Gift Ideas for Kris Kringles

giftkriskringle Chances are most of us have a least one or two Kris Kringles to shop for this season – either round the office or with a group of friends. And while it’s always a warm, fuzzy moment when all those presents come together, finding the right gift on a strict budget can be a bit tough. So, without further ado, here are a few finds to suit a variety of personalities for the Secret Santa pool this Christmas, all for less than a song.

Melville House Art of the Novella Series
$12.95-$17.95

For the past few years, US Indie darling Melville House has slowly and steadily been championing the ‘renegade form’ of the novella. These slim yet beautifully produced volumes retail for just $12.95 and feature works by some of the biggest literary names from that past 300 years – many never before available in book form. The series includes, among others, Jacob’s Room by Virginia Woolf, The Death Of Ivan Ilych by Leo Tolstoy, The Duel by Joseph Conrad and Lady Susan by Jane Austen.

New Directions Pearl Series
$13.95-$15.95

More goodness from the independents - the New Directions Pearl series features shorter works by some of our best modern writers (including In Search Of Duende by Federico Garcia Lorca and On Booze by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The striking minimalist covers all feature geometric/abstract shapes against a clean white background, and each book is small enough to fit easily into a pocket or backpack, making them great gifts for readers on the go (who may not want to lug around a heavy book but still wants some great words at hand). An absolute goldmine for the literary Kringle.

Popular Penguins
$9.95

And, speaking of bookish goldmines that are nowhere near the cost of an actual goldmine, you can’t go past old faithful, the Popular Penguin series. These trusty orange-and-cream paperbacks retail at just $9.95 and their enduring popularity has ensured a healthy, and varied, backlist that just keeps on getting bigger, from contemporary classics such as Sonya Hartnett’s Surrender and M.J. Hyland’s How the Light Gets In to Alex Garland’s The Beach and Anthony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange.

The vintage classics, all $12.95 are also worth a look.

Penguin Mini Modern Classics
$5

Still not low enough? For those crafty Kris Kingles that set the budget at $5, don’t despair, good reading is still at hand. These mini modern classics are all quick literary hits – consisting of short stories by writers such as Nabokov, Kafka and Fitzgerald, as well as many more. And, even if you’ve got a bigger KK budget, or are just shopping in general, these shorts are often less than the cost of a card. So why not use one in lieu and write a merry note inside instead?

l_mr_happy_mug Mr Men and Little Miss Mugs
$14.95

If you’re in the market for something on the lighter side of life, these Mr Men and Little Miss Mugs make excellent pressies for those who may have loved these books as kids, or who simply like a bit of a laugh. From Little Miss Scatterbrain to Mr Bump, matching mugs to characters is all part of the fun.

Hide & Seek Melbourne
$14.95

One of those presents that you can’t really go wrong with. These compact little city guides offer a wealth of information and entertainment to while away the summer holidays for less that $15. Stick with the original Hide & Seek Melbourne for a good overall guide, or have at look at Feeling Peckish, Hit Streets, Treasure Trove and Night Owl guides for those who like a bit of specificity.

kc5 Keep Cups
$12-$16

Finally, something for the more eco-minded, coffee-swilling KK. These take-away cups are designed to be permanent stand-ins for their paper counterparts when making that morning pit-stop at your local cafe. Available in standard barista sizes (small, medium and large) in a variety of colour combos, these will be an excellent present for those who want to enjoy their morning fix without adding to the waste.

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