These are a few of my favourite things... Gina's Christmas gift guide

Christmas is a very special time for me. I think the excitement is palpable around the city and the serenity of the countryside it somehow more revitalizing at this time of year. For me it doesn't matter if I am in cold London or sunny Perth, I love the whirlwind that surrounds us be it in frost or sunshine.

What I don't claim to love is the tacky side of Christmas, with cheap toys and gimmicky gifts that will entertain for a day, perhaps a month at best and then find their way to landfill, to later pollute our waterways as the toxic components of the item begin to leach under the hot January sun.

That said, I am not opposed to gifts, I think they are wonderful, or at least they CAN be wonderful. In my opinion, if you are making the effort to give a gift, no matter the cost, make it thoughtful, appropriate and try to ensure that it is something that will add to the receiver's quality of life. So what is considered a good gift?

In my mind there are hundreds of good gifts here are a few of my personal favourites;

1) A donation to a charity in the persons name is very special. If you can find a charity that suits the likes and character of the receiver, all the better. When our daughter was born, some very close friends gave us an 'organic vegetable farm and training' for a community in India. We thought this was such a beautiful notion, that we later asked that donations like this be given in lieu of presents at her Christening. I also feel that this kind of gift is perfect for those who are not happy with anything you give them. You know the type, every family has someone who manages to complain, or just act bored, no matter how many hours of thought you have put into the gift. It is as simple as getting online and donating. You will usually get sent a card to give, with details of the gift.

2) Services and memberships are also a personal favourite for me, because they usually inspire people to do something nice, be it a massage voucher or an annual membership to the zoo. There is no material gift as such and it can really be the gift that keeps giving, as if well choosen, your friend will still be attending the zoo or taking art class for the next 12 months.



3) Queen B candles (www.queenb.com.au)
It is fair to say that I am a little in love with these magnificent beeswax creations. They are carbon neutral, purify the air, smell like honeycomb and look incredible. When I am finding the world a little too much, I light one of these, sit with a good cup of tea and do nothing (which is actually harder than you may think!). You must experience these candles to see how truly beautiful they are. Words really can't explain it. They are beautifully presented and make a magnificent gift for anyone who needs to unwind.

The staple-less stapler

4) Stocking Fillers and Kris Kringle
I am a huge fan of Kris Kringle, but not if it means buying cheap, nasty items. Check out the websites on our directory that offer great little gifts that are perfect for this. I LOVE burts bees super shiny lip glosses and have a staple-less stapler from biome (www.biome.com.au) on my wish list! How cool, a stapler that really does not need staples. I just haven't been able to justify it just yet given I still have staples from 1999 in my office!


5) Gifts made from recycled materials are perfect, and are truly an example of things being sweeter the second time around!Try www.ecodepot.com.au


6) Organic goodies of all kinds always make me smile. I love organic sleepwear from misoh (www.misoh.com.au) and find the 'calm' organic perfume from Miessence (www.organics4ever.com), to be completely divine!


6) Finally the best gift for me is time spent with family and friends. I love baking in the kitchen to Christmas carols with my daughter, sitting back with a cup of tea or wine with friends or playing cards with my siblings. So grab any moment this festive season and make it count.