Quirky Christmas Shopping in Christchurch

Loved by the locals of Lyttelton, Dead Video is contending that video is, in fact, not dead. Dead Video operates on a mostly rental basis (think Blockbuster but better), but also has an impressive collection of rare, cult, B-grade, specialty VHS, DVD and Blu Ray videos all for your viewing pleasure. The movie madness doesn’t stop there, though. Dead Video keeps the nostalgia alive with cinematic memorabilia, vintage comics, toys, curios and collectors cards. If you’ve got a movie buff on your list, this is the place to shop.

Ride On Super Sound is a jam-packed shop specialising in records, comics, zines, band merch and more. Tucked away on the top floor at Smash Palace, this eclectic place is the perfect spot to find a hard-to-shop-for muso’s favourite present. They also love helping customers find the perfect gift, or searching high and low for a coveted record, so get in touch if you know what you need but can’t find it. With a wide collection of local and international music and hard to find collector’s items, Ride On Super Sound is worth stopping in. 

 You’ll find everything you need in the beautifully curated shop, Tāpapa Store. Focused on all things hemp, Tāpapa shows off a refined, elegant side of the polarising plant. Four brands showcase the plant in different forms; The Brothers Green focuses on edible hemp products, Kōaka Skincare creates organic hemp skincare, Ritual & Rise offers a plant-based protein and Original Canvas is a label for hemp clothing. If you’re shopping for someone who appreciates an alternative lifestyle, anything from Tāpapa is sure to fit the bill.

For the practical, eco-conscious and craftsmanship-valuing person on your Christmas list, look no further than Rekindle at the Arts Centre. A craft workshop for the resourceful, Rekindle is one-part workshop and one-part store, selling the practical, handmade items their creators make. Here you’ll find lovingly-weaved harakeke and tī kōuka baskets, handmade soaps and hand-carved spoons, and workshops to learn how to make them yourself. If you are shopping for someone who values traditional skills or would prefer an experience to a physical gift, Rekindle is the place to go.