Christmas Gifts

New Zealand Christmas Gifts

Shopping for Christmas presents can be challenging, draining and, let's be honest, rushed at the last minute! But Christmas shopping doesn't need to be this way. Get in early to avoid the silly season's stress and take your cue from our top ten favourite Xmas gifts.

• Christmas Gifts
• Gift Baskets
• Jewellery

Christmas present and gift ideas
The gifts you give at Christmas time will be as varied as the range of people you know, so you’ll save time and effort by:

• Making a list – No, not a Santa wish-list! Make a list of gift recipients and one or two suitable Christmas present ideas for each.
• Setting a budget – Boring? Maybe. Essential? Yes. Unless you have money to burn, estimate how much each gift is likely to cost and set a realistic budget before hitting the shops.
• Shopping alone – Consultation before you go is recommended, but often one head is better than two when it comes to making a decision.
• Going online – Shopping in online stores means you can avoid queues, crowds and Christmas soundtracks on repeat, plus you won’t have to walk for hours in search of the perfect Christmas gift.
• Buying from boutique stores – for Christmas presents with a difference, shop at boutique stores. There you’ll find clothing, homeware, antiques and books that are unusual, rare or one-of-a-kind.

Top 10 Christmas gifts
Having trouble coming up with Christmas present ideas? Whether you’re looking for the cheapest gift, the best pressie, or simply the perfect Christmas gift, there’ll be something to suit in our top ten Christmas gifts:

1. Electronic gizmos and gadgets
Shopping for men is hard to do, but something from an electronics store is bound to please the men (and women) in your life. Browse our selection at New Zealand electronics stores for gifts including digital cameras for holiday snaps and family photos; MP3 music players for portable music heaven; car audio electronics for the car buffs; and of course new televisions, stereos and mobile phones. Remember to shop around for the best deal and always ensure your purchase comes with a warranty .

2. Jewellery
Diamonds (and other jewellery) are a girl’s best friend. Giving a stunning or subtly beautiful piece of jewellery to your partner, sister, mother or friend can make for a touching and thoughtful gift. Be sure to take note of the wearer’s style and find something that matches their look, whether it’s a pair of diamond earrings, a vintage brooch, a gold necklace or a simple silver bracelet. Jewellery need not be expensive either – beautiful pieces of jewellery, including one-off and handmade pieces, are available at many New Zealand jewellery stores and craft shops.

3. Music and movies
Always a popular choice for both adults and children, music and movies make great Christmas gifts. With such a huge range of movie and music titles released year round, it’s easy to find something to suit. From Mozart to Muse, there are CD and DVD titles in every genre of music: pop, rock, alternative, jazz, blues, classical, soul and easy listening. Likewise, a vast array of movies offers something to match any taste, from popular television series and blockbusters to arthouse films and cult movies. Shop at the Real Groovy music store and movie shop for top CD and DVD titles.

4. Christmas hampers
Fill a hamper with celebratory treats and you’ll be a popular gift-giver. Christmas hampers, gift baskets and gift boxes can be packed with gourmet foods, bottles of champagne or New Zealand wine, delectable chocolates and fresh fruit, and even non-food items like pampering beauty products. Browse our range of Christmas hampers and gift baskets.

5. Books
For some, a book is a great way to relax during the holiday season and retreat into another world. Whether your loved one is a fan of thrillers, romance, chick-lit, science fiction or an informative non-fiction read, you’ll find a book to fit the bill at a New Zealand bookshop.

6. A bottle of wine
New Zealand is famous the world over for its distinctive wines, and rightly so too! A bottle of wine can be a fantastic Christmas gift idea for a friend, workmate or corporate client. If you know the recipient’s preference, pick a red or white wine to suit; otherwise, go for a middle-of-the-road wine with mass appeal, such as a quality sauvignon blanc. With world class vineyards and wineries in the Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, Gisborne, the Wairarapa and Canterbury, there are plenty of New Zealand wines from which to choose.

7. Cosmetics and beauty products
Another one for the girls! Beauty products can be a great way to pamper your partner or give your mum and treat at Christmas. Luxury skincare products are available in specially designed pamper packs, including soaps, hand creams and moisturizers, or you can put together a selection of your own. Some beauty ranges also offer an exclusive Christmas set for the festive season, so keep an eye out for these. Remember to smell your purchase before you buy – choosing the type of fragrance you think they’d enjoy (floral, sweet, musky or citrus...). Find a tempting range of Christmas gift possibilities in our beauty products category.

8. Games
The Christmas and New Year holiday season is the perfect opportunity to spend time with family, and what better way than with a game? Take a trip down memory lane with classic boardgames such as Trivial Pursuit (for the know-it-all), Monopoly (for the hoarder), Scrabble (for the wordie) and Pictionary (for the artiste). Board games are also fun for the new generation: Cranium (again for know-it-all performer), Sudoku (for the numbers whiz) and the Worst-Case Scenario Survival Game (for the adventurer). Shop for both classic and new board games in the NZS.com directory.And for the lovely geek in your life, give a Playstation, Xbox or Nintendo game from one of the many computer game stores.

9. Tickets to events
For a memorable, fun-filled Christmas present, take a friend or partner to an event. You can go along too, so it’s a win-win gift for both of you! Many events are scheduled for the Christmas, New Year and summer holiday season, so take your pick from sports events, music concerts and festivals, New Years Eve events and other community events. Browse our New Zealand event guide online for inspiration.

10. Vouchers
If you really get stuck, vouchers are an easy gift solution that lets your recipient choose their own pressie! While it may seem uncreative to go down the gift voucher road, there are many choices available: give a meal at your favourite restaurant, a CD or DVD, a hot air balloon ride, a motorsport racing experience, a circus class or a pamper day at the spa. Choose from a wide range of New Zealand gifts.

Looking for more gift options? We’ve got Christmas gift shopping covered.

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Seasons and Celebrations images from Flickr: Warm Christmas, Fireworks Finale and Christmas in Love.