12 Christmas Gift Ideas And Activities To Sleigh This Holiday Season
Tis’ the season for some gift-gifting! As we enter the festive month of December, the search for the perfect gift for friends and family begins.
Forget the clichés and banish the "been there, gifted that" feeling, whether you’re seeking something for the culinary maestro, the movie nerd, or the homebody, this curated Christmas gift guide is here to sprinkle some jolly inspiration into your holiday shopping and make the quest of finding the best gift a little easier.
From cozy must-haves to luxurious gift sets, there is something for everyone in this gift lineup!
Fun and Thoughtful Gifts
First up, some fun and quirky gift options that are sure to spark joy and spread some holiday smiles.
1) Advent Calendars
Source: Harry Potter Lego and Amazon
We all have that one friend who loves a good movie franchise, be it Harry Potter or Star Wars, these advent calendars make counting down to Christmas all the more exciting! From mini Hermione Granger to little Stormtroopers, with new character figurines to pick out every other day, the LEGO® Harry Potter™ Advent Calendar 2023 ($58.90) or Funko Pop! Advent Calendar: Star Wars - Holiday ($73) would be the best gift for your nerdy friend to geek out this holiday.
2) Scented Candles
Source: [L to R] Hush, Bath & Body Works,
Christmas is all about feeling cozy and holiday-themed scented candles would definitely get you in the warm and fuzzy mood. With the comforting glow and soothing scents from Hush’s aromatherapy candles ($20-$35) to Bath & Body Works’s Holiday 3-Wick Candles ($49), curl up with a book and fill the room with the comforting scent of toasted marshmallows, warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla bean this Christmas season.
Practical Gifts
Practical gifts are a hot favourite because who doesn’t love presents that are both thoughtful and functional?
3) Pyjama Sets
Source: Uniqlo
After digging in on scrumptious holiday feasts and hopping from one Christmas party to the next, probably nothing would feel better than staying in and watching comfort holiday movies in bed. Snuggle in with some of the softest and comfiest pyjama sets ($29.90-$39.90) from Uniqlo, which would also be an ideal gift for homebodies that live for those lazy days in between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
4) Insulated Bottles
Source: Owala, Stanley, Lululemon
You must have seen it all over your TikTok page with the latest craze over Owala bottles, and truth be told, we totally understand. The Owala FreeSip 24oz/32oz/40oz ($54.90-$69.90) comes with a built-in straw for a fuss-free sip and there are a plethora of colours to choose from that would make the perfect practical gift for both men and the ladies. Plus, the insulation keeps your beverages cold for hours on end! Alternatively, Stanley ($60) and Lululemon ($62) bottles are also available in beautiful colour options and does a marvellous job at keeping your drinks cold or hot, based on your preference.
5) Pilot Juice Sanrio ‘SWEET PARTY’ Pens
Source: Pilot Pen
If you have a kid in the family and you’re struggling to find a super cute but practical gift, Sanrio characters is the way to go. The Pilot Juice Sanrio ‘SWEET PARTY’ pens ($17.50/set) from Pilot Pen are not only adorable but also extremely functional! This would appeal to not only the little ones but also adults that need stationery in their office because who could say no to Hello Kitty and Cinnamoroll on their desk?
Festive Delights
Be it a gourmet gift basket, artisanal chocolates, or a luxurious truffle oil set, culinary treats are a surefire way to please our foodie friends.
6) GODIVA Chocolate Gift Box
Indulge in the new GODIVA limited-edition Feel The Magic Of Christmas collection. The luxurious and wide assortment of chocolate flavours would appeal to those with a sweet tooth for sure. A couple of flavours that stand out are the Pecan Pie Chocolate Truffle, Passionfruit Coconut Rice Pudding and Pumpkin Pie Chocolate Truffle. Furthermore, the option of different packaging gift boxes, festive tins, and hampers would cater for a broad range of budgets. Our personal favourite designs are the Bear-Shaped Box ($54) and the Christmas Tree Box ($69).
GODIVA
Outlets & Availability
7) Matcha Tea Set
Source: Crafti
We probably all know someone whose go-to Starbucks order is always a matcha latte. The Awakening Matcha Whisk Set ($79.90) from Crafti would make an excellent gift for him or her as it provides them with the essential tools (proper whisk, cup, etc.) to prepare matcha masterfully, and of course, top-quality matcha powder that would satisfy their matcha cravings just as well as a Starbucks drop-in.
8) Truffle Gift Set
Source: Delicia, Truffle Hunter
Truffle fries in a cafe always sounds like a good idea but what if you could make it at home? With the Truffle Lovers’ Gift Box ($132) from Delicia or Black, White & English Truffle Oil Set ($52) from Truffle Hunter, you can now enjoy gourmet truffles from the comfort of your own kitchen! The former includes white truffle flavored oil in tin and spray, black truffle balsamic vinegar glaze, honey with truffles, tomato sauce with truffles, and white truffle salt. With a bundle like that, you could easily whip up a storm of impressive dishes like a classic truffle mash or cold truffle angel hair pasta, which would definitely blow the socks off guests at your Christmas dinner party.
9) Wagyu Beef
Source: Nikusho Tanaka and Ryan’s Grocery
For friends and family that have the taste for the finer things in life, a scrumptious A5 Wagyu steak ($20-$68.90) from Nikusho Tanaka or Ryan’s Grocery would be a great gift to bring along to the communal Christmas barbeque or hotpot party. Lauded for its unbelievable tenderness and melt-in-your-mouth goodness, some premium quality Wagyu is sure to put everyone in a jolly mood after such a top-tier Christmas dinner.
10) Christmas Charcuterie and Cheese Platters
Source: Cheeseshop.sg and Cheeselads
How could we have a Christmas gift guide and not include charcuterie cheese boards? Nothing screams festive more than a colourful meat and cheese platter. Save the trouble of gathering and preparing all the components as Cheeseshop.sg and Cheeselads ($55-$325) both offer stunning options to impress your loved ones. At the end of your Christmas dinner, pair it with a glass of your favourite red or white and wind down for the evening with some chill Xmas music. An added bonus? You could definitely show off the gorgeous presentation of the cheese boards on your Instagram stories!
Activities
There may be no grand Rockefeller Christmas in Singapore but what better way to spend the holiday season than to celebrate with loved ones over stunning light displays and giant Christmas trees? Check out these festive happenings to busk in some holly jolly festive tunes and at the same time, spoil yourself with some indulgent holiday sweet treats!
11) Christmas Wonderland
Source: Christmas Wonderland
Ever since its first edition in 2014, Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay has become everyone’s favourite go-to and must-see holiday event and honestly, we can see why - think dazzling light displays, live performances, carnival games, and most importantly, delicious festival fare and sweet treats! The Yuletide wonderland is kid-friendly for a wholesome family night out and at the same time, the perfect place for a cute date night with your partner frolicking around in the snow within the majestic 20-metre tall Spalliera display.
Tickets start at $8, get tickets here.
12) Candlelight: A Tribute to Joe Hisaishi
Source: Resorts World Sentosa and Fever
Rest, relax, and have a truly enchanting evening at SEA Aquarium as Candelight presents the iconic soundtrack of Studio Ghibli against the riveting backdrop of the Open Ocean Habitat. You can expect to enjoy classic tunes from Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and many more — so if you’re a big fan of these films, this would definitely be an incredible way to wrap up the year.
The one-night-only performance happens Friday 29 Dec 2023. Tickets are available here.
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