By Sasha Oelsner
Published: Friday, November 24, 2023
The end of the year is fast approaching. Christmas carols have been playing since August, the pageant has been and gone and yet it still seems too early to be thinking about Christmas presents.
But with the silly season just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to beat the crowds, full car parks and heinous last-minute 24-hour shopping centres.
We’ve compiled a list of gifts to save you not only a bit of money with our RAA member deals, but also some stress.
For the car enthusiast
Go behind the wheel
Get the rev-head in your life the ultimate adrenaline rush with a racing experience from The Bend Motorsport Park. Watch them drool over kitted-out Porches and beefed-up V8 Mustangs as they roar around this state-of-the-art, exhilarating track. Plus, RAA members save 5%. Think of the discount as a present to yourself this Christmas.
Fresh as a daisy
How nice would it be to have someone else wash your car for a year? This could be the reality for the car-proud person in your life when you get them a The Wash Luxury Car Care gift card for Christmas. Available in a range of price points – or specify your own – the gift cards can be used at The Wash in Malvern or Glenelg on any cleaning service, extras or at the café.
Stocking stuffer: The gift of car care
Show your RAA member card instore or enter your member number online to save 5% at Repco this Christmas. If you get in quick and make a purchase during November, RAA members can save up to 20%.
Perhaps your teenager has just got their licence and needs a hamper of essentials to help them stay safe on the road. Complete the hamper with a novelty sunshade. If you can’t make up your mind, buy your loved ones a Repco gift card so they can choose from the wide range of products themselves.
For the eco-conscious
Totes fancy
Help your friends and family ditch the plastic this Christmas with lovingly hand block-printed tote bags by local Adelaide designer Lauren Kathleen. With a range of designs, you can find these handy beauties online or instore at Have You Met Charlie? located in Adelaide Arcade.
Spend time in the garden
Green thumbs will love a gift from The Diggers Club. Visit the shop in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens to browse the range of non-GMO seeds, rare plants, Australian natives and fruits and vegetables. Not sure what their garden needs? An online gift voucher is just the ticket to keep their garden growing.
Stocking stuffer: Self care collection
Support local artisans while spoiling your loved one with handcrafted, sustainable and natural products from the Coorong Candle Co. This small team of artisans and creators pride themselves on using the finest ingredients from production to packaging. Buy products individually or try a sumptuous gift set. These include a soy candle, diffuser, bath bomb and your choice of delicious flavours such as strawberry champagne, coconut lime and lotus flower.
For the tech whiz
Natty and germ-free
In this germ-conscious era, the Somatik Labs UV15 UV Phone Sanitiser is perfect for the phone addicts in your life. Simply pop your mobile phone in the sanitiser, and the ultraviolet light effectively kills 99.9% of germs and bacteria. The device also doubles as a relaxing aromatherapy diffuser.
Smarten up the home
The Eve Energy Smart Plug might seem a little odd as a gift, but hear us out. This device is the ultimate on/off switch for the entire home. Voice and app controlled, your technophile friend or family member will have a blast setting up their household of the future, all while being able to easily monitor power consumption.
Stocking stuffer: Stylish smart watch bands
Throw a locally-made smart watch scrunchie band in your techie gal’s stocking this Christmas. Suitable for Apple Watch and Fitbit, the scrunchie band will feel right at home on her wrist. With loads of patterns and sizes to choose from, you’ll feel good about supporting a small business this year.
For the little one
Budding zoologists
Here’s an adventure your kids will love to talk about at show and tell. For children aged 10 and over, give them the chance to be a Junior Keeper for a Day at the Adelaide Zoo. This incredible behind-the-scenes experience will have them interacting with bilbies, reptiles, birds of prey and much more. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a paying adult, and don’t forget to wear enclosed shoes!
A friend for life
For the littlest of little ones in your life, give them a gift they’ll be cuddling for years. Check out the soft, handmade rabbits and bears from the And the little dog laughed collection online. Feel good that you’re supporting local and purchase a cuddly toy instore from Grounded at Lonsdale on O’Sullivan Beach Road.
Stocking stuffer: Make your own fun
Instead of giving your children games and toys, why not get them to make their own? With Lonely Planet’s Create Your Own Holiday Games, your kids will have a blast inventing jigsaws and board games, scavenger hunts, dance routines and so much more. With over 60 ideas to springboard from, this is a gift that can be used again and again.
For the foodie
On cloud wine
For the next year, your wine enthusiastic friends and family will think of you every time a new delivery appears on their doorstep. Give the gift of world-class South Australian wine to the connoisseur in your life with a C.W. Wines subscription. Choose the number of bottles, the varieties and the delivery frequency. RAA members save 5% on wine delivery subscriptions, and 30% on bottles from Reschke, Schild Estate, Stonehaven and Ulithorne.
Spoiled for choice
With people replacing material gift for experiences, why not give your loved one a chance to try something new? Gift an indulgent Maggie Beer’s Farm Shop lunch during a beautiful day out in the Barossa, or help your friend or family member become a master cocktail maker in Hahndorf. There’s cheese and chocolate samplings, a myriad of wine tastings to try and, if you’re feeling really generous, treat your loved one to a scenic regional flight and a delicious meal.
See the full range of foodie experiences.
Stocking stuffer: Gifts for your griller
For the master snag-turner in your life, fill their stocking with this compact barbecue set. The Flinders 4 Piece BBQ set in a bag comes with a spatula, tongs, barbecue fork and brush. The set is packaged up neatly in its own fabric wrap bag for tidy storage.
For the travel junkie
Camping vibes
Every camping trip needs to have a master of vibes to keep the music pumping – after you’ve appreciated the beautiful sounds of nature, of course. Music masters will love the Oztrail Ignite Recharge Speaker Lantern, which is a handy tech item every camper needs. Part Bluetooth speaker, part ultra-bright LED lantern, part device-charging powerbank, this is a must for the next trip.
Close to home
Maybe it’s time for the travellers in the family to explore their own backyard? Give them the opportunity to see SA’s capital city from a new angle with the Earth Adventure Adelaide City Kayak Tour. For something a bit special, try one of the sunset tours on a balmy summer night.
Stocking stuffer: Organisation is key
Seasoned travellers are acutely aware of how unruly one’s luggage can get. By the end of a trip, it’s anyone’s guess which undies and socks are fresh. Help the travellers in your life with a little organisation. The Go Travel Packing Cubes Twin Pack will help keep garments and travel essentials under control.
Wishing you a lovely festive season!