Digital Solutions Small Business Holiday Gift Ideas

Trees are being decorated, wishlists are being finalised and Mariah Carey can be heard in every shopping centre. The festive season is officially upon us, bringing its annual buzz of social events and loved ones to buy gifts for.

It’s the time of year our minds go to others; carefully selecting the perfect presents to show the special people in our lives how much we care. But the positive impact we can have at this time of year isn’t limited to the recipients of our gifts. It extends to the conscious businesses we buy those presents from.

At Melbourne Innovation Centre, we proudly support Victorian businesses, entrepreneurs and startups who are creating businesses for the better. Our diverse and thriving community comprises forward-thinkers and game changers spanning every industry from tech to hospitality and everything in between. This holiday season, we’re honoured to showcase some of these innovative businesses to you.

Femke Textiles produces cushion covers, napkins, pillow slips, bread bags, table runners and fabric baskets. Founder Simone Deckers screen prints hand-drawn Australian flora illustrations onto fabric to make the unique and charming products. Femke Textiles doesn’t mass produce and is a small business, making everything by hand right here in Melbourne. Every print run of fabric is unique in its own way and has the maker's mark on it. All screen-printing is done by hand.

Visit: www.femketextiles.com.au

Over All 1516 is an inclusive, ethical denim and lifestyle brand that strives to live and educate on accessible sustainable practices and a more considered future. Proudly made in Australia from biodegradable natural fibres, its popular kids overalls are much loved for their style, durability, and comfort.

Visit: www.overall1516.com

For the beauty-conscious with a conscience, Nature Deva handmakes organic, aromatherapy skincare products in small, irresistible batches. Prior to March 2020 its main source of sales was markets and festivals, since COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions the business has pivoted to mostly online sales - which means you can purchase the beautiful products from your living room.

Visit: www.naturedeva.com.au

Because our furry friends deserve to be spoiled, too. Dog Street is a small family-owned, Melbourne-based business. Launched October 12 2021, Dog Street sells all-natural dog treats, manufactured in Melbourne using local Victorian ingredients with no additives. Want to treat them with more than a treat? Dog Street teams up with cafes and groomers and pubs that welcome dogs so the fluffy loved pets can also enjoy an outing with a special treat. Products also available online.

Visit: www.dogstreet.com.au

Soulfully Guided provides tarot readings and mentoring services. Founder Carmel-Anne helps her clients through connecting with her intuition to provide optimal advice and heartfelt guidance. As an empath, she has a strong ability to understand how people are feeling and she shows up for them in the way they need most.

Visit: www.soulfullyguided.com.au

Candles with Kindness make candles and diffusers that are perfectly suited to any room in your home. When you gift a candle to yourself or family and friends, you're truly saying your loved one (and you!) are worthy of self-care; of taking time out for yourself and treating yourself with kindness.

Visit: www.candleswithkindness.com.au

Pookipoiga (which means little washer or cleaning boy in Finnish) is a gift store and gift hamper delivery service that fights landfill with every purchase. Embracing the spirit of giving, for every purchase, the business donates a meal from rescued food to vulnerable Australians through SecondBite. Over 50,000 meals donated and counting, Pookipoiga focuses on products that people love and ensures they are ethical, sustainable and fair trade before offering them in store. The business stocks a variety of goodies, anything from Aeroplane tyres turned into earrings coasters to skate boards turned into sunglasses to cards that grow into plants!

Visit: www.Pookipoiga.com

Esst is beauty with a belief system; developing multi-use, essential products for travel, wellness, hygiene and skincare. With a deep care for the environment, each of their multi-use products use natural ingredients and are designed to perform many skin and wellbeing functions. A simpler skin care routine results in less production and overall environmental impact. The business is 100% Australian owned and made with all-natural botanical, locally sourced ingredients. Complementing this combination is Silver Citrate, a naturally occurring chemical element used medicinally for more than 2000 years, and precursor to antibiotics. The products are Vegan and Cruelty-Free and meet international product safety standards.

Visit: www.esstlife.com.au

Inner Active Pelvic Health Physiotherapy was launched in 2018, after recognizing the need and lack of specialized pelvic health rehabilitation services in postpartum women in the local community. Throughout the years their services has extended to men and children. Their services are delivered now, through individual consultations, group exercises alongside the provision of community education held through workshops and support groups. Their vision is to inspire, motivate and equip every client that enters their doors to complete and holistic health.

Visit: www.inneractivephysio.com.au

Great Ocean Road Tours specialises in Exclusively Private Tours along The Great Ocean Road. They have an unrivalled passion for the region and a deep knowledge and personal connection with the road and the local communities that call it home.

Visit: www.greatoceanroadtours.com.au

Auto Action is Australia's longest established motorsport publication, with over 50 years of in-depth, fearless and agenda-setting global motorsport news coverage. And alongside the time-honoured print edition, a full digital version of the magazine is also available every fortnight.

From Supercars and Formula 1 to national level racing and rallying, Auto Action is a comprehensive digest of news, features, interviews and expert analysis, in-depth technical stories and historical features. Auto Action is also supportive of club racing and rallying.

Visit: www.autoaction.com.au

Native Soda is a boutique range of Australian native botanical flavoured vodka seltzers and sparkling waters. Their drinks are made with Australian native botanical extracts are from locally sourced fresh fruit or leaves and blended with triple-filtered sparkling water.

Visit: www.nativesoda.com

Electro Arcade manufactures, imports and sells quality niche consumer products including electronics, usually with a twist. Most of their product range is influenced by or brings back that nostalgic experience. The focus is to bring family together through joint play and interaction.

Visit: www.electroarcade.com.au

Fiona Ariva believes in finding creativity in everyday moments. Whether it’s adding a wax seal to wrapped packages, handwriting a card in beautiful calligraphy, or turning everyday gifting experiences into treasured moments, indulge in your creativity and spread joy to your loved ones with Fiona Ariva.

Visit: www.fionaariva.com

Stardust Melbourne was founded in Melbourne Victoria, Australia by Fadim Anil Cetli. Fadim is a local art creator, designer & macrame cord supplier, who handcrafts every special item sold by Stardust Melbourne. The business specialises in home decors which are individually sculpted by hand in Fadim’s little studio. She also imports her own macrame cord supplies from the best producers in the world, which you can purchase from her store. They are all of Turkish origin and made with the best quality materials.

Visit: www.stardustmelbourne.com.au