Photo: Unsplash
Giving a great gift is an art form. And if it’s a present for someone who already has it all – from luxury cosmetics to designer bags, and is already a globetrotter and a gourmand – it can be downright frustrating. While you can’t give someone the world, start by gifting more unusual experiences, in the hope that priceless memories will be made, and thus the present doubly received. Here are some of our suggestions.
Gift a massage and a Cello concert
Photo: The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore
Who says no to a massage? No one ever. Add in the soothing tunes of a live cellist – no generic Yo-Yo Ma playlist for this experience – playing Bach and Beethovan, synchronised with the pampering knot-releasing touch of a therapist and you’ve got yourself an all-out blissful experience. The only downside? No other massage will ever match up again.
Cello Concerto massage (60 minutes, $400 for one, $620 for two, inclusive of a 30 minute bath experience) is at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore, 7 Raffles Avenue. Call 6434 5203 or email rc.sinrz.spa@ritzcarlton.com for bookings.
Re-enact scenes from Crazy Rich Asians
Photo: Four Seasons Langkawi
We don’t mean heading to Newton for supper (because really, who goes there?) but the bachelor and bachelorette party scenes filmed at the Four Seasons Langkawi along its spectacular 1.8km long white sand beach. While it might be hard to gather the squad for an epic blowout, book the Royal Villa and have a D&M with your bestie (just like Nick and Colin), and definitely order an in-room massage (we want whatever Rachel Chu had) – but maybe leave out the gutted fish in bed scene.
From US$500 (S$692) per night inclusive of breakfast. Four Seasons Langkawi is at Jalan Tanjung Rhu, 07000 Langkawi, Malaysia, tel: +60 4-950 8888. Visit www.fourseasons.com/langkawi
Get his/her wardrobe sorted
Photo: www.sortorial.com
For the man or woman who has everything, his/her closet will be bursting at the seams. Rather than hearing for the umpteenth time how they’re not able to find a favourite (*insert shoe/bag/scarf), buy them a session with Sortorial, a home organisation and personal styling company. Not only will founder Debby Kwong thoughtfully purge the stash into what to keep, donate or toss, she’ll Marie Kondo all the clutter into a easy-to-visual space arranged by colour, category and function. And if you need, she can revamp your entire wardrobe ($720), just give her six hours.
Closet Organisation Service costs $240. Visit www.sortorial.com for more information.
Learn to bake with a celebrity chef
Photo: Baker and Cook
Give a gift that keeps on giving… in the form of freshly baked baguettes, batards and all forms of sourdough goodness. Over five days, the 5 Day Bread Making course ($1,300) taught by Baker and Cook’s own Dean Brettschneide will impart all the tips and tricks that goes into kneading the perfect dough and how to make sure your sourdough starter is properly established. For added points, the Great Kiwi Bake Off judge will know exactly how to let any newbie baker down, gently.
Visit www.bakingandcookingschool.com/classes.html for more information.
Glamp under the stars
Photo: Glamping Society
Because hotel staycations have become too predictable, gift a surprise glamping experience instead. The Glamping Society will do all the work – set up the tent with fluffy pillows, inflate balloons, organise food, drink and flowers, and dress it all up in pretty fairy lights. All that’s needed is to show up at Punggol or East Coast Park with some mosquito repellent and an overnight bag in tow. Be warned: private toilet facilities aren’t provided so braving public amenities will be part of the fun – consider it a small price to pay for doing something novel.
From $270; call 8751 5339 (weekdays 10am to 6pm) or 9384 1244. Visit http://www.glampingsociety.com for more information.
Craft your own candle
Photo: Sally’s Room
Rather than splashing out on another Diptyque candle, make one, or gift the experience of creating one at Sally’s Room. Soy candle classes ($98) are just one of the many classes (there’s also Palm Wax, Multi Wax, Pillar Candles etc…) on offer. All you need is an uninterrupted three hours, and at the end you’ll walk out with your very own piece of art. Plus, if it’s a hobby that catches on, there’s intermediate classes like Dessert Table Candle Making and elaborate Floral Candle Cakes.
Sally’s Room is at #01-44, 4 Everton Park, tel: 6221 7883. Visit http://www.sallysroom-sg.com
Get their favourite bag painted
Photo: Cherin Sim
Disclaimer: Tread carefully with this one unless you’re very sure he/she won’t mind. Then again, since there’s a 1.5- to two-year-long waiting list there’s ample time to suss out which piece of arm candy (be it a Birkin or a luggage tag) is up for being decorated. To be fair, the marquage done by artist Cherin Sim (she has a Masters of Fine Art from Goldsmiths, University of London and is herself a bag designer) is a work of art in itself. Don’t believe us? Check out her Instagram posts. As she never paints the same thing twice – except for Japan’s iconic Hokusai Wave – it’s probably best to get in line with a design in hand, stat.
From $1,000. You can reach her via Instagram message at @simcherin.
Be a baller, rent out a yacht
Photo: Yachtly
Whether it’s for a party for two or 33, Yachtly has it covered with their fleet of yachts. Let them know the date, how long you need the boat for and the theme of the occasion and they’ll sort you out with a suitable vessel, and some extras (jet skis, floats, barbecue, kayak). Oh, and the crew comes with so you can live out all your bourgey yacht dreams, if only for a day.
ALSO READ: 10 OUT-OF-THE-BOX CHRISTMAS GIFTS TO GET YOUR BFFS THIS COMING FESTIVE SEASON