21 luxury Christmas gifts for those with refined tastes

Frequent fliers will appreciate an update to their carry-on luggage. This glossy green suitcase from British brand Antler features a water-resistant shell that’s made from partially recycled materials, easy-gliding spinner wheels for sailing smoothly through airport lounges and an expander zip that offers 5cm extra depth—over packers rejoice.

Key features:

• 36 x 55 x 23 cm
• Weight: 2.8 kg
• Maximum volume: 46 litres

A piece of art makes a thoughtful gift—Bluethumb is a platform that’s changing how we collect original works from emerging and established Australian artists. The wide catalogue spans mediums, sizes and styles. Still lifes that celebrate the little moments are a favourite for gifting for kitchen nooks and dining rooms.

Key features:

• Oil on canvas
• 33 x 33 x 4cm
• Framed in Tasmanian Oak

Gin or vodka; shaken or stirred; dirty or dry. Whatever their Martini order is, this set of delicate glasses from R+D Lab makes for the perfect serve. They’re handmade in Italy using traditional mouth-blown techniques and made from 100% Borosilicate Glass.

Key features:

• 8.6 x 10.5 cm
• 100ml
• 100% Borosilicate Glass

BYO made boujee. This chic wicker wine carrier from Oroton is finished with leather trims, including a removable and adjustable strap. It also comes with a bottle opener and straps inside to keep your favourite vintage safely stowed.

Key features:

• Wicker exterior with leather trims
• Water resistant coated cotton canvas lining
• Removable and adjustable crossbody strap

It wouldn’t be Christmas without caviar. Simon Johnson delivers with this 100g tin of Black Pearl Oscietra Black Caviar. The medium-sized grains are dark brown in colour with a firm texture and nutty flavour.

Key features:

• Acipenser Gueldenstaedtii sturgeon
• 100g
• Nutty and buttery notes

Danish brand Georg Jensen’s sleek candle holders will make the ultimate addition to their table setting on Christmas day. Wrap this set up with some tapered candles for an extra special gift to use immediately.

Key features:

• 20 x 80 x 9cm
• Stainless steel
• Set of two

07

Shoal Catchall

$149, Ellison Studios

Furniture brand Ellison Studios has crafted the ultimate catchall dish in collaboration with Canadian jewellery brand Mejuri. The organic-shaped weighty glass piece provides the perfect place to keep earrings and rings on a nightstand. It doubles as an incense holder.

Key features:

• Crystalline glass
• 18 x 16 x 4 cm
• 1.4kg

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This pomegranate-shaped scented terracotta makes a charming alternative to classic diffusers. It’s soaked in Santa Maria Novella’s Melograno fragrance—a bouquet of sweet floral oriental notes—that offers a welcoming scent.

Key features:

• Handcrafted in terracotta
• 9.5cm

Baina’s lush organic cotton towels are a summer favourite. The checked Roman Pool design is a generous sheet style that offers ample room for lounging by the beach or pool, as well as wrapping up in after swims or showers.

Key features:

• 100% Organic Cotton
• 600gsm
• 90cm x 170cm

Upgrade your magazine experience with Gourmet Traveller Luxe. Gourmet Traveller Luxe subscribers receive exceptional value, including 12 issues of Gourmet Traveller magazine delivered to your door; 12 months of digital subscription access; gifts such as Reidel twin-pack glassware, a Gourmet Traveller Journeys hardcover book, and premium Cobram Estate olive oil; and exclusive pre-sale access to Gourmet Traveller events, plus much more.

Key features:

• Over $350 value for $149.99
• Magazine and digital subscriptions both included
• Exclusive gifts and access to GT events

The definition of a luxury gift is something the recipient wouldn’t necessarily spend money on themselves. This pear-shaped candle from Kowtow is made in collaboration with Nonna’s Grocer—the perfect addition to summer dinner tables.

Key features:

• Soy wax blend with cotton wick
• 210g
• Place on a stable, heat-resistant surface in a well-ventilated and draft-free area

Sleek salad servers set the tone for summer tablescapes. This resin pair from Dinosaur Designs follows the Sydney brand’s signature organic appeal. Choose a colourway that will complement their home—bold and bright or something more subtle.

Key features:

• Resin
• 200g
• 30 x 7.5cm

This whimsical tablecloth from Maison Balzac is the definition of the more the merrier when it comes to casual dining. The linen design is embroidered with four face motifs around the edges—the square style drapes elegantly over small round dining tables.

Key features:

• 100% European Linen
• Embroidered details
• 139 x 139cm

Belgian fashion label Dries Van Noten’s fragrance collection landed at Mecca a few months ago—we’re already enamoured. Inspired by the brand’s Parisian boutique, the Rock The Myrrh scent features top notes of cypress and pink pepper, heart notes of myrrh and patchouli and base notes of suede and benzoin for unisex wear. The artful bottles are refillable, making this a gift that truly lasts.

Key features:

• 100ml
• Refillable

Lucy Folk’s signature hand-printed sarongs are made in India from lightweight organic cotton. A summer essential, the colourful designs can be worn as a beach coverup, styled as a top with casual-cool looks or even doubles as a towel in a pinch.

Key features:

• Organic cotton
• 112 x 172cm
• Fast-drying lightweight fabric

Like most things Loewe, this pair of Flower sunglasses has skyrocketed to the top of our summer wishlist. The playful green acetate design brings a playful spin to sunshine-ready looks—the brand’s moniker is emblazoned as a golden detail on the arm.

Key features:

• Nylon
• UVA/UVB protection
• Made in Italy

Rationale is already a skincare favourite among many Australians. The brand’s expansion of its beauty range has prompted us to overhaul our make-up bag this summer. This set of four balms is made with a zinc-based formula that offers SPF30 and leaves skin with a luminous finish and subtle wash of colour—Beautiful Bronze works as a contour, Beautiful Light can be placed as a highlighter, Beautiful Cheeks is a dewy blush and Beautiful Lips is a tinted balm that nourishes.

Key features:

• 4 x 4.5g
• Zinc-based colour balms: bronzer, highlighter, blush, lip

A new non-stick pan is the ultimate luxury for home cooks. Viral brand Our Place might be best-known for its brightly coloured cookware but the Titanium edition of its Always Pan is a sleek, sturdy and high-performing option. It has a stainless steel exterior, quick-heating aluminium core and durable titanium interior.

Key features:

• 49.8 cm length, 27 cm diameter, 6.5 cm depth, 14.3 cm height with lid
• 2.7 L capacity
• 1.5 kg body without lid

Augustinus Bader’s bright blue bottles are a skincare obsessives secret weapon. The German brand applies its signature TFC8 technology to haircare, creating the ultimate treat for scalps. This three-piece set features The Rich shampoo and conditioner, as well as a scalp treatment, promising to help nourish and restore dry, damaged, thinning hair.

Key features:

• The Rich Shampoo 200ml, The Rich Conditioner 150ml, The Scalp Treatment 30ml
• Deeply nourishes and smooths hair
• Helps to soothe scalp irritation or drynes

This brightly printed scarf from Sydney brand Alemais is a little luxury that will go a long way. The type of present they’ll be sure to treasure for years to come, the 100% silk style can be worn in myriad ways—around the neck, wrist, handle of a bag or styled as a bandeau top.

Key features:

• 100% silk
• Square design
• Hand rolled edges

One of Riedel’s bestsellers, the Vinum Syrah/Shiraz six-pack makes a great gift. These stylish glasses balance tannins and rich fruit in medium-bodied reds, and were developed through sensory workshops in major Shiraz-growing regions. With a tapered opening, the large bowl develops aromas and demonstrates mouth-filling fruit and a smooth finish. It’s no wonder it has become the most versatile Riedel red wine glass shape.

Key features:

• Six premium red wine glasses
• Dishwasher-safe
• Accessible price point