Christmas morning should always start with a cup of tea – and T2 produces some of the prettiest tea cups around, as well as some of the largest for those of us who need a bigger kick start.

Champagne should follow the tea and $50 can secure you a decent bottle these days.

If the day involves cooking, it is mandatory to use locally made and beautifully crafted Bison mixing bowls.

I have been obsessed this year with the idea of jewellery designer Kate Sutton of Uberkate to engrave handwriting into precious metal. Imagine the significance of wearing the words of someone you love in their own hand.

Last year I received a Little Veggie Patch as my Christmas pressie and I have loved every minute of planting and harvesting minus my violent outbursts at resident possums who I have yet to dissuade from poaching the produce.

My candle of choice is Aveda's Shampure, a more delicious scent I have yet to find.

Spritzing on a new scent is always a lovely way to celebrate and Jo Malone never disappoints.

And when the wrapping paper is in the recycling, the leftovers are in the fridge and the overexcited children are in bed, is there any more sentimental way to while away the evening than to watch "It's a Wonderful Life?" It rises above the materialism of the day – even when there is so much of it - and shows the true meaning of Christmas.

Aveda Shampure $40 Aveda, Canberra Centre, or Fringe Hairdressing Braddon

Bison Classic Mixing Bowl Set Large $155, Bison, Piallago

Uberkate cuff wide $565 uberkate.com.au

T2 Power Flower Jumbo Mug $18, T2, Canberra Centre

Taittinger $50 Dan Murphy

Jo Malone Velvet Rose and Oud Cologne Intense $230 jomalone.com.au

Classic DVDs from $10 Big W

The LittleVeggie Patch crate from $420 (not including delivery) littleveggiepatchco.com.au