Our team of dedicated writers have each compiled a list of their favourite things that might help you to surprise and delight the loved ones in your life this Christmas. If it’s adventure gifts you’re after, Jamie McAinsh has a huge handful of recommendations, all of which offer gift vouchers. For the men in your life, Narrell Tabone has an abundance of ideas. For hand crafted, original gifts made by some of the South Coast’s finest makers, Natalie McDonagh has a pop-up gallery you will love. Wellbeing gifts abound in these ideas from Tara Lee, founder of Four32 Vitality. For your best fur friend, editor Sam Tannous had trouble stopping at just six ideas for you to drool over.
Jamie McAinsh, Greenhouse co-working space & small business incubator, Huskisson says: “Give adventure, not more stuff”.
“Why rush out to buy last-minute Christmas panic buys that end up getting re-gifted or recycled? What if the best gifts this year weren’t boring but adventures, gifts that are talked about well after the turkey leftovers have been finished. Here’s an alternative list of Jervis Bay adventure experiences for you to consider putting on your shopping list – these won’t be forgotten.” All offer gift vouchers.
- SCUBA Dive with Dive Jervis Bay: A chance to explore the underwater world of Jervis Bay with a 2-hour guided shore dive from one of our many stunning beaches, $80 + equipment hire.
- Indoor Climb South Coast: An accessible hit of adrenaline where climbers can test their strength, focus, and nerve without setting foot outdoors, family of 4 starts at $88+equipment hire.
- Woebegone Free Diving & Snorkeling: Take your snorkeling to the next level and boost your self-confidence, learn efficient techniques and experience complete serenity, snorkeling starts at $90.
- Jervis Bay Kayaks and Paddle Sports: Take an epic journey along the Jervis Bay coastline, offering wildlife, scenery with the freedom to explore at your own pace, 3hr Double Kayak Picnic Tour starts at $149.
- Jervis Bay Surf School: Surf lessons at Cave or Berrara Beaches, where you can catch a wave and feel that unmistakable rush on some of our stunning local breaks, 2-hour group lessons start at $60pp.
To find out how you can donate gifts for children living in supported accommodation, read Jamie’s story about the Giving Tree in Huskisson.
Narrell Tabone, Hospitality Editor of Jervis Bay Weekend recommends, “Something for the men in your life”.
“Christmas is just weeks away, and when you’re buying for dad, pop, your brother or perhaps someone new that you want to spoil this season, we’ve highlighted a handful of shops in Huskisson worth checking out to help you find the best gifts – from meaningful keepsakes to locally made pieces and practical summer picks.”
- Boutique Bites at The Collective Beat
- Start with Drunken Soldier condiments for the savoury man in your life. This four-pack of minis includes Wasabi Mustard, Smokey Tomato Relish, Strawberry Rose Jam & Blood Orange Saffron Marmalade $18.50.
- If your guy is sweeter, go for Just Sweets Rocky Road, a handcrafted 300g bar comes in seven flavours ready to gift, wrapped and beribboned, $21.95.
- Well Groomed Guys at White Earth Boutique
- Made in the Blue Mountains, iKOU Man offers organic, Australian-made skincare designed for men. Their gift packs feature clean, effective formulations including favourites like the Purifying Face Cleanser and Close Shave Gel, all enriched with native botanicals for a restorative grooming ritual priced at $189.
- Locally made in the Illawarra, Tallo’s skincare range offers natural, high-quality products in a variety of options.Thoughtful and versatile, these make ideal stocking fillers or small gifts for him. priced from $54 to $76.
- Bookish Blokes at Boobook on Owen, Huskisson
- Foodie fellas will love a cookbook with character, and these two books are high on the recommendation list at our local independent bookseller: Recipes to Remember, Jock Zonfrillo $55.00. Completed after his passing by family, this cookbook brings together the meals that meant something to Jock: birthday dinners, comforting late-night bowls, shared moments with friends. It’s personal, honest and deeply Australian. The Wolf of Wok Street, Vincent Lim (DimSimLim) $45.00. Over 4 million follow him online, and now 80+ Southeast Asian wok dishes are in print. Think prawn toast, char kway teow, Hong Kong beef fried rice and bold flavours across seafood, meat and veg. A great pick for the guy who loves big flavours and kitchen experiments.
- If a good biography is more his speed, two hot new options: The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop, by Peter FitzSimons $49.99, an account of the Thai/Burma railway and the man who saved many lives. Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes $27.99, a classic rock memoir.
- For the young blokes (aged 7–12), Boobook has two perfect stocking fillers: The Treehouse Joke Book, Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton $12.99, summer-holiday laughs. Santa & Son, David Walliams $22.99, Christmas Eve, a robbery, Santa trapped with his son, a wild escape … silly, fast and fun.
- RM Williams drinkware range at Jay on the Bay, Huskisson
- Whether it’s hydration, a hot beverage or even soup, Jay on the Bay has a selection of vessels to suit all the thirsty guys this season. R.M. Williams drinkware range is stylish, well-made and comes in a variety of styles and uses. Vacuum Flask, $79, perfect for the man who is always on the move. Water Bottle in neutral brown or navy, $59, a smart, durable option for anyone who appreciates simple, reliable design without fuss. Coffee Cup, $39, brings a little style to the morning routine with its clean lines and sturdy build.
- Classic Accessories at Babylon Boutique, Huskisson
- You can rely on Babylon, in the heart of Huskisson, to stock quality, stylish must-haves for all the men in your life, such as the classic Birkenstock Arizona, from $203, in a range of popular men’s colours including mocha, black, stone and tobacco. Style up their back pocket with a new wallet by Status Anxiety, such as the Jonah, $79.95, in black, camel or chocolate. Partner that with an Orbitkey key holder, $54.95, perfect for a very hard to buy guy.
- Ocean Meets Kitchen at Pasta Buoy Huskisson
- Help your man stock up on the essentials imbued with bold Italian flavour that will be sure to elevate his kitchen game this summer.
- There’s a lineup of oils, sauces and pantry staples perfect for summer dinners and long lunches: Bippi Italian Chilli Oil & Chilli Honey $20, Yia Yia and Friends Olive Oils (Basil, Lemon, Chilli, Garlic) $15-$89, Spicy Virgin Spicy Olive Oil $23, Barkly Basics Olive Oil $25.
- If he’s a gadget guy, go for one – or a whole stack – of these tools that offer elegant simplicity, or the magical ability to roll dough like Nonna: Gnocchi Board $12, Rolling Pin $12, Ravioli Moulds $70, Pasta Machine $170, Wooden Spaghetti Chitarra Tool $90, Wooden Olive Crusher $95, Italian Cookbooks $50.
Dr Natalie McDonagh, curator of Artfulmind Gallery, recommends: “Thoughtful gifts. Hand crafted with care”.
“As the person curating and presenting Artfulmind Gallery, and as an artist and maker myself, I’d like to offer you ideas for gifts that are all unique, hand crafted things. There are 150+ items in the very first Artfulmind Gallery, popping-up on Sunday 30 November 2025 at the Huskisson Artisans Market. I will be there, and I will be very happy to help you choose a gift in person. In the meantime, the items I have selected may give you some ideas.”
- Hand painted tote bag $40. Prompted by me, textile artist Linda Balding has produced a limited edition of five 100% cotton tote bags, exclusively for Artfulmind Gallery. Each one is unique in its colours and marks. Someone carrying one of these bags around, will be carrying their own unique art canvas. It is also a very good first purchase in Artfulmind Gallery for other gifts you may wish to buy!
- One-off, hand made greeting cards $10 each. A simple, thoughtful gift is a handmade greeting card that is an original artwork which could be framed. The cards shown are beautifully delicate textile works by Barbara Dawson + there are cards by more artists featured in Artfumind Gallery.
- Brooches $25 each. Choose a gift from the collection of fascinating brooches by Julie Love. There is a variety of materials among the items she selects to fashion into a mini wearable sculpture: stone; sea-smoothed glass; wood; fossils.
- Tribal-Chic Neckwear No.1 $300. If you know someone who appreciates truly one of a kind, striking neckwear then the pieces in Artfulmind Gallery created by Sutopa Parrab for her Tribal-Chic collection will delight and amaze. The piece I have chosen here is made from dyed feathers, leather, glass beads and chain. It is shown resting on Linda Balding’s hand painted satin panel no.1 $130.
- Hand built ceramic vessel $460. This piece by Carla Jackett is a gift for someone with a genuine appreciation of ceramics. Carla makes her works completely from scratch, by hand, including the glazes. This vessel is hand built, mid-fired dark matter clay with pistachio glaze. It has the most confident, alluring presence—making it a very special gift.
- Ceramic Trees $195 each. I am fortunate enough to live with a group of these vibrant Trees by Anandii. For Anandii, the complexity of trees and their interconnectedness is profound. She makes these ceramic tree forms to honour what she experiences as the multi-layered nature of community connectedness, and the power of being part of community to aid healing.
Tara Lee, founder of FOUR32 Vitality Tomerong, says “If there’s one thing we’re all craving at Christmas, it’s a moment to exhale.”
“A pause. A place to land. This year, instead of gifting more things to dust, gift calm, connection, and a nervous system that finally unclenches. Here are five wellness gifts, from Shoalhaven Heads to Ulladulla, that nourish real humans with real lives and real hearts.”
- Japanese Head Spa Ritual at Sol Spa, Culburra Beach. A full-body exhale in one treatment. Warm water streams, scalp exfoliation, nourishing hair treatment, neck and shoulder release, and even a foot massage, at Sol Spa Shoalhaven. A gorgeous gift for the person who holds a lot and rarely lets themselves be held. From $250.
- Float Therapy + Sauna at Life Centre Holistic Health, Bewong. Float therapy is deep, delicious stillness. Pair it with an infrared sauna under the gum trees and you’ve gifted someone a powerful reset, from $89, at the Bewong Life Centre. Ideal for overthinkers, over-doers, and anyone who hasn’t truly stopped in a long time. For a great gift idea, try a Float + Sauna Wellness Pass, from $100.
- Luxe Spa Ritual at Spa by the Sea, Mollymook Beach. Salt scrubs, warm oils, ocean breeze and soft robes, coastal luxury at its finest, Spa by the Sea. For the mum, sister, friend or partner who pours into everyone else and rarely receives anything back. This gift invites them to soften, melt, and feel truly cared for. For a great gift idea, consider the Salt & Serenity Ritual, from $365.
- At-Home Day Spa Gifts from White Earth, Huskisson. If your loved one prefers to create their own sanctuary at home, White Earth in Huskisson is a treasure trove of ethically curated wellness products. Think: lush botanical scents, essential oils, organic bath salts, body oils, natural skincare, candles, and beautifully curated self-nourishment hampers. Everything in store feels grounded, clean, and consciously made, perfect for crafting a personalised “at-home day spa” gift filled with goodness. For the friend who wants to slow down in their own cosy space and wrap themselves in ritual, consider a curated self-care hamper: candles, oils, bath salts, body scrubs, masks.
- A Reset Session at FOUR32 Vitality, Tomerong. FOUR32 is a purpose-built wellness space designed to help people return to themselves. Think red light therapy, PEMF mats, ice baths, sauna, meditation, breathwork, and dedicated nervous-system restoration. Perfect for the friend who always promises to slow down “one day.” They’ll walk out lighter, clearer, and more grounded. Single session passes or “Reset & Restore” bundles, coming soon. Sign up for news on the launch dates and services.
Samantha Tannous, editor of Jervis Bay Weekend Magazine says: “Choose doggie delights for your best pal”.
“Everyone knows the most important family member on Christmas Day is the dog! Naturally, the best gift for your fur friend is your company, but if you want to treat them a little extra, I’ve got a hot list of great gifts that will enrich their lives from cognitive stimulation to healthy joints and even helping a friend-in-need. I hope these ideas will make your pet’s Christmas wishes come true.”
- A trip on the Adventure Bus from Paradise Pet Parks. Cognitive stimulation is on the agenda for our pets, especially our dogs whose noses are 10,000 times more sensitive than humans and a good ‘sniffari’ can improve wellbeing immeasurably. Paradise Pet Parks’ experienced handlers take pooches out into new – and safe – environments for them to explore, burn energy and build their confidence. The bus heads out most Tuesdays and Wednesdays from Falls Creek. Inquire via email for pricing, hello@paradisepetparks.com.au
- Coming soon: Marine Vitality pet food supplements, made from the mussels grown here in Jervis Bay. This is an exciting, brand-new product made from the bounty of the sea right on our doorstep, by South Coast sustainable seafood farmers, Blue Harvest. You can sign up for early access to this new clean, bioavailable marine nutrition for pets.
- Life Jacket for those adventurous days out on the Bay. Safety first when your pup is tagging along on water-based adventures. There are several outlets selling life jackets in Nowra (including BCF, Anaconda, Bunnings, PetBarn and PetStock – we are well supplied in this department). Highly recommended is a model featuring a sturdy handle on the top, so you can haul your pup out of the water if necessary. Many of these outlets welcome pets into the shop so you can try on the jackets to ensure a snug fit.
- Special treats from Collective Beat Huskisson. Made from real ingredients right here on the South Coast in Berry, The Flying Dog & Co offers a range of treats that sound so good, you might be tempted to have a nibble, Maple Bacon anyone? Priced from $8.50 to $13.95 in resealable packs.
- Muster Dogs: the next generation, the book version of the wildly popular ABC series, $45 from Boobook on Owen. Follow the incredible journey of these pups as they discover their potential and be inspired all over again to find your pup’s potential.
- A day at the beach – priceless. Your time together is the best gift any dog could desire. Head to one of the dog-friendly beaches around the South Coast for a romp and a swim. We love Nelson Beach in Vincentia, which has off-leash hours after 4pm and before 8am during daylight saving months. Check the signs along the beach front or this guide from Shoalhaven Council.
You may also like to read this related piece Giving The Gift Of Attention
