Imagine someone tearing away at gift wrap with much anticipation, only to uncover…*gasp!* A set of toiletries clearly printed with a hotel’s branding.
Don’t fall into the Hall of Shame for regifting, handing out presents to your friends that don’t match their personalities and liking whatsoever. To make sure your secret santee this year really feels special, get them something 100% custom-made just for them.
From perfume to denim jackets, here are 8 personalised gifts that the recipients will adore.
Bynd Artisan is the go-to for premium paper and leather items, crafting high-quality leather accessories, coin purses, and more.
For that organised friend who’s always jotting something down, a notebook personalised with their name or a special message would be a delightful yet practical gift.
You get to choose your desired cover from a wide array of colours and textures, and even add-on options such as a snap button closure or elastic band finish.
A customised notebook costs $35, and expert craftsmen will complete your creation right in front of your eyes in 15 minutes onwards.
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #03-24 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM daily
Telephone: 6873 2317
If you have a friend who’s especially particular about not sharing the same fragrance as anyone else on Earth, a 100% custom-made fragrance is the way to go.
Oo La Lab @ NomadX allows you to concoct a unique scent tailored to your chosen base, middle, and top notes.
There’s universally loved fragrances like rose, musk, and jasmine, as well as quirkier scents like “petrichor”, aka the unique smell in the air after it rains.
Available in the following sizes – 3ML ($10), 8ML ($28), 20ML ($48) and 50ML ($88) – you can settle your gifting at any budget.
This December, Oo La Lab @ NomadX also introduces its eponymous Eau de Parfum Mixology Kit ($188) to craft your own fragrance any time, anywhere. Get the limited-edition Christmas Kit ($198) for an extra dose of festive cheer.
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #01-67 & #03-65 to 69 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM daily
Remember the good ol’ days of customising class T-shirts? Art Serve kicks things up a notch by offering personalisation services on apparel, accessories, mugs, bags…pretty much anything you could want to express yourself on, basically!
Living in multicultural Singapore, we probably know of friends who don’t have typical names that are presented on mass-produced keychains and other knick-knacks. Put a smile on their faces by having it emblazoned upon what will no doubt be their new favourite water bottle or flask!
You can also choose from cool graphic prints, or cute animal logos for the kids or young at heart. The new school bag will induce major envy from the rest of the class, and suddenly you’re now their favourite parent/sibling/aunt/uncle…you get the idea!
Address: 201 Victoria Street, #03-08 Bugis+, 188067
Opening hours: 11.30AM – 9PM daily
Telephone: 6509 0900
For the first time ever in Singapore, there’ll be an in-house Customisation Service Booth where you can add personalised touches to suitable purchases from 2 participating malls, Bugis Junction and Bugis+.
Called #YOUDOYOU, express the flair in your style or create the perfect tailor-made gift through an array of trendy embroidery, fabric charms, and iron-on patches.
Just spend a minimum of $120 nett at any store at Bugis Junction and Bugis+, and you’ll get to redeem a customisation makeover for your fresh new purchase, absolutely free.
Bugis Junction
Dates: 17 – 30 Dec
Location: Malay Street, Level 1
Time: 11AM – 9PM daily
Bugis+
Dates: 3 – 16 Dec
Location: Atrium, Level 2
Time: 11AM – 9PM daily
Nobody slays the minimalist aesthetic quite like Muji, and their custom embroidery service adds a cute pop of colour to showcase your style and personality.
All you have to do is purchase a cotton-based product, and you’ll be able to choose from over 200 embroidery designs and lettering styles.
Basic embroidery service ($3) allows you to pick one lettering style and up to 2 motif designs. From there on, you can choose to go all-out with top-ups at $5 per big motif and $3 for small.
You’ll get to collect your one-of-a-kind design from the store 7 days later! Limited to 20 orders per day.
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #01-10 to 17 Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM
Telephone: 6264 5838
Nothing ties an outfit together like a comfy pair of jeans or a sleek denim jacket. Levi’s is practically synonymous with classic denim wear, and they now offer patching and embroidery services to elevate your look even further.
From different cuts of jeans from skinny to high-waist and different denim styles like acid wash, sun-bleached and sand-blasted, options are aplenty.
Once you’ve scouted the perfect piece of clothing that’s right up your friend’s alley, you can tailor an iconic slogan across any area of your choosing.
Go wild with different font and colour selections!
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #01-14 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103 1
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM daily
Telephone: 6271 0501
A crafter’s paradise, PaperMarket offers a bountiful selection of crafting materials ranging form just about every aesthetic you can dream of.
Choose from a wide range of scrapbooking, stationery and gift items. If you prefer something a little unique, customisable Templaques ($39) styled after vintage car plates are also available.
Take your pick from a variety of DIY projects like The Printer’s Tray ($45) where you can display multiple treasured photos or create your own Christmas Tag ($55) to pair with your presents.
Besides beautiful packaging to present gifts in, you can create delicate handicrafts like bookmarks that work as thoughtful gifts on their own. Perfect for your bookworm buddy!
Address: 252 North Bridge Road, #B1-27 Raffles City Shopping Centre, Singapore 179103
Opening hours: 11AM – 10PM daily
Telephone: 6333 9007
Known and loved for their celebration of all things local including ang ku kueh cushions and a curry puff coin pouch, Naiise also has something perfect for international adventures.
The DIY Stitch Luggage Tag ($37.50) is perfect for anyone who’s been bitten by the travel bug.
Instantly allowing you to identify your bag on crowded baggage conveyor belts, it’s also super satisfying to add a stitch to new countries you visit.
Other presents that will equally thrill any true-blue globetrotter are the Stitch Passport Holder ($45) and Stitch Travel Wallet ($100).
Address: 1 Vista Exchange Green, #01-11 The Star Vista, Singapore 138617
Opening hours: Wed – Mon 11AM – 10PM | Tue 11AM – 9.30PM
If you haven’t already heard, Klosh is the place to pick up quaint gifts that are highly Instagrammable and suited to any personality under the sun.
Add some pep to your bedside stand with a Light Box ($16.90 onwards), with customisable messages and even emojis to match your mood.
For friends who love adorning their living spaces with inspirational quotes straight out of Tumblr, there’s a massive selection of Wall Art and Decorative Mirrors (both $29.90 onwards).
If you know someone with a creative streak, get them a Planner Box Set ($69.90). Available in a number of design themes, it’s a comprehensive kit that comes with everything you need to start journaling all throughout the new year.
Address: 9 Bishan Place, #04-03C Junction 8, Singapore 579837
Opening hours: Mon – Thur 11AM – 10PM | Fri – Sun 10AM – 10PM
Telephone: 6612 7139
With these personalisation services, you’ll never have to resort to generic and predictable gifts for Christmas, birthdays, or just any regular day where you want to show someone how much you appreciate them.
Given the vast range of shopping malls under CapitaLand’s belt, they’re the perfect one-stop solution for your gift-shopping list.
Aside from getting personalised gifts for all your loved ones CapitaLand malls are also the choice destination for stocking your wardrobe with fresh and formal threads as well as the trendiest streetwear, no matter what time of the year.
This post was brought to you by CapitaLand.
Photography by Angeline Ngiam.
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