1. Subscription to Neos Kosmos

What better gift than one that people can open every day? A digital edition subscription will allow loved ones to access an exact replica of all Neos Kosmos printed newspaper editions on any device. Different pricing is available to suit readers’ needs, starting from $4.25 per week for the digital subscription all the way to newspaper delivery for our three issues at $6.35 per week. Cheaper than a price of coffee, it’s the gift that just keeps giving. And there are cheaper rates for early birds who subscribe by 31 December. And while you are at it, you can also join our biweekly bilingual newsletter service absolutely free by entering your details on our website.

2. Handmade Christmas delicacies

There’s nothing that speaks of Greek Christmas than gooey Greek honey cookies (melomakarona), crispy honeyed diples or powdery kourabiedes. And what better gift than a home-made assortment of these? Find recipes on our website.

3. Gift box filled with produce

Is there someone in your life who is hankering for a taste of Greece? Orlando Greek deli has been importing products from the homeland for the past 17 years. Their two supermarkets in Doncaster and Doncaster East, Melbourne, have everything from Greek and Cypriot cheese, hams and traditional beverages. Sydney-siders can also get olive oil, kalamata olives and other continental delicacies from Kebia Importex Pty Ltd in Marrickville. There are also Tirnavos Imports available in Australia with ouzo of plomari, skinos mastiha, Otto’s Athens Vermouth and a whole host of other products. To find out where these are available, check out  https://www.tirnavosimports.com.au/ Alternatively head to Vittorio Spirits in South Australia and Melbourne for some tsipouro (www.vittoriospirits.com.au).

4. High-quality olive oil

This year, fitness and wellness experts Evan Karavitis, Mark Sheppard and Megan Waters all launched The Wild Olive, a high-quality olive oil made from award-winning premium olive oil with the richest and most nutrient dense product in the world. The product was created as a result of their own experience with wild olives and passion for living a healthy life.

5. Exercise with OPA

Do you have a loved one whose new year’s resolution is to get fit? Why not sign them up to OPA-cize or Kapse classes, the Greek dance fitness craze that is available all around Australia (and other places in the world) for young and old. Head to https://www.opacize.com/ for more info.

6. Books by Greek authors

Novels are great Christmas gifts and during the summer holidays, we should block out the miasma of the digital world and feed our heads. And there are so many Greek-inspired works to choose from, such as Christos Tsiolkas’ Damascus, Jim Claven’s Lemnos & Gallipoli: Revealed, Niki Savva’s Plots and Prayers, Vrasidas Karalis’ Glebe Point Road Blues, Peter Polites’ Pillars, Geoffrey Robertson’s History’s Spoils and so many fiction and non-fiction recently-released masterpieces.

7. Make a gift from doilies

Does one even consider themselves Greek Australian if they don’t own at least one doily? The doily has been a trademark in many Greek households, placed everywhere from on the dining table to adorning the top of the television set and even the fridge. Doilies aren’t as popular as they used to be, however what better gift than a DIY repurposed doily that shows you’ve put in the effort? You can make everything from plant hangers to lampshades, and all you need is some fabric stiffener, plenty of imagination and of course yiayia’s old doilies.

8. A dining experience

Australia is filled with authentic dining experiences. Why not take your loved ones to a choice restaurant for a choice dining experience or give them a gift voucher to visit themselves on a date to suit?

9. Greek lessons

Do you know someone whose Greek language skills could use a brush-up? Why not offer them Greek language lessons at the Greek Centre in Melbourne or any of the other great schools of language around town. Alternatively, if they are on the go, buy them the resources to teach themselves or sign them up to an online course.

10. The best gift of all

The most precious gift that you can give someone this Christmas is your time. Giving someone your time helps to build happier, healthier relationships and lets the important people in  your life know that you really do care. When you spend time with someone, it is like giving them a portion of your life that you’ll never get back. And that is why spending a few moments together with loved ones is the greatest gift you can give.