Its finally here, a post I have been working on for quite some time. This is my Local Wellington Gift Ideas Guide. This blog post is to share some amazing local companies who are creating wonderful things that make great gifts without sacrificing the planet. Do you have a secret Santa gift to buy or someone specific in mind? This gift guide will have great ideas for everyone. I tried to be as non-gender specific as possible!
In case you are wondering and before you are alarmed that not everything is Wellington made, my criteria in creating this post were that all the items are one or a combination of the following:
- Made in New Zealand
- Made in Wellington
- Sustainably produced
- Ethically managed
- Handmade
- A Wellington-based company
- A Wellington-based experience
Christmas is a time when mass consumption is at its peak. Many businesses make 90% of their yearly profits around Christmas. If this is the case then it becomes glaringly obvious that it is SO important to put this profit into local and small businesses rather than those huge conglomerates. Large international businesses churn out plastic and unsustainable products for the sake of consumption and huge profit encouraging us to buy things we don’t even need or want just because of Christmas. This local Wellington gift guide aims you some great companies from whom you can buy wonderful gifts that support local and encourages sustainability.
A number one tip would be to try at all costs to avoid buying plastic gifts, if the receiver doesn’t want it, it will highly likely end up in the landfill and becomes unnecessary waste. Buy books, experiences, locally made sustainable items. This way both your gift receiver, the local business owner and planet will thank you for it.
Luckily we have an abundance of great companies offering Wellington wonderful locally produced gifts. New Zealand is a lucky rarity where lots of production is still happening on our shores. So read on for my locally made Wellington gift choices, and remember these are available all year round not only at Christmas so this works for birthdays and leaving gifts too! Enjoy:
28 Local Wellington Gift Ideas:
A Nidito Keepcup
I first saw these beautiful keep cups when I visited Ventana in Martinborough and fell in love with them. The mugs are handmade in Martinborough by ceramicist Carolina Vargas Gonzalez and match her style of beautiful rustic one of a kind ceramics.
Not only is this keepcup an absolute beauty but it can be taken to a favourite coffee shop for a takeaway – how handy. This makes it the sustainable gift that keeps on giving all year and you will always impress your barista. I bought one for my brother, he loved it!
Price: $40
Where to buy: Ventana in Martinborough or talk to Carolina via Instagram
The Nikau Cafe Cook Book
For the cook in your life, the Nikau café cookbook is the perfect gift. Nikau is a Wellington favourite food destination, located in the heart of the city next to City Gallery they are famed for their kedgeree and scones. Hains Kelda & Schrade Paul write up some of their favourite recipes from the cafe and provide a beautiful story behind each one. For a gift that supports local business and provides delicious and unique food journies with seasonal New Zealand ingredients, this is the one!
Price: $60
Where to buy: Unity Books
Anything from Isla and Olive
For beautiful gifts for all the family that are sustainable and waste-free, check out the stunningly beautiful Isla and Olive store. Isla and Olive sell eco skin care and homeware but you will also find toys, beautiful baskets, flower pressing kits and beeswax candles.
Looking for a gift for a male friend? check out the waste-free shaving kits. Looking for the kids, have a look at the beautiful rainbow stacker toy. Everything on this site is stylish and gorgeous – don’t miss it. Your loved ones will love you and the environment will too.
Price: Between $10 – $60
Where to buy: Isla and Olive Online
A Float Well Voucher
Floatation therapy is something I am a true advocate for. This experience lets you totally zone out of the stresses of everyday life and get an almost out of body experience. I recently wrote a blog post about my experience at the beautiful Float Well just of Cuba Street, so for more info on what its like click HERE. Anyway, this is the perfect gift as it might be something someone hasn’t tried or hasn’t even heard of. Plus you are giving someone the gift of time and headspace! What more could anyone want?
Price: $60 – $95
Where to buy: Float Well online or at Level 1, James Smith Building, Corner of Cuba and Manners Street
Parrot Dog Merch
One for the trendy beer lovers: Parrot Dog, Lyall Bay’s finest craft brewery has a great range of particularly stylish merchandise. I’m a particular fan of this jacket which is a bit different and would suit many tastes. They also have a wonderful selection of T-Shirts as well as beer glasses and if all else fails, your beer favouring friends would be more than happy with a tankard of beer no doubt.
Price: $10 – $90
Where to buy: Parrot Dog Online or at 60-66 Kingsford Smith Street, Lyall Bay
Anything from Ventana Creative Collective
If you are needing some top quality gift ideas curated with a conscience, then I can 100% recommend checking out Ventana. This Martinborough based artist collective sell online but for the proper experience head out to Martinborough and have a look around the oh so lovely store.
Ventana offers artists, makers and designers the Wairarapa and beyond a space to sell their makes. Find beautiful pottery, hand knitted socks, books, jewellery, and artwork all in one place. Trust me, you’ll want to buy everything! (They also sell Nidito ceramics and Thunderpants undies also featured in this post)
Price: Varying ($30 – $150)
Where to buy: Ventana Online or at 6 Kitchener Street, Martinborough
A Garage Project Gift Pack
Garage Project has released their line of gift packs for the Christmas season and these are a great way to support a local Wellington business by giving a super quality pack of GP.
A personal recommendation of mine would be the Crushed Gift Pack offering three bottles of unique Garage Project Wine. However, the beer packs also come with a glass as well as a chosen selection of GP beers. Something unique and locally made for your crafty friend or family member.
Price: $115
Where to buy: Garage Project online or at 68 Aro Street, Wellington
A Jar or Two of Fix & Fogg
My fail-safe gift fallback is always a jar of Fix & Fogg Peanut Butter. This Wellington-based peanut buttery make delicious PB in well giftable jars! Plus, there is a whole range of flavours to choose from so you can always surprise someone with a new one. This is an especially good gift for your friends overseas who might not have experienced it before.
Oh and if one jar isnt good enough what about one of their huge containers of PB.
Price: $7.99
Where to buy: Your local supermarket or the super cute hole in the wall at Leeds Street
A Wellington Gift Box by We Love Local
These guys couldn’t be more appropriate for this list and they have done all the hard work for you. We Love Local make Wellington made hampers that are ready to go!
At a range of different prices, you can choose the box in your budget. Featuring products from places like Wellington Chocolate Factory, Supreme Coffee, Six Barrell Soda and Wellington Apothecary, the boxes offer a ready-made taste of Wellington without you having to do all the hard work of gathering everything.
My personal favourite: The Coolest Little Capital Gift Box
Price: $45 – $149
Where to buy: Order from the We Love Local Website
Huffman’s Sauce
I always think some good quality locally made New Zealand Hot Sauce makes a fantastic gift. Something they wouldn’t usually spend so much money on. A personal favourite of mine is Huffman’s who make three awesome artisan sauces. The Spiced Bloody Mary Ketchup, Thai Sweet Chilli Aromatic Sauce and The Original Chilli Pepper Not Too Hot Sauce. There is a flavour to suit everyone and they are presented in a lovely bottle with a long spout that is very gift-worthy.
Made in Christchurch, the Kaffir Lime Leaves are grown on the Kapiti Coast, so this gift keeps it local and sustainable.
Price: $14
Where to buy: Online, or in Moore Wilsons
Salsa Brava Raglan Sauces
Also in the sauce category and would make a great gift is some Salsa Brava Raglan Chimichurri Sauce. Made in Raglan this NZ based company are making some super high-quality sauce for your summer BBQ that would make a great gift for a foodie friend or relative. Handmade South American vibes, pick from the hot version or the not so hot version, something for everyone!
Price: $7:50
Where to buy: Bin Inn Petone, or at Moreish
A Little Bit Daily Soap Keeper
I am a big fan of these simple but elegant handmade soap keepers from the guys at Little Bit Daily, an awesome sustainability initiative in Wellington. I recently gifted a bunch of these keepers home to my friends and family in the UK alongside a soap from Wellington Apothecary (see below).
In either recycled pine or rimu, this gift is Wellington made, recycled, waste-free and encourages your friends and family to use bar soap and save on those plastic hand soap bottles!
Price: $15
Where to buy: Little Bit Daily Online Store
The Blue Earth Soap Selection
Blue Earth Soaps are the perfect accompaniment to the Little Bit Daily Soap Keepers. The soaps are all handmade and presented in 100% recycled materials. This makes an elegant gift. Blue Earth has been around making soaps on the South Island since 1998 and buying from this lovely company is a great way to support NZ small business while also giving a really beautiful product.
Price: $32
Where to buy: Wellington Apothecary or Blue Earth Online
A Treatment from Elderberry and Kate
Of course, when buying a gift it doesn’t always have to be something you can wrap – what about buying your loved one a bit of a pampering session?.
Nestled in Wellington central, the independent spa Elderberry and Kate offer gift vouchers for all sorts of treatments that very are gift appropriate. The FaceMe facial is a beautiful holistic no-nasty experience, or if it is for a guy pal, what about the de-stressing Soothe and Smooth treatment.
Whoever the gift is it is for, Elderberry and Kate are a tried and tested reliable salon for a treatment gift. Don’t get them something they might not want and go for a treatment – everyone loves being pampered.
Price: Around $70 – $130
Where to buy: Buy a voucher online or head into the salon at 42-52 Willis Street
The Yoga Deck
Designed and created by yoga teacher Shirley McLeod, who also happens to be my colleague, the Yoga Deck is yoga you can take everywhere. Shirley created a set of 41 cards explaining different yoga positions as well as a set of sequence cards so you can always take your yoga practice round with you. I have found this particularly useful when away somewhere with either no internet or terrible internet and you need a nice flow to practice.
This is the perfect gift for a yoga-loving friend of any level. Developed, designed and printed in New Zealand. This is a locally made, really unique gift and a great one if you need to send it in the post!.
Price: $50
Where to buy: Yoga With Me Online
The Brim Label Visors and Scrunchies
A handmade hat is a lovely sounding gift. Emma Cheape is the designer at The Brim Label and all her hats are made by hand in her Hawkes Bay studio. Emma says:
“The Brim Label hats and their wearers have a quiet confidence to them. You will not see outer branding or labels on any of our BRIMs. The beautiful fabrications, subtle detailing and excellent craftsmanship prove that you don’t need to shout to be seen.”
The visors are particularly good for gifting as they are flexible sizing. And if your loved one isn’t a hat wearer, what about a handmade linen scrunchie. Personally, I would love a beautiful handcrafted gift like this!
Price: Scrunchies $25 Visors $150
Where to buy: The Brim Label Online Store
Massage Therapy with Grace @ Wellington Apothecary
People often forget to treat themselves and Christmas is a good time to force them to do it. Forget the last minute gift and grab them a voucher for a massage from Grace at Wellington Apothecary.
Grace has a beautiful little massage space in the back of the serene Wellington Apothecary. It comes highly recommended from me (see my post reviewing Grace Massage) Grace is lovely and her massage is amazing. She tailors her treatment to whoever she is with and she has the most beautiful presence.
Price: $55 – $120
How to Buy: Wellington Apothecary Online or In-store at 110A Cuba Mall
Wellington Apothecary Body Oil
Wellington Apothecary is somewhere you could go to buy all sorts of gifts. Their beautiful candles, tea sets, soaps and skin care are all Wellington made, low waste and super lovely. However, the ultimate gift from Wellington Apothecary has to be their body oils. The Organic Sweet Almond Body Oil or Petitgrain Body Oil are superior to any other body oil out there.
Price: $50
Where to buy: Wellington Apothecary Online or in-store at 110A Cuba Mall
A Yu Mei Wallet
If you haven’t heard of Yu Mei brand yet you are missing out. Yu Mei is a leather good label founded and produced in Wellington. They produce beautiful simple bags and wallets from deer napa. I have a Braidy bag which I saved up to buy and I use every single day. These bags would make an unbelievably great gift but if you are looking for something a little more on the more affordable side, the Greta purse would make an amazing gift. It comes in lots of colours.
Price: $139
Where to buy: YuMei Website
Thunderpants Undies or Socks
Thunderpants are a small locally owned and operated company based in the Wairarapa producing pants and socks from fairtrade organic cotton. The Thunderpants supply chain is completely transparent and every part of the production is tracked and traceable.
Thunderpants are about people over profits. They also produce some very groovy and comfy underwear. Socks and pants are a classic gift and with ethics behind them you can feel all the better for gifting Thunderpants.
Price: $28
Where to buy: Thunderpants Website
Jewellery from The Makers
The Makers is a jewellery studio, gallery and shop showcasing handmade jewellery from many different artists and makers. I have been a big fan of The Makers since I took part in a jewellery making course there when I first moved to Wellington.
Based in Workspace Studios just of Cuba Street on Abel Smith Street, this is a place to find a really original piece of jewellery for your loved one. Because there is a range of artists selling here, you’ll find an amazing range of styles and looks to choose from. This should be your number one stop for jewellery in Wellington to support local artists. They sell online but I highly recommend popping into the studio to see everything in real life.
Price: Varying
Where to buy: The Makers online, or at 65 Abel Smith Street, Wellington
A Ticket to Coastella
Looking to buy more of an experience type gift? What about tickets to Wellington’s version of Coachella: Coastella! Happening on the Kapiti Coast in February, this is the perfect gift for someone to look forward to after the Christmas festivities are over. The festival is family friendly and has a great line up of international and local artists. And it is also great as its only a short drive up the coast.
I went last year and it was really fun so I would highly recommend as a gift.
Price: $70
Where to buy: Coastella Website
Tulle Merino from Standard Issue
Standard Issue is a New Zealand based knitwear label that has been around since the 1980s. In a world where production is constantly moving offshore, it is wonderful that such a lovely brand is still New Zealand made. Standard Issue are well worth supporting for this reason and also for the fact that they make beautiful things.
I am a huge fan of their tulle merino. It’s a beautiful delicate light fabric that is sheer against the skin. It might be because I’m from the UK and usually Christmas is cold, but I think quality knitwear is a great Christmas gift. I personally have one of these and love it – can recommend.
Price: $160
Where to buy: Standard Issue Online
A Shakti Mat
Want to gift somebody a self-care method with a difference? The Shakti Mat is an acupressure mat based on the Indian bed of nails. Thousands of spikes apply pressure to skin and muscles supporting circulation, relaxation and mental clarity.
Shakti is based out of Christchurch and these mats have really taken off in the last couple of years. Seen around all the yoga studios in Wellington. You can get the simple mat, or foot and neck focused ones.
Price: $64
Where to buy: Shakti Online or at Float Well
Some Libertine Blends Tea
Got a tea lover friend? Maybe you could get them some Libertine Blends tea. Other tea brands (that won’t be named) are imported from offshore and although they might seem lovely, it’s more lovely to support local. Libertine Blends are based out of Berhampore run by Wellingtonian Jacqui Wales.
The teas are made from organic and wildcrafted New Zealand natives and they are made in small batches packaged by a Wellington crew. They taste delicious too!
For gifting, they do some great bundles and sampler boxes.
Price: $30
Where to buy: Libertine Blends Online or at Moore Wilsons
A Subscription to Capital Magazine
A magazine subscription is a classic gift, so what about gifting a subscription to local Wellington magazine Capital. They offer 10 issue subscriptions for $77. Just one of those gifts that keep on giving!
Capital is based in the heart of Wellington and offers “a fresh look at New Zealand’s capital city”. I would agree with this and always feel inspired and informed by this classy monthly mag.
Price: $77
Where to buy: Capital Online
Something Fine from Margaret Hema
The ultimate luxurious and oh so Wellington gift is a facial with Margaret Hema or one of her beautiful handcrafted oils. Margaret Hema is a Wellington icon. Famously having cared for Liv Tyler while she was here filming Lord of the Rings, Hema’s oils and facials are high quality and created out of only natural ingredients.
For a started package she recommends her Facial Cleansing Oil. Or call up and arrange a facial.
Price: $140
Where to buy: Margaret Hema Online
A Red Rose Tee by Prepair NZ
Prepair NZ is an amazing Wellington-based organisation doing really great work to promote awareness around the issue of Emotional abuse. The not for profit is run by Foxton born Irene who wanted to give women a space to share their stories. Having had her own experiences with emotional abuse, Irene felt compelled to do something big around this issue.
On the Prepair website, you can find stories from different women as well as different resources to provide support to those going through something difficult.
But why is Prepair on this list? Well, because to support the cause, you could purchase a Prepair NZ red rose tee. They are pretty elegant, easy to wear, Wellington-based and the cause is good. What a great gift!
Price: $40
Where to buy: Prepair NZ Online
A Book from Unity Books
When all else fails a good book is the best gift! And Unity Books is a Wellington-based bookshop with a wonderful collection to choose from. Nothing beats a well thought out book as a gift.
Price: $30 ish
Where to buy: Unity Online
Whew! A big list of great things to think about for your nearest and dearest. My aim for this guide was to offer alternatives to buying the usual “tatt” that we can end up buying around Christmas time. As long as we try to buy thoughtfully and lovingly to both people and the planet we can do no wrong.
Not forgetting about wrapping…
No need to buy wrapping paper, use up old paper and magazines with twine and leaves for a beautiful rustic look, or use the Furoshiki Wrapping Technique. Beautiful!
Thanks for reading! It’s been great to have you here.
As always, I really enjoy recommendations from readers, so if you have any more ideas for great locally made gifts, comment them below and share the love!
For more posts about Wellington, you might like to check out the following:
16 Fun Date Ideas in Wellington
12 Amazing Sustainability initiatives in Wellington
My Top 5 Wellington Cheap Eats
Where to buy Sustainably in Wellington
You can also follow me for updates on Instagram @lostinsilverfern, Twitter @lostsilverfern and Facebook @lostinsilverfern and don’t forget to subscribe using the form below.
Peace
Josie x
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