NOW EXPERIENCING:The art of gifting a bottle (without it feeling lazy)
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The art of gifting a bottle (without it feeling lazy)

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 27 Mar 2025

By
Emily Reed

A Dan Murphy's gift bag next to other wrapped gifts

Left it to the last minute? Here are five ways to make it feel extra special.

Gifting a bottle of wine or spirits can sometimes feel like an afterthought. Life’s busy, you’re running late, or maybe you totally forgot about that 30th on Saturday. It happens! Luckily, a Dan’s store is never too far away, making a quick pit-stop the perfect save. But here’s the thing – alcohol can be more than just a last-minute fallback. With a little thought (or a quick chat with a Dan’s team member), you can turn it into a genuinely meaningful gift.

Some ideas need a little foresight, but most simply require a stroll down the aisles in-store. Here to help, we’ve rounded up five ways to nail the gift every time. Then all that’s left to do is show up with a thoughtful bottle and look like the incredibly considerate person you really are.

1. Nudge them gently towards something newEvery time you visit this gift recipient’s house, you just know they’ll plonk a bottle of [insert their drink of choice here] on the table – it’s a given. And hey, there’s nothing wrong with sticking to something they know and love. But imagine expanding their horizons with something new. You don’t have to stray too far from their usual; the goal is to find a bottle they’ll love but might not pick for themselves. We recommend chatting with a team member in-store – let them know your recipient usually drinks [insert their drink of choice here], and they’ll help you find something in the same vein with a fresh twist. Like their usual shiraz, but an example from France, or one that might be blended with cabernet. Or take them on a detour from their usual Scotch with a top Aussie whisky. Showing up with a carefully chosen, recommended drop? Now that’s a thoughtful gift. Go you!
2. Upgrade their go-toNever-fail trick number two: figure out a fave from their usual repertoire (or drinks trolley) and upgrade it. If you know this person loves a Dirty Martini, but they’re always reaching for a subpar gin, this is your chance to gift them something a bit fancy that’s still within your budget. When a cocktail only has a few ingredients, the quality of the spirit makes all the difference, so it pays to choose wisely. Plus, the lucky gift recipient will be chuffed that a) you remembered they love a Dirty Martini (gosh, you’re good!) and b) you want their next one to taste like it was made by a bartender. They will probably offer to make one for you the moment you hand over the gift, so it’s a win-win!
3. Link it to a special memoryTaste and memory are closely linked, which is probably why sparkling red always takes us back to Christmas. So, nothing says “I thought long and hard about this gift” like gifting a bottle of alcohol tied to a special memory you share. Maybe it’s the bottle of bubbles you popped with them the morning of their wedding, a tasty tequila as a nod to the Margs you sipped during your trip to Tulum, or a cool-climate pinot noir from the Yarra Valley where you took that road trip together. Whatever the connection, it makes the gift feel extra special. Even if it’s a rather tenuous link, don’t stress – just add a card to the gift and explain the sentiment behind it.
4. Go big on the wrappingGo on, grab the scissors, some nice wrapping paper or fabric, and a sprig of greenery from your neighbour’s garden – it’s time to get crafty! Sure, a little pre-planning is required to make this gift extra jazzy, but trust us, it will be well worth it when you show up with a beautifully wrapped bottle. Since bottles aren’t always the easiest shape to wrap, take some handy cues from TikTok or Instagram for creative inspiration. We like how simple this fabric wrapping style is, but you do you! Extra points if you handmake the card, too.
5. Add on (if your bank account allows it)This last way to make a gift feel more special may involve going above and beyond (your budget), but if you can stretch a little further – or rope in a mate to go in with you – you might like to pair your bottle with a nice glass. Depending on the bottle in question, you could opt for a Burgundy wine glass, a whisky tumbler or a cocktail coupe. Or what about some snacks to match? Add that bottle to a basket full of choccies, spiced nuts or dried pasta and you’ve got yourself a cute little hamper that would make any Airbnb host proud. Finally, if you’re gifting a bottle of spirits and know the giftee’s cocktail of choice, you could add a mixer and a cocktail shaker so they can nail their favourite tipple at home.
For more great gift ideas, check out our articles full of tips about the best drinks to give for every occasion. 
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image credits: Shelley Horan
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
Tags
LearnGinSparklingWineChampagneGiftingDIY How toWhite WineSpiritsTequilaRed Wine
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