A Handmade Christmas: thoughtful NZ gifts for the people you love
There’s something special about gifting handmade at Christmas. Maybe it’s the nostalgia of growing up in Aotearoa — summer holidays at the bach or camp ground, sun-warmed sand, pōhutukawa blooms, shared meals, and those small, simple moments that stay with us long after the chaos of December fades.
And let’s be honest… December is chaos. Everyone’s racing to finish work, remember the class prize giving, wrap 47 Secret Santa gifts, and find where they hid the sellotape. Half the country is running on xmas mince pies and adrenaline, just trying to get to that first proper day of summer holiday where we can finally collapse and breathe.
And every year, I notice the same thing: people are tired of buying stuff. They want gifts that feel like something — gifts with heart, intention, and a story that doesn’t begin with “I panic-bought this at 10pm from a big box store”.
If you’re looking for beautiful, practical, handcrafted ceramics — all made right here in my Christchurch studio — here are some of my favourite ideas for 2025.
Coastal Landscape Mugs
For the person who dreams of slow mornings… even if their reality is cold coffee and small-people chaos.
These mugs are inspired by the New Zealand coastline — soft greens, muted blues, warm sandy tones — all layered to echo those long summer days we grew up with. Think early mornings at the bach or campground, salty hair, sunscreen that never rubs in, and someone inevitably yelling, “Has anyone seen the hats?” from the car.
They’re made for the sentimental ones, the homesick ones, or the “I just want a nice mug that doesn’t chip itself out of sheer spite” ones. The people who treasure the little rituals — that first cup of the day, the quiet moment before the noise.
Perfect for: tea and coffee lovers, dads who pretend they don’t like nice things, the aunt and uncle whose bach you borrow every year, anyone who appreciates something beautifully made.
3-in-1 Garlic & Ginger Grater
For the foodie, the home cook, or the person who refuses to cook with pre-minced garlic (good — they can be trusted).
This little 3-in-1 wonder has become my bestselling tool for a reason.
It grates garlic, ginger, and turmeric into a smooth paste with a few easy strokes — no gadgets, no fuss, no “oops, that’s my knuckle” moments. The built-in herb stripper saves time picking leaves off stems, and the raised edges mean it doubles as a tidy little spoon rest while you cook.
It’s one of those gifts people try once and then message me saying, “Okay… why did no one tell me I needed this? I use it every day.”
Beautiful, practical, and surprisingly fun to use — the kind of present that gets a genuine “oh wow!” instead of the polite December smile.
Perfect for: foodies, home cooks, gardeners, the friend who hosts Christmas lunch every year, grown-up kids leaving home, and Secret Santas who deserve something genuinely useful (for once).
Flower Frogs
For the gardener, the homesteader, or the person who always has a jar of something leafy on the bench (even if it’s just parsley they forgot to put back in the fridge).
Flower frogs are one of those quiet, clever tools that make it look like you know what you’re doing with flowers — even if you absolutely do not. Pop one on top of a jar, glass, or vase, thread a few stems through, and suddenly you’ve gone from “random bits I cut from the garden” to “oh wow, you’re so creative”.
Perfect for homegrown flowers, market bunches, or the stems you snip on your way inside because they looked sad and you felt bad for them. Designed for light, airy arranging, they love working with just a handful of stems — no giant bouquet needed to feel fancy.
Perfect for: gardeners, homesteaders, grandparents, makers, stylists, and the friend who keeps a jar of flowers on the bench year-round, and anyone who loves a clever tool that does half the work for you.
Flower Orbs
For the stylist, the homebody, or anyone who walks around their house saying, “This corner just needs… something.”
Flower orbs make even the smallest handful of stems look intentional — including the slightly wilted treasures small children proudly bring you. One flower? Great. Three stems? Stunning. A sprig you rescued from the compost because it still had potential? Perfect.
They’re brilliant for shelves, bedside tables, desks, and all those tiny spots that deserve a little moment of beauty. Even a few mismatched stems look like a curated arrangement — no floristry magic, no 12-step tutorial, no YouTube rabbit hole required.
Small, sweet, and weirdly addictive to use, they’re the kind of gift people keep moving from room to room because it looks good literally everywhere.
Perfect for: interior lovers, minimalists, grandparents, gardeners, the friend who just “restyled the shelf again”, and anyone who lives for tiny joy moments.
Little Jugs
For the host who takes their salad dressing very seriously… and would quite like the rest of us to notice, thanks.
These little jugs are small but mighty — perfect for pouring cream, drizzling dressing like you’re on a cooking show, or warming a splash of maple syrup without microwaving the whole bottle again. They also do an excellent job of pretending to be a tiny vase if you pop a few sprigs of herbs in them.
And don’t be fooled by their size — they add just the right amount of “ooh, fancy” to the table, without requiring any actual effort. The kind of piece people reach for constantly because it makes even the simplest food feel a bit special.
Charming, practical, and surprisingly useful, they hit that sweet spot between “Oh that’s pretty” and “Hand it over, I’m using it”.
Perfect for: foodies, home cooks, grandparents, the friend whose salad is always a bit too good, and anyone who loves a tiny touch of table flair.
Small Versatile Dishes
For friends, sisters, teachers, grandparents… and especially the person who has everything (except this).
These little dishes are tiny but mighty — the kind of gift people never think to buy for themselves and then use constantly. Perfect for dipping sauces, olives, spices, snacks, earrings, teabags, or anything small that needs a beautiful landing spot.
And a special shoutout to the Christmas clean-up champion — because if they’re washing up every year, the least they deserve is a beautiful place to keep their rings safe.
They’re thoughtful, practical, and unreasonably handy. Slip one into a stocking, pair it with another gift, or give it on its own — it always gets a smile and a “Oh! I actually needed this.”
Perfect for: sisters, best friends, teachers, grandparents, Secret Santa, and the “I don’t need anything” people (who always end up loving these).
Ready to shop?
If you’d like to see what’s currently available, you can find everything here:
Thank you for choosing to support a small NZ maker this season.
Your kindness genuinely keeps me going (and keeps my studio stocked with clay and snacks).