We all know the struggle. Whether it’s yet another birthday, a wedding, or any other special occasion. The gift of giving doesn’t get any easier. And we’ll bet our Chadstone gift vouchers that your friends and family are just as sick of receiving scented candles as we are. So we’ve made the gift giving process a bit easier for you; here’s a list of Melbourne’s best gift shops.
Turner and Lane
Malvern, South Yarra, Middle Park
Turner and Lane has 3 locations in Melbourne, each as unique as the next. Vintage and antique gems also feature in the store on the regular, so you’re guaranteed to find something super special for your loved ones. From printed pillows to baby gifts, these stores have something for just about any occasion. They also stock handcrafted jewellery from designers like Alex Monroe to suit any jewellery connoisseur.
Design Dispensary
Fitzroy and CBD
This Gertrude Street gem attempts to showcase some of the best young designers in the biz, and imports goods from Germany and Switzerland to give the shop a European touch. You’ll find just about everything in Design Dispensary, and it's the perfect place to scavenge for nifty gifts. It’s especially good for budding architects and other creatives! There’s Parisian tea light shades, and architecture history puzzles propped up on the opposite wall. They even have a beard maintenance set from Germany. You’re welcome.
Fenton & Fenton
Prahran
Though it’s a bit pricier than your average gift shop, Fenton & Fenton promises to deliver the goods. This shop is all about the vivid textiles, one-off artwork and jewellery, and sourcing products from both colourful destinations and close to home. They also have their very own range of rugs if you’re feeling like giving a super generous gift. For something a little smaller, they’ve got beautiful homewares to choose from.
Zetta Florence
Fitzroy
This is the perfect place to buy a gift for writers, artists, and stationary lovers! From handmade Nepalese paper, to handcrafted leather notebooks – Zetta Florence has just about anything for the master of the pen. They even have a huge selection of colourful wax for you to seal your letters with! This place helps bring out anyone’s inner artist, and you’ll be praised for triggering someone’s creative genius. So it’s a win win, right?
Daiso
Various Locations
Daiso definitely isn’t your conventional Aussie gift store. Originating in Japan, this psychedelic wonderland has everything you’re after (and stuff you didn’t even know you needed!). Best bit? Almost everything in the store is $2.80. If you feel obligated to buy someone a gift but aren’t overly keen to splash your cash, this is the perfect place to nab an affordable gift!
Urban Attitude
St Kilda, South Yarra, Highpoint
Urban Attitude is the ultimate place to buy a pressie for the self-proclaimed hipster. Known as the gift shop for the ‘young and young at heart’, we’re sure something from here will get anyone smiling. You can grab Yeezy and Ice Cube enamel pins, some of the most wicked kitchen gadgets you’ve ever laid eyes on, and even a kit to grow your own girlfriend (maybe buy this one for a mate that’s a bit lonely). Urban Attitude is here to keep the good times coming!
Crate Expectations
Malvern and Hampton
Crate Expectations understands that we want the very best for our loved ones, and they know we’ve got great expectations. That’s why since opening in 1996, it’s a favourite among both locals and visitors. They’ve even opening a second store in Hampton to spread their great gifts across all of Melbs! From body products to cashmere throws, this is the perf place to buy your mother-in-law something to impress her!
Garden of Eden
South Melbourne
If the receiver of your gift is a bit of a green thumb, we think we’ve found just the place for you! From baby cacti to vertical gardens, Garden of Eden have a variety of lush greenery for you to choose from. They’ve also got some great homewares products which support local designers and makers. Their linen cushions and organic skincare will make the perfect gift for any lover of artisanal goodies.
Pomegranate by Mr Darcy
South Melbourne
Located in Coventry Street, Pomegranate has some of the niftiest accessories in all of Melbs. Their goodies are also some of the most Insta-worthy gifts we’ve seen! They’ve got circular towels (yep, you know the ones), inflatable pineapples and watermelon (the ones you’ve been dying to get your hands on) and beautiful leather goods from Status Anxiety. At Pomegranate, you’ll be able to find the perfect gift for the #instafamous superstar!
Third Drawer Down
Prahran and Fitzroy
Third Drawer Down knows that the best gifts are the ones whidh are most unique, and that’s why they take kooky nek level. Not only are they a shop, but they’re also a design studio. Third Drawer Down produce artist-licensed objects and bespoke goodies, and are famous for having some of the most eccentric and hard to find objects in Melbourne. We’re talking hamster salt and pepper shakers, Billy Murray jewellery, and even apparel for your pooches. We guarantee you’ll be able to find some truly unique gifts here!
Top 3 by Design
Richmond and Emporium Melbourne
Top 3 by Design is bringing some of the most innovative gifts to Melbourne. The team aims to showcase the best designed products money can buy, but only ever sells the best 3 of a product’s respective class by merit of design. So you know you’ll only be getting the best and most creative products. This is the perfect place to get a gift for those innovative thinkers!
Scout House
St Kilda
Scout House has a range of both new and vintage items, and stock items that are destined to become classics. For those who appreciate traditional items with a creative twist – this is the place. There’s vintage posters, pristine kitchen utensils, and even an extensive furniture range (that’s if you feel like being super generous with your gift giving). Scout delivers the very best textiles and antique gems, valuing quality and aesthetic above the rest!
Melbournalia
CBD
Yep, this one is exactly what it sounds like. For all things Melbourne - visit Melbournalia. You’ll find the perfect souvenirs for your fam abroad, or a thoughtful gift for a born and bred Melburnian. You’ll find iconic Aussie memorabilia, products from the Yarra Valley, and a bunch of Aussie made beauty products. If you’re buying for someone who’s a lover of all things Melbourne, Melbournalia is your go-to.
Lightly
Collingwood
For some of the most beautiful homewares you can lay your eyes on, Lightly is the place to be. They have over 150 products that are the top notch of interior design - think marble, copper and gold to get an idea of their vibes. They sell a gorgeous collection of lamps (holding true to their name), as well as other products to deck out your crib with. Lightly is the perfect place to find a housewarming gift!
Rose Street Trading Co.
Armadale, Albert Park, Hawthorn
Rose Street Trading Co. is every girl’s wonderland. There’s jewellery, beauty products, and even monogramming available! Stocking brands like Kate Spade and Butter London, you’ll deffs find something to pamper your pals with. Once you step into one of their three Melbourne stores, you’ll see that this js one of the prettiest gift stores in Melbourne.
The SuperCool
South Melbourne
Owned by a hubby and wife, the SuperCool team aim to bring you some of the niftiest gifts you can find, regardless of your price range. There’s stuff for the rich princes and credit card debt paupers, so no one has to miss out on the joy of gift giving. You can buy stuff for under $20 - be it unique ceramics or cooking books. Their flagship store is in South Melbourne, but they also have a bunch of mobile pop up stores!
Make Designed Objects
Carlton
This might be the design gem of the inner north, and has strong Scandinavian influences in the design of their products! Their website has over 3500 items from over 150 different brands (just to give you an idea about the size of their range), and are showcasing some of the best industrial designers in the world. There’s Aussie brands like Mud, and one-of-a-kind products like the Blunt Umbrella! If you don’t get some gift inspiration here, we don’t know where you will.
Just Surprise Me
Brighton
If you’re after colourful and unique pressies, this is where you’ll find ‘em. Not only do they have a great range of handbags and jewellery, but they also have homemade nougat and woolie warmers for your teapots. When you’re stumped for ideas, we’re sure you’ll find the perfect surprise for your pals here.
Milk & Sugar
Prahran and Fitzroy
Milk & Sugar understand you need the ultimate gift to impress your boss or the in-laws, and you can find it at either of their two boutiques. From textiles to tableware, there’s something for everyone. All their products are from the Milk & Sugar brand and try to bring you the most exciting products for your home!
Image Credit: Simon Shiff for The Urban List (image of Crate Expectations)