Support Aussie small businesses this Christmas with our local gift guide

min read

We know - gift buying can be the worst if you have absolutely no idea where to start.

Luckily, Perth Underground is here to save the day!

If you managed to survive the chaos of Black Friday and are still keen to shop, we have the gift guide for you.

Instead of spending up a storm on cheap imports at gargantuan chain stores, let’s support quality Australian small businesses and help the little guy put Christmas ham on the table this year.

Ox Rabbit

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Perth-based bakers Ox Rabbit have developed a sensational and festive Christmas collection, intertwining traditional favourites with their own unique style.

Renowned for their sophisticated and delicious brownies, cakes and desserts, Ox Rabbit will once again be creating luxury gourmet sweet treats and gifts this festive season.

As part of the new collection Ox Rabbit have created Black Frost and Summer trifles, Fruit Mince Slice, Ginger Marshmallow, Chocolate Cherry and Gingerbread Brownies, Spiced Orange Chocolate and Berry Meringue White Chocolate Bundt Cakes, and an exclusive Christmas Bakers Box, with a divine range of flavours for you to indulge in.

Ox Rabbit will also be featuring Bake at Home gift boxes as part of their Christmas collection which includes premium ingredients to make your choice of a delectable mud cakes in white and dark chocolate.

Ox Rabbit General Manager Iain Sheppard said Christmas is the perfect time to celebrate and spend time with family and friends, and of course enjoy special festive treats.

“Our latest collection is inspired by traditional festive flavours whilst also incorporating the idea of creating memories through food with loved ones,” Iain said.

Check out the collection here.

Bondi Shoe Club

Inspired by the scenery of the Sydney’s beaches, The Bondi Shoe Club launched its first range of chic tropical printed footwear in November.

The collection boasts an Australian twist on the canvas espadrille and has launched just in time for summer (and Christmas gifting!).

With the inaugural collection featuring The Freshwater Flamingos, The Bondi Palm Trees, The Coogee Cockatoos, The Manly Beach Monsteras, The Tamarama Tropical Midnights and The Palm Beach Pineapples, there’s something for every taste.

The Bondi Shoe Club only uses vegan certified eco-friendly glue, which doesn’t release any nasty fumes, making it more ethical for those actually producing the product.

The shoes are even delivered in a cornstarch postal satchel and the entire shoe can be recycled!

If that wasn’t enough to convince you, 5% of all profits go to the ‘Fight for our Reef’ campaign by the Australian Marine Conservation Society.

For guilt-free Christmas shopping, visit www.thebondishoeclub.com.

Vela

With its debut collection officially launching today, West Australian luxury jewellery brand Vela utilises ethically and sustainably sourced materials in designs for the modern woman.

Created to showcase the natural beauty of rare and special one-of-a-kind gems, stones and materials in contemporary and intelligent designs, Vela Jewellery aims to bring a little luxury into the everyday.

Born from Western Australian award-winning jewellers and recognised fine jewellery designers, Rohan Milne (Rohan Jewellers) and Simon Henderson (former Master Jeweller and Head Designer of Kailis Jewellery for 18 years), Vela Jewellery has unveiled a collection showcasing perfectly imperfect Australian South Sea pearls and Argyle Champagne diamonds.

With quality, simplicity and craftsmanship at the forefront, the initial 63 piece collection comprises of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings and cufflinks made from materials sourced ethically, sustainably and locally in Australia.

View the entire collection here.

Perth Gin

My personal favourite on the list is the brand spanking new artisan small batch gin “Perth Gin” which has been developed to capture the spirit of Perth.

The gin incorporates the flavours of the region to reference all of the things that make Perth special, in a unique signature that uses local botanicals and embodies the spirit of the city.

Perth Gin is distilled in Margaret River and has been created by Australian Distilling Co’s Michael Hickinbotham and Master Distiller, Dr Graham Jones.

“We wanted to create something that reflected the sunny disposition of this beautiful city, the blue waters, gorgeous sunsets and not to mention something that captures what Perth is all about and that is made just for them,” Michael said.

Over 30 recipes were crafted in order to find the perfect pairing of botanicals to reflect Perth’s cosmopolitan nature.

Perth Gin’s hero botanical is warming boronia, which is paired with lemon myrtle that lingers on the palate, leaving a crisp finish.

Perth Gin was introduced to the Perth market in November and is already stocked in a number of Perth’s favourite bars and restaurants.

If you are struggling to track down a bottle on a shelf near you, head to www.perthgin.com.au.