Premium Red Wine from Barossa Valley

Bella’s Garden Shiraz

I had a friend who turned 50 just recently and I knew that he liked a nice drop of red wine. 50 is a special birthday so I thought a premium red wine would be the go. Bella’s Garden 2007 Shiraz from Two Hands Winery in the Barossa Valley came to mind.

This wine was awarded a rating of 93 points by the James Halliday 2010 Australian Wine Companion making it a highly recommended wine. The winery itself achieved a 5 star rating overall.

The two hands that created this fabulous Shiraz is Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. What I like about this wine is that it is named  after Richard’s daughter, Bella who was born July 28, 2002. This says to me, that their heart has gone into making this wine.

This wine can be cellared for many years so if my dear friend so chooses he can savour his 50th birthday present on another birthday!

Newman’s 1 Kilogram Easter Egg!

Newman's 1kg Easter Egg

This is one serious Easter Egg from Newman’s Chocolates! It’s made from extra thick milk chocolate and weighs  1kilogram or 2.2 pounds which is a lot of Easter Egg. This ‘heavy’ Easter Egg would be a teenager’s dream Easter gift especially for a boy.

Arabica Coffee Infused Easter Eggs

Chocolate and coffee go hand in hand so I was very pleased when the clever

Arabica Coffee Easter Egg Hamper

 chocolatiers at Newman’s created the fabulous Arabica Coffee Infused Easter Eggs. The good thing about this is you won’t have to share this Easter egg with the kids.

Combine this with Byron Bay Coffee and the latest chocolate indulgence on the market : Choc-o-Lait Stirring Sticks this is a fabulous Easter Gift. This divine creation is a small cube of chocolate on a stick that can be stirred into coffee and hot chocolate for a burst of liquid chocolate! How good is that?!

Easter Gift for Ginger Lovers

Newman's Ginger Easter Treat

Those who love dark chocolate and ginger will thoroughly enjoy the Easter gift by Newmans Chocolates. It’s a beautifully presented Easter Gift with 2 ginger and dark chocolate bars and a dark chocolate Easter egg.

This is the perfect Easter gift for a Mum or Dad who love ginger and dark chocolate.

Blinky Bill Easter Chocolates

Blinky Bill Easter Hamper

Blinky Bill is a popular Australian icon kids love. He is a cute Koala dressed in overalls and has a kangaroo, wallaby and platypus for his mates. These adorable characters decorate the Blinky Bill Easter Gift Pack. An Easter Hamper with an Aussie flavour.  

This a lovely gift for a child. With 3 milk chocolate Easter Eggs and 6 assorted chocolates filled with caramel, strawberry as well as solid milk chocolates, this beautifully presented Easter Gift will be thoroughly enjoyed.

Throw Rugs

Decorator Throw Rugs for warmth and comfort

I am a bit of a lounge lizard when at home. If you’re not familiar that piece of Australian slang it means I like to lie on the very comfy couch and watch old movies on a Saturday afternoon. When the air is a bit chilly there is nothing better than to snuggle under a very cosy throw rug.

Apart from the warmth factor, a throw rug makes a nice decorator item. It can stay neatly folded over an arm of the couch or chair when not in use and the colour of the rug can provide a nice accent to the room. It’s little things like a soft throw rug that makes a room inviting and comfortable.

On a practical note they make a great gift for an elderly relative especially if they are in care and more prone to feeling the cold. I gave one to my elderly Aunt when she was in care and she appreciated it when I would take her out in her wheelchair to enjoy the gardens of the nursing home.

The throw rugs come in pretty pinks as well as neutral colours such as beige and brown which are ideal for giving to a male.

Peony Pink Throw Rug in Herringbone design

Raise Your Glasses

A great way to say "Congratulations"

Just the Gift to send your Congratulations!

This gift of Blue Pyrenees Vintage Brut Pinot Noir 2006 and chocolates is presented in a beautiful wooden gift box & is sure to be a winner with whoever receives it.  This would make an excellent Engagement or House Warming gift.  A wonderful way to raise a toast no matter how far away you live from the recipient!!!  This gift says “Congratulations” loud and clear.

2006 Vintage Brut

Planning a New Year’s Eve Celebration

Party in Style

Whether you are planning a grand New Year’s Eve party or just a Mini Celebration it’s good to party in style. Champagne is synonymous with a New Year’s Eve Celebration and what could be better than the French bubbles?! Moet Champagne and Veuve Cliquot as well as the top of the range Dom Perignon are perfect for getting a New Year’s Eve party into full swing.

Australian sparkling wines are not to be ignored either. Domaine Chandon in the Yarra Valley which is owned by Moet is a fine sparkling wine produced here in Australia. I was recently introduced to another fine sparkling wine from Kreglinger - a cool climate sparkling wine from Pipers Brook in Tasmania. Tasmania also is home to the 9th Island Pinot Noir Chardonnay which is certainly a very nice bottle of bubbles.

Christmas Hampers for Under $100

Christmas Hampers under $100 represent great value for a Christmas Gift for an individual, couple or family. These Christmas hampers have all the Christmas trimmings of Plum Pudding, Fruit Mince Pies, Christmas Cake, Christmas sweets as well as gourmet food such as camembert cheese, water crackers, olive tapenade, macadamia nuts, Rutherfod & Meyer Fruit Paste, rocky road, licorice, Baitz White Orchid Fudge, Outback Treats Bush Jams, Arabicas Coffee, Mrs Mays Cranberry Crunch, Hilliers Chocolate and so much more.

Christmas Hamper under $100

Of course there is a fine selection of Australian red & white wines from Deakin Estate, Milton Park, Kingston Estate,  as well as fine ports from Peel Estate and Pirramimma. For those who enjoy a beer or two, there are some great Christmas Beer Hampers for under $100 that will bring a smile to their face on Christmas Day.

So whether you are buying a Christmas Hamper for a favourite Aunt or Uncle, your parents or grandparents, siblings or good friends, there is a great gift selection starting from $20 to suit all your gift giving needs.

Please download our Christmas Hamper Catalogue and Order Form

The Must Have Sugar Fix

Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Dispenser 

This is a must have item - the Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Dispenser. Just pop a coin into the dispenser and out comes the delicious Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. Savour the flavour of one jelly bean or add another one to create a new flavour. The packet describes the flavour of each  jelly bean then what new flavour it will create when combined with other flavours. These are gourmet jelly beans!

Many people think jelly beans are for kids. I say, ‘Don’t waste these delightful morsels on kids!’ Why should they have all the delicious treats?

If you are wondering what to buy a teenager for his birthday or Christmas then this would be a great gift idea. Wouldn’t you like to receive a Jelly Belly Jelly Bean Dispenser? Also, imagine how much fun this would be at work. So if you have to organise a corporate gift why not it be a fun gift that people can enjoy a little pick me up during the day.

Jelly Belly Dispenser