Shanghai's 'best of the year' gift guide

Although China appears recession-proof, people are still scaling back on public displays of bling during this year's holidays. But, while glitz might be off local gift lists, you can still provide a touch of elegant luxury to those around you. Here are a few top shelf gifts that say Shanghai to the max and won’t break the bank.

Carsick Cars, "You Can Listen, You Can Talk"
This 12-track gem was the most highly anticipated Chinese release of 2009, and features some of Carsick Cars' best work to date. Tracks like "One of Them" and "Unit 2" demonstrate front man Zhang Shouwang's knack for multi-layered guitars and alternate tunings, while "Suicide," with its catchy and repetitive lyrical hook, thumping, jumpy beat, driving bass and razor-sharp guitar assault has already become a live staple and sing-along anthem.
Shanghai Tattoo, The Cool Docks, No. 102, Bldg 3,505 Zhongshan Nan Lu, near Baidu Lu 中山南路505弄老码头3号楼102室, 近白渡路

Handmade wok
Follow the steady hammering on Baoyuan Lu to Cen Rong Gen. Cen, 57, has been constructing woks for as long as he can remember, a craft his now deceased father took up 70 years ago in Shanghai. Now his brother, Cen Liang Gen, 49, helps out, but the trade will likely end with them. “Sure the machines make [woks] now, but this way is better,” he says. “Pounding the iron makes it denser and the woks last a long time.” Cen’s son went to college, graduated with a physics degree, and now works for a big company, so there’s no one left to teach. Get a wok for yourself or as a gift before it’s too late. Prices start at RMB 100.
Cen Rong Gen's woks, 214 Baoyuan Lu, near Baotong Lu 宝源路214号, 近宝通路

Small palette knives
For every pen kleptomaniac in an office, there’s a kitchen klepto stealing palette knives. Chefs cannot live without this understated kitchen utensil, nor can they have too many. Whether it’s used to discipline a wandering apprentice or to loosen the edges of a soufflé fresh out of the oven, it’s a cherished necessity in any foodie’s kitchen. RMB 47 for straight palette knife, RMB 49 for offset palette knife.
Pantry Magic, 1 Taojiang Lu near Dongping Lu 桃江路1号, 近东平路, +86 21 6466 9099, www.pantry-magic.com

A truly selfless green gift is donating to an environmental philanthropy on a friend’s behalf. Roots & Shoots, the brainchild of Jane Goodall, is an international philanthropic organization with the aim to “educate youths about environmental issues and humanitarian values.” For RMB 25 each, you can buy a tree for Roots & Shoots' Million Tree Project to help stop desertification in China as well as offset the gift receiver’s carbon footprint (which you can approximate online). With a green gift as easy as this one, everyone can breath a bit easier.
Milllion Treet Project, Shanghai Roots & Shoots, +86 21 6352 3580, info@mtpchina.org, www.mtpchina.org

Carry on luggage
The perfect travel luggage is one that can be carried on and fits enough for a last-minute weekend away. Hoze on Maoming Lu has a wide selection of leather bags in all shapes and sizes, fitting the specifications of a fussy frequent flyer.
Hoze, 131 Maoming Lu, near Huaihai Lu 茂名南路131号, 近淮海中路

Retro glam
Amber Emerald is a jewelry shop specializing in emeralds and a refreshing break from the glitzy bling on the high street. Although emeralds may sound like something that your Great Auntie Ivy wore, remember that vintage is still in and these designs are the definition of classic. All pieces are made and designed in Shanghai in the family-run studio on Nanchang Lu.
Amber Emerald, 144 Nanchang Lu, near Maoming Nan Lu 南昌路144号, 近茂名南路

Instant images
Capture your Shanghai memories instantly (and in retro style) with a Polaroid picture (pai li zhaoxiangji). “The prices of the cameras are based on size and color,” says Chen Jia Yuan. “Small blue and pink cameras are RMB 480, small white ones RMB 560 and the big cameras are RMB 600.”
Fujifilm, 2/F, Bai Nao Hui, 11 Caoxi Lu, Rm. 2D09, near Zhaojiabang Lu, 漕溪北路11号2D09室, 近肇家浜路 +86 150 0093 8388

Tea time
Tucked in the maze that is Tianzifang off Taikang Lu, Ma Huan runs Porcelain – Tea – Life, a shop true to its namesake. Designed in Shanghai and handmade in Jingdezhen, Shanghais’ pottery capital, everything from vases and platters to teacups fills this store, all designed with simple yet distinct Chinese influences. Whether an addition to the home or take-home memento, a perfect homewear gift.
Porcelain – Tea – Life, No. 5, Lane 248 Taikang Lu, near Ruijin Er Lu 泰康路248弄5号, 近瑞金二路, +86 21 6445 8307, yan2485@126.com

An elegant pair
Winter in Shanghai might not be the coldest on earth, but with little central heating, lots of rain and “no shoes” rules in just about every house, it can feel like the Arctic. No matter how cold it is though, friends don’t let friends suffer through wearing cartoon-like, over-stuffed granny slippers. Show them how to do slippers right with this elegant, cozy pair of Shanghai Tang velvet shoes (US$ 215). Aptly named “Double Happiness” your friends might actually look forward to wearing these around the house.
Shanghai Tang, Unit 3, No. 15 North Block, Xintiandi, 181 Taicang Lu, near Madang Lu 太仓路181弄新天地北里15号3单元 , 近马当路, +86 21 6384 1601

Y+ Membership
Y+, which offers everything from hot yoga at a sweltering 42 degrees Celsius to flow and power yoga, is Shanghai’s preeminent yoga studio. Offering classes in English and Chinese for experienced yogis, as well as sessions for those simply in need of some Zen in their lives after holiday chaos, this studio as it all. Y+ is currently offering a Christmas special with one year membership package for RMB 7,350.
2/F, 202 Hubin Lu, near Shunchang Lu 湖滨路202号2楼, 近顺昌路 +86 21 6340 6161, www.yplus.com.cn

'Shanghai and Environs: The 1934-35 Standard Guide Book'
While your friends and loved ones might know all that is current in Shanghai, this book (RMB 140) will take them on a tour of the city as it was in its heyday of the 1930s. These were the good times. Give the gift of a unique perspective on Shanghai via first-hand accounts by guides who truly loved this city in all its gilded glory.
Buy online at www.earnshawbooks.com or at Chaterhouse, Shop 104, Shanghai Centre, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu 南京西路1376号上海商城104号店, 近铜仁路, +86 21 6279 7633

Sweet desserts
Thinking of gifting a bottle of Champagne this holiday season? Sure, a sparkler is always welcome, but at this time of year, it doesn’t truly stand out. So if you have the budget for bubbly, but want to make a real splash, try toting along a bottle of dessert wine. Absolutely everyone loves “sticky” wines, blessed as they are with intense floral, honey and jammy aromas and long, luscious finishes. Be prepared to receive a big thank-you kiss! Our pick? A d’Arenberg The Noble Reisling 2007 from McLaren Vale, Australia (RMB 365).
The Wine Way, Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, near Hunan Lu, 武康路376号, 近湖南路, tel +86 21 6090 7075