6 Last-Minute Housewarming Gifts Under $50 To Get Friends When You Can Join The 5 Pax Gathering

Housewarming gifts

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Now that house visits of up to 5 pax are allowed, you may find yourself getting invited to various housewarming get-togethers. Housewarming gifts can be a tricky affair, though. Miscellaneous items like stuffed toys and cutesy decor usually end up collecting dust in a corner, whereas practical necessities like tissues and socks are useful but lack sentimental meaning.

In finding that sweet spot between uniquely fascinating and practical enough to be used on the regular, we’ve found 6 housewarming gifts that will actually help to spruce up your friends’ homes. What’s more, these are all from homegrown businesses via Shopee. Go hunting for gifts and support local at the same time because, as Visa puts it, #WhereYouShopMatters.

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1. Changi Airport scented candle, perfume & diffusers (from $19.90)

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Image credit: GIFT by Changi Airport

Singaporeans are collectively mourning the inability to travel overseas, but you can still cheer your wanderlust-stricken pal up with some Changi Airport scents. Available in the form of candles ($19.90), perfume oils ($24.90) and reed diffusers ($24.90), the familiar fragrance triggers memories of setting foot within the airport’s terminals.

While we await the pandemic to blow over, you and your friend can bask in these nostalgic aromas containing orchid, bergamot and ylang ylang notes – letting your olfactory senses whisk you away on a journey.

Get the Changi Airport Scents from GIFT by Changi Airport

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2. Original durian card game invented by Singaporeans ($23.10)

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Image adapted from @themindcafe_sg: Left, Right

Few things spell stay-home fun quite like a hearty round of board or card games, giving your eyes a much-needed break from screen time as well. Arguably the most popular board game cafe in Singapore, folks behind The Mind Cafe have come up with their very own game invention: a uniquely Singaporean card game called The Durian Game ($23.10), perfect housewarming gifts for any durian lover.

The goal is to collect 9 cards all featuring the same durian type, featuring favourites such as Red Prawn, Black Pearl and Golden Phoenix. A brilliantly chaotic session of trading and snatching ensues, undoubtedly whetting your appetite for some delectable King of Fruits.

Get The Durian Game from The Mind Cafe

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3. Low-maintenance potted herbs and edible plants (from $8)

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Image adapted from New Joo Guan Nursery: Left, Right

A by-product of the Circuit Breaker is that heaps of Singaporeans seem to have become budding home gardeners. Direct from New Joo Guan Nursery located in the northwestern side of Singapore, you can get potted plants from $8. 

These include dainty Emerald Bird Flowers ($15), Thai Parsley or Basil ($8 each), vibrant Adeniums also known as Desert Rose ($35), and Roselle ($15) – which is actually edible. Gift it to your culinarily-inclined friend who also happens to have a green thumb, and they can throw it in salads, saute the leaves or boil roselle tea.

Get Potted Plants from New Joo Guan Nursery

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4. Takoyaki plate ($35) and portable gas cooker ($44.20)

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Image adapted from (L-R): Shopee, Sundai Love

ToTT stocks a gargantuan range of home cooking needs, from kitchenware to industry-grade baking accessories. Difficult to find elsewhere, their takoyaki plate ($35) allows you to whip up your own little orbs of chewy, carby goodness. The best part is, you’re free to customise the takoyaki with your favourite fillings – we suggest cheese, mushroom and bits of meat or seafood.

It can be a little fiddly on conventional stoves, so we recommend accompanying your purchase with a portable gas cooker ($44.20). Bring this to your friend’s place for cosy hotpot and mookata feasts, at a fraction of restaurant prices.

Get the Takoyaki Plate and Portable Gas Cooker from ToTT

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5. Bluetooth LED bulb with adjustable colour settings ($29)

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Image adapted from: Veho World

Coloured lighting sets the mood and gives your humble abode boutique hotel-esque vibes at the flip of a switch. That said, why commit to a fixed colour menu when you can have endless choices at just $29? This LED bulb with Bluetooth connectivity can be synced to your phone, allowing you to toggle the exact shade that you want. 

Whether it’s a soft teal to boost concentration, warm yellow to soothe the mind or a bold crimson to introduce passion, this affordable gadget serves as a great gift as well as a house party essential.

Get the Bluetooth LED Colour Bulb from Stylo Gadgets

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6. Mineral non-cloth anti-mould bathroom mat ($17.90)

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Image adapted from: Shopee

In warm and humid Singapore, mould is a common household concern. Do away with the worry of mould thriving in damp spaces by getting a mineral bathroom mat ($17.90) instead. Instead of cloth, it’s made of diatomite which absorbs moisture and dries off within seconds. 

Fret not about showing up to your friend’s house with a tacky gift, as this nifty mat is available in gorgeous designs such as solid pastels or marble print. Not only will they appreciate the useful bathroom addition, you’ll help to add a touch of Pinterest-worthy aesthetics to their home as well.

Get the Diatomite Absorbent Bathroom Mat from Houze

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Support local businesses with Visa and Shopee

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As you head over to your friend’s new home with one or more of these housewarming gifts in tow, relish in the fact that your purchase has gone towards supporting local businesses. That’s because all merchants featured in this list fall under the Support Local category on Shopee. 

Indicated by a tag when you browse their huge online collection, you get a quick and easy way to see which brands and items are offered by homegrown platforms.
Image adapted from (L-R): ToTT, New Joo Guan Nursery, The Mind Cafe

Especially amidst the rocky economic conditions brought on by COVID-19, Visa reminds us that #WhereYouShopMatters. They’re taking matters into their own hands by showcasing partner merchants and giving humble local businesses a vital boost.

There are perks in it for you as well, with the chance to win $100 worth of Shopee vouchers through Visa’s Instagram giveaway. All you have to do is:

1. Post a photo/video of you with a product from a local small business where you have chosen to shop, and talk about why in the caption.
2. Follow @visa_sg and hashtag your post with #WhereYouShopMatters and #visa_sg. Remember to set your account to public!
3. Winners will be picked based on the most heartwarming entries.

You can also participate in the giveaway via Facebook, with the following steps:

1. Upload a photo of your purchase from a small local business.
2. Include a heartwarming caption on why you chose to shop at this small local business, along with the hashtag #WhereYouShopMatters.
3. Follow Visa Singapore on Facebook. Posts must be visible to the public till 10th October 2020.

(L-R) The local business owners behind New Joo Guan Nursery, ToTT & The Mind Cafe.
Image adapted from: Visa 

For inspo on what to spend your $100 Shopee vouchers on, keep your eyes peeled for Visa’s partner merchants lineup. You’ll discover gift ideas, must-haves to furnish your home or make life easier, and new buys in general that will make all the difference to our local business owners.

Find out more about Visa’s #WhereYouShopMatters campaign

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This post was brought to you by Visa.
Cover image adapted from (clockwise): @themindcafe_sg, Veho World, Kansai Airport, GIFT by Changi Airport