After a long year of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, we're all looking forward to spending Christmas with family and friends, eating delicious food and relaxing in the sunshine.
But the festive season can also be a time of stress and indecision as you attempt to figure out what to buy for friends, family, in-laws, your kid's teacher etc.
We're here to help with a definitive Newshub Christmas gift guide series.
Christmas is a time for giving and what kind of present could possibly be a better option for friends or family than one you lovingly chose? A gift that gives a little something back to the planet you all live on, of course.
As 2020 was tough on everyone, Christmas is a great chance to spread some festive cheer far and wide by buying sustainable gifts which help worthy foundations.
Here are our top picks:
Gift a Native Tree, RRP$10
What could be a better gift than something that supports our beautiful planet for generations to come? The perfect Secret Santa present or just something for the person that has everything, native tree programme Trees That Count allows you to gift a native tree to friends and family. Your loved ones will receive a personalised gift certificate and a native tree will be planted in Aotearoa on their behalf. It's the gift that means the earth - literally.
Luna & Rose May Zodiac pendant, RRP$169.00
Ethical and sustainable jewellery brand Luna & Rose uses all recycled all materials and employs four generational artisan Balinese silversmiths to create gorgeous pieces. The brand's Giveback Project also allows people to send in their old jewellery that would otherwise go to landfill, and get a $30 voucher in return. My top gifting pick is one of the beautiful Zodiac pendants, which comes in three different chain lengths in a biodegradable jewellery box with a card featuring the recipient's star sign traits - perfect for that friend always checking their Co-Star app.
Two Dudes Skincare, RRP$85
Give a gentleman in your life a little zhuzh for their skincare regime with a set from Kiwi brand Two Dudes, with each kit containing a kumerahou and activated charcoal face wash, mamaku and ginseng day cream, and pōhutukawa extract and hemp seed oil night cream. The brand has partnered with the New Zealand Men's Health Trust to donate 10 percent from every sale towards their efforts to promote good health for the men of New Zealand.
Mr FourEyes Prescription Sunglasses, RRP$300
Get your special someone a cool new pair of sunnies for summer from this Wellington-based online store and also help a child in need. For every pair sold the FourEyes Foundation gifts a pair of glasses to a Kiwi kid who needs glasses, as well as funding tests to identify and treat New Zealand children with eyesight problems. They've been able to help out 20 schools in two regions over three years - pretty impressive stuff. Our favourite set is the Phenix clip-on prescription sunglasses - the perfect gift for that friend always hunting for their glasses. These prescription glasses can be easily transformed into polarised sunnies just by popping on the sunglass overlay.
