A new online hamper service recently made its debut in the Australian market after founder Felicia Rusher spotted a niche for “beautiful, Australian made products”.
“I found it difficult to find Australian-made gifts for the VIPs in my life, that weren’t simply souvenirs,” says Rusher, who spent the past 13 years living in the UK, US, Europe and around Australia working in senior corporate roles for oil and gas, tourism and consulting giants.
“Finding the time to seek out hand-crafted gifts, visit shops, buy online, wrap them, queue in the post office and pay expensive mail costs can dampen even the cheeriest of Christmas spirits. Who has the time?
“Over 80 per cent of Australians will buy Christmas presents online this year, with the average person spending around $2,500 on gifts in the lead up. We encourage them to buy Australian with our one-stop service that supports local people and industries.”
I still call Australia Home (www.istillcallaustraliahome.com) was created after a two-year expedition devoted to uncovering local delicacies, homewares, spa products, books and art including much-loved favourites from Maggie Beer, Britt Bear, Meredith Gaston, Tonic and Patons.
“Our Christmas hampers transport people to the wild splendour of an Australian summer by the ocean or the bush―the scents of lemon myrtle, eucalyptus and golden wattle; the taste of mountain pepper leaf, Outback Spirit chutneys and delicious tropical teas; the motifs of nature on hand-printed linens from the Blue Mountains and award-winning Tasmanian homewares,” she explains.
Rusher’s drawings of native birds and flowers feature on the gift boxes which were a big hit at the Reed Melbourne Gift Fair in August.
“My box supplier was exhibiting and featured my boxes on their stand. They have been displaying there every year for some time now and said the feedback to these particular designs was unprecedented.
“I hope people will be thrilled to buy and receive our hampers and enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed curating them and illustrating the signature keepsake boxes that house them.”
Another value add is delivery of the hampers within Australia and to the UK is free. “As anyone who regularly sends gifts to the UK understands all too well, the person you are hoping to delight often has to pay taxes for the pleasure of picking up your Australian gift at their local post office. Our hamper pricing is designed to avoid this awkward cost,” she adds.
I Still Call Australia Home donates $1 for every hamper sold to the Australian Koala Foundation to sponsor ‘Wattle’ the wild koala and his furry friends.
By Marion Gerritsen
