The only thing better than unwrapping the perfect present is seeing the smile on your loved one’s face when they open your perfectly picked gift. It’s even better if you’re able to support a topnotch local creative or business at the same time.
If you’re stuck for original gift ideas, this list of lovely, local Adelaide treats will help. From your impossibly fussy brother to your new partner’s mum, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Never Never’s Panettone Negroni
A bottle of Never Never Triple Juniper Gin and a traditional Italian Christmas dessert walk into a bar. Meet the panettone Negroni. On the yumminess scale, this mixture of bitter citrus aperitif and sweet vermouth with muscat, orange liqueur and vanilla bean is on par with a slice of panettone slathered in mascarpone cheese. There’s no need for mixers or a shaker, this drink is best enjoyed straight from the freezer, poured over ice.
Lucia’s hamper
What’s better than a big box of Lucia’s goodies? A hamper that supports young people in the Adelaide metro area who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, through St John’s Youth Services. In this beautifully packaged hamper you’ll find a range of Lucia’s sauces, pestos, salsa, creamy soups and a tea towel (which you can also buy individually). It’s also worth checking out Lucia’s experiences, like this Italian picnic.
Jelly loop flower earrings by Danielle Rickaby
These handmade earrings by SA artist Danielle Rickaby are pretty as a petal. They’re made from glass and sterling silver and come in pink, blue, yellow and clear varieties. They’re the perfect present for that person who reminds you of sunshine. Pick them up from Jam Factory.
Ceramic goose ring holder from artist Wee Shiang Tay
Playful meets practical in this avian piece by ceramic artist Wee Shiang Tay. Available from Jam Factory, it’s the perfect pick for your favourite silly goose. It brings a sense of whimsy to your jewellery storage. Being handmade, no two geese are the same, so head in and pick your fave.
A nostalgic print from Donovan Christie
If you know someone with a penchant for cake – or who loves to hark on about the nostalgia of the good ol’ days – these limited-edition prints inspired by the iconic Women’s Weekly children’s birthday cakes are a great find. They’re made by SA artist Donovan Christie. Take your pick from Dolly Varden, a cute-as witch, and everyone’s favourite: the jelly-filled, Teevee Snack-wrapped swimming pool.
Squeezy olive oil bundle from It’s Olio
You can never have enough olive oil. Made from South Australian olives that are cold-pressed right after harvest, It’s Olio’s golden oil is hard to beat. It comes in convenient, funkily designed squeezy bottles that look great on your kitchen counter. Our pick’s the Olio family bundle featuring garlic, chilli and truffle-infused oils alongside the OG olive oil.
Kangaroo Island goodies
You can’t go wrong at Stall 17 at the Adelaide Central Market, where you’ll find an extensive range of Kangaroo Island produce. Ligurian Honey’s scrumptious-smelling hand and body wash is a great go-to, as is the brand’s honey candle with Italian blood orange.
Really big magnets by Billie Justice Thomson
SA artist Billie Justice Thomson never fails to make us smile. Her “really big magnets” are no exception. You can buy them in themed packs, like this fun bunch of fridge flowers, or individually. Every fridge needs a Smiley Fritz magnet or this cheeky chip-stealing seagull.
Hand-wrapped panettone from Italy
Head to the brand new Mercato at 88 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide, and check out the serious spread of panettones from Italy. Between this leopard-print wrapped chocolate chip number by Muzzi and this traditional Milano version by B Langhe, there’s a hand-wrapped panettone for every personality.
Dining and Cooking