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Sourcing the perfect Christmas present is no easy feat. This festive season, let us inspire your gift-giving with the Gourmet Traveller gift guide.
Looking to buy for that eco-conscious friend? These Bakelite bento boxes from Mr Kitly are made of 100% plastic marine debris, collected off the coast of Australia.
Marine Debris Bakelite bento boxes, $110, Mr Kitly
Made with Irish linen, this Todd Hiem towel is a summer essential for long days next to the pool, not to mention Christmas morning at the beach.
Todd Heim linen beach towel, $450, Sorry Thanks I Love You
Created in collaboration with Iris van Herpen, Aesop’s Atlas of Attraction gift kits are made to replenish and inspire. Choose between A Curious Connection (for body), The Familiar Horizon (for home), Orbit of Intention (for face) and Contours of Discovery (for body and hands). A beautiful gift with added sentiment.
Atlas of Attraction gift kits, from $60, Aesop
With a bunch of functions housed in a sleek, simple system, the Google Home Hub is a no-brainer buy. Source recipes, watch step-by-step cooking videos on YouTube, learn new knife skills and blast your go-to playlist, all hands-free, thanks to this new release from the tech giant. Hey Google, good one.
Google Home Hub, $199
Perfect for Kris Kringle and stocking-stuffers alike, these salted butter caramels are oh-so-chic and for under $10. You’ll want to buy an extra box for yourself.
La Maison d’Armorine salted butter caramels, $9.85, Simon Johnson
Why choose one scent for the dapper man in your life, when he can have five? The roast turkey won’t be the only thing smelling delicious this Christmas.
Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, $209, Mecca
Tag Heuer has reinterpreted its famous Formula 1 collection, its updated offering able to be personalised with interchangeable straps. With a new shape and dials, the model reads stylish yet casual — a fabulous gift for the busy woman in your life.
Tag Heuer Formaula 1 Lady watch, $2,700
Artusi’s built-in barbecue has an understated design and is versatile, too. The cooktop allows for big party-friendly serves as well as quick weeknight dinners.
Artusi Built-in barbecue, $2,199
A collaboration between Third Drawer Down and Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, these bone China mugs feature Kusama’s signature polka-dots and avant-garde take on life’s everyday musings.
Third Drawer Down x Yayoi Kusama Late Night Chat mug set, $58
Smoky and woody elements come into play in this unisex scent from Maison Margiela. With a hint of sweet chestnuts, it will make you want to pack your bags and head to Europe for a white Christmas.
Maison Margiela By the Fireplace, $160, Mecca
This Portofino 126-litre-capacity oven from Smeg has a Thermoseal cavity, triple-fan interior heat distribution and is the most energy-efficient model of its size. Its 16 cooking functions and 20 set-and-forget menus will make the after-work dinner rush a lot easier. The only tough question: will it be sunshine yellow, olive green, coral red or burnt orange?
Smeg Portofino oven, $8,990, Winning Appliances
You can’t go wrong with good tableware for the food lover in your life. A pile of Christmas day prawns would be well complemented by this luxe Hermès platter.
After 15 years maturing in oloroso sherry and bourbon barrels, this single malt emerges with intense flavours of spice, grilled nuts, toast and a hint of raisin.
Benromach 15 year old single malt scotch whisky, $146, Alba Whisky
David Tanis finds that perfect point between ease and interest every time in this cookbook; crack any page and you’ll find a winner.
Market Cooking by David Tanis, $79.99, Booktopia
Give the gift of quality time in the outdoors with this all-inclusive picnic set for two.
Canterbury picnic basket, $325, Williams Sonoma
The first step in creating this Christmas gin? Distilling some Christmas pudding. Four Pillars’ Christmas gin features a blend of festive flavours — juniper, cinnamon, star anise, coriander and angelica — with a slight tweak of Rutherglen Classic Muscat and a dash of Four Pillar’s very own muscat. Adorned with Stephen Baker’s artwork Basking in the Sun, it’s the perfect present for gin-lovers.
“Shooting from a narrow wooden boat in torrential rain had its challenges,” writes photographer John Laurie with characteristic understatement about a GT shoot in Myanmar. He’s among 19 photographers whose work is featured in Destinations, the magazine’s first collection of its travel photography.
Australian Gourmet Traveller Destinations by Bauer Books, $59.99, Magshop
Sophisticated and distinct, the Sky-Dweller is Rolex’s tribute to the traveller. Featuring dual time zone functionality and an annual calendar, the revolutionary timepiece ensures unrivalled precision and statement style.
Rolex Sky-Dweller watch, $61,950
Grown in volcanic soil, atop a mountain on an island in Italy, these capers are seasoned with fleur de sel from Guérande. They’re sure to impress the gourmand in your life.
Serragghia Italian capers, $65, Anabasis
Treat the tastemaker in your life. Balancing practicality with of-the-moment style, Chanel’s shearling lambskin, calfskin and silver-tone metal tote will fit all your belongings, and offer everyday ensembles a high-fashion finish.
Chanel large tote, $9,360
A set of these coloured stone and hand-glazed Aura Kali Tapas Bowls will bring some festive cheer to the table. They’re great for Christmas sides, sugared almonds or cranberry sauce.
Aura Kali tapas bowl, $19 each, Domayne
Make a lasting impression come cocktail hour. Spheres in natural wood function as stoppers to sculptured glassware and add instant interest to bar trolleys.
Step away from the room spray. This stylish scent diffusing sphere mixes classic Italian style and bold design to create a piece you’ll be keen to put on show.
Fornasetti diffusing sphere, $654, Mecca
Spending more than half a century uncovering Australia’s greatest food, wine and restaurants offerings, Gourmet Traveller has compiled a list of their favourites. Headlining the collection: Cumulus Inc, Rockpool Bar & Grill and Anchovy. Available in $50, $100, $150 and $200, the GT Gift Card will help a loved one find their next great dining experience.
Gourmet Traveller Restaurant gift card, from $50
Crafted with polished gold-tone brass and inlaid with pearls, the Adonie Cuff will lend a chic statement to after-hours style.
Cornersmith, the Sydney café and picklery, runs workshops year-round, from preserving to Christmas puddings. The gift of a workshop is perfect for that person in your family who has everything. Throw in a copy of one of their two books to take it up a notch.
Cornersmith workshops, from $50
The new 24mm Tiffany & Co Atlas watch comes with diamond indexes and offers the classic design a feminine update. Smaller in size than the original 1983 release, it caters to both special and every-day moments.
Tiffany & Co Atlas Rose Gold watch with Pave Diamonds, $15,000
Help those close to you be kinder to the environment with this killer farmer’s market kit. It’s got everything a market-goer could desire.
