin’ Corncob (RRP$14.99) Enhance playtime with the Cravin’ Corncob, capable of holding up to two treat rings. Its butter-scented, BPA-free rubber construction guarantees endless delight and dental health benefits.

All Busy Buddy toys are dishwasher-safe for your convenience, catering to various dogs. With treat rings included, the fun never ends. Discover the PetSafe® Busy Buddy® Treat Ring Collection – your complete package of treats, dental care, and endless enjoyment! AVAILABLE FROM: au.petsafe.net.

↑ WHAT: Kurgo Floating Skipping Stones. DESCRIPTION: As the summer season unfolds, Kurgo, a leading innovator in pet travel and adventure products, is excited to introduce a dynamic twist to canine outdoor activities with their Floating Skipping Stones.

These fun floating skipping stones promise to redefine outdoor playtime, providing an engaging and interactive way to enjoy the season together with your furry friend.

Key features are the stones are realistic in shape, come in high visibility colours, are buoyant and durable, safe and easy to maintain, crafted from non-toxic materials, and dishwasher-safe. Be it at the beach, a picnic, or a backyard playdate, Kurgo’s Floating Skipping Stones are a must-have in your dog’s summer toolkit. RRP: $34.99 a pack. AVAILABLE FROM: Leading pet retailers, or visit kurgo.com.au to find a store near you.

↑ WHAT: Bundaberg Xmas Pudding Liqueur, 700ml ABV 20%. DESCRIPTION: Following on from one of our favourite rums – the Bundaberg Rum Ball liqueur, the folks at Bundy Rum Distillers have come up with a new festive bevvy that features delicious Bundaberg Original rum distilled with the finest ingredients inspired by traditional Xmas Pudding – vanilla spice, dried fruit, and even a hint of Brandy sauce flavour. Yum! Perfect neat or over ice. Or sneak some into your real Christmas pudding for a little extra oomph. RRP: $54.95 for a 700ml bottle, ABV 20%. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality liquor outlets such as CellarsMarket, Dan Murphy’s, Good Groceries and of course the bundabergrum.com.au site direct.

↑ WHAT: LEGO Star Wars TIE Bomber Set. DESCRIPTION: If there’s one franchise that goes well with LEGO, it’s Star Wars, and if there’s one Star Wars film that suits LEGO best, it’s The Empire Strikes Back. After building this incredibly detailed set, fans can play out Imperial missions to defeat the Rebel Alliance with the LEGO brick-built TIE Bomber starfighter toy. It features an opening minifigure cockpit, torpedo-dropping function, and two stud shooters.

Complete with action figures – including Darth Vader, Vice Admiral Sloane, and even a munty-looking Gonk Droid – what Star Wars or LEGO fan wouldn’t be over the moons and planets about it?

There are 625 pieces in total, with the final TIE Bomber model measuring over 10cm in height, 16cm in length and 20cm in width.

Oh, and if you think that building this tactical weapon might be a bit of a mission, consider Yoda’s famous words from Empire: “Do. Or do not. There is no try.” RRP: $99.99. AVAILABLE FROM: Good toy stores and direct from lego.com.

 

818 Tequila Añejo offers a silky smooth profile and rich palate, with notes of orange peel, chocolate and toffee that give it a delicious finish.

↑ WHAT: American Crew Detox Shampoo and Fiber styling product. DESCRIPTION: When a haircare brand has been going strong since the mid-1990s, you know its products are worthy of consistent review, and you know those reviews are going to turn out positive. Which is the outcome we discover every time we test a product by American Crew – the world’s number one premium men’s hair brand. The Detox Shampoo acts as a scalp exfoliant as well as a hair detox, removing excess sebum and product build-up. The silicon-free, vegan formula contains nutrient-rich Manicouagan Clay and exfoliating Coconut Shells. You really feel it working up top! Round your simple haircare routine off with the high-hold, low-shine Fiber product and you’ll witness fuller, thicker, more handsome hair. RRP: $15.00 for Detox Shampoo (250ml); $21.00 for Fiber styling product (3oz). AVAILABLE FROM: Select chemists and salons, and from americancrew.com.

↑ WHAT: Kentucky Owl Confiscated Bourbon Whiskey. DESCRIPTION: Spoil the bourbon-lover in your life this holiday season with Kentucky Owl’s Confiscated. Exuding elegance with its flavour profile, Kentucky Owl Confiscated presents delightful notes of oak, caramel, mesquite banana bread, and dark chocolate on the nose. At 48.2% ABV this outstanding spirit is perfectly balanced, with a sweetness anchored by enough dry oak and spice to be considered the ideal Christmas spirit. RRP: $199.00 for 700ml bottle, ABV 48.2%. AVAILABLE FROM: The Whisky List.

↑ WHAT: The Body Shop Love, Hope & Change Basket. DESCRIPTION: This Christmas, The Body Shop has curated some pretty and practical baskets and gift sets, so pretty you won’t even have to wrap them. Take the Love, Hope & Change Gift Basket which is bursting at the seams with body-loving best bits.

Each product is enriched with a different hardworking ingredient like shea butter from Ghana and mango seed oil from India, both sourced through The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade program.

Included in the basket is a Shea Body Butter (50ml), Mango Body Scrub (50ml), Shea Shower Cream (60ml), Mango Hand Balm (30ml), Shea Lip Butter (10ml) and a nifty Jute Star Scrubber. A wonder-filled Christmas surprise containing all they need to love and respect the body beautiful. RRP: $55.00. AVAILABLE FROM: The Body Shop stores nationwide and online.

↑ WHAT: Goodradigbee Blush Gin. DESCRIPTION: This delicious gin is made differently to most – aged in hardwood cubes for months, allowing the spirit to develop a sweeter, more complex and unique taste in a fraction of the time it would take other gins to mature. No French or American oak barrels here – but mini cubicles made of Australian hardwood, giving the spirit more flavour and a truly blushing hue.

The taste of native plums, desert limes and strawberry gums swirl across the tongue leaving a zesty finish – and more pep in your stride.

The native ingredients are sourced by 100% Aboriginal-owned enterprises like Bush to Bowl and Australian Natif. In short, it’s one of the most uniquely created, exquisite gins we’ve sampled this year. RRP: $79.00 FOR 700ml, 43% ABV. AVAILABLE FROM: Dan Murphy’s, Cellars Market, Hairy Dog, Spirit of the Maker, and other quality liquor outlets.

↑ WHAT: Lonely Planet Book – Best in Travel 2024. DESCRIPTION: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024 features 50 must-visit destinations that promise to inspire and awe, delight and excite, charm and captivate. Among them are South Australia’s Kangaroo Island , Mongolia, Nairobi and other destinations to have you packing in 2024. RRP: $27.99. AVAILABLE FROM: booktopia.com.au.

↑ WHAT: Fever-Tree Christmas Crackers. DESCRIPTION: If you’re bored of the traditional Christmas cracker filled with plastic gimmicks, ’tis the season to try something different and embark on an exciting tasting journey.

Fever-Tree have released spirit-inspired Christmas crackers to help you lay your Christmas dinner table with mini drink surprises.

Each pack contains a selection of four 150ml cans of Fever-Tree and four 50ml miniature spirit bottles, including; Fever-Tree Premium Soda Water paired with Grey Goose Vodka, Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic paired with Four Pillars Blood Shiraz Gin, Fever-Tree Mexican Lime Soda paired with Espolon Reposado and Fever-Tree Dry Ginger Ale paired with Chivas XV. Spoilt for choice, then. Or at least surprise! RRP: $65.00. AVAILABLE FROM: Participating David Jones stores and online.

↑ WHAT: Just Dance 2024. DESCRIPTION: It’s no surprise why Just Dance is the number one music video game platform of all time – each annual release is packed with the latest hits and beloved classics to boot, catering to just about everybody’s taste. Just Dance 2024 Edition features 40 songs spanning all genres, including favourites such as Flowers by Miley Cyrus, Tití Me Preguntó by Bad Bunny, Gimme More by Britney Spears, and I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston.

For the uninitiated (where have you been?) players must mimic the on-screen coach’s choreography to a chosen song using the game’s associated smartphone app (while Nintendo Switch players have the option to use the console’s Joy-Con controllers).

Available across all the major platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X and S. RRP: $49.00. AVAILABLE FROM: JB Hi-Fi, Big W, Harvey Norman, Target and on the various platform sites.

↑ WHAT: Artists At Home by Susie Hodge. DESCRIPTION: Artists are incredibly expressive creatures on canvas and in other media, but what are they like in the privacy of their own homes? Do they pull back and go for a minimalist touch? Go all out and show off their own wares on every wall?

Art historian Susie Hodge takes the reader behind the big doors, into the inner sanctum, and out through the backyard, to reveal the domestic spaces of some of the world’s greatest artists.

From Pablo Picasso’s rustic Villa La Californie, packed from floor to ceiling with his own works, to Claude Monet’s flower-saturated gardens; Frida Kahlo’s cobalt blue Casa Azul to Salvador Dalí’s surreal oasis on the coast of the Costa Brava, each icon’s home is as unique as their signature artistic style. Add some style to your own home, with this gorgeously bound coffee table tome. RRP: $65.00. AVAILABLE FROM: Quality bookstores, published through Frances Lincoln.