May I just say, in caps, that CHRISTMAS IS LOOMING. Don’t panic! Here’s my annual food-related Christmas Gift Guide. Everything below is made with love in my home town, Melbourne. Buying handmade creates a domino-effect of happiness – for you, the gift recipient and the maker. Let’s ignore the sea of mass-produced crap trotted out every year by those greedy multinationals and support our local artisans!
Overseas readers – you can buy locally by checking out these fab foodie creations: jikits mini ice cream mobile (USA), misako mimoko’s apple wall hanger (Spain), Fine Little Day’s tomato poster (Sweden); or make your own 70s Supermarket Play Set with Alice Apple’s DIY fabric panel (UK).
OK, here we go…
1. Able and Game Butter tea towel. $19.70. Able and Game’s super cute hand-drawn designs feature on cards, totes, tea towels and calendars. Available on etsy, and at these worldwide stockists.
2. Hamb ‘Fish barbecue’ mens tee. $69. Hamb’s quirky limited edition tees, library bags and plywood clocks are hand-illustrated and screen-printed in Melbourne. Available online here, and at these stockists.
3. Sandra Eterovic ‘Italian ingredients’ original painting on paper. $85. Sandra’s beautiful work is hand-made with care, using the best quality sustainable materials. Available on etsy, along with fabulous cards, OOAK dolls, cushions, mirrors, prints, scarves and wooden art! Sandra was recently profiled on The Design Files and Handmade Life.
4. Re-sew-cool Watermelon brooch kit. $15. Kit contains pattern, instructions, sewing needle, ric-rac, recycled felt, recycled buttons, natural yarn and brooch clasp. Available here and at these stockists, along with 5 more fab brooch varieties, and other kits. Handmade in Melbourne by the talented Sister Outlaws.
5. Made by Mosey banana cushion. $66. Made by Mosey’s colourful range of cushions, garlands, soft mobiles and quilts are created by Madeleine Sargent. Available here and also at Craft Vic.
6. Rooftop Honey Test Tube Gift Set. $19.95. This calico gift bag from CBD beekeepers Rooftop Honey includes a bee-friendly seed pack, recipe postcard and set of three honey samples (harvested from Melbourne rooftops) in glass test tubes, hand wax dipped and labelled with origin. Available here.
7. Neryl ‘Pineapple Mary’ limited edition archival ink giclee print. Medium: $95, Large: $160. Music-lovin’ juice swiggin’ Mary would jazz up any kitchen, dining room or den! She’s available here, along with her lady friends. Created by clever chick Neryl Walker.
8. Takeawei Origami serving board. Large $105, small $85. Handmade by Chela Edmunds in North Melbourne, this platter features a satin glaze star pattern and is dishwasher/microwave safe. Perfect for antipasto, sushi or cheese! These have sold out in the Takeawei store, but are available online at Liberty Trading Company. Be quick before they vamoose!
9. KaPow Kids Harem-style kids ice cream shorties. $32.95. Matching headband also available! KaPow Kids threads are hand-made in limited quantities and sell out fast, so run! Available online here, and at these stockists.
10. Evie Barrow Miss Pudding. $11.20. Available on etsy. Evie makes playfully-illustrated creations and one-of-a-kind textile characters, including the delightful Miss Pudding. The perfect Christmas ornament, Miss Pudding is made from cotton and felt with hand-embroidered features and a cotton hanging loop. She also comes wrapped in special Christmas paper, designed by Evie!
11. Lucy Folk Sugar Cube Clutch (Musk Stick). $295. The ultimate lolly bag! Melbourne’s queen of wearable food has just released her sweetest collection yet, celebrating sugar! Available online here, at these world-wide stockists and at Lucy’s flagship shop at 1A Crossley St, Melbourne.
12. Bridget Bodenham Pestle and mortar. $200. Bridget lives and works in her studio in beautiful Hepburn Springs, an hour out of Melbourne. Her work is organic, textured and just lovely. Available at Mr Kitly and these stockists.
Footnote: This is not a sponsored list. These are all items I genuinely love.
Before ordering, be sure to check with the sellers that delivery is possible before Christmas! Etsy shop prices are in USD.
© Please note photos are the property of their respective owners.
one equals two 
Thank you so much Mrs Sass (she writes, rather late)!
That piece was inspired by a trip to Mediterranean Wholesalers, you know….
Looking at all of that beautiful work, I declare that ALL ART SHOULD BE INSPIRED BY FOOD!
I hope you get all of these items and many more lovely sorts of happiness for Christmas. 🙂 xx
No wonder I love that painting of yours – it’s an ode to one of my fave Melbourne stores! And YES, I agree – all art should totally be inspired by food. I’d be as happy as a pig in filth if it was. Sandra, you must check out They Cook and Draw, if you haven’t already. It’s the best. In fact, you should submit a piece!
Merriest of Christmases to you too. xx
I seriously want that Miss Pudding! And the ice cream shorts (uh, they’re for kids? No!). Actually, everything. I might just get my husband onto your blog and then keep dropping hints for a month 😉 It’s such a pleasure to buy from Aussie designers, artisans and artists. I did try Melbourne Rooftop honey when I was last in Victoria and it’s beautiful. Such a wonderful idea to use urban spaces for an apiary. Great list Saskia! xx
Thanks Laura! I bought a Miss Pudding and she is just gorgeous. Can’t wait ’til December 1st (our traditional set-up-the-tree day) as she is gonna take pride of place amongst the pixies. Rooftop Honey are a fantastic group.
Fabulous selection! The banana pillow is lovely. 💛🍌
Thanks! 🙂 I love the nana pillow. Her strawberry cushions are pretty gorgeous too.
love that butter tea towel. I agree…butter does beat everything! (Especially Pepe Saya cultured butter…ohh la la!)
I’ve only tried Pepe Saya butter *once*. It’s probably a good thing it’s not so easy to find around here as I’d be eating it by the spoonful.
Saskia, isn’t that the way you are supposed to eat it? (she says with a teaspoon in her hand…)
Now that’s just cruel (she says, looking at her rock hard Girgar and Western Star…)
Really nice selection.
Why thanks!
You have wonderful taste Saskia! I took a look at most of your choices. I absolutely love the pestle and mortar. And the squat teacups on her site are incredible! Very lovely post.
Aw shucks, thanks!! The mortar/pestle is a work of art isn’t it! Too nice to actually use methinks. Her planters are beautiful too.
And when you say “Gift”, you actually mean “Buy for yourself” Guide, right?
Didn’t a prophet once say “It is when you give to yourself, that you truly give.”
(or something like that) 😉
PS. This is absolutely a ‘Buy for yourself’ guide too Amelia (or a ‘hint loudly until someone gets the message’ guide).
These are some damn fabulous ideas for a good Christmas! Maybe a bit of post-exam self-shopping is in order 😛
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Absolutely! You deserve some comfort gifts after your hard slog.
Great selection Saskia, thanks.
Why thanks ladyredspecs!
Christmas is just around the corner…this year has certainly flown by. Your selections made me smile…they are fun.
I know! What happened to October?!
Shucks! For the first time, ever!, I’ve got most of my holiday shopping finished already. I’m usually one of the masses running around the week before Christmas, paying “next day” shipping rates, and all. Wish I’d seen this a bit sooner. Well, it’s never too early for next year, Saskia. Thanks for sharing this.
Well done John! I’m madly ticking off names but still have quite a bit to do and buy. I do love this time of year though, craziness and all.
Thanks so much for adding Pineapple Mary to your ace local foodie Xmas guide. So much cuteness!
Pleasure Neryl. Pineapple Mary is super cute so she fits in beautifully!
yay! What an ace guide! So pleased to be in such great company!
Thanks Julianne! Your brooch kits are just beautiful.