Christmas gift guide 2015

Archie Rose Spirits

The folks at Archie Rose Distilling Co. have developed an online platform where you can design your own spirit. For vodka or gin, you choose the botanicals, or for whiskey – single malt or rye – the type of wooden cask. From $84, archierose.com.au

Market Lane Coffee Subscription

We’ve long been fans in the GT office. Simply sign up online and then rejoice when the great coffees of the world wing their way to you in excellent condition, along with the remarkable stories of the people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Kenya, Somalia and beyond who grow the beans. From $20 a fortnight, marketlane.com.au

Eva Solo Mortar and Pestle

Hosting a summer fiesta? Pound your way to salsa verde and pesto-powered success with Eva Solo’s Danish-designed porcelain mortar and pestle. It looks good on the table, too. $84.95, until.com.au

Tiffany & Co. Plaid Decanter

Add another layer of sophistication to your Christmas lunch with Tiffany & Co.’s crystal decanter – it lets wine breathe in style while bringing a little extra sparkle to the table. $315, tiffany.com.au

Sheridan “Cancun” Recycled Yarn Beach Towel

Sheridan’s new hammam towels range is as cosy as it is chic. We like the Cancun style, which is available in eye-catching midnight and fiesta hues. $84.95, sheridan.com.au

Gourmet Traveller Christmas Hamper

With the help of our friends at Snowgoose we’ve put together what we hope you’ll agree is a bobby-dazzler of a hamper. Working with the all-killer, no-filler rule, it’s crammed with gingerbread from Baker D Chirico, Mason Clarke jam, Dessertmakers sour cherry pudding, St Ronan’s pear cider, and many other delectable offerings from near and far,andtwo kinds of cheese, naturally. $195, snowgoose.com.au

Megan Park Cushions

As bold as they are elegant, Megan Park’s patchwork designs brighten up any space with flair. From $99, meganpark.com.au

Inside Chefs’ Fridges

Massimo Bottura, Magnus Nilsson, Sébastien Bras – you may have eaten at their restaurants but can you guess what they keep in their fridges? $99.99, taschen.com

Nerida Winter “It Brit” Hat

Top off your summer wardrobe with Nerida Winter’s It Brit sunhat in raffia straw and three neutral shades. $165, neridawinter.com

Hunt Leather Clutch

Hold the world in your hand. Hunt’s Busycity collection features architectural snapshots of cityscapes around the world, printed onto soft cowhide, with gold toned metal hardware. $495, huntleather.com.au

Gourmet Traveller Signature Collection by Robert Gordon

Robert Gordon’s collection of tableware for Gourmet Traveller is a dashing eight-piece range comprising cake stands and plates, oval platters, side plates, ramekins and creamers, all in four neutral tones with signature lace-patterned embossing. $30-$109.95, domayneonline.com.au 

KitchenAid Magnetic Drive Blender

Forget the screw-on jugs and fly-away lids: KitchenAid’s magnetic blender simply slots into place for soups and smoothies minus the fuss. And there’s plenty of power under the hood. $999, kitchenaid.com.au

Armorik Double Maturation Whiskey

Move over Scotland – the French are distilling whiskey. And it’s good stuff, too. Challenge the whiskey fanatic in the family with a blind tasting of Armorik’s double maturation single malt, made in Brittany and aged in French oak and oloroso sherry casks. $130, lebarondesspirits.com

Laphroaig 32-Year-Old Release Whisky

For the peat-loving traditionalist, meanwhile, a rare 32-year-old release from this much-loved Islay distillery is a worthy investment. $1500, danmurphys.com.au

Aesop “Tacit” Eau de Parfum

For him or for her, Aesop’s newest eau de parfum draws inspiration from the Mediterranean coastline. The result is delicate nuances of citrus and basil for a fresh start to the new year. $110, aesop.com

Marc Newson for Sunbeam Toaster

We expected big things in the kitchen when designer Marc Newson collaborated with Sunbeam, and the new range of colourful benchtop appliances doesn’t disappoint. Our pick of the goods is this glam toaster. $199, sunbeam.com.au 

Williams-Sonoma Ruffoni Copper Stock Pot

It’s not exactly soup weather, but for those of us who love our Christmas a bit more European in style, Williams Sonoma’s handcrafted copper stockpot has “eggnog vessel” written all over it. $500, williams-sonoma.com.au

Tefal Cookware Reserve Range

Here’s a set that can take the heat. Tefal’s five-piece reserve range can withstand temperatures up to 260 degrees and each piece comes equipped with a thermo-spot to identify when the pan is hot and ready to go. $699.95, tefal.com.au

Nespresso Pixie Cups

Meet the grand crus of coffee cups. Nespresso’s new stainless steel pixie cups are designed to fit your coffee order – espresso or lungo. And like the grand cru capsules, they come in an array of eye-catching metallic shades. From $40, nespresso.com

Penfolds Magill Estate Restaurant Voucher

Great wines, delicious food and a historic vineyard setting? All more than okay in our books. Give the fine-diner in the family an experience to remember with a voucher for one of South Australia’s finest restaurants, the mighty Magill Estate. magillestaterestaurant.com

Andrea Tan & Joen King Linen Sheets

Australian sibling duo Andrea Tan and Joen King have developed a new line of pre-washed French linen sheets in moody shades to help with the rest side of the R&R equation. From $225, andreaandjoen.com

Del Kathryn Barton “Highway is a Disco” Silk Scarf

Here’s a gift for her that’s truly a work of art. Two-time Archibald winner Del Kathryn Barton’s “Highway is a Disco” portfolio is moving from the frame to ensemble in a kaleidoscopic silk scarf. $160, thirddrawerdownstudio.com

Sunbeam Torino espresso machine and grinder

Sunbeam’s latest is this flash stainless steel coffee machine, Torino. It’s a manual machine, so you can flex some serious barista muscle experimenting with your brew at home, plus you can program it to remember your order. $1,999, sunbeam.com.au

Chanel Rouge Allure Eblouissante Lipstick

Nothing quite says Merry Christmas like a statement red lip, and good things come in small packages, after all. $52, chanel.com

Supernormal by Andrew McConnell

Has chef Andrew McConnell turned his hand from restaurants to design? The thoughtful simplicity of his second book might have you thinking so. From smoked eggplant with furikake to whole roasted lamb shoulder with mint paste and Sichuan sauce; it’s a Merry Christmas indeed. (Hardie Grant, $60, pbk) booktopia.com.au; supernormal.net.au