Christmas shopping on a shoestring? You’re not the only one. With the cost of living still biting, lots of us are looking for gifts that feel thoughtful without sending our bank balance into shock.
When you choose to ‘Buy SA. For SA.’ (external site) for Christmas presents, you’re not just picking up a gift – you’re investing in the livelihood of your neighbours, the dreams of small entrepreneurs, and the future of our state’s economy.
There’s no better time of year to rally around and buy local than right now. Every dollar spent here stays here, supporting local jobs, creativity and the small operators doing it tough.
So whether you’re buying for your best mate, your work Kris Kringle or the cousin you barely see, here are our top South Australian gifts under $50 to help you survive the silly season with something left in your bank account.
$10 and under – Small but mighty
Veggie Paws Christmas Roast large paw (external site) – $2.40
Shaped like a giant paw and packed with Christmas veggies, this dog biscuit is made in SA and ready to include your pup in the festivities. Because four-legged friends deserve gifts too.
Menz FruChocs car air freshener (external site) – $7
Designed to look like a mini bag of FruChocs, this peach-scented air freshener brings instant SA nostalgia to a car, wardrobe or office drawer. A cheeky nod to a local icon – without the sugar hit.
Clifford’s Honey Farm lip balm stick (external site) – $7.50
Made on Kangaroo Island from the farm’s own beeswax and coconut oil, this balm is soft, nourishing and subtly sweet. Pocket-sized comfort for dry lips or travel kits.
Billie Justice Thomson magnet (external site)s – $8
Capturing the everyday joys of South Australian life – seagulls, smiley fritz, cocktails and native flowers – these magnets are bright, bold and built to last. From the illustrator behind the 2026 Adelaide Fringe poster, they’re perfect for fridges, lockers or anywhere a bit of SA pride belongs.
FIAJE Pimmalade (external site) – $8
This fresh twist on marmalade blends Pimms, ginger ale and citrus for a spread that brings big summer energy to toast or English muffins. A bright little upgrade for anyone ready to step up their breakfast game.
Little Brown Goose doughnut bath bomb (external site) – $8
Handmade in Port Lincoln and finished with a cocoa-butter drizzle, these fizzy doughnut bath bombs smell as good as they look. Great for anyone in need of a little downtime – or to make bath time more fun for the kids (and easier for the adult in the room).
$20 and under – Cheap Thrills
T-Bar Outback Horizon tea (external site) – $13.50
Australian-grown green tea with a smooth, calming flavour and eye-catching packaging. A solid swap for standard-issue office gifts.
Whites Valley Jalapeños Green Smoked Jalapeño Sauce (external site) – $13.95
Handmade on the Fleurieu, this small-batch hot sauce brings a smoky, fresh kick to everything from eggs to marinades. Adds flavour without fire.
Kytons Bakery Star Christmas Tree Kit (external site) – $18
This sweet DIY kit from SA favourite Kytons comes with precooked vanilla cookie stars, icing and green sprinkles – everything you need to build your own edible festive tree. It’s a cute gift, a festive table centrepiece, and an easy way to keep the kids occupied while you get Christmas lunch on the table.
Offbeat Sock Co ‘Rebel without a Claus’ socks (external site) – $20
Limited-edition Christmas socks, made right here in SA. Cosy, colourful, and spot-on for Secret Santa or anyone who dresses to impress in December.
Adelaide Fringe bucket hat (external site) – $20
Reversible and hand-printed, this hat (pictured) flips from black to the Fringe’s iconic pink stars. Perfect for the person already planning next year’s Fringe schedule.
Cry About It EP CD by Aleksiah (external site) – $20
This sophomore EP is packed with the synth-pop hooks that helped Aleksiah sweep the 2025 SA Music Awards. For the friend whose playlists are cooler than yours – and they know it. Prefer to let them choose? Clarity Records (external site) also offers in-store gift vouchers.
Adelaide Mail SA Christmas Tree Ornaments (3-Pack) (external site) - $20
Finally, ornaments that understand South Australians. This set celebrates three local legends – the Rundle Mall pigeon, the Murray Bridge Bunyip and a very festive Ho Ho Ho-Bahn bus. They’ll either laugh or hang them up immediately – or both.
$30 and under – Little luxuries
Tea Towel Co South Aussie icons tea towel (external site) – $25
From Hills Hoists to FUIC, this illustrated tea towel (pictured) celebrates the stuff only South Australians get. A homesick fix for friends who’ve moved interstate.
Janesce Balancing Refresher Mist (external site) – $27
A lavender-infused facial mist made with botanical extracts. Cooling, calming and an instant pick-me-up when it’s 38 degrees and rising.
The Journey Studio 2026 planner (external site) – $30
This A5 planner from a Clare Valley designer is full of cheerful artwork, habit trackers and goal-setting pages. Perfect for the friend who colour-codes their life.
Pink Shorts Press ‘Reading is Radical’ book bag (external site) – $30
Roomy, bold and bright pink, this cotton tote is made by an indie SA publisher, and features a squid named Sia. Good for hauling books, groceries or both – and $5 from each sale goes to Murray-Darling conservation.
Bowden Brewing ‘Big Red Down’ tropical Xmas sour 4-pack (external site) – $30
A fruity festive sour made in Bowden – perfect for that mate who’d never drink a lager, or for taking to Christmas barbecues. Tastes like summer in a can.
Art Gallery of South Australia × Julie White jigsaw puzzle (external site) – $30
This 1000-piece puzzle featuring Adelaide artist Julie White’s striking design (pictured) is a perfect screen-free summer project. Just right for that stretch between Boxing Day and New Year’s when no one knows what day it is.
$40 and under – Gifts with impact
Rio Vista Olives ‘Gigi’ EVOO (external site) – $35
Multi-award-winning olive oil from the Adelaide Hills. Elevates salads, sides, and last-minute hosting credentials.
Soul City Roasters ‘Roaster’s Choice’ tasting trio (external site) – $35
Three small-batch coffees roasted in Adelaide, handpicked to show off Soul City’s current favourites. A solid gift for the coffee lover who’s always chasing the next great brew – and yes, they do good for refugees with their profits too.
Helen’s Mini Worlds ‘dream’ terrarium (external site) – from $39.95
A miniature rainforest under glass, built with moss, fittonia and zero stress in mind. Low-maintenance but high on impact – and you can add a tiny panda, mushroom or frog if you want to make it even more gift-worthy.
Kiln & Clay personalised keep cup (external site) – $40
Handmade in SA and personalised with their name and/or go-to coffee, this ceramic cup looks good, feels great and means never having to shout “almond cap, extra hot” across a crowded café again.
Just Bliss Couture Collection milk and dark (external site) – $40
Chocolates that look like tiny works of art, made by hand in Rundle Mall. Slick packaging, lush flavours – and no wrapping needed.
$50 and under – Feel-good splurges
Adelaide Hills Candle Co ‘Mt Lofty – The Summit’ candle (external site) – $44.95
With eucalyptus, lemon myrtle and sandalwood, this soy candle smells like the Hills after rain. Calm, clean and beautifully boxed – a wind-down gift that feels like a splurge.
Guildhouse Unceded t-shirt (external site) – $45
Designed by Brad Darkson in consultation with Senior Kaurna woman Aunty Lynette Crocker, this tee (pictured) features the Ngampa (yam daisy) from Guildhouse’s city-lighting neon artwork. Art meets wardrobe, and it’s all SA.
Criminal Elements perfume discovery set (external site) – $50
A mix of unisex scents from experimental Adelaide perfumer Corey Horrigan. Surprising, sophisticated, and way cooler than a body spray twin pack.
Cocoon Spa voucher (external site) – $50
This $50 voucher can go toward anything from a massage to a facial at Cocoon’s St Morris location. Give someone an excuse to spoil themselves.
Mordrelle 2018 Blanc de Blancs Reserve (external site) – $50
Made in the Adelaide Hills and praised by wine judges, this sparkling feels fancier than the price tag. Impress the fussy relative or bring it along to Christmas lunch and look like you know your bubbles.
Don’t forget the card (SA-made, of course)
Need a card to go with your gift? You can’t go wrong with Mandy Foot (external site), Unseasoned Greetings (external site), (external site)Kate Mason (external site) or the eco-friendly Earth Greetings (external site) range.
For something quirkier, Littlest Vintage (external site) has cute options for dog lovers, Sally Heindrich offers SA political icons Don (external site) and Julia (external site), while the State Library’s (external site) shop is full of vintage designs for history buffs, nature lovers and bookworms.
The Art Gallery of South Australia store (external site) also has beautiful boxed sets – the SA contemporary (external site) and Tarnanthi (external site) card collections feature 12 artworks each and are gift-worthy on their own.
Prefer to make your own? Grab a card-making kit (external site) or supplies from Paper Roses Studio (external site).
Wrapping made simple
Can’t face a night of wrapping? Across Adelaide’s major shopping precincts, wonderful volunteers will do it for you. A small donation per present helps charities support South Australian families doing it tough this Christmas – consider it outsourcing for a good cause.
- Minda – Adelaide Arcade (external site) (1-24 December)
- Ronald McDonald House Charities SA – Myer Centre (external site) (1-24 December)
- Backpacks 4 SA Kids – Westfield Tea Tree Plaza (external site) (12-24 December)
- HeartKids – Westfield West Lakes (external site) (12-24 December)
- The Salvation Army – Westfield Marion (external site) (15-24 December)
For more information on how to buy local, check out the Buy SA. For SA campaign (external site).
This story originally appeared on The Post (external site) - a media partnership between the Government of South Australia and Solstice Media to inform young South Australians about the policies that underpin issues affecting their lives.
