Gifts for a friend in Australia

Start with a habit, not a budget

A good gift for a friend solves a small annoyance or feeds something they already enjoy. Think of one thing they do every week: lose their keys, read on the train, buy a flat white, head to the beach, host the group.

Each of those points at a pick. The key loser gets an AirTag on an iPhone or the Orbitkey tracker on Android. The reader gets the Kobo Clara. The coffee friend gets the Ever Eco cup. The beach friend gets the Mayde towel or the Sunnylife tote. The host gets 25 Words or Less. If you cannot name a habit, book the sunrise kayak and go together.

For a friend who has everything, give something that gets used up, like the tea calendar or the scrub, or an outing you do together. Neither needs a shelf.

What to spend

Under $30 covers the balm, the coffee cup and small add-ons. Fine for a casual friend or a Kris Kringle.

From $30 to $100 is normal for a close friend's birthday: the towel, the tote, the game, the tracker, the paint and sip class, the Dinosaur Designs dish.

Above $150 is for a milestone birthday. The Marshall and Bose speakers and the Kobo sit here. If a group wants to give something big, pool the money for one.

Mistakes to avoid

Check the phone. The AirTag needs an iPhone or iPad, and the Peak Design tripod needs a MagSafe iPhone or a magnetic case. The Orbitkey tracker is the safe choice for an Android friend.

The kayak and the paint and sip class are both Sydney only. Soft coolers like the Sunnylife tote do not hold ice as long as a hard esky. Scented gifts like the Frank Body scrub are personal, so buy what they already use.

Order a week ahead for anything sent by post within Australia, more in December. Write a short card that says why you chose it.

Questions people ask

What is a good gift for a friend?

Start from something they do every week. A friend who loses keys will use an AirTag, a reader will use an e-reader, a host will use a party game, a coffee drinker will use a pour-over maker. If you cannot think of a habit, plan an outing together instead. A small gift that fits their life beats a bigger one that does not.

How much should I spend on a gift for a friend?

For a casual friend or a group exchange, $15 to $25 is fine. For a close friend's birthday, $25 to $80 is normal. Save $100-plus gifts like a good speaker or e-reader for milestone birthdays or very close friends, or pool money with others. Friends notice care more than cost, so match the gift to the person first.

What do you get a friend who has everything?

An experience or something consumable. A sunrise kayak or a live puzzle game is something you do together and leaves nothing to store. Hot sauce, chili crisp, coffee or a candle gets used up. A charity gift such as a WWF-Canada adoption works for a friend who likes wildlife and would rather not own more things.

What is a good last-minute gift for a friend?

A digital gift card or an experience voucher, since both arrive the same day. Airbnb cards suit a US friend who travels. Otherwise, book an experience and print the voucher, or buy a party game, a jar of chili crisp or a candle from a local shop. Add a short note saying why you chose it.