The best gift hampers to send in Melbourne

Wanna support the High Country tourism industry while you’re at it? The ‘Look on the Bright side’ box is a collab between eight food and beverage producers from the High Country region – specifically the town of Bright. There’s something from Bright Brewery, Sixpence Coffee, Bright Tea Co, Mt Buffalo Olives, Bright Wines, Reed and Co Distillery and more. It costs $159. Get yours here.

Nothing says "I care" more than a box of chocolate. We suggest trying Melbourne Cocoa's gift pack bundles which get you a wonderful selection of Aussie-made chocolate. Packs start at just $35 and you can pick one up here.

This top hamper sources food from the Mornington Peninsula and delivers it to great Melbourne to show off all the fine produce this sparkling food destination is home to. There are 12 hampers to choose from, starting at just $45. There are dinner hampers, breakfast hampers, cheese hampers and even an ‘after dinner’ hamper. Order one here.

This gifting service was started by an indoor plant lover who loved the idea of how plants can grow and remain as a reminder of occasions long after the special day itself. Each plant comes in a ceramic pot and will be delivered (with zero contact) in Australian-designed, sustainably sourced wrapping paper. You can even add on extras to your plant like French chocolates or body scrubs. Check out the range here.

Each Melbourne Box comes filled with entirely local products. You’ll get something to eat, to drink, something for your home, your body and some art. The specific items are randomly selected, although you do get to choose between tea or coffee because some divides are too deep to cross. Each box costs $50 and are hand-packed and delivered to your house. Find out more about them and buy your own on the Melbourne Box website.

Just Surprise Me is a gift-giving service that does exactly what it says. The Victorian business sells all kinds of mystery hampers, including goodies from places like Melbourne's Rooftop Honey, Cuvee chocolate on the Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne-based Crackle Popcorn (Eloise from Just Surprise Me loves the rosemary caramel), Melbourne-based Love Tea and Bramble and Hedge nougat, which is also Melbourne based.

You can choose what products you want in your box, or, of course, you can choose to be surprised. Boxes range from $39 to $135, and they can be sent anywhere in Australia or overseas. 

Sometimes you just need a cookie to cheer yourself up. Even better when they’re delicious gingerbread cookies and vanilla shortbread cookies with hilarious quotes on them (our fave is the “COVID19 IS A BAG OF DICKS” cookie). Sweet Mickie even offers same day delivery if you’re in need of cookies stat. Boxes start at $29.95. Check out the range here.

Good Day People is a gifting business that’s popped up during lockdown. The business has whipped together a series of great-looking packages that you can send to anyone over the country. There’s everything from booze to fancy chocolates, accessories and homewares. Prices start at $49 and there are several to choose from, depending on who you’re gifting to. You can check out the packs here.

Little Succers is a succulent delivery service for those of us who need some nature in our lives but are too incompetent to look after anything more than a plant designed to survive in the desert. The plants make great gifts and come with cute, raunchy gift cards, like "Happy succing birthday" and "Life would succ without you". Take a look here.

Co-Lab Pantry is a new gourmet online store featuring all Victorian producers. Founders Danielle Lebon, Natasha Buttigieg and Avin Chadee decided to launch the online store to bring together some of their favourite Victorian venues and brands in one place including Chotto Motto, Drumplings, Fancy Hank's, Gingerboy, Meatsmith, Messina, Piccolina, Four Pillars and the Everleigh. You can put together a killer package on the website here.

This one’s for all the couples. South Yarra’s Oriental Teahouse is offering a date night option for those in iso – it’s called Dumplings for Dating at Home and is a shared feast that includes cocktails and wine. It’s $140 for two and includes two cocktails, two glasses of wine, five kinds of dumplings, sweet shredded steak, Chinese broccoli, rice and a surprise dessert. They also have a vegan option. Order yours here.

Saying ‘I love you’ through cheese and cold meats is a superpower everyone should have. Luckily the crew at That’s Amore have a selection of delicious hampers filled to the brim with their award-winning cheese, and all the accoutrements you want for a chill night at home: wine, gin, biccies, olives and, oh yeah, so much more cheese. Shop the gift boxes here.

Melbourne’s had a hard run of it during 2020, going up and down on this coronacoaster that has seen us confined to our homes to assist in protecting the community. While there are many upsides to being at home more (you can walk around pantless and wake up five minutes before work) there’s no denying that many of us are missing being out and about in Melbourne. Hence we’ve gotten creative/stir-crazy and devised a series of extremely low budget ways that you can recreate some of the “most Melbourne” experiences at home.