Handbag Lover's Gift Guide For 2020!

It's that time of year again, where blogs turn into gift guides! Each year I publish this one gift guide: the perfect gift guide for a handbag lover, no matter your budget! This year, because it's 2020, I've added a little bit at the end for ways you can support some local Aussie businesses too. I try to pick pieces that will ship internationally, but I'm sure you will understand that the local section may only ship within Australia.

So, if you're looking for the perfect gift for a bag loving friend or relative, or just a little bit of bag-candy, this is the gift guide for you!

Spectacular Splurge-Worthy Spoils

These bags are $500+ and above - not the kind of thing you would give to a casual acquaintance, but certainly something special for someone close. Wives, girlfriends, mums, sisters - if you have the cash to splash you can't go wrong with something from this list! Sticking with classic styles and neutral colours is always a good idea, especially if you're not entirely sure what their preferred colour bag would be. Probably something to be 100% sure that you know they are after before investing so heavily in this section though!

Modest Mid-Range Designer Choices

At $100-$250 you can look at bags from their favourite contemporary designers, or maybe even a SLG (small leather good) from a luxury brand. There are so many options at this price point to choose from, this budget doesn't limit you but lets you get creative with how you want to spend. Think wallets, clutches, card holders, wallet on chain bags, wristlets... You can give them an accessory from a brand of their dreams or their perfect bag from their favourite contemporary designer. Mine being Rebecca Minkoff of course!

Bargain Bag Finds

Got less than $100 to spend? No worries! Think of ways they can accessorise bags they already have - keychains and bag charms are a good way to go, or a skinny silk scarf to tie in a bow on a bag or wrap around bag handles. See my video for more ways to accessorise a bag! What about a little pouch or wristlet they can use to keep things safe in their bag? Or a gift card to help them purchase the bag of their dreams they have been saving for? You can even hit up sites like ASOS for high street versions of designer styles, without the high price tags.

No matter the budget you have set aside, remember that the Thanksgiving Black Friday sales in the US will be starting soon, and other countries are starting to follow with similar sales. That bag that may have been out of your budget before might be a much more attractive price now or in the days to come, so get adding to cart in preparation for the sales!

Shopbop have up to 50% off designer bags, and you can get an extra 30% off at Rebecca Minkoff with code 'TAKE30' on orders over $150.

A Little Something For Yourself?

All that shopping for other people can lead to a little splurge or two on yourself! The categories above are good for gifts as you get the "new bag" experience with all the wrapping and boxes and that new bag smell! But if you're looking for a bag for you, why not try the preloved market? Easier on the wallet and the environment! Sites like Fashionphile, Yoogi's Closet, Bag Mad Boutique, Vestiaire Collective make it easy to snap up an authenticated designer bag at a bargain price - just be sure to review all the pictures and description carefully so you know what to expect with the condition. eBay is an option too, but I highly suggest using an authentication service like Authenticate First before buying anything designer from eBay.

Shop Local

There are so many local businesses who would really appreciate your support this Christmas. In the sprit of shopping small and supporting local that's so needed for  2020, I wanted to share some. While they are certainly not all bag based they have a lot of great gift ideas to surprise, spoil or entertain your loved ones this Christmas.

For The Little Ones:

• Little Birdie Books (get 15% off with code 'TOPKNOT') 
• Keeping Kids Busy (get 15% off with code 'BLACKFRIDAY')
• Kids Craft Box

For The Grown Ups:

• Yondale Designs - beautiful silver jewellery that will be treasured for years to come (I have two cuffs I adore from this company that I never remove from my wrist)
• Handbags on Etsy - you can filter for the perfect gift from your country, state or city!
• Katherine By Katherine - vegan friendly handbags and accessories, made in Brisbane!
• Fashion Scarf Girl - another Queensland mum, with multi-buy scarf discounts! (I have been a brand rep for this company in the past and I have also bought a lot of her scarves with my own money!)

Have fun shopping and finding that something special to bring yourself or someone you love a little bit of joy this year!

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What's In My Bag: Share The Dignity Mum and Bub #ItsInTheBag Campaign

Sharing what's in my bag for Share The Dignity #ItsInTheBag! I've done this the past couple of years in order to support local women. The Share the Dignity charity aims to ensure all women across Australia have access to sanitary products. Each Christmas they run the It's In The Bag campaign, where you fill a new or gently used handbag with some essential products and special gifts for a woman or teen in need.

This year, the same as last year, I've decided to do a mums and bubs bag. I've filled a nappy bag with a lot of essentials and a few special treats to let a mum to be or new mum in need know she is loved at Christmas time.

My decision to do a baby bag again this year was made thanks to a special gift with purchase Priceline had on. If you spent $39 or more on participating brands in store you got a baby bag filled with samples and full size baby care products. The perfect thing to start off my donation! The video shows how I fit everything inside and what I included:

As you can see in the video, the bag is a good size and I fit quite a lot into it! I made full use of all the pockets to ensure that as well as covering off the essentials for mum and baby, I included a few extra treats. It breaks my heart to think that there are mums across Australia who due to circumstances outside their control are facing a Christmas alone with their new baby. Maybe they are homeless, maybe they are in a domestic violence refuge, maybe they are living in poverty, maybe they have fled from extreme weather and have nothing left but the clothes on their back. I hope this bag brings a little bit of joy. There are many stories that Share the Dignity have on their site and socials to demonstrate how much of an impact this small gift can make.

How You Can Help:

There are so many ways to get involved:

• This year, you can sponsor a bag if you don't have time to source all the products yourself. Your donation will be used to build a mum and bub bag, teen bag or woman's bag for Christmas.
• You can put together your own bag of essentials - the list of required and optional extra items is on the Share the Dignity site. Pay special attention to the exclusions list if you are using the Priceline deal as part of your donation this year like I did - not everything in the bag is suitable to donate, and I had to remove some items. The deal is no longer available online but there are some bags still in stores.
• If you're donating a bag, drop it off at your local Bunnings between 20th - 29th November. Following all local coronavirus precautions and restrictions of course.
• If things are a little tight this Christmas, consider participating in the Share the Dignity sanitary products drive next year instead.
• Share to raise awareness - you can follow Share the Dignity on Facebook, they have a lot of helpful tips and ideas for putting together a bag, and lots of info graphics to share. Like this one, which shows what to include in your bag:

With 2020 being a tough year for a lot of people, I really hope this bag makes a difference for one mum and bub and makes her feel special at Christmas time. If you have the ability, there are so many ways to give back this year - donate your time or money to your favourite charity, donate to It's In the Bag, or find an organisation in your country doing something similar - these are sometimes called Blessing Bags in other countries. You can see my woman's bag donation in 2018, and baby bag donation in 2019 for more ideas.

Have you participated in #ItsInTheBag or a similar donation drive before? What extra pieces did or would you include in your bag? I'll be doing this next year as well and I'm always open to new ideas for what to include!

Note: I was not paid for this post. As always all thoughts, opinions and images are my own.

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