There is a particular kind of December afternoon that most of us have had at least once. You’re circling a shopping centre car park, it’s 31 degrees, the list on your phone has four names left on it, and you’ve been out for three hours.
You don’t have to do that this year.
Between Chute Street, Main Hurstbridge Road and the little pockets off Inglis and Station, there is enough here to finish a whole Christmas list.
Here are thirty ideas, sorted by who you’re buying for.
For the kids
Start at Pickwick & Sprout, the toy and book shop on Inglis Street. It’s family-owned and stocks the kind of toys that don’t need batteries β construction and magnet sets, puzzles, dress-ups, arts and crafts, musical instruments, mostly aimed at the nought-to-eight crowd. They do party packs from $20, take Afterpay, and there’s a play lounge so you can actually look at things while your kid is occupied. Click and collect and local delivery are both available if you’d rather not bring the audience with you.
Ideas 1β8: a magnetic tile set Β· a first chapter-book series Β· a wooden train set Β· a craft kit Β· a kids’ ukulele Β· a dress-up box Β· a jigsaw for the whole family Β· a book plus a $20 party pack for a stocking.
Then there’s Diamond Creek Bike Shop on Chute Street, which is the answer if this is a big-present year. They’re a TREK dealer and carry kids’ bikes, BYK, BMX and scooters, and they’ll fit a helmet properly rather than guessing. Worth knowing: TREK, Electra and Bontrager can’t be sold online, so the shop is the only way to get one. They’re open Monday to Friday 10β5 and Saturday 9β3.
Ideas 9β11: a first pedal bike Β· a scooter Β· a helmet and light set for a bike they already have.
For someone whose house is already full
her name was Nola, the gift and homewares boutique at 53 Chute Street is the one to send people to when they say they can’t think of anything. Small makers and Australian designers β linen, pyjamas, sleepwear, homewares, the odd thing you didn’t know existed. Open Wednesday to Saturday 10β4 and Sunday 10β2, so plan around that.
A few doors along, Grace’s Closet, the women’s clothing boutique at 23 Chute Street will help you pick something rather than leaving you to it β useful if you’re buying for someone whose size you’re only 70% sure about.
Ideas 12β17: bed linen Β· good pyjamas Β· a candle or a homewares piece from a local maker Β· a scarf Β· a gift voucher from either shop Β· a “you choose, I’ll pay” appointment for someone who hates being surprised.
For the ones who are hard to buy for
All About Beekeeping on Station Street sells local honey, beeswax, hives, frames and protective gear, and runs introductory classes and mentoring. A jar of honey is a nice small gift. A beginner’s course is a genuinely memorable one. Their hours are unusual β evenings Monday, Tuesday and Friday, then 10β5 on the weekend β so check before you drive down.
Diamond Valley Mitre 10, the hardware and garden supplies store, covers the person who’d rather have something useful: secateurs, a good hose fitting, a pot for the front step, seed-raising gear for someone starting a summer veggie patch.
And Hadlow & Sons Pet Supplies has the dog and the cat sorted, which counts, because they’re on the list too.
Ideas 18β23: a jar of local honey Β· a beekeeping starter class Β· good secateurs Β· a potted something for a balcony Β· a tool you know they’ve been borrowing off you Β· a Christmas stocking for the dog.
Something to open on the day
Rainflorist on Chute Street does fresh flowers arranged that morning and delivers across Diamond Creek, Wattle Glen, Hurstbridge, Eltham, Doreen, Yarrambat and Research. If you’re the one hosting, a Christmas Eve delivery to the table is worth more than it costs. If you’re not, it’s the easiest apology for turning up empty-handed.
Di Pietro’s Wine Cellars & Providore at 11 Chute Street has been trading here in one form or another for over fifty years. Wine, spirits, craft beer, plus a cafΓ© side with coffee and something to eat while you decide. They run tastings, which is a nice thing to give someone.
Ritchies Liquor is the practical stop next to the supermarket for the six bottles you need for the six houses you’re visiting.
For the table itself: Madeleine’s Bakery and Cake Shop at 26β28 Chute Street bakes everything on site from 6am, and does custom celebration cakes including sugar-free. Order a Christmas cake early rather than hopefully.
Ideas 24β28: a Christmas Eve flower delivery Β· a bottle chosen by someone who knows Β· a wine tasting Β· a custom cake Β· a box of lamingtons for the drive to the in-laws’.
The wrapping, and the bargain hunt
Veronica’s Pantry Discount Store on Main Hurstbridge Road is where the party supplies, wrapping and the fill-the-gap bits come from.
And don’t skip the op shops. DVCS Op Shop on Chute Street and the Austin Health Opportunity Shop on Main Hurstbridge Road both turn over books, homewares, toys and collectibles constantly in the lead-up to Christmas, and the money stays close to home.
Ideas 29β30: a stack of secondhand books tied with string Β· a set of glasses or a serving platter for someone setting up their first place.
One more, for whoever does all the organising
Book them something. Elite House of Beauty, the beauty salon at Shop 3, 72 Main Hurstbridge Road does lashes, brows, nails, skin and an infrared sauna, and a voucher for an hour of not being needed by anybody is, for a certain kind of person, the best present on this list. They’re weekdays only, so it’s a gift that comes with a bit of planning attached.
Do it in one morning
Park once. Chute Street will give you the toys, the gifts, the flowers, the bakery and the wine within about two hundred metres. Main Hurstbridge Road covers the wrapping, the op shop and the liquor. Two hours, one car park, and you’re done before it gets hot.
Want the good stuff before everyone else? We send one email a month with what’s opening, what’s on and who’s got a deal going.
Browse more: Specialist retail stores in Diamond Creek
