We hear you… a Christmas gift guide already? We're barely two thirds through November! But, listen – Santa is at the shops, my coffee comes in a red and green cup and Mariah Carey declared that it's time. We don't make the rules here.
It's never too early to start your Christmas shopping. Really, the only thing stopping you from grabbing Christmas gifts earlier in the year is the fact you'd end up giving them out early. Even though starting your holiday shopping now might get your anxiety running in overdrive, getting it out of the way early – or at least getting a few solid Christmas present ideas – can help you avoid the dreaded holiday rush.
The good news is that Black Friday deals are just around the corner, and retailers like Amazon offering early bargains, holding off any longer isn't likely to dramatically increase your savings. You can check out our guides to the best tablets, phones, coffee machines, TVs and headphones to see what's worth buying, but as far as Christmas gift ideas go for 2024, you're in the right place.
Whether you're looking for a stocking stuffer under AU$50 or you're sparing no expense on your wife this year, we've got the perfect gift for every loved one and budget. And don't worry, you nor the recipient need to be a tech maestro to enjoy these Christmas gift ideas for 2024.
Christmas Gift Ideas 2024: gifts under AU$50
Video Games
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While the full retail prices of Xbox Series X, PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch games usually sit from AU$60 to AU$90, there is a constant array of games available from Amazon, JB Hi-Fi and other retailers for under AU$50. And there certainly will be once Christmas and Black Friday sales hit. At the time of writing, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Grand Theft Auto 5, Hogwarts Legacy, Alone in the Dark, Stray, Mortal Kombat 1, Control, Starfield, NBA 2K25 and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown are all available on Amazon for less than AU$50. But, depending on who you're buying for and what console they have (or are receiving), these are the video games we recommend this Christmas season – even if they don't fit under the AU$50 banner.
• Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
• Alan Wake II
• Astro Bot
• Super Mario Party Jamboree (Switch)
• EA Sports FC 25
• NBA 2K 25
• Dragon Age: The Veilguard
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
• Just Dance 2025 Edition
• LEGO Harry Potter Collection
JLAB Go Air Pop
It's common to hear that you get what you pay for when it comes to tech – and while our guides on the best over-ear headphones and best earbuds prove that true (there's a reason we have a budget category), the JBL Go Air Pop buds come really close to proving it wrong.
Offering insane value at AU$49.95 at full price, we said in our 4.5-star JBL Go Air Pop review that their sound quality would suit much pricier tech. Plus, we found these budget buds to be extremely comfortable and easy to use. We consider the Sony WF-C510 earbuds to be the best budget buds, but if you're looking for an inexpensive Christmas gift that will put on a smile on any face, the JLab Go Air Pops are perfect – and they're likely to be even cheaper at JB Hi-Fi or Amazon during Black Friday and closer to Christmas.
Read our full JLab Go Air Pop review
TP-Link Tapo Smart Colour bulbs
Smart light bulbs like the Philips Hue can be seriously pricey. So, while we thought they were well worth it in our review, if you're looking for an affordable alternative this Christmas, meet the TP-Link Tapo Smart Wi-Fi Multi-colour Bulb.
A two-pack is just AU$30, and you can choose between a promised 16 million colours (we couldn't count them individually to confirm) and fine-tune the brightness and temperature of the bulb. Great for setting the mood, settling down for a movie, immersing yourself in a game or hosting a party, the TP-Link smart bulbs even integrate nicely with the Amazon Echo Pop smart speaker, which you can find below.
Meat Thermometer
Shopping for a meat lover this Christmas? How does the gift of perfectly cooked meat sound? If your partner is constantly worried the chicken is undercooked, or Dad would rather eat his own arm than a steak that's not a perfect medium-rare, a meat thermometer for less than AU$50 can go a long way to ensuring there's never another burnt Christmas turkey.
The super cheap ThermoPro TP-03B has a 4.5-star customer rating from a whopping 125,000 reviews on Amazon, and the slightly pricier ThermoPro Digital Instant thermometer boasts a 4.7-star rating from almost 15,000 customer reviews. However, if your budget can stretch a little further, The Original Meater and Meater 2 Plus are more premium devices that are more consistently accurate and durable – handling higher temperatures up to 550°C.
TP-Link Security Camera
It might not be the flashiest Christmas present ever, but there's few better gifts than peace of mind. For a very affordable price, the TP-Link Tapo Smart Home Camera helps provide just that. Whether it will be used to keep an eye on the dog while at work, the little one in its crib or the front door, this budget security camera is up to the task, with two-way audio, night vision and motion detection.
If you don't mind spending a little more, or think dad would like to keep an eye on the outdoors rather than indoors, there's a variety of affordable options from Ring and Google Nest to choose from, like the Stick-Up Cam or Indoor camera.
Christmas Gift Ideas 2024: gifts under AU$150
Smart Lights
If the person you're buying for is a movie lover who already has (almost) everything they could ever need in that department, grabbing them a light strip and LED backlights for their TV might just be the best Christmas gift idea they never thought of.
While it's regularly down as low as AU$130, the Govee Backlight T2 retails for AU$229.99, so while it's certainly one of the best options out there, it might be too pricey for some. For just AU$169 (and regularly closer to AU$100), you can grab our favourite lights for pairing with a TV – the Nanoleaf 4D. These two options are great because they mirror the colours on the screen, but if you're just looking for LED lights that can sit behind or around the TV, an AU$149 Philips Hue light strip is excellent.
Blende
You don't need to have a bodybuilder or an obsession with smoothie bowls for a blender to be a great gift idea. With a whole heap of options to choose from under AU$150, an easy blender to recommend is the Nutribullet Pro 900. Retailing for just AU$119 and regularly coming well under AU$90, it's a more powerful upgrade on the original Nutribullet, delivering smooth results – even with harder-to-crush ingredients like nuts and seeds.
You can check out our full guide to the best blenders, but we also think the Breville the Fresh and Furious and KitchenAid K150 are great gifts if your budget can allow for it
Ring smart doorbell (or camera)
While the TP-Link camera above is a great budget option, the offerings from Ring are well worth the extra cost if your budget allows for it. For under AU$150, you can gift the Ring Battery Video Doorbell, Ring Indoor Camera or Ring Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera.
A smart doorbell is perfect for adding some extra padding to your security, with the added benefit of catching the postman even when you're out of the house. Ring's smart cams offer similar functionality while working as true security cameras – indoor or out – with a wider field of view, real-time notifications, night vision, lights and HD resolution. Of course, if your budget can stretch a little further, or find a deal that brings them down into your budget, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, Video Doorbell Plus, Stick-Up Cam, and Floodlight Cam might be the better pick.
Hair/Beard Trimmer
Hair and beard trimmers are an incredibly safe present to gift any special man in your life, and you don't need to break the bank to grab one of the best trimmers on the market. Our #1 and #2 trimmers, the King C Gillette Beard Trimmer and Remington F6 Aqua cost just under AU$100 and AU$115 on Amazon right now, while the Philips all-in-one multi-groomer will set you back just over AU$50.
Of course, it's not just beards on the menu, as many of the top trimmers offer variable heads for different body parts and even excel at trimming the hair on your head. Any of the above trimmers are more than up to the task for dad's shoulder and back hair. If you are looking for more of an electric razor, the Philips One Blade 360 is an easy recommendation. If you're shopping for a man this Christmas, you can't go wrong with a hair or beard trimmer.
Smart Speaker
The best smart speakers offer the benefits of the best Bluetooth speakers, with added smart features that make them perfect for listening to music at home and a whole bunch more. Plus, you don't have to shell out AU$350 to buy the latest and greatest from Bose or Apple to get a good piece of tech.
If AU$150 is what you want to spend, then you're in the right place, as the retail price of the Amazon Echo Spot is just AU$149. The Echo Spot is best for those who want a display, excelling as a bedside smart alarm that can softly wake you up with your favourite songs and read you the weather forecast and news, as well as play music and podcasts. Then there's the AU$99 and AU$79 Amazon Echo Dot and Echo Pop, which don't come with displays, but offer excellent sound quality and smart features through Alexa functionality. If you're heavily ensconced in the Apple family, you're in luck at this price point too. The Apple Homepod Mini also retails for AU$149 and, unlike the Echo products, is rarely discounted. Its smart features could be more fully fleshed out, but it offers the best sound quality of any smart speaker at this price.
Christmas Gift Ideas 2024: gifts under AU$300
Apple TV 4K
If you're shopping for a movie and TV lover, the Apple TV 4K is the perfect gift, whether they use an iPhone or not. While there are a few integration benefits that Apple users will get – like quick log-ins via phone connection – the Apple TV 4K is far and away the best streaming device on the market.
Offering 4K streaming, the best user interface of any streaming device, seamless Siri integration for voice searches and a snappy, durable remote, the best streaming services have never looked so good – or been easier to watch – than with the Apple TV 4K. The only real drawback we have on it in our Apple TV 4K (2022) review is that it's pricey. While we think it's well worth it, Google's TV Streamer is Google's AU$159 competitor, and the Fire TV 4K and Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K) are both considerably cheaper and still excellent devices.
Air Fryer
Air fryers have been around for a while. Philips actually released the first air fryer back in 2010, but it wasn't until the COVID-19 pandemic that the compact cookers really took off – and they're still heavily sought after, making the perfect gift to any kitchen for Christmas this year.
There's an abundance of options to choose from, and you can check out our full guide to the best air fryer for a deeper dive. However, we recommend grabbing the Instant Vortex Plus 6-in-1 with ClearCook, Ninja Foodi FlexBasket Dual Air Fryer and Instant Vortex Plus ClearCook Dual Air Fryer 8L. Or, if you're looking for a smaller machine, or if you're shopping for an individual, couple or small family of three, the Breville the Air Fryer Chef Plus.
Breville The InFizz Fusion
This appliance is a little more outside the box compared to an air fryer or blender, but if the person you're shopping for loves soft drinks, carbonated cocktails or soda water, then there is no better gift that money could buy this Christmas.
We don't hand out five-star reviews like candy, but we simply couldn't back this appliance from a perfect score in our Breville the InFizz Fusion review. What differentiates the Infizz Fusion from similar products is that it carbonates any cold beverage. From water to sodas that have gone flat, to red wine and tea, if it's cold, the Infizz Fusion can carbonate it. Now give it to someone so you can enjoy all kinds of fizzy deliciousness under the guise of trying it out with them.
Ereader
An ereader is a readers dream, even for those who swear by physical books. It offers a supremely portable reading solution, as books can get quite thick and hard to carry, and they're also considerably cheaper in the long run.
The Kobo Libra Colour is the best ereader you can currently buy, as it offers a premium reading experience at an affordable price, with a large 7-inch display and full writing features. There's also the Kobo Libra BW that offers the same experience with no colour, and then the Kobo Clara Colour and Clara BW offers a similar experience, with a smaller display and button-free design. Then, of course, there's still various Kindle models on Amazon that are very much worth your time, varying in size, price and function.
Ninja Creami
Everyone likes ice cream, right? Well, even if you or a loved one doesn't, the Ninja Creami can make a whole stack more. With Christmas landing in the middle of summer, there might be no better present this Christmas than the ability to make your own ice cream, sorbet, smoothie bowls, milkshakes and gelato.
Don't worry, if you've tried hard over the winter to build your beach body, the Ninja Creami isn't here to ruin it. In fact, it gained popularity thanks to its ability to not only make double-chocolate caramel, pecan, cookie gelato, but also because of how well it makes tasty, healthy, macro-friendly ice creams that actually help to hit your fitness goals. If you've got a fit friend with a sweet tooth, the Ninja Creami is the perfect Christmas gift. You can also grab the Ninja Creami Deluxe (NC501), which offers the ability to mix the top and bottom of a tub separately so you can have two different flavours, and larger 709ml tubs.
Christmas gift ideas 2024: Presents under AU$500
Smartwatch
At this price, there's plenty of Smartwatches that we could recommend – and we will. No matter who you're shopping for and what they're looking for, there's a smartwatch across a range of budgets that will make the perfect Christmas gift for them. Whether you think they just want a smart timepiece to answer texts on, want to take their fitness to the next level or you're a little worried about Grandma and want to ensure she'll be okay, a smartwatch is the answer.
For Apple users, at this price (and really any price unless you're opting for the Apple Watch Ultra 2) the Apple Watch SE is an easy recommendation. If you're shopping for an Android user, in this price range there's a heap of options, from the Garmin Instinct 2s and discounted Garmin Forerunner 255S, to the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 7 if you catch it on a deal.
Coffee Machine
If you're shopping for a coffee connoisseur this Christmas, you don't need to break the bank to get cafe-level coffee at home. There's a tonne of coffee machines worth considering for under AU$500.
Pod machines offer supreme ease of use – all you have to do is grab a pod, put it into the machine and viola – delicious coffee. Nespresso is probably the brand you think of here – and both the Nespresso Vertuo Next and Nespresso Vertuo Pop are great machines – but the Lavazza A Modo Mio Deséa is also worth considering. If you'd rather pay more for a machine that uses actual beans, you'll still be in luck at this price range. The Breville the Barista Express can sometimes be found for around AU$500, and then there's the De'Longhi Magnifica and Dedica Maestro Plus, Nespresso Creatista Uno and more.
Massage Gun
In the world of massage guns, a Renpho massage gun is good enough as any to help get the knots out. However, if your budget is comfortable stretching out to AU$500, then there are two titans to choose from. The Hydragun, and the Theragun Prime.
There are a few more options from Therabody these days, but at this price, you'll want to go with the Theragun Prime. It feels great, it gets deep into the muscle and offers more than enough speed and power – but it's its ergonomic handle that lets you massage hard-to-reach spots that sets it apart. Now, The Hydragun is actually AU$100 cheaper than the Theragun, and it offers a much quieter experience than other top-tier massage guns while remaining as powerful – which is important if you're using it while watching TV.
Headphones
You don't have to spend AU$500 to get a really good pair of headphones or earbuds. AirPods are awesome, and AirPods Pro 2 can be found for under AU$300 these days. Then there are budget options like the Sony WH-CH520 and Earfun Wave Pro. We haven't even mentioned the Bose QuietComfort 45 SE which offers more than enough sound quality, noise cancelling and comfort for most people.
However, if you're willing to pay for the best-of-the-best, then there are three easy options to guide you towards. Well, four. Those being the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Sony WH-1000XM5. The XM5s actually retail for AU$548, but between price matches and upcoming sales, getting them for less than AU$500 is a breeze. Then there's also the Bose QuietComfort Ultra cans and, if you're looking to save, the Sony WH-1000XM4 offer a similar experience to its successor, for less. With top-tier tech, it all comes down to preference, but any of these four pairs of headphones are easily recommendable as the ultimate Christmas gift.
Nintendo Switch
The PS5 Slim and Xbox Series X might come down closer to AU$550 with Black Friday and Christmas, and the Xbox Series S is the affordable Xbox console that – while not as powerful as the X – lets you play the latest and greatest games.
However, the go-to console to buy this Christmas, as it probably has been every year since it came out is the Nintendo Switch. With three different models – the original Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and Nintendo Switch OLED – that range from AU$329 to AU$539 at full price, the Nintendo Switch is the gift to buy for those wanting to play games like Super Mario, Zelda and Mario Kart. Perfect for little ones to play on their own, great for family couch co-op and with more than enough for older players to enjoy, it's the third-bestselling console of all time for a reason. And, with the Nintendo Switch 2 likely to release in the first half of 2025, you're likely to find some tasty deals from Black Friday and into Christmas, too.
Christmas gift ideas 2024: Also Consider...
Pizza Oven
A pizza oven is the perfect Christmas gift, because not only is it great for the person you give it to, but you also get to benefit! And don't worry, while it might be a pricey prospect, a big gift idea like this is something that you and your siblings can all pitch in on to get mum and dad their ultimate dinner-making appliance.
Like anything else, there are a few options to choose from, and the Ooni Karu 16 or K12Ooni Karu 12 are wonderful options, especially if you're looking for something a little cheaper, as the 12 model retails at just AU$550. However, if you're just looking for the best pizza from the best oven, the Gozney Arc, Arc XL and Roccbox are all at the top of the list. Both the Arc and RoxxBox scored five-star reviews (Gozney Arc XL review / Gozney Roccbox review). Your choice will depend on whether you want a large, at-home device or something small enough to travel with, but either way – this is the best Christmas gift idea you've ever had.
Steam Deck
If your family member has been really nice this year (or you're shopping for yourself this Christmas), a Steam Deck is possibly the best gift money could buy for a gamer. Shipping in mid-November, the Valve Steam Deck is finally available in Australia, and Aussies will even get the all-new limited edition white colourway of the OLED model as soon as it drops.
A truly brilliant device, if you want the premium gaming experience of a PS5, Xbox Series X or PC in a handheld, the Steam Deck is the best option by a country mile. It's basically a gaming PC that you can hold in your hands – with a fantastic design, snappy performance and a massive library of games to boot. And, if you're not locked in on getting the OLED model, there might even be some great deals to be had around the holiday season.
Meta Quest 3
What better gift could you give this Christmas than the best Virtual Reality headset on the market? In our five-star Meta Quest 3 review, we absolutely loved its graphics quality, improved mixed reality and an incredible suite of software options. For a long time, the go-to VR headset was the Oculus Quest 2. Now it's the Meta Quest 3.
The Apple Vision Pro and other headsets powered by a console or PC like the PSVR 2 might be more powerful, but the Meta Quest 3 is significantly cheaper than those options when you throw in the price of the console they need to be paired with. If you are looking for a cheaper option, we also loved the Meta Quest 3s at about half the price.
Tablet / iPad
Don't freak out – it doesn't have to be an iPad Pro or Samsung Galaxy S10. The best tablets sit in price ranges that make them a suitable Christmas gift. And hey, if you want to give yourself or a loved one a brand new 13-inch iPad Air, who are we to stop you? They're awesome.3
The all-new 7th generation iPad Mini just came out, and it sits at a relatively palatable AU$799, with an 8.3-inch display that makes it big enough for any use – including drawing – and extremely portable. However, if you're looking for a cheaper iPad, the 2022 10.9-inch iPad is the one to look for a deal on this Black Friday and the holiday sale season. If you're looking for an Android tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 is likely to see some serious deals now that its successor is here.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
If you're shopping for a baker this Christmas, then we can guarantee there is one item they have always wanted. And that's the KitchenAid Stand Mixer.
With various options that suit a variety of price ranges and kitchens, KitchenAid stand mixers range from just over AU$400 to well over AU$1000. Plus, as well as the actual machine, there's a never-ending amount of attachments to choose from. The ultimate kitchen tool, there is no better Christmas gift for someone who loves baking, and no matter which model you opt for, you can't go wrong.
Christmas gift ideas 2024: FAQs
Why is Christmas so called?
As you might be able to tell from the name, "Christmas" comes from the Mass of Christ. It celebrates the birth of the Christian prophet Jesus Christ. It is unclear as to when Jesus Christ was actually born, but the Catholic church decided in 336 CE that celebrations would take place on December 25th on the
What is the 5 gift rule for Christmas?
While we find it best to shop with your heart, the 5 gift rule is helpful if you're struggling to find a Christmas gift idea. The 5 gift rule is especially helpful when shopping for children, though it can be used for anyone. The rule is that you should buy something the person wants, needs, will wear, will read, and do. This could come in five different affordable little presents for a child, but it also works for an adult. Something like a smartwatch accounts for all five categories, and ensures that the person will both be happy to receive your gift, and actually use it.
What is a popular Christmas gift in Australia?
Obviously, there are a whole heap of different items that are popular come Christmas time. This includes candles, books, tools, clothing, toys and more. However, there is one particular gift that can account for all different kinds of needs – and can even be made yourself. That's a Christmas hamper. Whether it's a collection of different cooking ingredients, a basket full of sweets and chocolates, craft beers or a whole bunch of warm socks, a hamper is a super easy way to give a useful gift while accounting for various wants and needs and showing you've put some thought into your choice (even if you haven't).
What is the gift tradition in Australia?
There are no hard and fast rules for giving out gifts in Australia. Though there are two useful rules to live by. The first, is that you should always bring something if you're invited to someones house, like a box of chocolates, bottle of wine or board game. The second is that, unless there has been set aside a time to open presents later, it's kind to open up your present when it is handed to you, so the person can see the (hopefully) smile on your face when you open it.
Oh, and for anyone who hasn't watched Mr Inbetween on Binge – if you're playing a Secret Santa game where you can switch gifts with other people, just let the little girl have the unicorn candle. You might find yourself thrown through glass if you take it.
What are meaningful Christmas gifts?
This is going to have a different answer depending on the recipient. More often than not, a meaningful gift is going to be something someone has mentioned in passing that you've remembered and thought to purchase. However, generally, a gift you've created, like a scrapbook or photo frame (with a photo in it) would be seen as meaningful, as you've put some time into it. Another way to go is to opt for an experience, rather than a physical gift. This could be a voucher to a dinner, a concert, rafting or massage, where you and the recipient can spend some time together while taking part in an activity
Is a TV a good Christmas gift?
Most people are probably going to be pretty happy to receive a TV as a gift. However, it's important to remember who you're buying for. If mum or dad are in dire need of an upgrade, or your nephew would love a TV to play games on, then it might be perfect. However, it might be a good idea to speak to others close to who you're thinking of buying for to see if it's a good fit – and stick around to show dad how to use his new smart TV, or it might just stay in the box.
