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There’s no sugarcoating it: finding Christmas gifts for her takes maximum brain power. Should you buy item A or item B? What about object X and object Y? Heck, wouldn’t it be easier to settle for a gift card?
Come December, analysis paralysis makes fools of us all. But there is hope for those seeking the perfect Xmas present for her… and it comes in the form of five quick questions. Ready, set, quiz!
1. Her ideal solo date looks like…
A - Coffee, brunch and a good book
B - A hike in the bush or a swim at the beach
C - A pampering sesh at her local beauty salon
D - Solo date? Not a chance.
E - A trip to the nursery to pick up new plants
2. She’s travelling to Europe with a carry-on bag. What’s in it?
A - A few too many novels
B - Enough activewear to clothe an entire family
C - 6kg worth of skincare products
D - Phone, polaroid, laptop and power bank
E - A pair of sturdy boots
3. Her room is…
A - Basically a library with a bed
B - A graveyard of running shoes and bike shorts
C - Full of aesthetically -pleasing perfume bottles
D - Decorated with photos of friends and family
E - A propagation station for Devil’s Ivy
4. It’s the weekend! What’s in her calendar?
A - Not much, she needs time to recover
B - Run club, yoga and a bush walk with friends
C - Sheet mask, bubble bath and Netflix
D - Socialising from dawn to dusk
E - Tending to her garden or plant babies
5. You’d describe her as…
A - A quiet and creative soul
B - Active and adventurous
C - The self-care queen
D - The life of the party
E - A plant whisperer
Mostly As: The mindful introvert
She appreciates her own company, enjoys meaningful conversation and doesn’t want (or need) to pack her weekend with activities. If this sounds like your gal, be sure to choose an experience gift that won’t drain her social battery. Wheel-throwing, Ikebana, macrame and book-binding are all top picks, offering her the chance to rest her mind while her hands do the work. Pro tip: Opt for a small group size so she can chat with people in an intimate way.
Robert Swift gifted his leading ladies an Ikebana Flower Arranging Class and said:
“I bought three places as a unique Christmas gift for my wife and two daughters. They LOVED it. Setsuko was very welcoming and provided just the right amount of guidance for them as novices. The setting was – by all accounts – calm, very charming and the whole experience was a lot of fun.”
Mostly Bs: The health enthusiast
Moving her body is priority numero uno for this lively lady. Preferring to spend her time outside, she rarely skips her morning run and is always up for adventure. Rather than adding to her (already enormous) collection of activewear, treat her to an experience that supports her lifestyle. A wholesome cooking class is the perfect way to pick up new meal prep ideas, while a walking tour is an unexpected way to boost her step count. And if you really want to blow her sweaty little socks off, consider energetic gifts for her like a surfing class, self-defence workshop or a floating pilates experience.
Julia Do received this Vegan Indian Cooking Class and said:
“It was a memorable experience with my niece. Tanya is a gorgeous and passionate teacher with practical knowledge to inspire healthy and nutritious vegan cooking at home. Great selection of delicious dishes from all over India. Gained intimate knowledge on cooking pilaf and tempering spices.”
Mostly Cs: The beauty maven
Self-care Sunday is sacred to this skincare queen, whose #cleanbeauty cabinet is second only to her candle collection. While hand cream is an easy gift idea, it’s safer to steer clear of product purchases. (One woman’s miracle formula is another’s complexion catastrophe.) Instead, treat her to a behind-the-scenes experience like a skincare-making class or perfumery workshop for Christmas 2024. Soap-making and DIY candle classes are also fitting options, allowing her to make self-care essentials from scratch.
Harrison Wright gifted his girlfriend this Perfume Making Class and said:
“Louella was absolutely fantastic. She was engaging, helpful and so likeable. Her perfume making class was so much fun! I bought it for my girlfriend as a gift and honestly I think I had just as much fun as she did.”
Mostly D’s: The social butterfly
Match her energy with a mixology masterclass, paint and wine night or clay and sip experience. Fun, fast-paced and energetic, cocktail making classes are the perfect alternative to a night out on the town (with the added benefit of some tequila-fuelled tutelage). She’ll thrive in the large group setting and appreciate the opportunity to meet some friendly new faces. For Sydney-based socialites, you can’t go wrong with this drink and draw workshop with a drag queen.
Georgia Corcoran gifted her mum a Christmas Cocktail Masterclass and said:
“This class was SO much fun. It was a Christmas gift for my mum and we had the best time. The venue was beautiful and comfortable and it was so easy as everything was provided. The garnishes and drinks themselves were delicious and super simple to replicate at home, and the ladies who taught were funny and easygoing. Love love love.”
Mostly Es: The green-thumbed gal
An indoor fern is a classic present idea for this leafy lady – but nothing could be more predictable. Stand out from the rest of the gift-giving crowd with thoughtful experience gifts that give her another excuse to do what she loves: nurture nature. If backyard gardening is her go-to, opt for a growing class, bee-keeping experience or mushroom-growing workshop. If indoor plants are more her thing, she’ll thrive at a terrarium-making workshop or floristry class.
Shannon Taylor gifted her sister this Large Terrarium Making Workshop and said:
“This class was a gift to my sister and something we’ve wanted to do for a long time. The class didn't disappoint! We both loved every minute and the teacher was an amazing guide in helping us all create something special. The venue was easy to find and very welcoming. Overall, being able to take our masterpieces home was the highlight and we all felt empowered by the experience.”
