Buying Christmas gifts for the little and not-so-little people in your life can be tricky. If they haven’t already given you their digital wishlist or respond with an “I don’t know” when asked, we are here to help.
From babies and toddlers, kids and teens, here are our picks for the best gifts to give this Christmas.
Best Christmas gifts for babies and toddlers
Halcyon Nights long-sleeve zip bathers Flamin’ Galahs
Flamin’ Galahs long-sleeve zip bathers.
Australian kids clothing brand Halycon Nights is known for fun and bold prints. The long-sleeve zip bathers ($53) are a great gift for any little ones who love to splash, featuring a soft, comfortable lining and UPF 50+ for sun protection. The Flamin Galah print is illustrated by Min Pin, but the style also comes in a range of Aussie-inspired prints made to stand out.
Koala music box.
Looking for a battery-free toy this year? Look no further than the Moulin Roty koala music box ($30), featuring illustrations of Koco the koala and friends. Simply turn the handle to hear the melody of Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Animal backpack Mr Dragon.
Infants can be tricky to buy for because they don’t really need anything (apart from you), but if they are beginning daycare or preschool, a backpack is an excellent option, especially if it’s as fun as these animal backpacks ($75), available in dragon, bear, triceratops, lion, unicorn, dino and butterfly.
Seersucker playmate in pistachio.
Babies can be particularly tricky to buy for in the holiday season. A gift that both bub and parents can enjoy can be the best way to go. The Mosey Me seersucker playmat ($149) makes a great elevated gift, perfect for tummy time and the fun petal design looks great in any room.
“More sauce please” oversized tee.
The Poss and Soss More Sauce Please oversized tee ($49) is just the ticket for the toddler in your life who enjoys the sauce more than the meal. Made from 95 per cent cotton and 5 per cent spandex for a comfortable, stretchy fit, the tee comes in sizes 000 to 5.
Little Dutch Little Farm multi-activity baby walker
Little Farm multi-activity baby walker.
If you need a gift for a tot who is beginning to find their feet, help them take those first steps with the Little Dutch Little Farm multi-activity walker ($200). Once they are tuckered out from walking around, they can play with the eight barnyard-themed activities. Suitable for 12 months and older.
Sarah’s Silks large rainbow streamer
Large rainbow silk.
The Sarah’s Silks streamers ($30) are the perfect addition to a dress-up box or as a tool to foster imagination. Made from sustainably sourced mulberry silk and non-toxic dye, available in rainbow, heart, star, desert or sea. This toy will make your little one want to twirl and dance around.
Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada
Maybe: A Story about the Endless Potential in All of Us by Kobi Yamada.
Books are the perfect gift for babies or toddlers, especially if you’re ready to read it to them. Maybe by Kobi Yamada, illustrated by Gabriella Barouch ($43), is a stunning book about the possibility that you will exceed your wildest dreams. Warning for the adults reading: the book has the potential to get you a little choked up.
Best Christmas gifts for kids
BCF kids explorer 10-piece camping kit
Kids explorer 10-piece camping kit.
The BCF kids explorer camping kit ($50) is a great way to inspire a little adventurer. The kit is packed with exploration essentials, including binoculars, a mini-flashlight, a whistle, a compass and two scavenger hunt cards for endless outdoor fun.
‘Hurricane XLT2’ sandals in the colourway ‘eggplant’.
Kids are always growing out of shoes. The Teva Hurricane XLT2 sandals ($85) are as practical as they are fashionable, with adjustable velcro straps and a rubber outsole for durability and traction. Their soles are also treated with a peppermint-based antimicrobial to fight smelly feet. Available in a large variety of colours and patterns.
Hamster ball interactive toy.
Not ready to get a real-life pet? Digital pets are just as fun (and a lot less responsibility). The Bitzee hamster ball interactive toy ($35) responds to touch and movement. Kids can grow their own hamster from a baby Bitzee to a super Bitzee by feeding, exercising and caring for their virtual pet.
There’s a prawn in Parliament House by Annabel Crabb
A kids book about democracy sounds like a tough sell, but with a prawn narrator, illustrations by Guardian Australia cartoonist, First Dog on the Moon, and words by Annabel Crabb, it’s a funny, factual read. There’s a Prawn in Parliament House ($25) explains all things Australian democracy in an engaging way, like how there is a 350-million-year-old tiny coral fossil that lives in the floor at Australia’s Parliament House.
Luna Park annual pass
Are your kids thrillseekers? Let them scream their heads off in the best way possible with a Luna Park annual pass. Get a year of unlimited entry (Coney Island included in Sydney) and enjoy a family-friendly day out.
Harmonica.
A kid’s harmonica ($11) is a wonderfully fun gift for kids, although it might make you an enemy of the parent. But if your young person has shown an interest in music and instruments, a harmonica is a fun, cheap and interesting entry. Available in four colours.
Pocketscope.
If you need a gift for a little scientist, look no further than the Wonderstuff Pocketscope ($40). The lightweight, handheld magnification tool has aspherical optical lenses and an LED light. The curious kid (or adult) in your life will be able to explore the smallest of worlds with 120-60x magnification.
Zara Kpop Demon Hunters printed sweatshirt
Kpop Demon Hunters printed sweatshirt.
If you didn’t already know, Kpop Demon Hunters is the hit kids movie about three pop stars who moonlight as demon hunters to protect their fans. If you’ve heard your child singing the tune of Soda Pop or Golden, get them merch to match with this printed sweatshirt from Zara ($50).
Best Christmas gifts for tweens, teens and young adults
Lola digital camera essentials bundle
Digital camera essentials bundle.
Around the world, young people have been reviving the film and digital camera. Help them capture the nostalgia with the Lola digital camera essential set ($179), complete with an additional SD Card & SD card adaptor to transfer photos straight to their phone. Perfect for documenting Christmas Day memories.
R.M. Williams cradle rugby jersey
Cradle rugby jersey.
R.M. Williams cradle rugby jersey ($149) is the perfect gift for that young man in your life whose wardrobe consists solely of graphic tees and could use a nice “going out” shirt. Made from organic heavyweight cotton in a trendy style, it’ll be a welcome new addition.
Armor All Total Clean car care kit
Total Clean car care kit.
If buying for a new car owner, or maybe just a car-obsessed teen, help them cherish their four-wheeled baby with Amour All’s total clean eight-piece car care kit ($40). The kit includes everything you could need to achieve an almost-new clean car, including an interior protectant spray, glass wipes and an air freshener.
Cloud Paint trio.
For teens, make-up is always a welcome gift. Glossier is one of the trendiest brands of the moment. This trio of Cloud Paint blush ($45) includes three limited-edition mini products in crimson, afterglow and glisten. The blushes are buildable with a natural finish.
White tank top.
While almost $60 seems pricey for a white tank ($59), the internet has dubbed it the best tank top and it is often sold out. All For Mimi is a clothing brand founded by Australian influencer Sophia Begg (better known as Sopha Dopha), and this one clothing item will crown you as the family favourite by the Gen Z in your life.
Hollow Knight: Silksong.
Buying a Christmas gift for the gamer can be tricky to navigate. Hollow Knight: Silksong ($29.50) is the recently released sequel to the award-winning action-adventure game Hollow Knight, produced by the three-person Team Cherry from Adelaide. Available now for PC, Mac, Linux, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, purchased through Steam.
Teenage Engineering Pocket Operator PO12 Rhythm
Pocket Operator PO12 Rhythm.
If you know a teen or young adult who loves making music, this handy little tool will be their favourite gift. The Teenage Engineering pocket operator ($99) is a small, portable music device designed on a single circuit board. The PO12 is a 16-sound drum machine, perfect for making beats. You can also purchase other devices, such as a bass line synthesiser, to create a little pocket band.
Five piece matcha set.
Matcha is the viral drink of the moment. Instead of spending $10 on a single drink, give the gift of DIY. The Hello Matcha five-piece set ($99) comes with a bowl, stand, scoop, high-quality bamboo whisk and the highest grade ceremonial matcha grown and harvested in Uji, Kyoto.
Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
