The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide 2017

By Mel Somerville

The City Hub’s Christmas gifts shopping compilation is chock-o-block full of Summer essentials and the best picks this silly season.

Pets

The Christmas Glebe Artisans Market will be at Foley Park, Glebe on Saturday December 16 from 10am-3pm. With over 50 stall holders selling their unique hand-crafted wares, there is ‘something for everyone’ including the family pet! Amongst the range of items for sale, will be canine fashion and accessories like Parrot Pals and Pet Pals by Irene that make perfect gifts for a bird lover!

Kids

Every parent knows slime is the latest must have kids’ craze. The Horrible Science Slippery Slime Kit is a fun way to teach new learners about why glow worms glow and other fun facts. The set contains everything you need to create your own slippery slime and mould a glow worm, $21.99 from Officeworks.

Store up to 60 of your latest and greatest Pokémon cards in a Sun & Moon Collector’s Album, $135, and to help you start filling it up right away, Pokemon cards, Steam Siege 10 pack is $59.50 at www.pokemoncards.com.au

Vividshop provides a unique blend of clothing, accessories, semi-precious jewellery, gifts and lifestyle products, for the person who wants something delightful as a gift for a friend, baby or child, or simply to self-indulge. Vividshop is located at 558 Crown Street, Surry Hills or online at www.vividshop.com.au

Rather than a material gift why not give your child an experience they will remember for the rest of their life by visiting the Sydney Santa Spectacular. This event is a fun filled extravaganza featuring rides, arts & craft, ice skating and a North Pole experience. This could even be an early Christmas present as the event is currently on now right through until December 27 and if you head there before Christmas you can place a gift under the Sydney Children’s Hospital Charity tree.

Teen

The Peter Alexander Vegemite Print PJ range is impressive. Deck out the whole Fambam in matching sleepwear bearing the Australian iconic national food symbol. Too good to wear to bed, the Vegemite Flannelette PJ set is $99.95 and the Happy Little Vegemite Tee is $49.95.

Get your teen a subscription for Netflix. It’s free for the first month and then $9.99 a month. They’ll battle you for the remote but let them know you rule the roost. www.netflix.com.au

Young Adults

S’well thermal bottles are a hydration accessory that are beautifully crafted and composed of 18/8 stainless steel, helping to keep your beverage of choice hot or cold. Their always-innovative array of sizes, shapes and styles allow you to do good for the planet and help rid the world of plastic water bottles. S’well partner with UNICEF and many other important charities, so not only do these bottles work great, they also help accomplish great work. $59.95 from www.myer.com.au

The Holy Meme Bible: New Testament, is a 60-page colouring activity book that aims to document 2017s most iconic Internet trends and features a range of activities inspired by notable activity books such as Wreck Your Journal, Mad Libs and even Where’s Waldo. The definition of a meme involves an idea that acts as a unit for carrying cultural ideas, symbols, or practices that can be transmitted across varying mediums. Buying a meme colouring book could actually fill your existential void and retails at US$14.99. www.thememebible.com

Nintendo Switch is the latest and greatest console from the longtime favourite video game maker. The Switch provides all of the benefits of a home console with the added benefit of being portable. A bundle featuring the newly released Mario Odyssey and limited edition red controllers is available for $549 from www.jbhifi.com.au

Parents

An Ozpig is your best friend for the outdoors. Take it fishing, camping or use it in your own backyard or patio. The Ozpig is great when entertaining outdoors. Relax and enjoy the warmth of an open fire in safety while you boil the billy and cook up a feast. $370 from www.ozpig.com.au

Every parent needs a good night out to escape the kids and what better place than the wonderful Sport For Jove Theatre Company. With their 2018 season already shaping up to be another stellar year treat yourself to early bird tickets now. www.sportforjove.com.au

Grandparents

Captain Baldy Flies, hand tied flies to use in salt or fresh water guarantee you’ll catch fish. These ecofriendly imitation insect flies are all original designs aimed at native species. All proceeds go to Sydney Children’s Hospital. These little beauties can be ordered by calling the Captain himself on 0435094851 or email captbaldy@optusnet.com.au

SodaStream Sparkling Water Maker is available at Kmart for $69. You’ll help the planet by reusing your soda stream bottles when you make your own soda water and can add flavorings including sugar free. Highly addictive.

Stocking Stuffers

Finders Keepers Sydney Christmas Market at The Cutaway, Barangaroo Reserve December 8-10 is renowned as the greatest one stop shop where you can shop ethically, thoughtfully and give back to local makers and creative communities. The market continues to be a great place to find those hard-to-buy-for gifts.

Paddy’s Market are open 10am-6pm every Wednesday to Sunday and provide another perfect one stop spot to pick up gifts for everyone on your list.

Last Books is a unique second-hand bookshop located at the south end of Newtown near St Peters Station. Owner Helen Lowe has worked in the book industry for over 15 years so will definitely be able to help you find the perfect book for anybody.

Everybody loves a good cafe breakfast but the prices can quickly rack up so save yourself some money throughout the year and deck out your kitchen with appliances from Breville and cook up a breakfast storm at home instead. The Breville store in Ultimo has a wide range of products to suit all budgets.

For one final shooting destination we recommend checking out Central Park Mall located at 28 Broadway, Chippendale. With everything from fashion for the young hip teen to a cinema and finally groceries you can certainly grab all of your Christmas essentials here.