The Samson Girl Christmas Gift Guide

Oh my God, it's three days until Christmas! Let's all panic, hyperventilate, cram ourselves into shopping centers and forget how to drive! For some reason Christmas seems to come around much faster than we all expect and before you know it, the begining of November has turned into Mid December. However, before you resort to this irrational state of being and buying everyone in your family a dictionary, have a look through this little Gift Guide I've put together. It should help you tie up any loose ends you have hanging about and cover your presents for friends right through to that Great Aunt Hildegard who loves cats and tea cosies. Because I know we all have a Great Aunt Hildegard somewhere in our family...
 

 Add a bit of sugar and spice to someone's life this Christmas with some of the incredible offerings from  Gewurzhaus spice shop, located on Lygon Street as well as the City's The Block Arcade. The Mayans got it wrong with the whole 'end of the world thing', but they sure hit the nail on the head with this Mayan Chilli Chocolate. And while you're at it, why not check out the Macadamia Nut Dukkah or the French Lavender Salt. Mmm...exotic.

The perfect gift for your sartorially savy friend. Scott Schuman's 'The Sartorialist', and now, 'The Sartorialist Closer', gives the reader the oportunity to view fashion from all over the world, through the eyes of this world renound Author, Blogger and Photographer.

Smelly stuff...um, for your smelly friend? Or just because everyone loves a nice scented candle! Perhaps Ripened Raspberry or Eggnogg (it literally smells good enough to drink) by Australian brand Mi Amor.

For that special man friend who's constantly complaining about not have enough space in his wallet. The 'Daniel Wallet' from Australian brand Status Anxiety comes in three colours, features four card slots, a snap shut coin compartment and is made from premium Italian leather. If this doesn't keep him happy, I don't know what will.

 A present for your bestie (oh hell, why not just buy one for yourself too), this beautiful What Goes Around Comes Around ring from Australian Designer Tara Lawson slips in at a glorious $50 and says best friends forever like nothing else. Check out the rest of her amazing new line, 'Kiss', on her website at www.taralawson.com.

For that Tweeny Bopper cousin of yours who's always listening to Bieber. The colourful array of nail polishes from Kester Black are bound to keep her entertained...and the best part is that you can always steal, I mean, 'borrow' them.

Some bright and colourful beads from Emily Green for that quirky and kinda hip Auntie of yours. You'll get change from a fifty and they'll brighten her day.

Everyone loves chocolate. Fact. So for that hard-to-buy-for Uncle, this Medium Sized Christmas Hamper from Koko Black seems perfectly appropriate. Available for $60 from all Koko Black retailers.

 

The gift that says, 'feed me more please!', it's perfect for your parents to ensure you never see bangers and mash on the dinner table again. Clockwise from top left: Maha-Middle Eastern Cooking by Shane Delia. What Kate Ate-Recipes and Other Bits and Bobs by Katie Quinne Davis. Heston's Fantastic Feasts by Heston Blumenthal (you may need gloves and protective goggles for this one). The Butcher the Baker the Best Coffee Maker by Gaye Weeden and Hayley Smorgon. This one's less of a cookbook and more a cultural foodie guide to the best that Melbourne has to offer.

I know they say they don't need help with their styling, but let's be honest, Brothers always do. So help him out by starting with a pair of vans, they come in so many colours, wear like a charm and are the perfect staple in any wardrobe. Vans are available in all Vans retailers, as well as General Pants and Glue Stores, which can be found in Melbourne Central and other locations around the CBD.

 

 After all that shopping for other people you'll probably be thinking about presents for yourself (don't lie and pretend you weren't, we all want presents for Christmas). So on my wish list this year is the Sunflower Bodycon Dress from Lulu and Rose. It's available at Glue Store for a cheeky $60...just in case anyone wanted to know. Cough.

Well, that about wraps up the Samson Girl Gift Guide (geddit!). I hope you find it useful in getting you through  this, often traumatic, festive season and that you're not out shopping at 11pm on Christmas Eve. Unless it's for yourself, as this would be completely acceptable. Oh yeah, and about Great Aunt Hildegard...some tea coasters should do the trick.