So, the million-dollar question: what would you get for that someone you know who’s already gotten everything they need and want? Other than a rocket trip to outer space, of course.
Continuing our special 3-part series on the best gifts to give the best people in your life during the year-end festive period (see here for Part 1, where we feature some life-enhancing gifts for your friends who are parents of young children), here’s one for THAT friend.
Try some of the presents we’ve curated that might make for surprising delights for your BFFs.
And keep an eye out for Part 3, where we suss out the loveliest surprises to get for your significant other!
1. LED neon signs (from $250)
Your friends are the lights of your life? Then present them with literal lights.
Brighten up their living spaces with some ultra-vibrant and hip-looking neon signs, courtesy of Klosh. Choose from 8 colourful, fancy designs: A British or French Bulldog; a cup of coffee, a pizza slice or an ice cream cone; an Edison light bulb; or positive messages spelling out “Good Vibes Only” or “Dream Big”.
All are available in 4 sizes, ranging from small to X-Large, with the cheapest being the small $250 “Dream Big” version and the most expensive, the XL-sized coffee cup design, that goes for $1,450 (you must really love your caffeine-loving bud).
CLICK HERE AND HERE TO PURCHASE
Available at Klosh stores, various locations, www.klosh.online; www.facebook.com/kloshsingapore; www.instagram.com/kloshsg
BONUS: SAFRA members get to enjoy 10% sitewide at Klosh. Click here for more information.
2. A tour around SG in a Vespa (from $160 per person)
Have a friend who’s suffering from wanderlust, or another who doesn’t go anywhere without their shiny, status car? Here’s how to alleviate the “sad-face” and/or help them lose the fanciness: A trip around some of SG’s most interesting districts while in the sidecar of a restored vintage Vespa scooter.
Singapore Sidecars is a breezy and eye-opening way to explore the island. A social enterprise providing the world’s first vintage Vespa sidecar tours, it has bagged two Singapore Book of Records entries just within months of its introduction, with UNESCO World Heritage content included on some of its experiences.
So what will your lucky pal get to see on the “road trip”? For the best-selling Joo Chiat + Katong journey, a visual feast of Singapore’s first heritage town that’s filled with architectural sights of colourful shophouses and residential terraces.
For the Crazy Rich Asians Insta Tour with Cocktail Making Workshop, a trip to some of the Crazy Rich Asians movie locations in SG along with a cocktail making session (optional).
For its Night Rides, a free-and-easy evening “joyride” to look at our modern city skyline and to sit back by the Singapore River; it’s one in which you and your BFF can bring your own party booze (the only safe way to drink and ride!).
There are loads more to choose from, with prices starting from $160 and up per person, with each tour lasting anywhere from 60 minutes to even 4 hours. Pick one, or several to try, for many fun-filled weekends.
Use your SingapoRediscovers Vouchers while you’re at it!
Singapore Sidecars, www.sideways.sg; www.facebook.com/singaporesidecars; www.instagram.com/singaporesidecars
BONUS: SAFRA members get to enjoy 15% selected regular-priced tours at Singapore Sidecars. Click here for more information.
3. Sewing workshops (from $68)
A friend that stitches with you is a friend that sticks by you. Fine, there’s no such saying, but hey, after signing up your confidante and you for some sewing workshops, you might come to think that such a maxim ought to exist.
At Bernina’s co-sewing space at Funan, there’s a whole host of workshops where your designer wannabe partner-in-crime and you can make your own fashion items for yourselves or each other. (Oh, just so you know, Bernina’s not the name of the person in charge; it’s a brand name manufacturer of sewing and embroidery systems.)
So, what do aspiring Mademoiselle Coco Chanels or Mr Tom Fords get to design? Elementary drawstring bags, elementary tote bags, boxy pencil cases, foldover sling totes, face masks and pouches, basic ladies T-shirts, and even a kimono jacket if one is that ambitious.
Just pick the workshop you want to attend (prices vary), book an appointment, and off you go to make it work. No guarantees on whether you fashion fiends get to be Next In Fashion or end up just being “Thank you, next”.
Bernina Funan co-sewing space, 107 North Bridge Road, Funan, #03-K03, 179105, www.bernina.com.sg; www.facebook.com/berninasg; www.instagram.com/berninasg
4. A real fir tree (price upon application)
Wanna make your pal’s Chrismas home celebrations feel that much more authentic? Get him or her an actual evergreen conifer to decorate, like a fir, spruce or pine tree.
Quite a number of nurseries, florists and larger supermarkets actually do carry real trees, usually Noble firs, for the festive season. But, before you run gleefully to your nearest stockist to purchase one, you might want to check the size of your friend’s home and whether there’s enough space to accommodate one.
Also, while choosing right-sized and right-priced ones does matter (they range from 5 to 12 feet and cost in the low hundreds), it’s when you buy (pre-ordering is a safe option as stocks can run out fast), the condition of the tree and how one takes care of it that’s really important if you really want this all-natural gift to last 4 to 6 weeks through to the new year.
So, do your homework before you purchase one. Plus, help out the receiver of your live tree by finding out how to dispose of the tree properly after the festive season’s over.
If you need advice from the plant experts and to shop around for your perfect fresh-cut choice, approach stockists such as FarEastFlora.com, Prince’s Landscape or Candy Floriculture.
