Struggling with Christmas Gifts?

Christmas is coming around the corner and sometimes buying Christmas gifts is a struggle. I mean ‘what do I get this person or that person?’

Here at Launching Rockets we would love to make your Christmas gifts buying a little less stressful. We have come up with a list of 10 cool, local, Aotearoa-made gift ideas, which your tribe would love to open up on Christmas morning.

Little Monkey

Our mates over at Little Monkey have a couple of gifts which kids would love!! They have interlocking puzzles where toddlers can learn colours, numbers and animals. And a new product awesome chalk pieces which kids would love to draw on concrete with and bring out the creativity within them! The coolest thing is that if you get in quick you can get your puzzles, chalk and stamps personalised for the kids!! This would make kids feel so significant and make you the coolest parent or adult or cooler older person.

Needle and Nail

We have come across another awesome place called Needle and Nail. They have created an awesome range of wooden toys to inspire imagination with kids. I reckon that their bow and arrow is a winner especially for those kids who love adventure and superheroes. The awesome thing these toys bring out the creativity within them and are great for the environment! Double win if these things fall in line with your values and you able to express your values in your gifts.

Gooseboards

Our mates over at Gooseboards make skateboards from upcycled materials! These are great especially for teenagers or adults who seeking a thrill or a fun transport alternative. They will be the envy of their mates! Also they offer workshops for making your boards too, something to keep in mind for a party, team building or group activity.

The Loyal Workshop

A place and people with a cool backstory dedicated to fight modern slavery is The Loyal Workshop. They sell a range of ethical leather products. We think their satchels are an awesome gift for your activist teenagers or your friends who want to change the world. They are a great talking point and this gift supports an amazing story and cause.

Huia Come Home

Huia Come Home is a book we recommend for those who are passionate about understanding NZ history or what does a treaty partnership look like. It does tell the story from a christian lens but it doesn’t hide away from sharing the good, the bad and the ugly. Most history books are boring but this one captures your attention.

Tu Campaign

Our mate at Tu Campaign has designed a pair of earrings about making a statement. These are great for those who are into fashion activism and want to live out the statements they make. Trust us, these earrings are great gift for those bold and courageous people in your life.

Coastal Flair

Coastal Flair have created Kokedama, a form of sculptural ornamental plants encased in a ball of soil, and covered in moss and string. The plants look so cool and add flavour to a room that will change the vibe. This would be a great gift for someone who is into plants and gardening or someone who has just moved into a new place or looking to deck their place out.

Tactile Prayers

Ever struggle with prayers or spirituality? Our mate has created a prayer journal to explore the inner depths of your soul and a way to pray creatively. They say that creativity is the natural result of spirituality. Tactile Prayers has sparked the way we see spirituality and prayer. Way better than an adult colouring book. This is a great gift for those who are on a spiritual or christian journey.

Peg Creative

Peg Creative have a range of amazing wooden products and they take customisation and personalisation to the next level! We think their NZ map puzzle would such a cool gift for someone leaving the country or someone who loves maps. Or their customised engraved pencils for school kids, they will never lose their pencil and imagine what their friends would say! They have something cool for everyone! Also if you love giving gifts to everyone, they have awesome low cost gifts like their bookmarks and miniature star garlands (AKA bunting with stars).

Earth Candles

Earth Candles make amazing scented candles from upcycled beer and wine bottles! You will be saving the earth and smelling good! These are amazing gifts for people who love candles and people who will learn to love candles!

These are our top ideas for your Christmas gifts!

This Christmas let’s support our local businesses which will support our local economy! We think these businesses are doing something amazing, their backstories are amazing and their products are amazing! This is why we picked them. And whatever gifts you give to your love ones, may they create Christmas magic!

P.S. If you need Christmas cards to go with your gifts, we have your back! Get your set of 8 beautiful Christmas cards designed by young people here.