The festive season is well and truly here, and what better way to celebrate than by supporting local makers, creatives, and of course our super supportive stockists who make the Mornington Peninsula so special? Whether you’re shopping for newborns, beach babes, animal lovers, or little adventurers, this guide has something for every kind of kiddo —and every local-loving gift giver!
Here’s our take on gift ideas with a Ninch twist for all the little adventurers in your life. Each section showcases unique, thoughtful, and locally sourced items that will light up their holiday season - links included where possible.
For the newborns 💛
Spoil the tiniest members of the family with locally made treasures perfect for their first Christmas. From sweet baby wraps to soft toys with an Australiana vibe, these gifts will bring both joy and comfort.
1. A Day at the Rockppols Giclee Print by Connah Brecon, from $60 and available at Ninch Kids
2. Keith Koala Rattle, $26 and available from our stockist Saltbox
3. Aussie Animal Bath Mates, $30 and available from our stockist Saltbox
4. Shell comforter, $15 and available from Wolf and Dakota
5. Mornington Peninsula ABC: An Alphabet Adventure, $20 available online at Ninch Kids or also from one of our stockists like Saltbox Mornington
6. Holiday Swaddle, on sale for $23.97 and available from Tilda & Moo
For the beach babes 🌊🏖️
Celebrate a Peninsula summer with gifts that embrace sun, sand, and gentle waves! Think locally designed hats, beach themed finger puppets, another locally authored book with a whimsical beach theme and more for your little beach explorers.
7. We Love Weedy Seadragons Giclee Print by Connah Brecon, from $60 and available at Ninch Kids
8. Starfish Felt Finger Puppet, $10 and available from Ninch Kids
9. Fairy Beach by local author Sheila Knaggs, $23 and available from our local bookshops including Farrells Bookshop (you can also grab a copy of our Mornington Peninsula ABC book for $20 there)
10. Quut Triplet from Quut Beach Set (colours in store may vary) , $45 and available from Little Nook
11. Little Lennie Rust Hat, $69 available online at Will & Bear
12. Quut Ballo (colours in store may vary), $35 and available from Little Nook
13. Seahorse Finger Puppet, $10 and available from Ninch Kids
For the animal lovers 🦘🐨
Bring the magic of Australian wildlife to your kids with gifts that showcase the koalas, kangaroos, and other beloved creatures of the Peninsula. Books, plush toys, and illustrated prints are sure to delight.
14. Make Me Iconic Aussie Animals Wooden Playset, from $55 and available at McClelland Design Store
15. Mornington Peninsula ABC: An Alphabet Adventure, $20 available online at Ninch Kids or also from one of our stockists like Rosebud Bookbarn
16. Kids Adventure Binoculars, $40 available from Tingo Mt Martha (another of our wonderful stockists!)
17. Aussie Animal Match Memory Game, $33 from McClelland Design Store (you can also grab a copy of our Mornington Peninsula ABC book for $20 there)
18. Wallaby Felt Finger Puppet, $10 available online at Ninch Kids
19. Koala Felt Finger Puppet, $10 and available online at Ninch Kids
For the Little Adventurers 🥾✨
For the kids who love exploring our parks and sand dunes, playing in the garden, or imagining new worlds, this selection has something for every budding adventurer.
20. Great Outdoors Wooden Magnifying Glass, $29.99 (we love this one, but I cant find a local stockist. Closest is Artisan Home at Fountain Gate. Nook at Flinders may have something similar.
21. Explore our National Parks Giclee Print by Connah Brecon, from $60 and available at Ninch Kids
22. Amid the Sand Dunes by local author Andrea Rowe, $19.99 available from Antipodes Sorrento (another of our wonderful stockists!)
23. Emu Felt Finger Puppet, $10 available online at Ninch Kids
24. Kids Adventure Binoculars, $40 available from Tingo Mt Martha (another of our wonderful stockists!)
For the Bird Lovers 🐦🦜
Celebrate our feathered friends with gifts perfect for little birdwatchers. Think bird-themed finger puppets, bird books, or even a bird game.
25. Eastern Rosella Felt Finger Puppet, $10 available online at Ninch Kids
26. Quack, Flap, SNAP! An Australian Birds Snap Game by Megan McKean, $18 and available from McClelland Design Store
27. Emu Felt Finger Puppet, $10 available online at Ninch Kids
28. Warlukurlanga Birdie Paradise Classic Bib, $19.95 from Tilda & Moo
29. Busy Beaks by Victorian Author/Illustrator Sarah Allen, $15 from Farrells Bookshop (you can also grab a copy of our Mornington Peninsula ABC book for $20 there)
30. Kookaburra Felt Finger Puppet, $10 available online at Ninch Kids
For the Ocean Lovers 🐚🌊
Encourage a love of the sea with gifts inspired by our local marine life. From finger puppets and locally designed rash vests to books about the Mornington Peninsula’s many water based activities, there’s plenty to inspire little marine enthusiasts.
31. Quut Buki Beach Bucket, $29.99, available from Boatshed 7 in Rye
32. Orca Whale Felt Finger Puppet, $10 available online from Ninch Kids
33. Petit Pommes Betty Snorkelling Set, $139 available from Little Nook Mt Eliza
34. Seahorse Felt Finger Puppet, $10 and available from Ninch Kids
35. Stingray Felt Finger Puppet, $10 and available from Ninch Kids
36. Surf All Day Giclee Print by Connah Brecon, from $60 and available at Ninch Kids
37. Locally designed Olle Rash Vest, $49 available online from Olle
38. Mornington Peninsula ABC: An Alphabet Adventure, $20 available online at Ninch Kids or also from one of our stockists like Lemonade Factory in Sorrento
Why Shop Local This Festive Season?
Independent businesses on the Mornington Peninsula are so much more than shops—they’re the creative and passionate hubs of our neighbourhoods.
Every product they sell comes with a story: crafted, curated, or carefully chosen by real people who pour their hearts into their work. When you buy local, you’re not just getting a unique gift—you’re supporting dreams, families, and futures.
Our local businesses keep our towns alive and vibrant, championing “local first” whenever possible. They’re also the ones who step up time and time again—whether it’s sponsoring school events, donating to kindergartens, or pitching in for community fundraisers. This time of year, let’s return the favour.
Choose to shop small this festive season. In doing so, you’ll be choosing connection, community, and a kinder, more personal way of doing business. Plus, you’ll find gifts with heart that you won’t get anywhere else.
It's a win-win: thoughtful presents for your loved ones and a boost for the people who make our Mornington Peninsula community so special!