Christmas Gift Guide

Christmas in New Zealand happens outdoors. The pōhutukawa are out, the ham goes on the barbecue, and by mid-afternoon someone is asleep on the couch with the cricket on. Knitwear can seem an odd gift for a summer Christmas, until the sun goes down at the beach and everyone starts looking for a layer.

So this guide sticks to the lighter end of what we stock: fine knits, open stitches and things to wrap up in when the sea breeze comes in. Everything here is knitted in New Zealand. For other occasions, see our natural fibre gift guide.

A lighter possum merino

Brushtail by Koru is knitted from 75% fine merino wool, 20% possum fur and 5% mulberry silk. With more merino and less possum fur than the standard blend, it's lighter, which suits a summer evening better than a winter knit would.

The Moss Stitch Jumper, Cardigan and Vest are all plated, two yarns knitted together, so each carries a soft two-tone colour. The cardigan goes over a summer dress after dark; the vest goes over a short-sleeved top.

Something to wrap up in

A wrap is the easiest gift to get right, because it needs no sizing and goes over almost anything, including a swimsuit and a towel.

The Brushtail Jacquard Wrap is a long wrap, 56cm x 200cm (22" x 79"), in patchwork squares of textured jacquard with a scalloped edge. Drape it over the shoulders, wrap it high as a scarf, or put it over your knees on the deck. The Koru Moss Stitch Multiway Wrap has a row of buttons down one side, so it can be worn three ways: closed as a poncho, open as a wrap, or folded and looped like a scarf.

Woolline knits in Ōtautahi Christchurch, from 65% fine merino wool, 25% possum fur and 10% mulberry silk. The Woolline Rib Cape is an open-front cape with batwing sleeves gathered into ribbed cuffs, which keep it on the shoulders. Wear it open over a summer dress, and wrap the front across when the wind turns. The Woolline Honeycomb Poncho is asymmetric, with a funnel neck and a slit on one side, so an arm can come through for a glass or a bag while the other side drapes.

McDonald New Zealand describes its Herringbone Lace Shawl as a travel piece: lightweight, long enough to wrap at the neck, and wide enough to drape across the shoulders over a shirt.

For the bach

Every bach has a pile of blankets that belong to nobody in particular. A good throw tends to end up on top of it.

Both Brushtail throws are knitted in the lighter Brushtail blend. The Jacquard Throw, at 130cm x 125cm (51" x 49"), is big enough to wrap up in on the deck and small enough to fold into a bag. The Herringbone Throw, at 120cm x 125cm (47" x 49"), is plated for a soft two-tone finish.

Royal Merino Featherweight

Featherweight is Royal Merino's lightest knit, in 100% superfine merino, and each piece weighs under 150 grams. It's made seamless, with no side seams, and is fine enough to wear on its own on a mild day or under a cardigan when it cools down.

The range covers a Long Sleeve V, a Long Sleeve Crew and a Short Sleeve Crew. The short sleeve is the one for a warm Christmas Day.

For him

The Koru Everyday Quarter Zip has a short zip at the neck, so he can open it up as the evening warms or cools rather than take it off. The Royal Merino Men's Crew Neck is a plain crew in 100% extra fine merino. It goes over a collared shirt or with jeans, and it's breathable enough for a cool summer night.

For a summer baby

MyBlanket knits its baby blankets in Ōtautahi Christchurch, in 100% supersoft merino wool, and each one arrives wrapped in tissue in a cotton drawstring bag, ready to give. For a summer baby, the Lightweight Eyelet Blanket is the lighter, more breathable choice. The Aran Blanket, with panels of raised diamonds, is the one to keep for cooler nights and hand down later. Our pēpē gift guide has more.

Stocking fillers

Small, useful and well made.

The Royal Merino Rib Beanie is knitted from 100% extra fine merino, with a fold-up cuff, and is comfortable to keep on as you move between the cool outdoors and a warm room. The Royal Merino Triangular Scarf is a small foulard in fine merino, which brings colour to a neckline without the bulk of a winter scarf. The Koru Lightweight Beanie is a single layer, so it can go in a pocket for early walks. The Woolline Rib Hand Warmers leave the fingers free and don't need a size. The Koru Dress Socks come in their own packaging, ready to give.

Sending a gift overseas?

For family in a northern winter, see New Zealand gifts to send overseas.

A note on gift cards

If you know possum merino is the right call but you're not sure which piece, our gift cards start at $100 and never expire. They're delivered by email, so they can still be sent on Christmas Eve.

Christmas delivery

Our Christmas order-by dates are on the shipping page, for every destination. If your deadline is tight, get in touch before you order and we'll check whether it can be done. Earlier is better: postal services slow down in December under the volume of Christmas mail.

Browse the full range in our women's and men's collections, or check how our brands size before choosing a jumper.

Shop the Brushtail collection