Friends, family and loved ones make life worth living, there’s no doubt about it. Whether it’s a shared laugh over lunch, a commiseration over a drink, or watching the game together, quality time with those you care about is essential for a healthy and balanced life.
Showing those close to us that we care about them is incredibly important, and what better way to show our appreciation than with a gift? Gifting is an ancient tradition that continues to be important today. Whether it’s for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, or simply because you want to give a gift, gifting a loved one is a special moment.
This helpful article will share the best place to buy gifts in Melbourne, so if you’re local or visiting and want the best stores to buy a gift, you’re in luck – continue reading to learn more.
Koko Black and Haigh’s Chocolates
A chocolate gift box is an excellent gift idea, and there are a couple of places in Melbourne where you can find a delectable selection of chocolates and other sweets.
The first is Koko Black, which has several establishments in Melbourne’s bustling central business district and outlying suburbs. This store makes Australian-made gourmet chocolate bars, pralines, and truffles, all of which are handcrafted using premium, natural ingredients and completely free from artificial colours and flavours.
The other chocolate store to visit for an excellent gift in Melbourne is Haigh’s Chocolates. Haigh’s also has several locations in the city of Melbourne, so you should be able to find one near you. This store has a wide range of delicious chocolate treats, gift boxes and more, so you should be able to find something suitable for the precious person in your life whom you want to enjoy their delicacies.
Buy Them a Board or Card Game at Gameology
If they’re a fan of tabletop, board and card games, then you should buy them a board game from a local institution in Melbourne called Gameology. Gameology has two retail stores in Clayton and Brunswick, so you should be able to get to one near you. They also operate an online warehouse stocking a wider range of games than can be found in their store, and do gift vouchers online too.
Gameology stocks all the latest and greatest in hobby tabletop board games. You can find a wide range within their stores, surely something to suit the geek in your life. You can pick up the classics like Carcassonne, Pandemic, Catan, Azul, Gloomhaven, and Frosthaven, as well as smaller and niche titles. In addition to selling popular board game titles, Gameology also stocks a wide range of TCGs, such as Pokémon Trading Card Game, Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh and more, in case trading or collectible card games are more their jam.
The South Melbourne Market
A famous destination among Melbourne locals, the South Melbourne Market is well worth a visit for your gift shopping. The market is open every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8am until the late afternoon. Keep in mind that weekdays tend to be quieter than weekends if this factor is important to you or you’re not a fan of crowds.
You’ll find a variety of vendors in this inner city market, where you can find great gifts, selling everything from shoes, clothes and other fashion items to fresh flowers, culinary delights and baked goods. There’s something for everyone at the South Melbourne Market—it’s a chosen favourite among locals and visitors to the city for a good reason.
Chadstone Shopping Centre
If you’re looking for a variety of gifts, you can’t go past Chadstone Shopping Centre, located in the suburb of Chadstone, and the shopping centre is practically the entire suburb! Chadstone is the fashion and retail capital of Melbourne. The largest shopping centre in the city is jam-packed with stores, so you can browse at your leisure and find something for everyone here.
Lush Cosmetics
Does your loved one love a pamper session? Are they most at home soaking in the tub with a fizzing bath bomb or a melt? If so, then you should visit Lush Cosmetics. Lush has a variety of eco-friendly bath, hair and skin products available to sample and buy. They also do great gift packs, which are chock-full of lovely-smelling beauty products. You could also buy them a gift card from Lush so they can choose what they want, which might be best if they have any skin sensitivities or allergies to cosmetic products.
Readings Book Store
A local Carlton institution with stores across Melbourne, Readings is the perfect gift destination for the discerning bookworm in your life. Stocking a wide range of the latest best sellers, niche titles, local authors and non-fiction, you should be able to find your loved ones’ next best read at Readings.
By Them a Record
There is a range of vinyl stores in Melbourne if you have an audiophile in your life. There is Heartland Records in North Melbourne, Rocksteady Records in Melbourne, Dutch Vinyl in Abbotsford and Off the Record in Coburg. Have a dig through the crates and find a hidden gem for the vinyl purist in your life.
