What makes a great gift? They say it’s the thought that counts but real ones would know that it goes beyond mere intention. After all, your gift is but a tangible translation of how you understand the person you’re gifting; whether you know exactly what they’ll love or if you simply remembered a passing mention of an item they were looking for. Needless to say, gift-giving is an art, and a certain level of discernment is needed to perfect it.
We know it doesn’t come as second nature to everyone, so should you need a gentle push in the right direction? Our holiday gift guide will have you sorted. With a considered variety of luxurious design and lifestyle gifts, there’s something in here for everyone—and we’ve even categorised them according to different budgets for ease of viewing.
There are your little luxuries. Rather than a splashy statement, these are your sweet yet simple bundles of joy, all at under $100. Nothing too grand, they’re thoughtful and creative—often items that bring a unique twist to your every day. Things like a sculptural bookend to organise their home library, the promise of a solid brew via a coffee subscription or an engaging read to take on their travels.
Then, there’s the range of luxury gifts which would be hard to resist. At under $500, here’s where you’ll find items like a fresh change of sheets, designer top shelf additions or even a sumptuous omakase experience for the gourmand in your lives.
Finally, you’ll find the delicate affair that is our range of gifts under $1000. These are the ones you’re saving for that someone special or a loved one you want to express your gratitude for. A sleek turntable for the melomaniac; an exciting new gadget to be ported around; artful homeware that would stand as instant conversation starters.
But take it from us: all this would be for naught without a handwritten note. Below, peruse Vogue Singapore’s lifestyle gift guide for a selection of the most considered items to give this festive season. Bonne chance!
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Under $100: Tubo Bookend
For the giftee that owns a wealthy trove of books in their arsenal. Of function and sleek design, this bookend will make a versatile addition to any table or shelf. This particular one in chrome comes up top in our books.
Available at Bi-rite Studio, $65
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Under $100: Glazed & Amazed Matcha Bowl Multi
To make good matcha, one can start with a beautiful matcha bowl—along with other apparatus. Made in Lisbon, Portugal, these stoneware creations bear a stunning hand-painted glaze, where no two pieces are alike. A good reminder to hit pause and simply be immersed in the act of whisking delicious Japanese green tea.
Available at T2 Tea, $62
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Under $100: Areaware Everybody Grinder
A perfect gift to bestow upon your upcoming festive home gatherings, and definitely a conversation–starter. This quirky and colourful Everyday Grinder by Areaware is designed to always have a place on the table; sure to add that bit of flavour and spice to your meals.
Available at Stacked Store, $80
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Under $100: 'The Vegetarian' by Han Kang
Haunting, fraught and beautiful, The Vegetarian goes down as one of this zeitgeist’s most dissected novels by Han Kang, this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Certainly not for the faint-hearted by any measure; the tale follows a married woman’s descent to madness after converting to vegetarianism. Soon, her new diet affects her submission to her abusive husband and rejection from the people around her. An allegory of suppression, societal pressures, and all in all, freedom, further intensified through Han’s prose. For any hungry reader, this book will trigger, disturb and overall, inspire.
Available at Kinokuniya, $19.30
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Under $100: Surprise Box Coffee Subscription
Blind boxes are all the rage these days. And for that discerning friend of yours, gift the element of surprise with the certainty of good coffee. This subscription will deliver seasonal premium filter coffee curated by the folks at PPP Coffee, alongside a special surprise meant to enhance the brewer’s experience.
Available at PPP Coffee, $45
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Under $100: Stillgoods Horizon Incense Holder - Grey Marble
We love a multi-functional object that sits pretty just about anywhere. This marble incense holder is stylish and understated, and can be used as an ikebana stand and a tray to hold your lovely trinkets.
Available at TheWyldShop, $65
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Under $100: Owala Freesip Twist Merry and Bright
If there was a clear winner in the category of emotional support water bottles this year, it would be the Owala. For some much-needed holiday cheer, the brand’s special festive edition will be a joyful reminder to hydrate.
Available at Owala, $44.50
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Under $500: Feroniella bonsai
For the friend with green fingers, this eye-catching bonsai will be a gorgeous addition to their collection. Infusing a dose of zen into the home, its sculptural form makes it an eye-catching centrepiece.
Available at Soilboy, $188
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Under $500: Chef’s Special omakase dinner at Sushi Sato
A holiday dinner treat doesn’t get any more exquisite than the Chef’s Special at Sushi Sato. Master chef Yuji Sato’s sushi is a thing of beauty, punctuated by an assortment of elaborate hot and cold dishes. Some say that food is the way to one’s heart—and certainly, there’s no better way to show your appreciation for a loved one this festive season than this.
Available at Sushi Sato, $480
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Under 500: Sojao Bed Builder bundle set
This one’s for the friend that always seems to be staying up too late. Lightweight, breathable and unbeatably soft, Sojao’s sheets are made sustainably with GOTS-certified organic cotton. Choose between the smooth Classic Sateen and the structured Crisp Percale, and mix-and-match between the array of vibrant colours available.
Available at Sojao, from $228
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Under $500: Dior trinket tray
A delightful rainbow of seashells and corals inhabit the poetic underwater world of Dior’s new Cabinet de la Mer motif—used to adorn this trinket tray made from Limoges porcelain. A beautiful addition to any dressing table, this is one gift that is as useful as it is gorgeous.
Available at Dior, $240
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Under $500: Nikon Coolpix W100 digital camera
The old-school digital camera is enjoying its renaissance. Available in a series of vibrant colourways, Nikon’s Coolpix is a lightweight, beginner-friendly option that will memorialise precious moments with just a click. The best part? Your recipient will be able to start using it immediately to capture the fun of this year’s holiday parties.
Available on Ebay, $424
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Under $500: Louis Poulsen Tomoshi portable lamp
Clean and minimalist, the beauty of this Japandi-esque lamp lies in its flexibility. It can be placed atop any surface as a table lamp, or hung from hooks and racks with a leather strap.
Available at Louis Poulsen, $440
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Under $500: Maple Leaf sake set
Consisting of a katakuchi carafe and two ochoko cups, this gorgeous set is the perfect gift for any sake enthusiast. Intricate maple leaves adorn each piece, their edges outlined with delicate gold accents—every one meticulously hand-painted by skilled artisans.
Available at Musubi Kiln, $396
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Under $1000: Morning Dream bundle
This slickly-made, barista-approved machine will make your loved one’s morning routine a dream. An intuitive but high-tech milk steamer from homegrown coffee brand Drink Morning, the Morning Dream allows you to create cafe-quality milk (complete with microfoam and a creamy, silky texture) from the comforts of your own home. And yes, it works on dairy alternatives like oat milk too—you’ll be sipping on homemade lattes and cappuccinos in no time. Pick up the bundle, complete with a handy milk steaming jug and wand wipe, to complete the set.
Available at https://www.drinkmorning.com/collections/machines/products/the-morning-dream-bundleDrink Morning, $625.40
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Under $1000: Completedworks ceramic vase
For your coquette-core obsessed friend. This vase stands as a piece of art in its own right, with or without flowers. Sculpted in dark ceramic with bows made from strings of faux pearls adding a whimsical touch, its the perfect piece of home decor to reflect a homeowner with a multifaceted personality—delightfully girly, with a slice of edge.
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Under $1000: Caviar wine glass
This one’s for your friend with a taste for the finer things in life. Crafted from Murano glass and sterling silver, this sculptural wine glass is made by luxury Italian jewellery house Buccellati—and it shows. Part-vessel and part-decor, the stunning piece oozes opulence from its intricate body down to the tiny caviar beads circling the stem. A showstopper, through and through.
Available at Buccellati, $950
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Under $1000: Audiotechnica wireless belt-drive turntable
The audiophile in your life will appreciate nearly anything from cult Japanese brand Audiotechnica, known for its cutting-edge technology and brilliant craftsmanship. We recommend the AT-LPW50BT-RW Wireless Belt-Drive Turntable, for its user-friendliness, incredible sound quality and, of course, stylish rosewood-finished wood veneer.
Available at Audio-Technica, $659
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Under $1000: Staycation at Capitol Kempinski
Whether it’s a romantic overnighter or a chance to spend quality one-on-one time with your best friend, a luxury staycation at Capitol Kempinski is a gift no one will soon forget. Inside a gorgeous heritage building in the heart of Singapore, enjoy delectable festive dining experiences, serene moments at the in-house spa and best of all—some restorative shut-eye in the hotel’s world-class, historic suites.
Available at Capitol Kempinski, from $588
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Under $1000: iPad Mini
Don’t be fooled by it’s bite-sized appearance—the new iPad Mini is a powerhouse that takes the tablet experience to a whole new level. This is a gift well-suited for the creative souls around you, with major upgrades to tools for sketching and mood-boarding (plus a gamut of other creative tasks), including support for Apple Pencil Pro. Perfect for reading and writing on the go—as well as generally keeping inspired.
Available at Apple, from $699
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Under $1000: Aviator Carry-On Plus
This may be a more practical gift than a few of the others on this list, but it’s one that will make a world of difference in the life of any well-heeled and conscious traveller. This carry-on from sustainable luggage brand Paravel is made from recycled polycarbonate, recycled aluminum and recycled vegan leather—making it the first carbon-neutral luggage in the industry. Its sleek, design-forward build doesn’t hurt, either.
Available at Paravel, $855
