Singapore's 'best of the year' gift guide

Sure, there's Topshop and Uniqlo for clothes. And hey, Ikea is the perfect place to look for a cute coffee table. Shopping in the city is all fine and well, but why not make it an adventure? Uncover what Singapore has been trying to hide from the public eye, far away from the bustling crowd of sweaty shoppers, with these local gift ideas.

FASHION FOR HIM
Pedro Shoes
Singapore-made Pedro shoes have been a huge hit not just locally, but they've made waves around the region and even the Middle East. Our pick has to be this faux lace-up calf-leather men’s dress shoes. With their versatile design and delicate stitching, the shoes make a great choice for a hot date or just a day at work.
Price: From S$39 onwards -- this featured dress shoe costs S$119.

 

 

FASHION FOR HER
Tong Tong Friendship Store
Tong Tong founder and designer Tan Sheau Yun adds a splash of modernity to traditional Chinese clothing, creating contemporary, light-hearted pieces that fuse Oriental and European influences. Characterized on the website as "inspired by the classics, but thoroughly in-tune with the modern woman," Tong Tong’s collection consists of the figure-hugging cheongsam dresses and tops cheekily reinvented into a myriad of quirky patterns and colours. And not forgetting their delightfully handcrafted acrylic brooches -- cute interpretations of the Chinese belief in luck -- which will make perfect Christmas gifts.
Price: From S$30 for accessories and S$60 for tops and dresses.

TECHNOLOGY
Apple iPhone 3GS
Scan the streets of Singapore and you'll realize that the iPhone has become the biggest "next thing" since color television. With its idiot-proof interface, sleek design and a powerhouse of a brand name attached, it is no wonder everyone is clamoring for one this Christmas. Thanks to the other two telecom providers, Starhub and M1, acquiring rights to distribute the iPhone, you can be sure that prices will be more competitive than ever.
Price: Retails for about S$500 with a basic data plan. Available at all Singtel, Starhub and M1 outlets.

SWEET TREATS
Chocolate Research Facility
Stepping into this newly opened concept boutique cum café, you could be forgiven for feeling like a kid in a candy store. Boasting chocolate bars in 100 mind-numbing flavors, you can be sure that every chocoholic’s fantasy can be fulfilled here. Wrapped in the fanciest of designer paper, many would be reluctant to even tear one open -- remaining content to simply preserve it as a display item.
Price: S$8, S$10 & S$12, depending on flavor.

MEMBERSHIP
The White Card
This fine-dining membership offers you a 50 percent discount off food at selected restaurants. Sure, there are tons of membership cards out there, but this one hand-picks its partner establishments, forming an ultra-exclusive group. If you know a frequent patron of Brasserie Wolf, il Lido and the like, look no further than the White Card.
Price: S$535 for 12 months' membership, or sign up for UOB's new Preferred World MasterCard credit card for a reduced rate of S$180.

DRAMA SERIES
The Little Nyonya DVD
The Little Nyonya is one of the biggest local drama serials to have been broadcast in recent years. Now out on DVD, you can finally rewatch your favorite moments and bring out the inner Peranakan in you; or just be creepy and ogle at Joanne Peh all day.
Price: Parts 1 and 2 cost S$26.96 and S$41.95 respectively.

AUDIOPHILES
Creative Inspire S2 Speakers
There are not many out there that can rival Creative when it comes to a full-bodied audio experience. The Inspire S2 speakers are wireless -- seamlessly connecting with your laptops, desktops and other devices with Bluetooth capability. Perfect for house parties or just chilling in your room while watching "The Matrix" on Blu Ray.
Price: S$219

MUSIC
POP.SG by The Marilyns
Few local bands have the staying power of The Marilyns. Having stuck around since the 1996 launch of their self-titled debut album, these bilingual local music veterans are taking a chance this year with their newest release, POP.SG. Moving away from their previous indie-funk sound, The Marilyns’ latest effort features catchy, radio-friendly pop tunes about life in Singapore -- from social issues and struggles to relationships and love.
Price: S$13, inclusive of free shipping to Singapore.

BOOKS
The Biophilia Omnibus
Singaporean-born American author Wena Poon once described her self-published sci-fi series, Biophilia, as “taking the Hollywood summer blockbuster genre back from the boys." An obvious departure from the male-dominated sci-fi genre, the two published novels of the series, "Biophilia" and "Cryptic Tonic," revolve around the irrepressible Imogen who does the fighting in the novels and her manic-depressive best friend from college, Kai. The third and fourth books, titled "Fin de l’Univers" and "Solar Flare" respectively, have been published in Poon’s re-release of the Biophilia series in a single, four-novel collection entitled "The Biophilia Omnibus."
Price: US$26.99.

WINES
East of Avalon Wines
Quietly tucked away in the middle of Joo Chiat Road, East of Avalon Wines is a small shop that is bursting to fit with over 200 different varieties of wines from all over the world. And despite its size, it is also home to a wide selection of imported beers and Singapore’s largest collection of British ale and cider. Best of all, their prices won't do much damage to your wallet.
Price: Wines from S$11 onwards.

BOARD GAMES
Pictionary (Singapore Edition)
Joining the likes of Monopoly, Pictionary is the newest game to release a special version for Singaporeans. The limited edition set, created by the world’s biggest toy company, Mattel, features a bonus pack of 500 extra words selected and compiled from a list of words and phrases contributed and subsequently voted on by local netizens. Called Pictionary Classic – Singapore Edition, there will only be 5,500 units produced, and each set will come with its own numbered certificate of authenticity.
Price: S$39.90.

CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE
Urban Foundry
First conceived in 2002 by founder-designer Felix Low, Urban Foundry has since taken the local market by storm with its contemporary and minimalistic designs. A design-centric furniture manufacturer and retailer, it follows the principle of "form and function as one collective unit," which is the secret behind Urban Foundry’s innovative and clever creations. And to further cement the company’s stellar reputation for aesthetics and quality, Low was also recently commissioned to design armchairs and side tables to showcase local creative talent at the APEC 2009 Summit.