Christmas Gift Ideas

If you’re stuck on what to buy your loved ones this Christmas, these gift ideas should bring cheer to anyone on your list.

The Gift of Surfing

This holiday season, why not offer the unforgettable gift of surfing at Australia’s premier wave pool destination, URBNSURF? With parks located in both Melbourne and Sydney, URBNSURF offers an unparalleled experience for surf enthusiasts of all skill levels. Powered by cutting-edge wave technology, surfers can ride perfect, consistent waves year-round—regardless of weather conditions. Whether you’re shopping for seasoned pros or complete beginners, URBNSURF provides the ultimate Aussie summer experience. It’s a gift that’s fun, active, and memorable for the whole family. Great gifting options include a Family Fun Pass which includes x4  ‘Surf In The Bays’ sessions OR ‘Boog In The Bays’ sessions and is available across both URBNSURF Sydney and URBNSURF Melbourne. Priced at $149, it’s an affordable option for those wanting to have some fun with loved ones across the holidays. E-Gift Cards are also available online in various denominations and are perfect for those scrambling to find a last-minute gift or opt for a physical gift card delivered straight to your door. There are even Bundles you can get such as the Surf & Eat Bundle: ($100 URBN Surf Voucher + $100 Restaurant Voucher), Surf & Eat Ultimate Family Bundle ($200 URBN Voucher + $100 Restaurant Voucher + 4 URBNSURF Towels), Surf & Rip Curl Bundle: ($100 URBN voucher + $70 Rip Curl Boardshorts), Surf Accessories Bundle: ($100 URBN Voucher + Stubby, Surf Wax + Accessories), plus many more, perfect for mums, dads, and kids! 

Experience Gift Idea: Li’l Darlin

Buy your loved one an experience that is guaranteed to create memories that will last for years to come. A top choice this year is the Cocktail Masterclass + Pizza Spread at Li’l Darlin – one of the most popular bar and restaurant brands in Sydney. In this incredibly entertaining cocktail masterclass led by Li’l Darlin’s Cocktail Connoisseurs, guests will discover the secrets of mixology whilst having the opportunity to whip up one of Li’l Darlin’s signature cocktails themselves — and then enjoy their creation alongside a tasty selection of share plates, including pizzas, salads, and more. The experience is available at both their Surry Hills and Crows Nest locations every Tuesday to Saturday from $89 to $119pp (book here). Li’l Darlin will also be one of the best places to spend with loves ones this festive season with its energetic atmosphere, playfully fun cocktails, sharing menus and affordable dining options. The food is incredible with highlights including the Salt & Pepper Calamari, Burrata & Prosciutto Plate, Nachos, delicious Prawn Tacos, an assortment of mouth-watering pizzas, with burgers and salads also available. Their cocktails are true crowd-pleasers too – you must try their original and iconic Fairy Floss Martini and Blood Orange Margarita with other highlights including the Gin There Done That and Better The Devil You Know. Make sure to take advantage of their Happy Hour from 4-6pm daily where you can enjoy any ‘Legend Cocktail’ for just $12.50 each, Taco Tuesdays ($12 Margaritas & $6 Tacos), Wine Down Wednesdays ($7 Wines & Beers & $12.50 Tapas), and Clocked Off Thursdays ($12.50 Negronis, Espresso Martinis, Aperol Spritzes and Old Fashioned).

Experience Gift Idea: Mini Golf or Dumpling Masterclass

One of the more fun interactive experiences you could have this Christmas is Mini Golf + Bistro Feasting at Lynwood Golf & Country Club in Pitt Town. Taking its name from the historic colonial-style house built in 1814 and located on the club’s precinct, Lynwood Golf & Country Club has just opened a brand-new 18-hole mini golf course — perfect for enjoying the warmer weather this Christmas season. Open from 10am-10pm daily, this 120 acre precinct has amenities guaranteed to accommodate all, including a championship golf course, driving range, mini golf, all-day dining, bars, function rooms, tennis courts, lawn bowl greens and more. Open from 10am daily at a cost of $50 for 18 holes (book here). If you’re closer to Sydney’s CBD, Sydney harbourside restaurant, Luna Lu, has a Dumpling Masterclass + Asian Feast to enjoy. In this captivating 90-minute immersive experience led by Luna Lu’s award-winning Dumpling Chef, guests will have the opportunity to not only learn how to make Luna Lu’s bestselling dumplings – but also indulge in a salivating Asian-fusion banquet…all while taking in the breathtaking and iconic views that Luna Lu is renowned for. The experience is available from now until 29 December 2024 from 4-6pm. Cost is $100+bf for adults and $55+bf for children (book here).

The Security Gift

Uniden – the award-winning manufacturer of consumer electronic products, including dash cams, baby monitors, home security systems and much more – have new home security products to keep the family safe, as well as UHF Walkie Talkies to keep the kids entertained across the summer holidays. Their new App Cam SOLO X2K Bell Wirefree Video Doorbell will allow your loved ones to track who is at the door and track their online shopping deliveries. Online shoppers will love it with its instant alerts so users know when a parcel has been dropped off at the front door. With crystal-clear two-way audio, you can have a face-to-face conversation with visitors when you’re busy or away. Receive instant video notifications on your smartphone or tablet whenever someone presses the doorbell, allowing you to stay informed and in control, even when you’re not at home. With Colour Night Vision capability, 2K Super HD camera has a 135-degree viewing angle to make it easy to see exactly who is at the door, whether it’s a courier, kids coming home or an unexpected visitor. The included wireless chime rings like a traditional doorbell, without needing to rely on notifications via the app and having your smartphone always on hand.  

Thermos Gift

Famous for keeping hot things hot and cold things cold for the last 120 years, trusted brand Thermos has the perfect gift for every member of the family. For the coffee lovers, the 355ml guardian vacuum insulated tumbler will do a great job in keeping their coffee hot for up to three hours and will their cool drinks cold for up to ten hours. For the club runners and gym junkies, the 530ml Thermos Vacuum Insulated Hydration Bottle is the perfect choice. It stays cold up to 20 hours, features a hygienic one-handed push button lid with locking latch and is available in Espresso Black, Lake Blue, Matcha Green and Rosewood Red. For the tradies, the 800ml thermos guardian vacuum insulated food jar will keep food and drinks at the right temperature for long days at work, on site and in the car. Ideal for keeping anything from pasta to soup or leftovers hot for up to 14 hours, it also comes complete with a removable bowl and foldable full-size stainless steel spoon making it easy to fill, eat from, and clean. For the little ones, the FUNtainer collection is perfect – kid-friendly and kid-proof. The durable stainless steel interior and exterior withstands daily wear and tear, with non-slip, scratch resistant base for further durability. There are various colourful designs available, including official Disney characters, for every kid.

For the Music Lovers

Leading audio brand BEATS have some outstanding gift options to consider this year. At the top of the list is the stylish Beats Studio Pro – the next generation of Beats’ iconic, bestselling over-ear headphone. With all-new and improved interior components, Studio Pro offers next-level audio fidelity, fully-adaptive Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency modes, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, UltraPlush leather cushions, up to 40 hours of battery life, Lossless Audio via USB-C and enhanced call performance. Available in four premium colours – Black, Deep Brown, Navy and Sandstone – it’s a deluxe gift option for the music lover in your life. Another great choice is the Powerbeats Pro – the #1 fitness headphones in the world! These completely wireless earphones deliver powerful sound for the world’s most passionate music lovers and motivated athletes. It features industry-leading battery life, advanced functionality, reliable connectivity, exceptional fit via the signature earhook design and beautiful fidelity. Powerbeats Pro is a harmonious blend of premium sound, fit and functionality – you simply cannot go wrong by gifting this to a loved one. For the iPhone owner, you can help them accessorise their phone by getting them a Beats iPhone case. With support for MagSafe and Camera Control, the case is lined with soft microfiber material and bold interior accent colours. The hardshell polycarbonate back is complemented by flexible sidewalls to optimise shock absorption, while making the case thin, light and easy to grip. The Beats case is available in four sophisticated colours for iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. All products are available now at JB Hi-Fi.

The Body Shop Gift

With the holiday season just around the corner, The Body Shop is bringing some festive joy with the launch of their annual MEGA Advent Calendar. This year’s advent calendar is packed with 25 cruelty-free, vegan treats, including 15 full-sized products, including iconic favourites like Camomile Cleansing Butter and Shea Body Butter. Just perfect for a little self-care each day in the lead-up to Christmas. One lucky customer will even unwrap a Golden Ticket worth $1,000! Priced at $199 with a value of $317. Or give the gift of good skin to your loved ones with the Discover Your Glow Vitamin C Skincare Gift Set. The set contains Vitamin C Daily Glow Cleansing Polish 100ml, Vitamin C Glow Revealing Serum 30ml, Vitamin C Glow Boosting Moisturiser 50ml & Bian Stone Gua Sha (RRP $110). Options for $30 and under include the Nourish & Flourish Gift Bag (contains a mini Shower Gel or Cream 60ml, Mini Body Butter 50ml, Hand Cream or Balm 30ml – RRP $25), the Nourish & Flourish Duo (contains a mini Shower Gel or Cream 60ml and a mini Body Butter 50ml – RRP $16), the Hand & Lip Duo (Strawberry Hand Cream 30ml & Swipe It Lip Balm 5g – RRP $25) and the Body Butter Trio (contains British Rose Body Butter 50ml, Mango Body Butter 50ml & Pink Grapefruit Body Butter 50ml – RRP $30). All gifts are available from www.thebodyshop.com.au.

The Gift of Good Hair

Give the gift of good hair days this festive season with the new ghd Platinum+ Hair Straightener Festive Gift Set. ghd’s first smart styler adapts to all hair types and styling needs, delivering head-turning results and stronger hair. Personalised smart styling is achieved with Ultra-zone® predictive technology, which predicts your hair’s needs to maintain the optimum styling temperature of 185°C. This ensures ultimate results with 70% stronger hair and 2x more colour protection. Experience ultimate results with custom-created ceramic floating plates featuring an ultra-gloss coating for instant frizz-free styling and 75% more shine. Uncompromising style is guaranteed with the unique wishbone hinge that holds the plates in perfect alignment, giving you the control you need to unleash your styling creativity. Its sleek rounded design with curved edges allows you to create an array of styles from classic straight looks to curls and waves, all snag-free and with less breakage and for your peace of mind, the sleep mode automatically switches off the styler if not used for 30 minutes. With universal voltage, a protective plate guard, a professional length 2.7m cable, and a three-year warranty, the ghd platinum+ is designed for global adventures and ultimate styling performance. The ghd heat-resistant bag provides a safe storage and resting place for your styler anywhere and the ghd all-rounder paddle brush is perfect for brushing, detangling, and styling mid to long hair. Its broad flat base allows you to blow dry large sections of hair smooth and straight. This great gift choice is available from here.

For the Gamer

Leading tech brand HP have the perfect range of tech gifts for the gamer in your life. Want to gift a keyboard for Christmas but unsure of your friend’s aesthetic preferences? Get them the HyperX Alloy Rise Gaming Keyboard – the world’s most customisable toolless mechanical gaming keyboard on the market – with swappable toolless top plates, badges, rotary knobs and key switches. It’s also the first gaming keyboard with an ambient light sensor that dynamically adjusts backlighting according to environmental lighting conditions. Available from here – RRP $329. To accompany it, you can pick them up a HyperX Pulsefire Haste 2 Wireless Gaming Mouse. This budget-friendly gaming mouse is ultra-speedy on all fronts – from cursor movements to connectivity – is ultra-lightweight at just 61g, gives up to 100 hours of battery life with a seamless switch to wired mode, and comes with a Precision HyperX 26K sensor that grants high DPI and tracking speeds. Available from here and also at JB Hi-Fi and Officeworks – RRP $104. If your loved one wears headphones all day while working, then the perfect gift is the HyperX Cloud III Headset. With plush HyperX signature memory foam in the headband and ear cushions, these headphones are perfect for long hours. The 10mm microphone captures your voice clearly, while the angled 53mm drivers deliver impeccable audio—ideal for online meetings. Available from here and at JB Hifi – RRP $159. For those on a budget, you can also get its predecessor, the HyperX Cloud Mini Gaming Headset from Officeworks for just $47!

The Lego Gift

This Christmas, treat a toy car enthusiast to a multi-vehicle LEGO® City Car Transporter Truck with Sports Cars building set. Perfect for kids aged 7 and up, they can tilt the driver’s cab to access the engine, hitch the trailer and lower its upper deck and lower deck ramps for boarding the included ’50s-style tail dragger, ’70s-style muscle car and modern electric supercar. The Race Car and Car Carrier Truck is another great option for ages 6 and up. With this one, kids get to enjoy a creative building experience before using their imaginations to embark on race-themed adventures. Features a sleek ‘slammed-wide’ design, characters for fun role play and kids get to lower the race truck’s ramp to board the racing car. This building set makes a fun gift and can be combined with other sets from the LEGO® City range. For the young at heart, the awesome Mercedes-AMG double pack of LEGO® Speed Champions car toys is perfect. It features both the Mercedes-AMG G 63 and Mercedes-AMG SL 63. This LEGO set with two stylish toy model cars is ideal for kids, Mercedes-AMG fans and passionate adult collectors to build, display and play out action-packed races.

Gifts for the Entertainer

Bring some cheer to the holidays with STOLI Premium Vodka – a smooth and iconic spirit that’s perfect for festive cocktails. Distilled three times from top-quality grain and filtered through birch charcoal and quartz sands, it’s blended with pure artesian well water for a clean, crisp taste. Whether it’s mixed into a classic martini or enjoyed over ice, STOLI is the ultimate choice for adding a touch of class to any celebration or gifting to the vodka lover in your life this Christmas. STOLI Premium Vodka is available via Dan Murphy’s, alongside other flavours such as Cucumber, Vanilla and Salted Karamel (RRP $58.99). For tech-savvy foodies, you can elevate their Christmas cooking with the Meater 2 Plus Single Probe Thermometer – the ultimate wireless smart meat thermometer. With Smart Temp Multisensor technology and Bluetooth 5.2 Long Range, it ensures perfectly cooked meats every time. Designed for direct heat grilling up to 550°C and 100% waterproof, it’s ideal for all cooking methods, including deep frying and sous vide. Fast charging means a 15-minute charge lasts 12 hours, and precision calibration ensures accuracy within ±0.1°C. Give the gift of perfect cooking this Christmas with the Meater 2 Plus – available for purchase through Meater (RRP $249.00).

Home Office Tech Gifts

Help your loved ones take their tech to the next level with some beautiful accessories from Twelve South. You could get them a DeskPad – a vegan leather desk mat created for the detail-obsessed. The DeskPad transforms any hard desk into a comfortable warm cushion for your wrists with extra width for extended keyboards and your favourite pointing device. The DeskPad will dress up your desk and elevate its comfort ($79.95). Or pick them up a HoverBar Duo – a flexible arm / adjustable stand that includes a weighted desktop base and adjustable shelf clamp. Use it like a multi-tool to get serious creative work done on an iPad such as making a prototype video or working on a presentation ($139.99). The Curve SE Laptop Stand is another great option. Curve SE elevates your laptop for more ergonomic comfort while lifting your laptop’s camera to eye level for better looking video calls. The silver aluminum Curve SE complements most laptops and is sturdy enough to type on ($79.95). For the AirPods/ AirPods Pro owner, you can get them the AirSnap – a leather case designed to protect, carry and charge their AirPods Pro or AirPods. Tucked inside AirSnap, your Wireless Charging Case is protected, while allowing you to charge AirPods wirelessly or via cable. Use the removable S-clip to attach your AirSnap to a backpack, purse or attach your gym pass or keys to the handy clip ($69.95). All products are available from here.

AI-powered Electric Toothbrush

Keep your friends and family’s teeth healthy by getting them the Oclean X Ultra S Smart Sonic Electric Toothbrush. This award-winning AI-powered toothbrush provides its users with an AI voice guide that works in real-time with Oclean’s self-developed smart chip and bone conduction technology, creating better brushing habits, a far better brushing experience and overall better results. The X Ultra S uses its proprietary and powerful Maglev 3.0 motor with TurboClean function which features an algorithm delivering up to 42,000RPM and, critically, maintains consistent power at any battery level. It also features unique interactive brushing controlled by a fully interactive touchscreen, with five distinctive modes and festival greetings. These smart features work seamlessly with the Oclean Care+ app as well as Apple Health and WeatherKit. And unlike many of its competitors, the X Ultra S easily provides up to 40 days of battery life while taking just 4.5 hours to fully charge. This, combined with its lightweight design, even while housed in its smart case, makes it ideal for home and travel. The Oclean X Ultra S Smart Sonic Electric Toothbrush comes in black and green with three replacement brush head refills and a two-year warranty. It’s available now from Shaver Shop stores and at www.shavershop.com.au for an RRP of $449.95.

The Smart Gift

Looking for a gift that shows you really care? At $229 (RRP), the MiVue™ 170 SAFETY dash cam could be the smartest present you’ll give this Christmas – whether it’s for a new driver in the family, a loved one with a long commute, or anyone who values peace of mind on the road. Built specifically for Australian and New Zealand roads, it’s like gifting a vigilant co-pilot who never takes a break. The comprehensive safety alert system warns about everything from school zones to speed cameras, railway crossings to motorway speed changes – making every journey safer and more confident. The tech specs will impress any recipient: crystal-clear Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps captures every crucial detail, from number plates to sudden incidents. The 140-degree wide-angle lens, enhanced by multi-layer glass optics, provides exceptional coverage, while built-in GPS tagging logs all footage with precise location and speed data. They’ll appreciate thoughtful extras like the eco-drive mode for monitoring driving efficiency, and (if you add in a SmartBox accessory $79 plus installation), parking mode works so their car stays protected even when they’re not there. Everything’s easily viewable through the 2.7″ LCD screen or by downloading to a PC or Mac. This Christmas, give them more than just another gadget – give them real protection on the road. At this price point, it’s an affordable way to show someone you’re thinking about their safety every time they get behind the wheel.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Visit www.navman.com.au.

Experience a Virtual Christmas at FREAK VR

This festive season, FREAK VR offers an array of immersive virtual reality experiences, perfect for sharing with friends and family. With exclusive holiday deals, you can step into thrilling worlds and make this Christmas truly unforgettable. We know the virtual world is better when shared, so from now until Christmas Day, enjoy these fantastic savings when you team up for an adventure: $60 for TWO players (Save up to $78) or $100 for FOUR players (Save up to $176)! Choose from Arizona Sunshine (Take on the zombie apocalypse in this thrilling co-op adventure) or Ghost Patrol (A family-friendly mission to hunt ghosts and save the day). Please note: These offers are not valid on gift vouchers. Minimum age: 8+. To book your adventure, visit FREAK VR’s website and select your preferred package. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to add a virtual twist to your holiday celebrations!

Experience the Thrill of Flight with iFLY Downunder This Christmas

This festive season, iFLY Downunder in Penrith offers an exhilarating indoor skydiving experience, perfect for gifting to adventure enthusiasts of all ages. Their Christmas specials provide an unforgettable opportunity to soar in a state-of-the-art vertical wind tunnel. The iFLY Value Christmas Special ($119.50 per person when booking for two or more) includes two double-length flights per person, offering double the airtime of the Basic package. A saving of $34.50 per person. The iFLY Basic Christmas Special ($99.50 per person when booking for two or more) includes two 50-second flights per person, providing a taste of indoor skydiving. This is a saving of $19.50 per person. These offers are available for direct bookings and as three-year-valid gift vouchers, making them ideal presents for family and friends. To purchase, visit iFLY Downunder’s website and select your preferred package. Don’t miss the chance to give the gift of flight this Christmas!

Sydney Unleashed is one of Australia’s premier entertainment publications exploring the latest in lifestyle trends. From Sydney’s finest restaurants, cafes and bars to the hottest in gadgets, products, and home entertainment, Sydney Unleashed is your one-stop lifestyle platform.