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This was published 7 years ago
Top ideas for your 2016 Christmas Kris Kringle gifts
By Victoria Ticha
It's that time of year. But cut through the noise and hype surrounding Christmas, and you will find this year's season of giving is less about quantity and more about giving considerately.
If you're working on a budget, finding a thoughtful Kris Kringle can bring on a headache... or two. So as a gesture of good will, we've taken on the job of Santa's little helper and done some of the hard work for you.
Kids under 12 (budget $10)
1. Retro Games: Ball Shooter $6
The perfect retro gift. Teach kids how to shoot some hoops indoors with this basketball shooter game, which includes 6 mini balls.
2. Hula Hoop $6
Give the gift of fitness. ​Even just 10 minutes of hula hooping can provide benefits to your body by increasing aerobic activity and burning calories. It's also been linked to improved coordination, flexibility, muscle tone and overall strength - it looks cool too.
3. Tie dye set $8
The gift of colour. Tie dyeing is a long-practised pastime of hippies, but it's also a fab outdoor activity for the whole family. It can get messy, but if there's one thing kids love to do...
4.Twistable crayons $8.50
The gift of drawing. Twist up the fun with these innovative twistable crayons. There's no sharpening required, simply twist and you're ready to draw. Too easy.
5. Colouring In Sticker Book $5
The gift of handicrafts. Colour in your own sticker book? This is the next level of fun. Kids loves stickers and colouring, this book combines the two.
6. Paw Patrol Puzzle $10
The gift of puzzle solving. A group of six rescue dogs, led by a tech-savvy boy named Ryder, has adventures in "PAW Patrol." The heroic pups, who believe "no job is too big, no pup is too small," work together to protect the community. Fans of Paw Patrol will love this giant floor puzzle. Slot together the 46 large pieces to create a scene from the show with all of your favourite characters.
7. A4 Art Journal $5
8. Headphones $10
The gift of music. Ranging in colours and styles to suit anyone - you can't go wrong with a banging set of headphones.
9. Diary of a Wimpy Kid $8
The gift of storytelling. Middle school is not an enjoyable experience for preteen Greg Heffley, but a horrid ordeal of social land-mines that he must bear. Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a satirical realistic fiction comedy novel , and kids love it.
10. Novelty cushions
The gift of cute. These comfy and adorable novelty cushions are a great present for any kid who loves to decorate or spend hours in their room reading or playing.
Under 20s (Budget $20)
1. Churros Maker $19
The sweet gift. Who doesn't love churros? Better yet, encourage your Kris Kringle to make some for you, everybody wins.
2. Dual Drink Dispenser $19
The gift of efficiency. Ever been to a house party and realised you had nothing to put your punch in? Thinking about others needs is all part of the Christmas spirit. And especially in Australia, so are drinks.
3. Skateboard $15
The gift of ease. Skateboarders get around pretty quickly, and it's fun too. Why not encourage someone to skate instead of drive?
4. Skate helmet $20
The gift of safety. Every skater needs a helmet, right?
5. Retro Games: Table Football $20
This is a good one for a work place where everyone can join in the fun. It's easier to carry around than most Football Tables, and doesn't take up much room.
6. Rubik's cube $19
The gift of frustration. But seriously, maybe your Kris Kringle likes puzzles or maybe they're math geek, or maybe they've always wanted to figure out how to solve a Rubik's cube and this will finally be their chance.
7. Scrapbook Album $10
The gift of memory. People like to look back on photos, and not only will this encourage your Kris Kringle to treasure they're pics and have them all in one, accessible place, they can decorate it anyway they choose.
8. Headphones $5 - $15
The gift of good vibes. Even if they already have a pair of headphones, young people have a tendency to lose and break things often. So you can rest assured these will be useful.
9. Phone cases $3-$7
Young people love to change their phones cases, often. Help protect someones phone from dust, scratches and falls with a funky case.
10. Personalised Vegemite $10
You should probably check if your Kris Kringle likes Vegemite, first.
1. Mug for Teacher $4
Your kid's teacher probably needs a coffee or two, why not put a smile on her dial?
2. Tea $6
The gift of respite. Why not bestow your Kris Kringle with a nice, soothing cuppa. Oxfam fair range of tea is as fresh as it can be. The tea leaves are hand-picked by small farmers in Sri Lanka. By purchasing Oxfam fair you are supporting Fairtrade and ensuring that farmers receive fair wages and conditions, and provide them with a livelihood.
3. Hats $10
The gift of care. With Australia's summer set to be a scorcher, why not give your Kris Kringle a stylish hat to shade them from the burning sun this year? There's a range of colours and styled available to suit everyone.
4. Dart Board $29
An ode to a bygone era of pub crawls and bar games. There are surprisingly many games that can be played on a dartboard...and whether it's for an office or house, this game can be enjoyed by several people at once.
5. Foam roller $10
The Muscle Therapy Foam Roller is perfect for self massage and working those hard to reach areas as well as being useful for toning and strengthening. If you your Kris Kringle has a bad back or tends to sit hunched over their desk at work - they'll definitely appreciate this considerate gift
6. Board Games $25
The ultimate social gift. Don't be fooled by all the new video games - because board games are back in fashion. There is also the undeniable fact that playing a board game with people in the same room is more social than online gaming. In a world where everything is digital, board games are simply analog fun. A great gift for a serious friend.
7. Retro Games: Mini slam basketball $20
Slam dunk, alley - oop and dribble your way to the basket, with this mini slam basketball set. This retro game can handle even the most vicious throes.
8. Jamie Oliver Christmas Cook Book $28
The gift of good taste. Recipe books make the perfect Christmas present - especially if you're then invited around for dinner by Jamie Oliver.
9. Board Shorts $16
Sun, sand and these uber comfy boardies are the ideal ingredient for a weekend at the beach. These shorts are also great for just lounging around at home, and come in cute styles to boot.