I’m a bit of a Scrooge when it comes to physical gifts. Give me a certificate to a local restaurant or spa any day over yet more clothes or another gadget.
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But there are some notable exceptions: the Oaxacan napkins and mole my mother-in-law brought from Mexico. The sheepskin rug from New Zealand. The now-ubiquitous Turkish towels that were a novelty in the US a decade ago.
I’m certain it’s only a matter of time before the LCD screen drawing book my nieces brought from Belgium catches on stateside.
But you don’t have to hop on a plane to share these finds with friends and family this holiday season. We asked correspondents and experts in London, Mexico City, Stockholm, Seoul and Sydney to curate unique gifts that locals are gifting each other. Pro-tip: all items listed here ship to the US, but some take a few weeks to arrive.
Australia
From Alyx Gorman, Lifestyle editor, Guardian Australia, reporting from Australia
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Courtesy of Lorna Murray
Lorna Murray pleated sun hat
The holidays take place at the start of Australia’s summer, so Aussies are more likely to exchange rash guards and beach towels for Christmas than sweaters or socks. Lorna Murray’s pleated Capri sun hats are naturally dyed and handwoven from breathable grass fibers. And if you care about this sort of thing, Pamela Anderson and Dakota Johnson are both fans.
View image in fullscreen Photograph: Courtesy of Sea to Summit
Sea to Summit Frontier collapsible kettle set with pour over
Billy tea is a quintessentially Australian beverage made by steeping loose leaf tea and eucalyptus leaves over a camp fire, then whirling the kettle roun
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