Best local businesses to buy your Christmas presents – A North to South Stroll down Sydney Road

Welcome to the time of year when Christmas is fast approaching. Fortunately, Brunswick is home to Sydney Road, one of the most vibrant and commercially alive streets in Melbourne.  I ventured out on a walking tour down our local and one of our favourite precincts to find the best small businesses where you can get your Christmas presents this year. Support social and ethical enterprises, find a book, get a toy for your little ones, or find the perfect present for your Secret Santa this year at one of these businesses.

Pro tip: Click on the images to see the business’s location on maps.

Clothing The Gaps

I picked a pleasant, sunny Melbourne day, and began my walking journey at the North End of Sydney Road at Clothing the Gaps. Amber greeted me with a smile. She showed me around the store, pointing out a range of fabulous Christmas presents.

The Christmas candle was a particular favourite of mine (it smelled incredible!), as well as their themed pyjamas. Clothing the Gaps also has an ample range of other great present options including earrings, keep cups, kids’ books, cushion covers and, of course, clothing. 

Clothing the Gaps is a Victorian Aboriginal-led and controlled social enterprise that we invite you to support this Christmas!

If you like the comfort of online shopping, check out their online store here.

Brunswick Bound

Books are a quite safe bet for a Christmas present. There’s a book out there for everyone, and Brunswick Bound is a quaint bookstore with a vast selection and very knowledgeable staff. 

Whatever type of book you’re looking for, fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, coffee table books, local authors’ books, or kids’ book, Brunswick Bound has it. Saskia, one of the friendly staff, gave me some wonderful recommendations for adults and children alike. If you don’t know what book to get someone, ask the staff in-store and they’ll help you pick a great match.

Brunswick’s local bookshop also has an extensive collection of other gift options including calendars, journals and jewellery. You really can’t go wrong at Brunswick Bound.

Treetop Toy Shop

I kept making my way down sunny Sydney Road and next came across the Treetop Toy Shop.

The Treetop Toy Shop has just recently moved into a bigger store, and it’s filled with so many amazing potential gifts for the kids in your life (including the one within you).

Sarah, one of the lovely staff suggested loads of presents for kids of every age and spanning a wide range of interests. There were wooden toys, puppets, kids’ clothes and shoes, dolls, DIY kits, building blocks and so many other things. The staff have heaps of experience so they can get you almost instantly sorted. 

If that wasn’t enough, the store also boasted a range of Melbourne-made items, as well as a variety of handmade German toys. 

Scavengers

For those looking for some second-hand goodies for presents, Scavengers is the place to go and it was my last stop of the day.

With an amazing, eclectic, but also a very pop-like range of clothing, jewellery, artworks, CDs, DVDs, knick-knacks and Christmas decorations,  there’s something for everyone. Spend some time in the store and rifle through the shelves and racks to find the perfect hidden gem.

Scavengers is also the ideal shop if you need to find a present within your budget for Secret Santa.