Like many others, I struggle to come up with Christmas gift ideas and end up procrastinating until the last minute before scrambling for presents. This usually means I end up with a bunch of generic, cliché gifts like mugs and socks to distribute – resulting in slight embarrassment when everyone else’s gifts outshine mine.
Don’t learn from my mistakes. If you want to secure your Secret Santa MVP status, unique handmade gifts are an easy way to surprise your loved ones. From handcrafted jewellery to custom-made leather products, here are handmade gift shops in Singapore for you to visit:
If you have family or friends who just got a new home, Wandewoo is the perfect place to get some handmade home accessories and decor pieces for them to spruce up their humble abode.
Their range of candle holders (from $27.60) will create a space for your giftee to wind down at the end of a long day. The handcrafted floral designs will even cast a gentle glow and shadows to add to the cosy mood.
Not to be missed is also their Stag Doorstop ($49.50), which will bump up the festive mood with its tartan print, and can also double up as a cute bookend in any reading nook.
Address: Marina Square, 6 Raffles Boulevard, #02-42, Singapore 039594
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 8PM, Daily
Telephone: 6908 4181
Wandwoo website
Image credit: @revergoods
There’s something sentimental about receiving a custom-made gift knowing that it was made with you specifically in mind. At Rever, artisans shape, cut and put together leather products that you can customise to your liking.
Large friend groups are definitely stressful to shop for. For a matching gift to cover the entire clique, get the Leather & Canvas Pouch Gift Bundle for $290 (10 pouches) or $174 (6 pouches). You can also get one individually for $29. Each pouch will come in a different colour and you can even label your friends’ initials on them FOC.
For something more unique, their Rubin Phone Pouch ($178) can fit a phone, cards and other essentials, all while staying compact enough to wear as a crossbody or sling around your neck.
Address: Tangs at Tang Plaza, Level 3, 310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238864
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 8.30PM, Daily
Rever website
Many skincare and body products these days contain countless parabens and chemicals that do more harm than good. Enter Handmade Heroes and their line of vegan and cruelty-free skin and bodycare products.
One of their highly recommended and best-selling products is the Cocolicious Luscious Lip Scrub ($9.90) which gently exfoliates lips and leaves them ultra soft. Besides, the Lily Collins uses this in her beauty routine, and if it’s good enough for Emily in Paris, it’s good enough for the rest of us.
If you have any friends who are mums-to-be, get their You Go Mama Care Package ($69.90) that has dry shampoo, nursing balm, masks and more so that they get pampered too!
Address: Isetan Scotts, Slice of Life, Level 2, 350 Orchard Road, Singapore 238868
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs 10AM-8PM | Fri – Sun 10AM-9PM
Telephone: 6733 1111
Handmade Heroes website
With WFH arrangements set to still take precedence well into 2021 for many of us, a quality loungewear for comfort at home will be a welcome addition to anyone’s wardrobe.
NOST, located at Tangs, has patterned camisoles, shorts and robes (from $79) to make you feel as if you’re taking your Zoom calls from a villa in Bali. The best part is that they’re all handmade by heritage craft artisan families overseas and from sustainable materials, so you can be rest assured that you’re doing good for the environment.
They even have patterned PJs made from 100% cotton for toddlers and kids for $89, so kiddos can laze around and sleep in style.
Address: Tangs at Tang Plaza, 310 Orchard Road, Singapore 238864
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 8.30PM, Daily
Telephone: 6737 5500
NOST website
Instead of getting the usual run-of-the-mill jewellery designs, Bold & Craft has a wide range of handmade pieces inspired by geometry. Their pieces are also made out of 18K gold-plated brass so you can be assured that the jewellery won’t tarnish easily.
The romantic Small Butterfly Necklace ($118) is a wonderful gift for your S/O, and the cute Jack Russell Terrier Brooch ($118) will surely delight any dog lover.
Address: OUE Downtown Gallery, 6A Shenton Way, #01-42, Singapore 068815
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 11.30AM-7.30PM | Sat 11.30AM-3.30PM
Telephone: 8611 8233
Bold & Craft website
This Christmas, pick up a gift or two from The Art Faculty and support artists with autism, who will earn a portion from the sales of their products. There are multiple outlets in Singapore so you can easily pop by one to have a first-hand preview of the item that include face masks and pouches.
Most outlets only sell adult face masks, but you’ll be able to find Kid Face Masks ($15) at their flagship store at Lengkok Bahru – these come in a variety of cute designs and are fitted with dri-fit fabric, perfect for Singapore’s humid weather. For an ideal on-the-go carrier, the Dino Mini Pouch ($12) will keep your essential knick-knacks like makeup products or portable charger safe and easily accessible.
Address: Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru, #01-07, Singapore 159053 (Flagship store)
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 10AM-6PM. Closed on Sun.
Telephone: 6513 0706
The Art Faculty website
Jewellery pieces are usually kept simple, but if you want to customise it with a word or a name, Studio Emoi will let you do so. There are four kinds of jewellery you can put your personal touch to, namely rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces.
The Customised Bracelets (from $195) means your loved one can wear a meaningful word on their wrist, with silver, yellow gold and rose gold options to choose from. If you’re shopping for mom, the Custom Cuff Earrings (from $119) will make for a sophisticated choice, while the Custom Hoop Earrings (from $179) is a suitable gift for the adventurous one in your friend group.
You can shop their collection online, and also see them up-close at stockists such as Capsule by Juliette and Merci Marcel.
Capsule by Juliette
Address: 501 Bukit Timah Road, #02-10 Cluny Court, 501 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 259760
Opening hours: Mon – Sat 10AM-7PM | Sun 10AM-5PM
Merci Marcel
Address: 390 Orchard Road, 01-03 Palais Renaissance, Singapore 238871
Opening hours: 8AM-10.30PM, Daily
Studio Emoi website
Nothing says thoughtfulness more than a handmade gift. If you don’t trust your crafting skills or can barely even wrap your own presents, these 7 unique handmade gift shops in Singapore will get the job done for you. From the skincare enthusiast to the new home-owner, you’ll be able to find gifts for any type of loved one.
Be rewarded when you tap to pay with NETS Contactless ATM Cards for fast and seamless payments – NETS is also giving you the chance to win $50 every month till 31st December 2020. Simply spend $30 with a NETS Contactless ATM Card in a single transaction to qualify.
If you’re unsure if your card is NETS tap-enabled, check to see if your card has the NETS tap icon. If it doesn’t, you can also apply to have a NETS Contactless ATM Card from any of the participating banks. The promotion is ongoing from now till 31st December 2020, so you stand a good chance of being a winner while you shop for your year-end Xmas gifts.
Fortunately for you too, all of the listed shops here accept NETS tap payments so you can stand to win some cash back during your Christmas shopping.
This post is brought to you by NETS.
Cover image adapted from @shopnost, @hanselandsmith.
Old MacDonald had a farm, but we bet it isn't as close to SG as…
Boozin' by the beach in Bali sounds like a good plan.
There is a free service where you can get professional advice on what to do…
The white beagle is making its way to Singapore.
This toy mall in Bangkok is your next spot to hunt for Labubu and limited-edition…
Includes kid-friendly attractions and exhilarating rides alike. Nearby accommodation options range from affordable and fuss-free…