Technology is always big in the lead up to Christmas, with the world's biggest brands toiling away all year to bring something fresh to the table. Smart home devices will be popular once again in 2019, including the Amazon Echo Show 5, Google Nest Hub, and Sonos One speaker with support for Amazon's Alexa and Google Assistant. If you love Apple products, the iPad Pro is bigger and better than ever, and this year's 10.2-inch entry-level model has a larger display at a great price point.

Traditional household products are always popular at Christmas, from kitchenware and stationery to planters and cushions. Bamboo sheets and blankets are likely to be big this year, as are natural and colour-neutral table lamps and cheeseboards. Flowers and plants are always a low-risk, high-reward present, especially if you include a beautiful vase or ceramic pot. Bringing the outside in is still popular, with indoor plants, small vertical gardens, and kitchen herb gardens all likely to see some love.

In a world increasingly affected by climate change and flooded with plastics, experiences are quickly becoming the new things. Rather than trying to buy that special item for the person who has it all, why not offer them a chance to do something new and exciting. Whether it's a cooking class, concert tickets, or a skydiving course, new experiences enrich lives and create memories without taking up space. If you need to buy gifts for a couple or a family, one single experience is an efficient and thoughtful way to shop.

One fantastic way to merge technology with the gifting experience is through a media subscription. Free-to-air TV is no longer enough, with a wealth of TV shows, movies, and sports out there for everyone to enjoy. Online subscription services are the new way to consume media, from expansive services like Netflix and Stan through to niche subscriptions for sports lovers such as Optus Sports and the NBA League Pass. The Disney Plus streaming service has just launched, which provides access to blockbusters from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar, and Disney's own studios.

While it's easy to forget, Christmas is really all about the kids. The 2019 edition of the holiday season sees some amazing new products for children, along with the return of some old favourites. Small indoor drones are both low-cost and high-tech, as are interactive pets and remote control vehicles. If you want to buy something that will make dad smile as much as the kids, the Sega Mega Drive Mini joins the popular Nintendo mini consoles for some retro gaming fun. Speaking of Nintendo, the Switch Lite is out just in time for Christmas, with this handheld gaming platform more colourful, compact, and affordable than ever before.