Shopping with local, small businesses is good for everyone.
Jobs for your neighbours and friends, diversity and innovation, seasonality, local economy growth, and sustainability. These are just some of the wider benefits.
For you the advantage is easy – convenience!
So what are some of the options for local Christmas gifts?
Here are 9 fabulous options – plus a bonus one because there definitely is no shortage of options.
All hail the McLaren Vale region!
1. Beer for Good
Local Adelaide lasses have teamed up with interstate wonders to crowd-fund the first women’s issues beer in Australia.
Featuring all natural brewing, the use of environmentally friendly cans, and bearing slogans to make you think about the status and rights of women, this is not your ordinary beer!
Visit the crowdfunding page and pledge to recieve great awards that would be perfect Xmas gifts for those who support equality or just a really great beverage.
2. Go Boating
All up and down the Fleurieu, we are blessed with our clean, green environment.
No more obvious than our stunning beaches (best in the world in my opinion!).
Beyond the breakers, discover the abundant aquatic life and views you cannot get from the shoreline.
Big Duck Boat Tours over a whole variety of tours that will allow you to see a new side to our neck of the woods, and meet some other locals!
3. Happy Trails on the Beach
Enjoy the beach a different way – from the back of a horse!
Make like a cowboy for a while on Normanville Beach. Added extras complete the deal. When buying a gift voucher – which start at $60pp – pack yourself a picnic for afterwards for serious romance brownie points.
4. Take to The Skies
Soar above the vines, hills, and sea with a scenic flight in a biplane, from $350 pp.
A unique perspective of our beautiful region with a piece of our cultural history at the same time. On a clear day you will see for miles! And just imagine the photos you will be able to take.
5. Gourmet Surprise
A restaurant voucher to any of our stunning local restaurants would be a sure winner under the tree. Keep the celebrations going long after the ham is gone with a fancy-pants meal to look forward to. Why not opt for a gift voucher to:
6. Wake Up and Smell The Coffee
Know a coffee aficionado? ‘Brew Like A Pro’ coffee classes from the Fleurieu’s favourite coffee cart From Humble Grounds start early next year.
A a great present for anyone wanting to learn more about brewing coffee or just after an enjoyable experience.
For further class information or to purchase a gift voucher contact at hello@fromhumblegrounds.co
7. Slow Down and Smell The Roses
Our region is spoilt with natural beauty, nature’s bounty of food and wine, and it’s easy to see why it’s a tourism hot spot. Boutique, luxury accommodation options abound. Why not tempt interstate friends or family with a night or two in one of our beautiful places to stay? Or even a night away for a local! Mulberry Lodge in Willunga is one such option, with beautiful gardens and warm hospitality that includes homemade treats to eat.
You could also try:
Leonard’s Mill Cottages Second Valley
Studio In the Vines McLaren Vale
Victory Hotel B&B Cottages Sellicks Hill
McLaren Eye Kangarilla
Treehouse at Sellicks Beach
8. Read All About It
The ultimate way to get to know the Fleurieu from the comfort of your armchair, a subscription to Fleurieu Living Magazine. A high quality quarterly local publication with a focus on architecture, the people of the Fleurieu, food, and wine. Subscriptions start at $36.
9. What the F is Fritz?
Surprise your interstate friends and family with a copy of Fritz for some summer reading to get to know South Aussie style.
The perfect gift for the budget conscious (it’s FREE!) and sure to share our South Aussie spirit and love for what the rest of Australia knows as devon! Pick up your copy at Foodland.
Bonus: Wine of Course!
McLaren Vale produces the best Grenache in the country. So why not consider giving an IOU for McLaren Vale’s newest wine label, Aphelion Wine. Made by my husband – with my help! – we partner with passionate local growers to bring the best from the sun to you. Our wines are perfect with food and your life’s best moments.
Comments make my day – have your say below! What are your local gift giving favourites?