More small businesses across Victoria are being supported this festive season, with the launch of a Christmas gift ideas list to help communities across the state buy locally and support small businesses this festive season, made possible by the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Small Business Natalie Suleyman today launched the Business Victoria Christmas Gift Ideas for 2023, featuring 13 gift ideas from Victorian small businesses that will bring cheer to friends and family and boost local businesses this Christmas.
Minister for Small Business Natalie Suleyman says “the 2023 Victorian Small Business Christmas Gift Ideas has something for everyone, from food to fashion, play time to pamper time and unique artistry to unforgettable experiences.”
“Buying Victorian this Christmas is like giving two gifts – something for a loved one, and something that will support small business owners, their employees, suppliers and everyone in the supply chain.”
Now in its fourth year, the Christmas Gift Ideas list showcases the vibrant and diverse small businesses across the state and offers unique gifts with a distinctly Victorian flavour.
From local manufacturers, food and beverages, creative industries to women-led businesses, First Nations businesses and social enterprises, the list celebrates the ingenuity of small business across metro and regional Victoria.
Victoria is renowned for its entrepreneurial spirit and Victoria’s 650,000 small businesses are a critical part of our economy, accounting for 41 percent of employment across the state.
Christmas and the summer months provide the ideal opportunity for Victorians to support local small businesses, strengthening local communities and contribute to the state’s economy.
12 Victorian small business Christmas gift ideas:
The elf is on the shelf, Bublé is crooning on the radio and the decorations are coming out of storage. That can mean only one thing. The festive season is here!
We’ve searched throughout the state and trust us, Victoria’s not just a land of delicious coffee and stunning scenery. It’s a treasure trove of makers, creators and producers, offering unique gift ideas to suit everyone on your gift list.
To make your Christmas shopping a breeze, we’ve handpicked a dozen local goodies (plus a bonus) and we know ‘yule’ love these gifts from local small businesses!
1 of 12 | Blak Brews
In Victoria, we’re famous for coffee, but when it’s time to unwind, a comforting cuppa-tea is a cherished Aussie tradition.
This First Nations owned business celebrates Indigenous traditions through their unique teas, making a delightful Christmas gift that embraces heritage and happiness.
Hailing from Djillong (Geelong) on Wautharong Country, Troy Benjamin is the visionary behind Blak Brews, brewing teas with premium ingredients, abundant healing benefits and delicious flavours.
Your giftee will feel tea-rrifically special with Troy’s Favourites, featuring flavours like Australian Brekky, Desert Sunrise and Red Centre, all promising a sensory experience in every cup.
Gift Blak Brews
2 of 12 | Hey Doodle
Do you have a budding little Michelangelo set on turning your living room walls into a Renaissance masterpiece? Meet the perfect solution – reusable silicone mats that will stop your home from being turned into a lesser version of the Sistine Chapel.
Hey Doodle, a Mum-run Victorian business (with stockists from Darwin to the Derwent River), have built a brand based on the idea of engaging children through art play.
Say goodbye to wall doodles and hello to mess-free artistic adventures with these premium-grade silicone colouring mats. They include non-toxic markers and a handy carry pouch for creativity on the go, making them the ideal 2023 Christmas present for big and small kids alike.
Gift Hey Doodle
3 of 12 | Katherine Wheeler Ceramics
Whether you’re treating yourself or shopping for a loved one, a stunning piece of original jewellery makes an excellent Christmas gift. Because, let’s face it, everyone deserves a locally sourced gem during the holiday season!
Katherine, an Australian artist based in Castlemaine, operates from her cozy home studio. Known for her porcelain jewellery, you will find Katherine’s wares at various markets around Victoria and beyond.
For the style-savvy, these porcelain earrings are a chic addition, handcrafted and intricately painted, drawing inspiration from rockpool explorations and beachcombing adventures.
4 of 12 | Jackson Miles
Do you have a man in your life who’s a ‘Bar Soap Bandit’ looking to level up, or a ‘Grooming Guru’ on the hunt for local products?
Prahran locals Jackson Miles are about to become your one-stop gift shop for all their face, hair, and body needs – all while adding to the aesthetic of their bathroom.
Since 2018, their mission has remained the same – to deliver grooming skincare solutions for the man who wants to look and feel better.
This season, treat the men in your life to the Men’s Grooming Kit, designed to effortlessly enhance their shower experience. It includes Jackson Miles’ Havana Tobacco & Vanilla Shampoo, Conditioner, and Bergamot, Mandarin & Cedar Body Wash. Everything is bottled in carefully designed recycled plastics, which is a plus for the planet.
Gift Jackson Miles
5 of 12 | Houndsome Dog
Deck the halls with bow-wow-wows of holly! If your 4-legged friend is the CEO (Chief Enjoyment Officer) of your household, we’ve got a Christmas gift idea that’ll have them wagging their tails with glee.
Introducing the ‘Cozy Canine Comforter’. It’s the ultimate pure wool blanket for their royal houndness’s comfort, be it nightly cuddles on the couch or those dog days of summer picnicking at the park or beach.
This furtastic gift idea from Houndsome Dog is designed in Seddon and sustainably crafted from repurposed Australian Merino Wool that is exclusively woven by the historic Geelong Weaving Mill.
Gift Houndsome Dog
6 of 12 | Worthy Cause
The best kind of gift is one that keeps giving. That’s why we turned to Worthy Cause artisanal cookies for our next Christmas list choice.
Worthy Cause, founded in 2021 by Rick Cohen and based in Preston, is a registered charity that uses the power of scrumptious treats to support the employment of vulnerable individuals who struggle to find work.
Butter up your giftee with two large cookies in a compostable and recyclable package, with a massive choice of flavours like Nutella choc chip, and red velvet.
If you’re a business looking for the perfect gift for your favourite clients, Worthy Cause can provide you with your own corporate cookie. You can even tailor your own flavour, size, design and packaging.
Support a Worthy Cause’s worthy cause with every bite. One hundred per cent of proceeds go towards funding their structured employment program.
Gift Worthy Cause
7 of 12 | L’Artisan
Not that we need a reason, but the holidays are the perfect time to bring out the charcuterie and pâté – and this next gift will definitely spread the Christmas cheer.
Thanks to farmers’ market favourite and renowned chef Lionel Abello, your friends and family won’t have to dine out for Michelin Star quality indulgences this Christmas.
Originally from France, Lionel now shares his family recipes and passion for charcuterie and gourmet food through L’Artisan.
Grazing plate lovers will get a kick out of an assortment of delicious pâtés, terrines and rillettes which can be paired with breads, cheeses, cornichons and more.
Get ready for a taste of the French lifestyle this Christmas with a local small business!
Gift L’Artisan
8 of 12 | Bright Adventure Company
We may not get a winter wonderland, but one of the best things about an Australian Christmas is that it comes with warmer weather. So why not gift your loved ones a world of outdoor fun and exploration.
Local adventurer Rowan Blakers has been the driving force behind Bright Adventure Company since 2017. With his extensive qualifications and passion for thrills, he’s transformed his love for exploration into a thriving business.
With Bright Adventure Company, your partner, friends or kids can enjoy family-friendly fun like a whitewater kayaking tour, stand-up paddleboard rentals or cliff-side picnics for the adrenaline enthusiasts.
9 of 12 | Reed & Co Distillery
The connoisseur in your life is probably aware that Japanese flavours are all the rage in Australian food and beverages, so this next gift is an absolute must-have.
Hamish Nugent and Rachel Reed are the owners/creators/makers behind Reed & Co Distillery. As ex-chefs, Hamish and Rachel are masters of producing refined and balanced craft spirits using local botanicals and flavours throughout their distillery process.
Your giftee will be delighted with these Japanese inspired spirits from Victoria’s High Country, featuring Koji and infused with rice, chilli or Yuzu.
Gift Reed & Co Distillery
10 of 12 | Pete Cromer
For our next gift idea, we’re diving into the art of gifting with a dash of creativity!
Few gifts are more memorable and meaningful than a carefully chosen artwork. It shows that you have taken the time to consider your giftee’s personality and tastes.
Enter Pete Cromer, a contemporary Australian artist from Victoria’s Colac Otway region. His whimsical technicolour animals and birds, drawing inspiration from the vibrant personalities of Australia’s wildlife, promise joy for any indoor space.
Explore Peter’s prints and support Victoria’s creative talents by adding a touch of Aussie inspiration to this holiday season.
Gift Pete Cromer
11 of 12 | Just a Glass Australia
Our next gift idea is tailored for the superb sippers – our wine enthusiasts, connoisseurs of the grape, vino virtuosos and wine whisperers.
Launched in 2020, Amber Duggan’s journey to creating Just a Glass Australia began as a teenager, working weekends at a neighbouring vineyard in Victoria’s Otway region.
Just a Glass wines hail from the diverse grape-growing regions of Victoria, carefully curated to ensure the finest quality, and bottled in the picturesque Otways of regional Victoria. This environmentally conscious business crafts vegan wines using sustainable processes, including powering their bottling using solar power.
Sip sustainably and select a festive gift pack to suit your giftee’s tastes whether it be a Prosecco, Rosé, Pinot Grigio, Sparkling Brut, Moscato or Shiraz.
12 of 12 | Thongs Australia
Summer in Australia is a hot pavement dance party, where Aussie thongs keep us cool as we cruise to barbecues and the beach. So, why not gift your loved ones the perfect pair of Aussie footwear for the coming holiday season?
Mordialloc-based small business Thongs Australia has been offering classic comfort and style since the 2000s.
There’s no way you’ll flip-flop on a gift that’s toe-tally awesome. The nostalgia series is our go-to pick, featuring comfy natural rubber, a durable matt strap and vibrant, retro colours. You can also pair these with a 100% Australian made biodegradable pure cotton towel at checkout for a discounted beach essential bundle.
Gift Thongs Australia
Bonus gift | Bendigo Brittle
We all know someone with an insatiable sweet tooth – you know, the kind of person who sees dessert as a food group. Well, they’re in for a treat.
Based in Bendigo, this family-run business is the brainchild of Greta Donaldson, who left the hectic existence of an executive for the sweet life.
Crispy, crunchy and loaded with deliciousness, Greta has tinkered with her grandmother’s recipe to create a full range of upgraded brittle varieties from the classics to new flavours like chilli peanut and even a vegan option.
‘Tis the season to satisfy sweet cravings and maybe sneak an extra bag for yourself.
Gift Bendigo Brittle
That’s a wrap! Our 2023 Christmas gift guide is just a snapshot of the wonderful and diverse businesses that make our state great. We hope it will help you buy local and support Victorian small businesses!
If you didn’t find the perfect present on this year’s list, there are always the gifts of Christmas past! Our previous gift guides might provide extra inspiration for your gift-giving. Check them out via the links below:
