Gift Guide 2024: Neat Gifts from Neat Places in Aotearoa
Don’t ask how, but we’ve officially entered the Christmas countdown. Michael Bublé is blasting in aisle 4, your Type A sister has already assigned everyone their Christmas lunch tasks, and everyone's dropping not-so-subtle gift hints left, right and centre.
If the thought of gift shopping sends you spiralling, take a deep breath – we’ve got you.
Words by: Maggie Worthington
Welcome to the Neat Places Gift Guide 2024, featuring almost 100 nice things from neat businesses across Aotearoa. While there’s nothing like the magic of visiting a store IRL, we’ve made it super easy for you to support local with a list of destinations in your neighbourhood as well as online (so you can shop in Auckland while munching mince pies from the comfort of your couch in Alexandra – and vice versa).
Our gift guide is a fun and thoughtful collection of local goods for every personality and every price point – from handcrafted candle holders and ceramic mugs to cute beach umbrellas, handwoven bags and hot sauces, and so much more…
The Homebody
1. Loose Leaf Tea – Webster’s Tea, Tauranga
2. Daily Socks – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
3. Hivern Candles – Father Rabbit, Auckland
4. Hāna Linen Spray – Trouble & Fox, Nelson
5. Habitual Goods Bookends – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
6. Taus Ceramic Mug – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
7. Much by Evie Kemp – Scorpio Books, Christchurch
8. Lucid Chocolatier – Frances Nation, Christchurch
9. Botanical Shower Steamers – Little Beehive, Nelson
10. Clay Days Pottery Set – Goldie, Wellington
11. Sheepskin Seat Cover – Wilson & Dorset, Wānaka
12. Fruit Cru Pét Nat – Frances Nation, Christchurch
13. Abby Merson Puzzle – Found My Way, Invercargill
14. Toetoe Linen Pillowcases – The Axe, Wellington
15. Finn Godbolt Merino Throw – Everyday Needs, Auckland
The Host
These presents will definitely get you an invite to their next dinner party.
1. Apostle Crispy Chilli Oil – Apostle Hot Sauce, Kāpiti Coast
2. Sitting Pretty Candelabra – Frances Nation, Christchurch
3. Wave Coupe Glass – Kindred Road, Hastings
4. More Salad Cookbook – Scorpio Books, Christchurch
5. National Candles – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
6. Everyday Conversations Card Game – Paper Plane, Mount Maunganui
7. Svord Santoku Knife – Frances Nation, Christchurch
8. Recipe Journal – Crushes, Auckland
9. Parrotdog Mixed Pack – Parrotdog, Wellington
10. Bones Pickles – Bones Pickles, Christchurch
11. Juno Gin – Juno Gin, Christchurch
12. Cabin Hand Towel – Hendrix Home, Wellington
13. The Ocean Tumbler – Crushes, Auckland
14. veto. Washing Powder – veto, Tauranga
15. Rimu Egg Rack – Frances Nation, Christchurch
The Al Fresco Friend
For sunseekers and explorers who are always planning the next beach hang or camping trip.
1. Goodlids Cap – Goodlids, Auckland
2. Kāri Māori Playing Cards – Yoyo, Wellington
3. Handwoven Bag – The Green Room, Wānaka
4. Baina Towel – Crystal Cylinder, New Plymouth
5. Gardener’s Bundle – Folklore Fine Goods, Clyde
6. Sunnup Outdoor Mat – Father Rabbit, Auckland
7. Whitestone Picnic Bundle – Whitestone Cheese, Ōamaru
8. Napoleon Goods Chilly Bin – Found Store, Hamilton
9. Cactus Outdoor Backpack – Cactus Outdoor, Christchurch
10. Bee Friendly Wildflower Seeds – J Friend & Co, Christchurch
11. A Bunk for the Night – Lamplight Books, Auckland
12. EPØKHE Sunglasses – Crystal Cylinder, New Plymouth
13. Coffee Supreme Instant – Coffee Supreme
14. Good Surf Wax – Crystal Cylinder, New Plymouth
15. Business & Pleasure Beach Umbrella – Crystal Cylinder, New Plymouth
The Cool Aesthete
On-trend treats for the iced oat latte drinkers.
1. Volcano Incense Cone Burner – Yoyo, Wellington
2. Sucker Reusable Glass Straws – The Vault, Ōamaru
3. 2025 Weekly Diary – Crushes, Auckland
4. Sunglasses Discernment – Swoon, Christchurch
5. Ecology London Dry 0% – Moore Wilson's, Wellington
6. Made of Tomorrow 2025 Daily Diary – Kindred Road, Hastings
7. Dusty Pennants Key Ring – Dusty's
8. Velvet Eyeshadows – Iris Beauty, Wellington
9. Buttermilk Hair Claw – The Vault, Ōamaru
10. Reusable Film Camera – Addy & Lou, Kaikōura
11. Wellington Apothecary Eye Pillow – Wellington Apothecary, Wellington
12. Latte Grade Matcha – The Matcha Club
13. Lash Fridays Eyelash Serum – The Vault, Ōamaru
14. Citta Market Bag – Hendrix Home, Wellington
15. Kate Mitchell Glass Cherry Earring – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
The New Parents
Name something more fun than shopping for tiny humans (just don’t forget about their tired mums and dads).
1. Te Rā Kura ki Aotearoa Book – Schrödinger's, Wellington
2. Kip & Co Bath Robe – Moi on George, Dunedin
3. veto. Washing Powder – veto, Tauranga
4. Natural Beeswax Crayons – Isla & Olive, Gisborne
5. Fluted Ring Mug – Kindred Road, Hastings
6. Lofty Kite Fruit Salad – Little Trooper, Tauranga
7. Made of Tomorrow A2 Planner – Found Store, Hamilton
8. Babu Everyday Sunscreen – Babu
9. Over the Dandelions Hooded Towel – Lily & Langford, Christchurch
10. Lambskin Baby Booties – Frances Nation, Christchurch
11. Good Fortune Coffee – Good Fortune, Wellington
12. Chai Baby Keep Cup – William Bee, Ōamaru
13. Nature Baby Bucket Sunhat – Blackbird Goods, Hastings
14. Wilson & Frenchy Playsuit – Kindred Road, Hastings
15. Wild Love Breastfeeding Tea – Found Store, Hamilton
The Secret Santa
Wait, what was their name again? Fool-proof gifts for that work colleague you emailed one time or your third cousin once removed.
1. Real World Hand Wash – Real World, Hastings
2. Duncan’s Brewing Hazy IPAs – Duncan's Brewing, Wellington
3. This is Here No.27 – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
4. Richard Beauchamp x I&P Dice Set – Indigo & Provisions, Christchurch
5. Humdinger Dry Gin – Juniper Collective, Christchurch
6. Sonder Card Sleeve – Good as Gold, Wellington
7. Christmas Soap – Global Soap, Nelson
8. Giunta Albariño 2023 – Decibel Wines, Hastings
9. Pohutukawa Honey – J Friend & Co, Christchurch
10. Pattis & Cream Tea Towel – Patti's & Cream, Dunedin
11. Fix & Fogg Deluxe Gift Box – Fix & Fogg, Wellington
12. Wild Love Sleep Tea – Found Store, Hamilton
13. Kester Black Nail Polish – Infinite Definite, Christchurch
14. Abel Room Spray – Abel Fragrance, Wellington
15. Lettuce x Father Rabbit Puzzle – Father Rabbit, Auckland
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