The ajb 2018 Holiday Gift Guide
Holiday 2018 is almost here! We continue our ajb theme this year of 'shop local and shop small' and today we share with you a collection of gifts you can feel really good about giving. Our gift selection in our ajb 2018 Holiday Gift Guide supports our favourite local artists, makers, creatives and retailers under the categories of Art and Leisure, Books, Cards and Stationery, Fashion and Accessories, Food, Home & Design and Gifts that Give Back. Once you've finished browsing there, we have also included the details of a very special Christmas Market. Unearth Christmas Market : December Presents, a market that appreciates and supports the maker and their work, values we both share.
Happy reading, Happy shopping and Happy Gift Giving!
Liz & Jo
The ajb 2018 Holiday Gift Guide
Art & Leisure
Locally made, 'Gummy Box' creates games and activities suitable for the littlies. With a wide range of hands-on projects available, there's sure to be one to suit that little cutie you're seeking the perfect gift for.
Books
here*now A portrait photography book about the inner beauty of over fifty Indonesians with various professions and backgrounds by Jakarta based Vanessa Van Houten. This is a stunning book for that special person on your gift list who enjoys documentary photography, travel and culture.
Cards and Stationery
This beautiful Greeting card was designed by Fadilah who is the founder and Graphic Designer for her brand Lestari. I met Fadilah at the recent Local Market in Citywalk Mall, Sudirman. Fadilah was so happy to know her work was appreciated both in Indonesia and internationally. I know someone on my Australian gift list who will love receiving this card!
Cards by Nonprofit organisation 'Paint your history.' Empowering individuals through creative expression and preserving Indonesia's distinct heritage. All proceeds will go towards providing artisans with the adequate medium to design and print their work, creating a sustainable future for themselves. Aren't they just beautiful!
Find a lovely selection of Indonesian-made gift tags, gift cards and wrapping paper at Aksara in Kemang, South Jakarta.
Do you have your wrapping paper ready for this holiday season? We do! How vibrant are these rolls from Aksara in Kemang? Oh, and you like the basket too? It's made in Yogyakarta and is available through Kuka Aku Suka.
Who doesn't like stickers! These fruity numbers are just an example of what is on offer at Aksara in Kemang. Made locally
The covers of these handmade notebooks are made from recycled milk cartons. Wrapped in batik fabric, they make a pretty, practical and eco-friendly gift. An excellent concept by BikinBikin.
Fashion and Accesories
How about these funky green sunnies? We saw them in Dia-Lo-Gue in Kemang and just had to buy them. Although they are not locally made (Izipizi is a French brand), they can be purchased locally. I have a feeling they might just end up in my Santa stocking!
What about some batik sports socks made here in Indonesia? These comfy cotton blend socks are available from Seek.
These hand-moulded statement earrings by Tsunja studio are very NOW! They are made from clay and come in a range of organic shapes and colours. Love!
Handcrafted laser cut earrings by Apa Jakarta. Do you choose gifts for others that you like yourself? Mmh .. me too!! I've already wrapped these to ensure I don't keep them for myself ;)
Sadhu customisable rattan earrings. We love these earrings and the cute packaging!
I discovered this bag at Local Market in Citywalk Mall, Sudirman a couple of months ago. Karo Konco art and craft were making a small run of these bags and testing the market. I think they are spot on! Love the colour and the design. The perfect light weight gift to pop in your suitcase ready to give this Holiday season.
'I Want to Smell The Perfume' is a socio-entrepreneur company which focuses on women empowerment and environmental issues. Eg, No Plastic.They are teaching women crocheting and embroidery skills, helping them to break free from financial inequality and dependence. I want to smell the perfume shopping bag is crocheted from nylon and is an excellent gift for your environmentally conscious consumer gift recipient.
This Nylon shopper by Kivee, not only looks great but is incredibly useful. I have one in this colour and neon green. I scrunch it up and keep it in my handbag ready to use at the supermarket or pasar.
Purchased recently at a local market in Jakarta, this bag by Petang Hari is made using left over woven fabric, creating a unique, striking and seriously practical item.
A hand crafted leather piece by Henny Augustien of The Koelit would be a wonderful gift this Holiday season.
Food
Amed Sea salt, hand harvested in coconut trees by East Java & Co. The perfect gift for your foodie friend who also appreciates where their food comes from.
This gift is for the Granddads, Pops and Pas in your life! Orange jam with Javanese tea and Pineapple jam with rosemary and vanilla. East Java & Co
Warning: If you choose to buy these caramelised cacao nibs & cashews by local brand, Pipiltin, be sure to clear the shelf as if you happen to crack open a tin, you'll be glad you bought extra! This is the ultimate tasty gift!!
Here are some oleh-oleh gift ideas to take home for family and friends to enjoy. Javara, a wonderful company which supports farmers and food artisans across the Indonesian archipelago, have an assortment of tasty treats and local ingredients to share with your loved ones this Holiday season.
We picked these up from Pure Foods in Cipete just recently. The festive packaging filled with locally made snacks (featuring kenari nuts -Indonesia's equivalent of an almond) makes for a satisfying, original snack.
You know we're crazy for coffee, but when we saw this jar of loose tea on the shelf in Pure Foods, we had to take it home. Beautifully boxed, this tea is fruity and refreshing. Pure Foods has quite an assortment of teas for you to add to your gift list this Holiday season.
Nona Kalani turmeric latte powder. An easy to transport gift to share with the foodie, health conscious person on your gift list
Gifts that Give Back
This beautiful handcrafted wicker clutch bag made from all natural materials is a most precious gift to give (and receive) this Holiday season. Made for the 'Tobo' range by Flores-based sustainable and ethical brand Duanyam, buying from this company guarantees that your gift gives more than once.
We love Hana and her crew at Threadapeutic. Each bespoke piece is made using reclaimed fabric offcuts from the fashion industry. Layered, cut and then brushed, a faux-chenille effect is produced, ensuring each item is always unique. Assembled in a workshop in West Jakarta, the purchase of a Threadapeutic product not only supports local artisans, it also reduces landfill waste (and gives the lucky recipient a bag to enjoy for life).
Created by TRI Upcycle, this bandana is made from 100% upcycled fabric. Each bandana purchased results in the planting of a tree through partnership with Fairventures Worldwide.
Made from the recycled inner tubes of tyres, these bespoke geometric earrings by The Heart Project are a gift that gives in so many ways.
Christmas and greeting cards. All proceeds from these beautiful cards will go to Rachel House Indonesia, an organisation that supports paediatric palliative care for children living with serious illnesses in Greater Jakarta. All the cards have been designed by children supported by Rachel House.
Home and Design
Beautifully crafted Bamboo Nativity scene by Central Frame Jakarta
These teak knobs are currently available in Cayenne, Kemang. Visually appealing, they are perfect for mounting on a wall and hanging your favourite Kalimantan baskets (well, that's what I'd do if I received them anyway... ;) )
We just love the hand made pieces crafted by Jinjit pottery. Created by Jakarta-based potter, Antin Sambodo, mugs like these can be purchased through Antin's instagram account.
These ceramic coasters are available in Paisley Things, located just around the corner from Pasar Mayestik. Featuring the images of various indigenous ferns, the purchase of these coasters directly benefits the maker.
We have featured Petang Hari here before and its founder Sarita Ibnoe. Sarita is conscious of the amount of fabric waste they accumulate and has come up with this brilliant idea to turn fabric scraps into coasters!
These hand crafted coasters by Studio Dapur are made in West Java. Constructed of woven bamboo, the coasters are sold in sets of four. Find more gift ideas at Studio Dapur's instagram account.
This cute Star Wars inspired pot by Mendy Laoda of Mortier can be used for a myriad of purposes!
Continue the push to reduce plastic by adding a few of these utensils to your gift ideas list. Purchased in Kemchicks, Kemang.
And everyone needs a bamboo straw complete with its own bag. Let's all continue our war on single use plastic :) These are available at Komunal 88, Ampera.
Or would you prefer a stainless steel straw as a gift idea? Complete with its own cleaning brush and drawstring bag, this set is available online at Kuka Aku Suka.
The perfect gift for your design conscious friend or family member. We love this Gray hand made ceramic vase by Ayu Larasati. It's beautiful on its own or filled with your favourite blooms or foliage.
Another beautiful vase by talented local ceramicist, Ayu Larasati. This would be a gift blissfully received by all. Available online or at Unearth (Level 2, One Fifteenth Coffee, Gandaria, Jakarta).
Beautiful plates by Jinjit pottery.
This is an 100% Indonesian handcrafted ceramic plate by SAJIVA ceramics.
How sweet is this terracotta oil burner? Available now at Pure Foods in Cipete, South Jakarta. Be sure to pick up some tea light candles as well.
Why not give some Obie dolls are a gift this Holiday Season? Handcrafted and hand painted by Surabaya-based artist Dewi Tobing, these gorgeous little characters can be purchased singularly or as a set of three.
Made using only essential oils and free from palm oil, 'Segara Naturals' are some of the purest hand cut soaps available in Indonesia. The scents are fresh and invigorating and the lather is rich and moisturising.
Suppliers and Stockists
Aksara
Instagram: Aksara
Apa
Instagram: Apa.jkt
Ayu Larasati
Instagram: Alarasati
BikinBikin
Instagram: Bikinbikincraft
Cayenne Home
Instagram: Cayenne Home
Central Frame Kemang
Phone: 0813 1539 6731
Dia-Lo-Gue
Instagram: Dia-Lo-Gue
Gummy Box
Instagram: Gummy Box
The Heart Project
Instagram: The Heart Project
I want to smell the perfume
Instagram: Smell the perfume
Javara
Instagram: Javara Indigenous Indonesia
Jinjit Pottery
Instagram: Jinjit Pottery
Kivee
Instagram: Kivee_
The Koelit
Instagram: The Koelit
Komunal88
Instagram: Komunal 88
Kuka Aku Suka
Instagram: Kuka Aku Suka
Lestari
Instagram: Lestari_id
Mortier by Mendy Laoda
Instagram: @mortier.id
Nona Kalani
Instagram: Nona Kalani
Obie
Instagram: Obie
Paint your history
Instagram: Paint Your History
Paisley Things
Jl. Bumi No. 31a
Kebayoran Baru
Jakarta Selatan
Instagram: Paisley Things Jakarta
Petang Hari by Sarita Ibnoe
Instagram: Petang Hari
Pipiltin
Instagram: Pipiltin
Purchase Mortier at
The Good Things in Life
Pasaraya Store
Kroma Kiosk
Pure Foods
Instagram: Pure Foods
Rachel House
Instagram: Rachel House Indonesia
Sadhu
Instagram: Sadhustore
Sajiva Ceramics
Sourced at: Urban Quarter Store
Kelapa Gading
Plaza Indonesia
Instagram: Sajiva Ceramics
Instagram: Sajiva Coffee Company
Segara Naturals
Instagram: Segara Naturals
Seek Store - Pacific Place Mall
Instagram: Seek Indonesia
Studio Dapur
Instagram: Studio Dapur
Threadapeutic
Instagram: Threadapeutic
Tobo by Duanyam
Instagram: Tobo by Duanyam
Instagram: Duanyam
TRI Upcycle
Instagram: TRI Upcycle
Tsunja
Instagram: Tsunja.studio
Vanessa Van Houten
here*now a photography portrait series about the inner beauty of Indonesians by After Hour Books
Web: vanessavanhouten
Instagram: vanessa_van_houten
here*now can be sourced through most Periplus stores in Indonesia
Unearth
Museum Macan
Dialogue
We hope you enjoyed our ajb 2018 Holiday Gift Guide!
ajb
December Christmas Market
Unearth Christmas Market :
December Presents
Unearth Christmas Market has worked with a collective of local makers, artists, brands, small business owners, writers and musicians who will be bringing their handpicked items and showcasing their work to be part of the most-anticipated market this holiday season.
We hope you can join us by supporting the people behind these local brands. Organised by 115 Coffee, Ayu Larasati Canaan Bali
Unearth is working with Hoshizora Foundation @hz_foundation an NGO to help support their program that gives educational scholarships to disadvantaged children in Indonesia. Their pledge is to cover at least one student's education for the whole year through this two day event.
Saturday December 8 and Sunday December 9 2018
9 AM - 6 PM
Unearth 1/15 Gandaria 2nd floor
Jl. Gandaria 1 no. 63 South Jakarta
Live acoustic by Aldo Rumantir
Gift wrapping workshop by C for Calligraphy using Misu Paper
Participating Vendors
Post @post_santa
Sare Studio @sarestudio
Narasi Studio @narasi.studio
Kemala Homeliving @kemalahomeliving
Flore Bastille @florebastile
Threadapeutic @threadapeutic
Something Nice Kakera @somethingnice.kakera
East Java Co @eastjavaco
Skin Dewi @skindewi
Cahaya Naturals @cahayanaturals
Pottum @pottum_
Clarissa Kwok @madebycla
Vel Moriz Chocolate @velmoriz
Niyata @_niyata
Larch Studio @larchstudio
Misu Paper @misupaper
Duanyam @duanyam
Duft and Chandelle @duftandchandelle
From Tiny Island @fromtinyisland
You might also like:
The ajb 2017 Holiday Gift Guide
The ajb 2016 Holiday Gift Guide
The ajb 2015 Oleh Oleh Gift Guide
The ajb Ultimate Guide to preparing your house for a Jakarta Christmas
How to make a Gingerbread Christmas Tree
How to make your own Putri Salju Cookies
How to make these delicious red curry coconut prawn skewers
Crafty and Cool DIY Paper Diamonds
Words: Liz McClean and Jo Stevens Photography: a journey bespoke