For many homeowners, the backyard is now just an unofficial extension of the living room, with outdoor cooking and entertaining now summertime essentials rather than a seasonal luxury.
For parents who already seem to have every gadget under the sun, providing affordable, practical upgrades can be more memorable than any other physical gift.
From the humble backyard chef to the movie buff and green thumb, here are a few options worth considering so you can check “Mum and Dad” off your Christmas gift list.
(Better still, we’ve included budget-friendly buys, mid-range favs and splurge investments worth buying – making it easy for all budgets. You’re welcome!)
The best backyard gifts you need to know
- Pizza ovens from $749 to $3,499
- Portable speakers from $12 to $199
- Portable fire pits from $59 to $419
- Outdoor projectors from $159 to $399
- Herb planters from $98 to $454
Best pizza ovens for backyard chefs
Save: Roccbox Pizza Oven
For $749 from Gozney
Reaching an impressive 500 degrees and cooking authentic stone-baked pizzas in around 60 seconds, the Roccbox combines commercial-grade performance with a portable design, retractable legs and a safe-touch silicone exterior that’s ideal for entertaining.
Spend: Tread Pizza Oven
For $829 from Gozney
Designed for pizza lovers on the move, the lightweight 13.5kg Tread heats to 500°C in as little as 15 minutes and features a lateral flame system that mimics traditional wood-fired cooking while remaining easy to transport.
Splurge: Dome Gen 2 Pizza Oven
For $3,499.99 from Gozney
With room for two pizzas at once, hybrid-fuel capability (wood, charcoal or gas) and a digital temperature display with meat probes, the Dome Gen 2 is built for everything from Neapolitan pizzas to full outdoor feasts.
Best portable speakers for outdoor entertaining
Save: F4 Mini Tower Bluetooth Speaker
For $12 from Kmart
This budget-friendly speaker offers an easy way to bring music outdoors, with Bluetooth connectivity and a compact, lightweight design that’s simple to pack for picnics and park days.
Spend: Wireless Portable Bluetooth Speaker
For $94 from The Iconic
Waterproof and designed with enhanced bass performance, this portable speaker delivers fuller sound than its compact size suggests, making it ideal for backyard barbecues or beach outings.
Splurge: JBL Flip 7 Portable Speaker
For $199 from Noel Leeming
Featuring JBL’s AI Sound Boost technology, IP68-rated waterproof and dustproof protection and up to 16 hours of playtime, the Flip 7 is built to handle everything from pool parties to camping trips.
Best portable fire pits for outdoor living
Save: Kmart Fire Pit
For $59 from Kmart
This simple steel fire pit offers an affordable way to add warmth and ambience to outdoor gatherings while remaining easy to move around the backyard.
Spend: Pop-up Fire Pit Base Kit
For $177 from Fireside Outdoor
Weighing just a few kilograms and folding flat for transport, the Pop-Up Fire Pit creates an elevated, leave-no-trace style campfire experience that’s popular with campers and beach-goers.
Splurge: Regular Fire Pit
For $419 from Wizard
Designed with smokeless airflow technology, this stainless-steel fire pit burns more efficiently than traditional models, helping reduce smoke while delivering consistent heat for cooler evenings.
Best outdoor projectors for backyard movies
Save: Smart Multimedia Projector
For $159 from Kmart
With built-in smart functionality and a compact footprint, this projector offers an easy, affordable way to stream movies onto a large screen for backyard movie nights.
Spend: Cube 2 HD Smart Projector
For $309 from Mighty Ape
The Wanbo Cube 2 Pro pairs native Full HD 1080p resolution with Android TV, auto-focus and a 230-degree adjustable stand, making it easy to create a cinema-style experience almost anywhere.
Splurge: T2 Ultra Smart Projector
For $399 from Mighty Ape
Featuring 500 ANSI lumens, native 1080p resolution, Google TV/Android integration and automatic image correction, the T2 Ultra offers crisp viewing and quick setup whether you’re projecting onto a wall or ceiling.
Best herb planters for green thumbs
Save: Vertical Stackable Planter
For $98.56 from Mighty Ape
With five stacking tiers in a compact footprint, this vertical planter is a clever option for growing herbs, strawberries or leafy greens in small patios and balcony spaces.
Spend: Anthracite Steel Planter
For $290 from Mighty Ape
Constructed from galvanised steel and measuring over a metre long, this raised planter provides plenty of room for a productive herb garden while resisting rust and weather damage.
Splurge: Galvanised Steel Planter
For $454.73 from Mighty Ape
At two metres in length, this generously sized galvanised steel planter offers ample growing space for a wide variety of herbs and vegetables, while its raised design can make planting and harvesting more comfortable.
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