Hong Kong's 'best of the year' gift guide
Despite the global financial nightmare, the majority of Hong Kong people seem to have emerged rather unscathed and have continued the good times in shopping malls like 2008 never happened. We continue to embrace the lemming effect, willingly becoming slaves to "it" items of the year, not pausing even once to think if we really need another pink crystal-encrusted Hello Kitty keychain.
Here are some of 2009's biggest trends that will make perfect gifts right now.
My Little Airport's albumMusic
My Little Airport's "Poetics something between Montparnasse and Mongkok"
Singer-songwriters Ah P and Nicole of the group My Little Airport have been entertaining Hong Kong’s indie music fans for more than eight years with their twee pop toy band sound. But when they went blatantly political with the Youtube hit "Donald Tsang, Please Die" they distinguished themselves from being just another band. Now everyone knows MLA, and their album "Poetics something between Montparnasse and Mongkok" is now available at indie record stores, such as White Noise Records and Zoo Records. www.mylittleairport.com
Home
OSIM red chair
There is just no stopping the OSIM craze. The innovative company seems to come up with a new massage-related product every day, and Hong Kongers seem to buy them on a daily basis too. We love the red OSIM uDream and the bizarre uKimono weight-loss machine.
Fashion
Leggings and meggings (men's leggings)
If your lower half is not covered in black stretch cotton, you're too old to be on the scene. Step out into Causeway Bay or Mongkok, where all the trendsters are, and prepare to see lithe, leggy beauties as well as thick, hairy ankles all donning leggings.
Snack
Milk tea
An obvious choice, but not for the most obvious reasons. This year, we had the inaugural Milk Tea King competition, and the winner is Tai Fat, all the way out in Yuen Long. Taking a mini road-trip from Hong Kong Island out to Yuen Long and finishing it with a tall ice-cold glass of this silken stuff has to be one of the best unique Hong Kong experiences. Read all about it on Cha Xiu Bao's blog.
Zhao ZiyangNon-fiction
Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang or Da Jiang Da Hai 1949
Hong Kong and Macau are the only places under Chinese sovereignty where politically sensitive and some downright subversive books are freely available. This year's biggest hits at the second-floor bookstores in Causeway Bay and Monkok include the massively sensational "Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang" which flew right off the shelves. Another book that everyone is currently reading is Lung Ying Tai's "Da Jiang Da Hai 1949" about the Chinese families broken up by the civil war.
Qing Hua Diana F+Toy
Cameras
Toy cameras are now the hipster accessory of choice and low-fi photography fans are re-emerging like mad. Pick either a Holga or the Qing Hua Diana F+ by Dorothy Tang.
Wine
Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
According to Master of Wine and newly-minted mistress of all things vino in Asia, Jeannie Cho Lee, the most versatile wines to pair with a wide range of Asian cuisines is a Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend from a cool climate.
Gadget
PSP Go
The PSP Go, which debuted in Hong Kong ahead of the Japan launch date, is 50 percent smaller, lighter and easier to hold than it's predecessor and has a sleek streamlined look, making it a great unisex gadget.
Workout
Aerial arts
Yoga and pole dancing are for your mom. The latest slutty but legitimate activity is the classy-sounding aerial arts. Buy you and your friends some lessons in circus-ry at the newly opened Aerial Arts Academy. www.aerialartsacademy.com
Club
The richest PTA
Forget Patek Philippe, the best thing to give your kids is a good education -- if you can afford it that is. Debentures in international schools reached a high of HK$3.7 million this year. A club of rich, paranoid parents has been snapping up the debentures in the hopes that this will increase their child's chances of entering the school. Buy debentures through China Dragon Membership Services.
Craze
Sparkling stuff
Crystal covered things are a must-have: cars, dresses, shoes, iPhones, cameras, bags ... Swarovski is the preferred bling of choice, but celebrity Candy Lo took things further and placed diamonds into her own flesh.
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