We know, shopping for gifts can stretch the budget fast if you don’t keep an eye on it – and if you have a huge family or big group of close friends to buy for you need to be savvy. Whether it’s for a bulk buy or a one-off for a co-worker, we’ve collected some ideas in the Brisbane CBD to grab a gift that won’t drain your account.
Room with Roses is a treasure trove of loveliness, located upstairs in the heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade. Although famous for its extensive high tea menu (check out the chocolate fondue high tea for a truly decadent experience!), Room with Roses also offers a tremendous range of affordable gifts. The Hot Chocolate Spoons for $4 provide a sweet and surprising gift that won’t leave a hole in your back pocket.
Independent Aussie legends of gift-gifting fame will steal your time but replace it with a quirky selection of knick-knacks, gifts, jewellery and other surprises that are ideal stocking filler fodder.
Happy Socks, David Jones, QueensPlaza
Happy Socks really set your day off to a toe-tapping start, so when it comes to cost-effective gift-giving, there’s few people who wouldn’t love a pair of the latest arrivals!
George Clooney said it best; we wouldn’t change a thing about the stunning Nespresso range to top up your coffee connoisseur’s collection. The Nespresso Boutique in Wintergarden showcases all of the latest products and encourages you to take five with a sampler of the latest flavours in the Coffee Room.
Folio Books, a stalwart of the independent book store scene for more than 30 years, is an absolute treasure trove, boasting an extensive range of genres including Fiction, Art, Architecture, Biography, Cooking, History, Graphic Design, Photography and more. Warning: you’ll likely lose hours visiting this local gem, but don’t worry, leisurely stays are encouraged!
Lush, Queen Street Mall
Using only ethically-sourced ingredients, Lush has a wide range of handmade products that skincare to makeup to perfume. There are seemingly endless scents of fun and fruity bath bombs, which you can pick up for less than $15.
For the planners in your life, stationery giant kikki.K is queen of gift-giving, with an unrivalled range of artfully designed stationery, diaries and journals, office supplies and organisational tools. For added brownie points, kikki.k offer an in-store monogramming service.
T2, QueensPlaza
Australian tea giants T2 are worth visiting for delicious free tea samples alone, but in-store you’ll find wall-to-wall gift ideas that won’t burn a hole in the back pocket. If you’re unsure what you’re looking for, T2’s staff will point you in the right direction with a few easy questions. Choose from exotic brews, intricately designed tea ware and ready-made gift packs, all beautifully presented and tree-ready. Our favourite? Brisbane Breakfast or Lamington.
Daiso, The Myer Centre and Wintergarden
Japan’s Daiso shopping revolution takes affordable gift-giving to new heights, with every item in store priced at just $2.80. You’ll lose hours adventuring through tens of thousands of Japanese-made lifestyle items and novelty gift products, and no doubt be introduced to countless things you had no idea you were missing out on.. So popular is this international retail mega-giant with locals and visitors alike, Brisbane CBD is proud home to two separate stores.
Chocolate, various locations
The City is a chocolate haven and there's a really high-quality selection, including Chocolate Moments’, Amy Sargeantson - Chocolate Maker, Noosa Chocolate Factory in two locations along Adelaide Street, and Dello Mano whose brownies are truly drool-worthy; Chocolate Boulevard - famous for their peanut butter cups and chilli chocolate; and I Heart Brownies in the Wintergarden.
Need more ideas?
Uniqlo – A new tee? Hat? Scarf? Thermals? PJs? Japanese megastore Uniqlo sells high quality, simple clothing that will stretch your $20 further.
Museum of Brisbane – The gift store at the museum stocks a curated range of stunning artisan goods and gifts, with plenty of small touches of Brisbane for less than $20.
SWOP Brisbane - Take your clothes in to ‘swop’ for store credit or cash, and take home new second-hand threads - this clothing exchange is great, and eco way, to shop for Christmas.
Biome – A KeepCup, steel water bottle, or nice smelling, natural body products will also go down a treat. Biome has lots of ethical and eco solutions for gifting.
