Gifts

If you're hunting for the perfect rejuvenating gift for yourself or a loved one this Christmas look no further than Tronque x Tonic Room's gorgeous Summer Glow-up Body Treatment.

If you're a plant enthusiast, no doubt you will have come across online plant phenomenon Johnny Jungle on your plant acquisition journey. Well, now you can stalk your next plant baby in person as the slick online store has just put down physical roots in Ponsonby Central. 

The Arts House Trust holds one of the most extensive collections of contemporary art in New Zealand. Located in the stunning historic Pah Homestead, in Hillsborough's Monte Cecilia Park, it is host to a regular rotation of art exhibitions from Aotearoa artists, with works selected from the 9000 plus collection and host to nationally touring exhibitions.

If you're a little plant-obsessed like us, and enjoy filling up your home (and your 'Gram) with gorgeous greenery, then Babylon Store has got you covered. 

Former winners of The Block NZ, Alex and Corban have made names for themselves in the world of homewares. Their homeware store stocks quirky brands from all around the world, each with unique designs. Take a slice of your favourite cultures back home. Alex and Corban's style can influence yours to give you great interior inspiration and items without the hefty price tag. The store items are mostly minimalistic in style with natural tones, beauty, character and class. Skincare and beauty, curated book selections, beautiful and eclectic gifts, kitchenware, lifestyle items and more. 

If you’re after a cosmopolitan art nouveau style interior, Madder and Rouge is THE place you want to go. With wanderlust owners, their pieces are sourced from all over the world. Every item is not only stunning, but quality made. With French/Indian vibes, Madder and Rouge are perfect for all things artsy and bold with pieces that will give character to every room of the house.

If you're looking for effortless chic, look no further than Tessuti. Jam-packed with beautifully curated pieces, this Herne Bay store does minimalism like no other. For those who love a good shop, their store has a relaxing atmosphere to enjoy as you browse for the perfect piece to walk away with. Stocking everything from socks, perfume and jewellery, to linens, kitchenware and furniture, it's a must-visit for those looking to up their interiors game! 

For those of you with a love for lush decor, get ready for this. Auckland has just welcomed its very first indoor plant store, and it’s more glam than we ever imagined.

Editor’s Note: This venue is permanently closed

Oh, how we love visiting Devonport Chocolates. The boutique chocolate store specialises in quality handmade chocolates and truffles that are not only delicious but also oh-so pretty—half the fun of visiting the store is simply gazing at all the intricately crafted treats. The chocolates and truffles come in a vast selection of flavours. Think strawberry rose wine, flat white, passionfruit honey and limoncello—you name it and chances are they have it! We’re particularly fond of their chocolate figurines in shapes such as a penguin, cat, purse and a high heel shoe. Grab a chocolatey treat for your loved one or simply spoil yourself—go on, you deserve it!

Located on Newmarket’s Teed Street, Petal Cupcakes is your one stop shop for a real ‘sweet’ gift… or a treat for yourself! Specialising in—you guessed it—cupcakes, Petal Cupcakes have up to 20 flavours available on any given day. The have all your classics (vanilla, raspberry and double chocolate), as well as some more unique flavours (black Doris plum, tropical mango and golden syrup). Buy a single cupcake or opt for a four, six or 12 pack. Trust us when we say, one is simply not enough—they’re absolutely delish and very moreish.

If you’re after a lil something-something to gift to your mother, brother or lover, look no further than Ponsonby Road gift shop Iko Iko. We could quite happily spend hours browsing through the store’s delightful nick nacks, homewares and stationery. Here you’ll find everything from New Zealand-shaped cookie cutters and tiki salad servers, to inflatable flamingos and Justin Bieber posters. We guarantee you’ll leave the store with not only a gift for your loved one, but also a little treat (or two) for yourself.

It’s not everyday that you are able to wine and dine amongst blossoming flowers and greenery. The Botanist in City Works Depot is the collision of a café, wine bar and florist, so your options are endless. With a team made up of restaurateurs, florists and sommaliers, the experience you get at The Botanist is truly inventive and invigorating.

Flowers After Hours, located in trendy Parnell, has been bringing joy to Aucklanders for the past 25 years. The specialized team of florists behind Flowers After Hours consistently create unique bouquets and arrangements that are a beautiful way to complement any occasion, from corporate events and product launches to dinner parties and special gifts.

Pah Gallery is part of Pah Homestead, located in Hillsborough. The carefully selected exhibitions are astounding and complex. Pah Gallery’s unusual location, and unique exhibitions are inspiring to even the most un-artistic of us. Alongside Pah Gallery is its very own gift shop, showcasing talent from all over New Zealand, with a large proportion from Auckland. There's plenty of gifts and products on display—handcrafted, exquisite and always changing. 

After a rather long stint in the shadows, the iconic Victoria Park Market has been returned to its former gorgeous self. It’s looking shiny and new, but with the exposed brick and community feel that made Aucklanders fall in love with the place all those years ago. Victoria Park Market’s re-development has seen a number of stores move in as well as some great bars and restaurants, old and new. 

Urban farmers market, gourmet kitchen, florist, and ultimate playground for anyone who loves local, artisan food, Scarecrow on Victoria Street West might just be the one of city’s coolest openings this year. Scarecrow stocks over 120 products from the best artisan producers in the area—we’re talking chocolate, wine, bread (three of life’s guilty pleasures) and heaps of other goodies that you’ll want to get your hands on. Scarecrow also has an excellent menu, or pick up a sammie and enjoy it next door at Albert Park. 

Presentz on Richmond Road in Grey Lynn likes to do things a bit different. Like it’s name, the gifts inside are equal parts quirky, fun and New-Zealand inspired. Presentz is one of those gift shops that you look forward to visiting because the offerings are an eclectic amalgam of things that you never knew existed but somehow always wanted.

Saigon Crafts on Jervois Road in Ponsonby is a conduit for Vietnamese culture here in Auckland City. Working directly with Vietnamese crafts people and artists, Saigon Crafts imports hand-made quality gifts that truly are one-of-a-kind.

Shut the Front Door is about the coolest name, for a homewares store, that we’ve ever heard. And tell you what, if the interior of our house was this awesome, we would want to shut the front door and stay at home forever. Shut the Front Door has one of the best assortments of homewares, furniture, nic nacs and just about anything you can think of, but cooler. In our minds, Shut the Front Door is one of the best home stores in Auckland.

Ponsonby Road’s Flotsam and Jetsam is a treasure trove of old and new, and is one of Auckland’s best retro stores. The place is stocked with vintage glassware, mismatched cutlery and other quirky knickknacks (the kind you’d find at your nana’s). Whether you’re on the hunt for some Kiwi memorabilia, or a print or two to vamp up your walls, you’ll find it at Flotsam and Jetsam. Grab a fresh Little & Friday donut while you’re at it—they get delivered to Flotsam and Jetsam daily. 

For a curated collection of houseplants and flowers, look no further than new Auckland florist and interiors store, Flora Rose Studio pop up on Jervois Road. A collaboration between Gemma Yeoman of Flora n Fauna Styling and Rosie Holt from Rose Tinted Flowers, it’s the Auckland store to find the perfect gift this Christmas. 

Shopping can sometimes feel like a mini mission, but Flo & Frankie make it considerably less daunting by packing fashion, design, lifestyle and homewares into one beautiful Newmarket store. We’re not surprised that it’s one of the best all-in-one shops in Auckland.

There’s nothing like a bouquet of flowers to brighten up your day, and Rosie Holt of Rose Tinted Flowers makes some of the prettiest arrangements in town. Inspired by her florist mother, Rosie has jumped on the entrepreneurial bandwagon, and is now one of the best florists in Auckland creating gorgeous, dreamy bouquets.