The Southern Wild Co Guide To Thoughtful Gifting
The Southern Wild Co team are on a mission to bring the heart and soul back to gift-giving for you and yours.
We believe deeply in the environmental benefits of shopping local and secondhand and supporting small businesses at Christmas time and always. Gifts bought in a last-minute panic can add to the excess and waste of Christmas – it’s not called the ‘silly season’ for nothing!
Read on for inspirational and mindful Christmas gift ideas, followed by a few tips on how to wrap presents in ways that are beautiful and sustainable.
A night out
Gift someone a great night out with tickets to an open-air cinema or a live performance of music, comedy or theatre. Take it one step further with a year of fabulous productions or exhibitions via a subscription to the Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney Opera House or the Art Gallery of NSW.
Handmade pieces
Handcrafted ceramics are one-of-a-kind pieces and infinitely special keepsakes. We have our eye on the creations by Victoria-based studio Clay Beehive – they are quaint, joyful and designed for everyday use.
We also adore the work of Western Australian artist Allira Henderson, in particular her upcycled tins painted with miniature seascapes. They give you a little salty escape every time you peep inside.
Combining our love of Australiana, repurposed objects, and supporting independent makers, Love and West reimagine vintage Australian-themed teatowels as cushions, pillows and totes. They are the perfect gift for homesick loved ones living abroad.
Secondhand treasures
A preloved treasure thoughtfully gifted is priceless. If we are op-shopping or browsing a garage sale and spy something we think a friend or relative would like, we jump on it. This year, we swooped on brass and silver candlestick holders, crystal whiskey tumblers, early editions of classic books, teapots and handmade mugs, and interesting art.
Seasonal freshness
Farmers and growers have done it tough this year, battling severe weather and inflated production costs. Purchasing fresh produce directly from the farm is one way to support our agricultural industry. We love creating gift hampers filled with cherries from Young and local juicy peaches and apricots.
Books
A new book pile on Christmas morning brings us endless joy, as does gifting a perfect selection to someone else. We love giving books but heed the advice served in a 2019 article from The Guardian on the etiquette of the gesture: “Choose for the recipient, rather than what you think they should read.” Don’t forget to support independent bookstores!
Donations
Donating to a charity on behalf of someone is an extra special way to spread feelings of goodwill during the festive season. There are so many worthy organisations and causes out there. We look to support The Indigenous Literacy Foundation and The Healing Foundation, but there may be an organisation that speaks directly to you and your gift recipient.
Gift wrapping ideas
We keep a few rolls of recycled craft paper handy in December. Inexpensive and widely available, the humble wrapping can look a million bucks when finished with richly hued velvet ribbons or painted with loose brush strokes. We also love experimenting with furoshiki – the art of Japanese fabric wrapping – and giving new purpose to vintage fabrics and napkins.
Objects presented in beautiful packaging reduce the need for wrapping paper. Take, for instance, the Southern Wild Co Art Boxes or our Waltzing Matilda Candle Snuffer. All you need is a flick of gorgeous ribbon or a little present topper to give the boxes a festive finish – no wrapping required.
Foraged gum nuts, seedpods and feathers make unique present toppers, as does rosemary tied into a mini wreath or a few cinnamon sticks wrapped with twine. There’s no need to fall back on store-bought plastic when creating something thoughtful and environmentally sound is so easy.