Left your Christmas shopping a bit, shall we say, fashionably late? It happens. And luckily, so do we. This gift edit doubles as a gift for future you—each piece is pretty fun in its own right but they’ll also have you sorted for back to school (or uni) when the new year dawns and it’s time to hit the books.
Here are the best last-minute Christmas gift ideas that’ll have you back-to-school ready, too.
MOT Ink Free Pen
Made Of Tomorrow | $10
Keep coming across pens with chewed tops? Stop that habit in its tracks (and save the planet while you’re at it) by equipping your student with an aesthetic Ink-Free Pen. Made from a single piece of premium aluminium, it’s the equivalent of 200 traditional ink pens without the waste. Nice.
Perpetua Pencil And Brush
Auckland Art Gallery Toi O Tāmaki | $28
If your soon-to-be-prodigy hasn’t quite levelled up to pen licence status, this perpetua pencil and brush might be more their style. Each pencil is made with 80% graphie powder that would otherwise have been sent to landfill. It doesn’t smudge (a win for lefties everywhere) and is topped with a brush that’s great for shading. There’s also a glitter edit. *Swoon*
journl. Foundations
journl. | $64-72
Image credit: Journl. | Instagram
journl. Foundations is a beautiful, minimalist hardover journal (with a cute monogram option) which teaches journaling techniques and mindfulness skills and guides the writer through journal prompts from money mindset to manifestation, career direction and the like. A stunning gift for a student in their final year of school? Absolutely.
Kookie Te Reo Jumbo Crayons Assorted
The Warehouse | $4.49
When it comes to paper-scissors-rock crayons didn’t even get a look in but they’re the undisputed queen of a pencil case. The only thing better than crayons? Jumbo crayons. The only thing even better than that? Jumbo crayons stamped with the Māori words for each colour. And fortunately, that’s exactly what these Kookie Crayons are all about.
Moon Eraser
Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | $20
Image credit: Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki | website
Made a cosmically massive mistake? No problems, just chuck this giant moon eraser at it. Waning as the year progresses, you might need to invest in an extra pencilcase just to house it, but we’re convinced the stars have aligned on this one—consider it an essential part of the new year stationery haul.
Paramount Mean Girls Notebook Burn Book A5
Warehouse Stationery | $8
Look, we’re not condoning what the infamous Burn Book was actually used for but, if you’re anything like us, we bet you won’t be able to resist slinging this pop culture icon into the nearest school bag. Sure, your kids might not have a clue who Kevin G is and you're really just buying this for you but there's nothing wrong with that now is there. (And, yes, it looks exactly like what you just imagined.)
Allpa 35L Travel Pack - Del Día
Cotopaxi (Online Or Via Allbirds & Friends in Britomart) | From $379.99
Image credit: Cotopaxi | Instagram
If school regulations don’t rain on the proverbial parade of a bold, upbeat backpack then the latest from Cotopaxi is a must. The B Corp brand has whipped up this baddie from durable and repurposed synthetic materials and every one sports a unique colourway. Better still, 1% of revenue from every purchase is donated to the company’s nonprofit arm, Cotopaxi Foundation, which works to make poverty a thing of the past.
Not On My Phone Letterpress Bookmark In Yellow
Crushes | $10
Image credit: Crushes | website
We're effectively in our cyborg era the way our phones are constantly in a death grip. And students (of any age) are no exception. But going offline, even just for a hot second, can feel so damn good. Next time your kid’s on a no-phone buzz, have them wave this Not On My Phone Letterpress bookmark about with reckless abandon. Also available in blue if that’s more their jam.
Clothing Name Stamp
Tinyme | $47
Image credit: Tinyme | website
School uniforms and adjacent aren’t cheap so emblazoning them with your kid’s name is a no-brainer, especially when you can get the job done in seconds. Enter: Tinyme’s clothing stamp. Simply personalise with your child’s name and add a cute stamp icon if you like. Each stamp can churn out 1,000 marks and is refillable, smudge-proof and water-resistant (a.k.a. washing machine-friendly) plus, they look super cute.
A6 Kite Journal
Untouched World | $6.90
Image credit: Untouched World | website
No moment of inspiration will be missed with this A6 Kite Journal in their backpack. Made ethically in Hong Kong from sustainably sourced paper and a recycled Kraft Paper Cover, your kid can fill the blank pages with thoughts, to-do lists, anything they like! We love that it’s printed with the symbol of a Māori kite—linking natural materials and human skills, earth and sky, the euphoria and freedom that comes with striking a balance between people and nature.
Ninja Blast Portable Blender
Ninja | $99.99
While technically you could send your kid to early morning netball practice with a jar of overnight oats but let's be real, you'll never see the spoon again. And while muesli bars are a great option they're not exactly the healthiest option. Don't get us started on being jolted awake to the rather unmelodious sounds of a blender first thing in the morning. Nope, there's only one thing for it—suss your kids a Ninja Blast Portable Blender and they'll be able to freshly blend smoothies a second before they sip.
Washi Tape
Hedgehog Journals | $19.99
Image credit: Hedgehog Journals | website
Duraceal’s good and all, and we totally get there are practical benefits to bundling books up in it, but washi tape makes a great alternative. A type of traditional Japanese paper and with endless patterns to choose from including this cosmos pack or this universe washi sticker pack, both of which are truly out of this world (sorry not sorry). Stake claim to stationery, school books and binders and do it in style.
Good Glitter
BodyFX | From $17.50
When school does finally roll around again, that means flexing the house spirit and dressing accordingly. Stock up on Good Glitter in your child’s house colour and you’re set. We’ve been waxing lyrical about this stuff for years (especially for summer festivals) but for the uninitiated Good Glitter is cosmetic-grade glitter that’s safe for use on face, body and hair, and unlike regular glitter which is made from plastic, this glitter comes from eucalyptus trees and is 100% biodegradable. Score.
Lucas' Papaw Ointment
Woolworths | $8.59
Image credit: Lucas' Papaw Ointment | Instagram
Frothed by generations of students (before ‘frothing’ was a thing), we’re convinced Papaw is a magical elixir. Smooth over cracked lips, dry skin, minor cuts and grazes, dry cuticles, rowdy brows and flyaway hairs to feel elevated, every goddamn time. If there isn’t one of these vintage-style red tubes within a 3-metre radius from you, are you even at school?
Haven't quite found the gift you're looking for yet? Check out:
- The Absolute Best Gifts For Under $50
- Splurge-Worthy Gifts For When You're Ready To Splash Some Cash
- Beautiful Beauty Products To Stuff Everybody's Stocking With