Posted on Sat, 12 Nov 2011
Quirky X’mas Gift Ideas
Novelty gifts abound at Christmas and we’ve found a few online and in Singapore and Hong Kong to share with you:
CRAZY ABOUT CARS: So he missed the F1 races – no biggie. We’ve found a club in Hong Kong where it’s legal to both Drink and Drive. Its the Sideways Racing Club – a crazy simulator driving arcade where there is food, drinks and the fun is accelarated especially if you have other mad buddies to race. The kids love it and the men just can’t seem to get enough of the role play. Gift vouchers on sale at:
EMO-GYM SELF HELP BOOK: Cheaper than a shrink for sure, here’s one that you can get from the book stores, Amazon at GBP12.99 or www.emotionalfitnessgym.co.uk. It’s a new self help book by Paul Bird called “Emotional Fitness”. Guaranteed to train the reader muscle a positive frame of mind emotionally, the book aims to change the way that you think from how to tackle negative thoughts to coping with the pressure of modern living and preventing destructive negative thoughts.
PET LOVERS: Shopping for a pet lover, try Hair of the Dog from London which also retails on line at www.hairofthedoglondon.com which is actually a new concept dog and cat boutique for the elegant and stylishly discerning pet (now shouldn’t that be the owner we are talking about?) all hand made, unique and one-off. There are hand crafted wooden double feeders from Canada, wooden toy houses handmade from vintage wine crates and Planet Dog, a 100% bamboo ball thrower. Also available are high quality pet spa products.
CLEAN FREAK: I am one of those but I love style in my storage and we found this Laundry Basket made of recycled wood featuring the legendary Lloyd Loom weave with a detachable linen fabric bag at the eco-friendly TREE boutique at www.tree.com.hk (with branches at Soho, Horizon Plaza and soon to open at Cyberport in Hong Kong). Available in aqua, broken white and oyster. From the Belgian Vincent Sheppard furniture collection, the basket is made by hand using the Lloyd Loom technique which is twisting fabric around steel wire forming strong and durable threads.
SHINY AND BRIGHT: If you are looking for a home ware gift, try furniture and accessory store Asiatique in Singapore where light and texture reign with Shagreen, ostrich skin and penshell bring quiet sophistication to vases, bowls and decorative boxes while tea lights and candles find elegant homes in contemporary candle holders and lanterns. Working with designers and artisans from Asia and Europe, Asiatique owner Chin Chelliah Botinelli hand picks each item in her collections on her extensive travels to deliver a feeling of exotic luxury while candles, set in a dramatic backdrop of glass and nickel, inject warmth and a festive atmosphere into any room. Asiatique is at 14a Dempsey Road, Singapore 249669 at www.asiatiquecollections.com
