The best Christmas gifts under $100

$100 goes a long way at these local boutiques. Find on-trend homewares, gifts for the foodie and Melbourne-made accessories for someone special.

Saison House Vermouth, $65

Upgrade the bar cart this Christmas. Served at Melbourne wine bar Embla, this is chef Dave Verheul's classic Italian red vermouth. It's made using a mix of shiraz and moscato grapes, along with wormwood, vanilla, and roasted hazelnuts. The perfect addition to an at-home Negroni or served on the rocks. Pick up a bottle at David Jones.

Cyrnos petite candle, $69  

All the way from Paris to Melbourne’s Royal Arcade, a candle from Trudon is steeped in 380 years of history. Browse for perfumes, candles and beautiful gifts at this stunning newly opened boutique. While the giant candles can go for as much as $800, the petite travel-sized jars make a lovely small gesture at $65. Fill your home with the sweet scent of Mediterranean citrus.

Saya Hat, $99

You simply cannot beat a good wide-brimmed hat. This one from Melbourne label Alpha 60 comes in five colourways and features an adjustable neck strap. Its wire edging means you can bend it into many styles. As they say - no hat, no play.

Learn to weave kit, $59.95

If your giftee has a penchant for arts and crafts, get them a weaving kit this Christmas. They'll have all the tools they need to whip up a stunning natural raffia basket. It's created by the team at the Tjanpi Desert Weavers who work with women in the remote Central and Western Desert regions. Find it at the Museums Victoria Store.

Taschen Cup Holder, $55

This beaded coffee cup holder is the perfect gift for your favourite coffee fanatic. This hand-woven treasure from the Saloon Store is too cute, featuring black and cream wooden beads and a simple handle. The beads stretch to form the shape of any travel coffee mug, so there is no need to know their order. It's fun frivolity at its finest.

Accidentally Wes Anderson book, $69.95

You might have seen the popular exhibit, but now you can buy the book. This now famous Instagram page has created a cultural movement across the world. This book compiles crowd-sourced images of locations and vignettes that feel inspired by the movies. Grab a copy from Metropolis inside the Curtain House for the movie buff in your life.

Moka Express Italia coffee maker, $100 

Give the gift of freshly brewed Melbourne coffee every morning. Lygon Street’s Coffee Machine Technologies has everything you need for a barista-quality setup. The stovetop Moka Express Italia comes in an Italian-inspired red and green colour palette and can brew three cups in a jiffy. Head around the corner to Market Lane to pick up some locally roasted beans. 

L'espresso martini glass, $89

Espresso martinis are having a moment (were they ever not?). So give an iconic gift to your most iconic friend this gifting season. The L'espresso from Mason Balzac is hand-blown from borosilicate glass and features a single coffee bean on the rim. Available at the recently renovated Incu inside QV.

MoMA lily pad coasters, $59.95

While we're on the cocktail hour theme, add some colourful new coasters into the mix. They come in a set of six different colours and are designed to be stacked into tiny sculptures. Functional and beautiful, create new hues and shapes as you overlap them. This cute set is available at Make Designed Objects.

Painted vinyl earrings, $28 to $95

Hand-painted, one-of-a-kind and sustainable to boot! Local Indigenous artist Bronwyn David collaborated with the City of Melbourne to upcycle old vinyl event banners into these beautiful statement earrings. So you could score a slice of Moomba history, or a reminder of Christmases past! Find them at the Town Hall Visitor Hub or Fitzroy Gardens Visitor Centre.

David Shrigley really good glasses, $59.95

Looking to gift something really good? Say hello to these David Shrigley class cups, each with an upbeat slogan. With leftover money in your gifting budget, might we suggest matching the really good coasters and notebook? Browse the NGV Design Store for more gifts to treat the art lover in your life.

Curry collection gift pack, $60

If your bestie is a budding chef, here's the gift for them. Available from the spice merchants at Gewürzhaus, the curry kit comes with four best-selling blends. And if that wasn't enough to seal the deal, there's a custom recipe to cook along with each spice mix. This selection of classic curries is a sure-fire (no pun intended) way to upgrade your next shared meal. Secretly selfish gift alert!

Ugg Slippers, $79

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. An adage that's never been more accurate than when it comes to gifting. So gift a classic pair of Ugg slippers this Christmas. While styles come and go with the trend cycle, we suggest sticking to a classic slip-on for maximum longevity. But don't be surprised if you pick up a pair for yourself!

Salt and pepper grinder, $89.95

This refillable salt and pepper grinder is made for a kitchen where beige is banned. Designed by Areaware, this groovy little character is painted on smooth beech wood. Fill it with salt or pepper to brighten up their tablescape. If it’s looking a little lonely, grab two! It's available at Monsterthreads or the NGV Design Store.

Grinch lantern, $79.95

Nothing rings in the silly season like a trip to Ambiance Gifts. Located on the edges of Queen Victoria Market, this is a one-stop shop for all things Christmas. While Santa-adorned baubles and snowman snow globes are a given, buck the trend and go for the Grinch lantern. A tongue in cheek spin on the festive spirit!

Shop to win

Buying your gifts in the city this Christmas? Scan the QR codes at Melbourne’s iconic shopping spots to win one of four $3000 prize packs. Find out more and enter to win.