It’s that jolly time of the year again, when Christmas shopping begins. Start your festive gift preparation early with our gift guide for ideas on what to give to all of the nearest and dearest women in your life. Of course, we’ve kept a special section reserved for your special man, check these gift ideas here.
P.S. Don’t feel too guilty if you’re tempted to buy yourself a Christmas gift – or two – after a good year; there is no harm treating yourself to some of these fab shopping finds too!
She’ll get to wear a different scent each week (or everyday, should she wish) with this pretty fragrance set from Bulgari. Five signature Bulgari scents: Omnia Améthyste, Omnia Crystalline, Omnia Coral, Mon Jasmin Noir and Jasmin Noir are bottled within these dainty 25ml bottles. Available at Tangs, Robinsons and Takashimaya Department Store.
You really can’t go wrong with a chic black bag like this, which goes with practically everything. Loved by style icons like Alexa Chung, the Mulberry Lily’s mini size just makes it even more covetable. Your main problem? You might just be tempted to keep it for yourself instead. Get it at the Mulberry store in Mandarin Gallery, #01-09, 333A Orchard Road.
The “Creative Mode” on this petite wonder aims to surprise: Five Instagram-worthy variations of your photo will be generated at random, with unexpected results each time. Photos on this 12.1 megapixel camera can also be transferred with ease over Wi-Fi, via the Canon SmartWindow app. Another plus: it weighs just 195g. Available at all authorised Canon retailers. Visit the Canon Singapore website for more information.
If a bracelet watch seems too prim and proper for your fun-loving friend, then get the quirky-cool cat lady you know this funky new watch from the Marc by Marc Jacobs Holiday collection. Available at Marc by Marc Jacobs boutiques in Singapore.
Made of cowhide, this colourful metallic patchwork is the Commes des Garcons ‘it’ print for this festive season. Get it at #02-39/40, Hilton Hotel Singapore, Tel: 6304 1362.
Slip into a pair of Spur’s comfy shoes and you’ll get why they’re so loved by Korean celebs like the girls of Girls’ Generation. But if bows and ballet flats are not quite your best friend’s style, then check out the Constellation Collection, featuring the twelve zodiacs on Spur loafers. Get it at Spur, Plaza Singapura New Extension, #04-32, Orchard Road.
Even in these Instagram-obsessed times, polaroid cameras are still a hit, thanks to their old-school charm. Get dreamy snaps with this Diana F+ Instant Camera, which includes a second camera back that allows you to switch to shooting with camera film too. Get it at Lomography Gallery Store, 295 South Bridge Road #01-01 and its online shop.
This floral gem may just persuade your best friend to keep a watch on her wrist — it’s pretty enough to double as her statement arm candy for the day.
Available at Watch Station International stores in 313@Somerset, IMM and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
Cased in maple wood and finished with 18K gold, this limited edition fountain pen is the gift to get for the writer who still loves the feel of pen and paper. She’ll bid goodbye to those messy ink splurges. With an easy push of a button, this retractable fountain pen keeps the nib safely in the pen barrel when it’s unused; an air-tight seal keeps the ink from drying out too. This set includes five pieces of ink cartridges, and is limited to 900 pieces worldwide. Get this gift set at Aesthetic Bay, Elephant & Coral, Times Relay, Times Travel and Fook Hing Trading Co. shops in Singapore.
Made of lambskin, these chic bracelets are available in over ten colour variants, with a bell at the end; all you have to do is to get one in your friend’s favourite hue.
Get it at Tangs Orchard and Tangs VivoCity, Doorstep Luxury, Gnossem.
Give your sporty friend a new piece of wrist candy this Christmas. Check out the Adidas Brisbane watch, available in 10 cheery hues that are just as fun-loving as she is.
Available at all adidas Originals boutiques and authorized retailers in Singapore.
The Swarovski crystals on the dial give this slim ceramic watch a subtle glitter that’s just enough sparkle for the festive season. Choose from two colourways described as “Puristic Black” and “White Look”. This set includes a matching necklace too. Available at Bering stores in Marina Bay Sands, Millenia Walk, Parkway Parade, Robinsons JEM and Chronobreeze stores in Raffles City and Wisma Atria.
You know that she’ll love something a bit more twee – like this vintage-style chirpy saddle bag from Cath Kidston. The signature floral and polka dot prints are sweet alternatives too, for the girl in love with Cath Kidston’s vintage feel. Shop for Cath Kidston in Singapore at ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B2-48, Singapore 238801.
The petite size of this scarlet bag is a sweet sight. It’s big enough to store your essentials and yet not too hefty to wear you down while you’re out and about all day long.
Available at all Coach stores in Singapore.
If she adores the sweet fragrance of roses, pamper her with this Rosewater-scented bath set from Crabtree & Evelyn. She’ll be able to store these in a pair of matching powder pink purses and the travel-size pouch will come in handy for her upcoming holidays abroad too.
Available at all Crabtree & Evelyn stores in Singapore.
Splurge on a gift for that dear friend who’s always chic with this Hermes bracelet. The distinctively Hermes horse clasp makes this bracelet like no other; you know she’ll love this addition this to her arm candy collection.
Available at all Hermes stores in Singapore.
Pick this stationery set for a fellow foodie who cooks. She’ll be able to note down all her new and beloved recipes, while jotting down her shopping list on cute notepaper. It’s even more reason for her to organise another cookout session; and more opportunities for you to try out her latest recipe finds. Shop for Kikki.K at ION Orchard, #B2-44/45/46, 2 Orchard Turn, Singapore 238801.
A shy grey rabbit peeps over the top of this adorable, three-dimensional Moschino iPhone case that is surely the gift your bunny-loving friends will covet. Available in store at the Moschino Paragon, #01-04/05, Tel: 6732 1375 from December 2013.
Add another charm to her Pandora bracelet to mark this yearly occasion. The latest festive finds include sweet bows, snow flecked charms and more to thread onto her Pandora “story” chain.
Available at all Pandora stores in Singapore.
Get her set for 2014 with a stylish new Moleskine diary. In a chic tie-up with Shanghai Tang, this limited edition series features origami horses on the sturdy cover. There’s even a feng shui diary ($75) for those who would like to be sure of a prosperous year ahead. Available online and at all Shanghai Tang stores in Singapore.
Add to her statement jewellery collection with this pendant necklace. Inspired by the opulent palaces of Venice, this Christmas gift may just be a timely reminder to visit the beautiful city soon. Available at all Swarovski stores in Singapore.
It’s a piece of jewellery and it tells the time too. Get this stylish cuff bracelet-style Swatch watch for the dainty friend. The lace print gives the watch an added feminine touch; plus, it’s easy-to-match with her sweet dresses. Available in Singapore at Swatch Ion Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B2-37, Singapore 238801, Tel: 65098835 and TimeWise by Cortina Watch, Wisma Atria Shopping Center, #03-24/29, 435 Orchard Road, Singapore 238877, Tel: 63399447.
For the sun-kissed Biotherm babe in your life, this holiday edition of the youthful brand’s bestseller – one Aquasource item flies off the shelves every seven seconds – is gussied up with pop-art illustrations of a vibrant oceanscape courtesy of Stockholm-based contemporary artist Kari Moden. Your surfer chick will dig the cheerful, psychedelic corals and starfish, and the product will go to good use, too: Besides buffering her skin from sun rays with up to 48 hours of hydration, each product sold from Biotherm’s holiday range will go towards Mission Blue, an ocean conservation group dedicated to keeping our blue waters blue. Available at all Biotherm counters.
For the fair maiden who fancies herself a Victorian-era English Rose, this lovely illuminating compact by that most British of brands, Burberry, boasts ultra-fine milled mica and oil-absorbent powders for a subtle satiny finish that no amount of garish speckled glitter can achieve, while calming botanical extracts like rosa canina reduces redness. The packaging is pure Burberry too, with the compact embossed with the brand’s instantly recognisable checks. Available at all Burberry stores and counters.
Consisting of five infinitely versatile shadows in delicious plum and burnished bronze, this palette is for the lady who lunches, Boy Chanel in arm and milky pearl strands encircling her elegant neck. The tai-tai in your life will appreciate the little details that are so quintessential Chanel: The discreet quilted motif embossed on each satiny shade, for instance, or the precise way the richly pigmented hues line up just so in their gorgeous rectangular receptacle. Available at Chanel counters and boutiques.
An absolutely magical scarlet box that opens to reveal woodland creatures in delicate snow-white filigree, this treasure chest is for the girly girl in your life. Nestled within this fairytale tableau are items that are very wearable for everyday life, too. There’s an eyeshadow quad in shimmery nudes, a tinted balm in rose-pink and a peach blush compact. Available at Cosme Decorte counters.
For the beauty buff best friend who’s also a cool chick who spends her weekends browsing contemporary art galleries, this special edition Kiehl’s set was designed in partnership with NYC-based graffiti street artist Eric Haze. We love how he’s subtly incorporated the letter “K” (for Kiehl’s, of course) into the festive motif – very clever. Pretty packaging aside, there’s serious skin stuff in the set, including Kiehl’s signatures like the Ultra Facial range. Available at Kiehl’s stores.
This urban NYC apothecary ranks among one of our favourite home spa specialists on account of its city-cool humour – trust the good guys at Malin+Goetz to think of making a rum-scented candle. Yes, really. This is for the self-assured woman who likes her scents strong and stout: Think bergamot, plum, patchouli, leather and the deepest, darkest rum. We suggest lighting this up when the eggnog is being served, for that extra jolt of booze-free spiciness. Available at Spa Espirit, #05-10 Paragon S.C.
For the girl who’s always fussing with her tresses, this trio of shine-boosting shampoo, conditioner and serum will give her lush locks that extra bounce she needs to carry her through a night of shimmying on the dancefloor. Available at all Kérastase consultant salons.
If she’s a perfume connoisseur, this scent-sational limited edition beauty is the last word in luxury. With Sisley’s signature 18 karat show-stopping gold stopper, sexy musky notes are married with light fruity florals in an emerald green and regal gold flacon echoing the most traditional of Christmas colours. Available at all Sisley counters.
For stylish “besties” who know each others’ shoe size and more intimate details by heart, pick up a pair of these travel-friendly ballerina flats for your fellow fashionista. Available in black and pink, at Bottega Veneta stores in Singapore.
This colourful and chunky bracelet does the “arm candy” layering for her. All she has to do is to slip it on with her favourite summer dress and sandals, and she’s ready for the weekend!
Shop for iRoo at Ngee Ann City, #B1-52-55, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B2-97, Great World City, #01-45/46 and Vivo City, #01-179-182.
You can’t go wrong with stripes, as this cute clutch would show. The candy-like pushlock is a sweet touch too. Now available in Singapore stores.
Crafted out of fine leather, these will hold her keys together – and more reason for forgetful friends to keep their keys safe! Available as part of the Loewe Holiday collection, now in stores.
Welcome the year of the Horse with one of these limited edition Longchamp canvas bags. The equestrian motif is featured in a platinum-toned patent cowhide, stitched on the canvas bag. This Longchamp Le Pliage bag comes with a useful bag strap too, so that she can sling it on her shoulders when she’s busy doing her house visits during Lunar New Year.
Now available at Longchamp boutiques in Paragon, #02-02/03 and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, #B1-146.
For warm, foamy brews to savour at home, get this easy-to-use automatic coffee machine. Just pop the capsules in, select your milk-and-coffee (or tea) ratio and the machine will dispense your drink of choice. A festive party pack of four coffee flavours (worth $12.90) also comes complimentary with the purchase of a Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine, while stocks last. Visit the Nestle Singapore website for the full list of store locations in Singapore.
Grab a tee or two with these famous fashion faces, featuring stars like Lady Gaga and Madonna too. Best for the fashionista friend with all things Karl Lagerfeld too. Available online at Modajar.
If she can’t say no to a bow, get this blush pink pouch for her to store her trusty makeup kit.
Shop for Ted Baker at Ion Orchard, #B1-22 and VivoCity, #01-132.
Treat your “bestie” with this Dior horoscope necklace, which gives pearl jewellery such a fresh and youthful appeal. But do hurry, before everyone else jumps onto this fab gift idea too. Call Dior Singapore at 1800 4159 990 or email contactdiorasia@dior.com to check if the specific horoscope you’re looking for is still available.
She’s elegant and glamorous — the friend who’s a Tory Burch fan will love to wear this pair of Art Deco-style gems on her next night out. Shop for Tory Burch at #02-28, Wisma Atria, Tel: 6733 2980.
Jazz up her outfit with this gleaming new clutch from Vince Camuto, just in time for all the year-end party nights. Available in store at Vince Camuto, Ion Orchard, Orchard Turn, Ion Orchard B2-20, Singapore 238801.
This stylish and sleek digital camera is a gold beauty that she’ll love to carry with her, to snap each and every picture-worthy moment. For quick Instagram updates, photos can be transferred with ease via Wi-Fi from the camera to her mobile phone too.
Now available at Leica Stores located at ION Orchard, Mandarin Gallery and Raffles Hotel Arcade.
Get your friend a stylish new backpack for her travels, useful for “hands free” days on-the-go, when she would rather not carry a handbag on her arm.
Available at Dot branches at Bugis+, #02-14; Tampines 1, #02-01; Jurong Point, #03-11; Jem, #03-03. Go to www.facebook.com/DOTsingapore for more information.