We all know a factory outlet tend to be cheaper than buying from a department store and Sheridan at…read moreMt Gravatt is no different. You can buy Sheridan towels and bed linen at Myers, David Jones or Harvey Norman but you could save up to 50% on the same item if you buy from the Sheridan outlet at Mt Gravatt. Plus there's the bonus of easy parking at the Mt Gravatt homemaker centre and the Sheridan outlet stock a wider range of products. The easy going staff don't even seem to mind me burrowing my face in their soft Egyptian cotton towels. If you have zero tolerance for using scratchy, faded towels after bathing, then the Sheridan outlet is the place to go at least once a year to maintain a fluffy supply without blowing your budget.

I hate buying presents for people when I know they want for nothing. A lot of my friends with…read moredisposable incomes usually buy what they want when they see it making Christmas and birthday presents unnecessary. As a result, I've taken to buying gifts from Oxfam. Oxfam is a not-for-profit organisation who works with people from developing countries to overcome poverty. One of their strategies is to enable the villagers to use local resources to make products which are sold through Oxfam stores. These products include interesting musical instruments, chocolates, coffees, traditional art, jewellery and cookware. Profit from sales are returned to the villages to assist with development. They also have these fantastic gift ideas where you can buy a family in a developing country a goat, chicken or even mosquito nets. The gifts start at $10 and make a great Christmas card as well. This year I've purchased a gorgeous piglet for a mere $30 -a bargain in any currency. So the next time you're stuck on a present idea, forget the platter or scented candle. Head to Oxfam and buy someone a pig.

From the owner: Oxfam Shop is a passionate supporter of fair trade and deals on a fair trade basis with 60 fair…read moretrade organisations around the world, who support thousands of producers including Indigenous Australians. Through fair trade we are part of a global movement calling for an end to unfair trade practices. Fair trade empowers disadvantaged communities by paying them fair and stable prices for their work, helping them to gain the skills they need to develop their business, and giving them access to world markets.

I found the store very customer friendly and having products that are not associated with just…read morevacuum cleaners. I bought 5ltr no rinse floor cleaner and spray mops which were the best I have used ever. I cannot find these mops anywhere since Godfreys closed their stores which is a shame. If anyone can help me out with the mops I would greatly appreciate it.

From the owner: Godfreys are the vacuum and cleaning specialists.read more