Buying last-minute Christmas gifts can be quite a pain and we all have our fair share of valid reasons. We were too busy at work, we ran out of quality ideas on what to buy, or we simply didn’t really care.
However, when there is a party to attend and you are expected to bring a gift, or to participate in a gift exchange, it doesn’t make sense to deliberately not bring anything and to be the odd person out.
You struggle to think about what to buy. Gone are the days when you can just show up with a box of Ferrero Rocher and get away with the impression that you actually bothered to make an effort.
But don’t worry. We got you covered. In this article, we will highlight 5 socially acceptable last minute Christmas Gifts that people would appreciate having.
# 1 ROYCE’ Chocolate
No matter how last minute the gift was, we are not saying no to Royce Chocolate
Ferrero Rocher was the token gift you bring to a party when you had no better ideas…15 years ago.
These days, people expect more. And the honour has now fallen to ROYCE’ Chocolate instead. With a ROYCE’ Collection “Blue” selling at 53.50 and the “Red” selling at $90, nobody can accuse you of not spending your fair share in livening up the Christmas party.
Best of all, ROYCE’ Chocolate outlets are strategically situated around Orchard, City Hall, and the CBD. Grabbing a box of chocolate on the way home from the office is easy.
It’s expensive, it tastes good, it’s a great brand and it’s convenient to buy. What’s there not to like?
# 2 A Random Bottle Of Wine
We can’t really tell the difference so we will just buy whatever looks expensive
Bringing a bottle of wine to a Christmas party has always been the “right thing” to do, even if the person who brings it doesn’t even drink and can barely tell the difference between red and white wine. Nobody could ever fault a guy who brings wine.
Making a choice is easy. Find the nearest NTUC, Cold Storage or Sheng Siong and head over to the wine section. Get a bottle from some nice places such as New Zealand, Australia or France. Don’t buy the cheapest wine but avoid the expensive ones.
Something that cost about $30 should be just about right, even if you have no idea what you just bought. Most people don’t.
# 3 A Starbucks Mug
Mugs are lousy gifts to give and receive. However, for some strange reason, the very same mug with a Starbucks logo costing $10 more is a respectable Christmas gift.
The added bonus is that you shouldn’t have a problem finding a Starbucks outlet, even if you just booked out from Tekong (there is one at Whitesands).
Yes, there is a Starbucks outlet at Jurong Island
# 4 Twelve Cupcakes
Cupcakes are pretty to look at and terrible to be eating; especially when you are taking chunks of bites off the top, leaving cream on your mouth and plain cake left behind.
At the risk of offending cupcake lovers in Singapore, we think there is, unfortunately, no shortage of lousy cupcakes being sold or made. This explains why cupcakes are always the last dessert to be eaten.
One of the few exceptions that we know of is the cupcakes from Twelve Cupcakes. Founded by local celebrity couple Daniel Ong and Jamie Teo, Twelve Cupcakes remain a favourite among many Singaporeans.
They are not only good to look at, but also delicious to eat. At $40 for 12 cupcakes, nobody can accuse you of being a cheapskate either.
# 5 Famous Amos Cookies
Why do people buy Gingerbread man, which nobody really wants to eat (we know that for a fact since there is still one lying around the office after more than a week) instead of delicious cookies from Famous Amos is a question that we have no good answers to.
Perhaps it’s the idea of dressing up the Gingerbread man? Perhaps we saw it in some cartoons? Maybe it’s a symbol of creation? We have no idea.
What we do know however is that Famous Amos cookies hardly ever get left behind during Christmas parties. On the other hand, you practically need to force people to bring their gingerbread man home. Singaporeans clearly know which tastes better.
Unlike Starbucks, Famous Amos outlets are not exactly situated on every other street in Singapore. However, you can choose to order your cookies online and have them delivered, making it far easier to order in large quantities without worrying about dropping it in the MRT.
# 6 Yankee Candle
Source: Yankee Candle Singapore
Bringing the scent of the holiday season with you is always welcoming. Get Yankee Candles as they smell good, and they burn evenly throughout. Those concerned with soot residues from burning candles can opt for soy wax candles as soy wax is petro-carbon soot-free. If you’re afraid burning candles could be dangerous in a home with small children, then grab the reed or ScentPlug diffusers.
Plus, there’s a good range of products at Yankee Candle that will suit anyone’s budget.
Depending on the size and type of the candle, it can range from $5 to $42. Reed diffuser costs $42. While the Electronic ScentPlug diffuser costs $19 and it doesn’t come with any fragrance. So, buying the ScentPlug Refill Twin Pack ($24) along with the electronic diffuser device would cost you a total of $43.
# 7 Marks & Spencer Bath or Beach Towel
Source: Marks & Spencers
Marks & Spencer is an iconic retailer that we connect it to all things English, and therefore all things Christmas. They sell a good range of products, such as food, home products and clothes. Their fashion line is more geared towards classic styling and contemporary elegance. You can pretty much get “safe” items from Marks & Spencers.
Getting someone towels is always a practical thing to do. One cannot complain about having more towels, especially in Singapore. The number of showers we take in a day will never see a towel getting fully dried. Bath Towels and Beach Towels from Marks & Spencer range from $25.90 to $39.90. You can even get the whole set of towels which includes a face towel, guest towel, hand towel, bath towel and bath sheet for $96.50.
# 8 TWG Tea
Source: TWG Tea
As the saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts”, but honestly, the gifts we give reflect on us as a person. That’s why getting luxury tea like TWG is a good choice; they pamper and flatter the gift recipient while elevating your “atas” status as a friend at the same time.
Ushering the festive season, TWG Tea is selling a variety of Christmas gift sets. The Joy of Christmas Tea (mini) costs $15, the Winter Holiday Gift Set costs $84, and the Heritage Chocolate Gift set costs $78. Gift hampers are available from $330 onwards.
#9 Hysses Hand Sanitiser And Body Wash
Source: Hysses
We will never say no to hand sanitisers these days. What better way to keep your hands clean while keeping them smelling great. Hysses products can be bought from its official website and a Hand Sanitiser Gift Set costs $32.90 and comes with two bottles of different scents – Bergamot Sandalwood and Lavender Chamomile, Cedar Patchouli and Palmarosa Jasmine, and Magnolia Rose and Plum Yuzu.
Another option you can consider is the body wash which costs $29.90 for 220ml and $56.90 for 500ml and comes with scents such as Eucalyptus Rosemary, Ginger Lemongrass, and Lavender Hinoki.
You can purchase the body wash online via FoodPanda Shops too and the item will be delivered within the day. If the e-mart is closed, there is a function you can select to set the delivery for the next day.
#10 Osim Massagers
Source: Osim
Osim’s eye massager and handheld massagers are items that will definitely be a hit. The items just scream #selfcare and your gift receivers will truly appreciate the pampering. The other good thing about these gifts is that they can be used more than once, making them practical gifts.
The Osim uMask Eye Massager is priced at $49 while the uDolly 2 Handheld Massager and uPamper Mini 2 Handheld Massager costs $99 each. If you are feeling generous, the uCozy 3D Neck and Shoulder Massager with Strap at $179 will be another gift to consider.
You can also opt for the Gift of Wellness at $169, which allows you to select your own combination of 2 small items from this list – uPulse Mat EMS Leg Massager, uDolly 2 Handheld Massager, uPamper Mini 2 Handheld Massager, uPure 2 Water Purifier, and uGrace Smart Body Composition Monitor – if you are looking to impress the gift receiver.
Do you agree with our list or are we too harsh on the gifts on the list? Should some other gifts be added instead? Share your thoughts with us on Facebook.
Read Also: Why Santa Is A Horrible Economist
This article was originally published on 21 December 2016 and updated with new recommendations.
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