It’s the festive season again, which means another gift guide – in this article, I’ll be compiling my Christmas gift guide for 2024, comprising 12 local brands that offer great, functional products.
The brands mentioned below are all homegrown companies that I personally use. Let’s get into it.
Accessories:
1) Gnome and Bow
Known for their literary-infused bags, Gnome & Bow offers bags that are striking but also durable.
My opinion: I love how Gnome & Bow seamlessly weave literary elements of iconic fables into the design of their bags. Being an avid reader (as well as an appreciator of classic literature), I was impressed by several of their bags, such as the Musketeer Athos Laptop Bag (pictured on the top shelf above). The Musketeer Athos Laptop Bag encapsulates the ethos of the classic novel The Three Musketeers, while remaining relatively affordable at under $500. The build quality of their products is superb too (most of their products are crafted from full-grain leather), especially considering the price point. If your loved ones appreciate classic literature, then check out Gnome & Bow.
Reviews: I reviewed the Kale Backpack here, the Strand Briefcase here, their wallets and accessories here, the Milton bags here, the Porthos Briefcase and Balsa Duffel here, the Hitchhiker backpack here, and the Musketeer Athos Laptop Bag here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy their bags off Gnome & Bow’s web-store, here. As Gnome & Bow is an official partner of Wah so Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all products store-wide!
2) Arden Teal
Arden Teal offers a wide selection of full-grain leather dress shoes and leather bags at an affordable price point, making their products perfect as gifts.
My opinion: For those searching for bang-for-buck dress shoes, I highly recommend Arden Teal. At just a little over $100, you get a sleek-looking shoe made of full-grain calf leather. The walking experience in them is surprisingly comfortable as well, with rubber swathes applied to key areas of the outsole to aid traction. In addition, Arden Teal includes accessories such as a dust cover and a shoehorn with every purchase – something uncommon at this price point. If you know of someone who needs a new pair of dress shoes, Arden Teal shoes will make for great gifts.
Review: I reviewed Arden Teal’s loafers here, its Chelsea boots here, and its Calzada wholecut Oxfords here.
Where to buy: Arden Teal shoes can be bought online here. As Arden Teal is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all shoes store-wide.
3) Dear Bliss
And if you’re stuck on what to get for a female loved one (hint: all the boyfriends/husbands reading this), why not consider a pair of comfortable flats from Dear Bliss?
My opinion: My mom and my friend have worn the shoes for over three months now, and both have reported that the flats are extremely comfortable. The shoes also look good and come in a variety of designs. I believe these shoes would be a great gift for a loved one, especially if they are struggling with foot pain but still want to look presentable in the office. The flats are fairly affordable too, being priced well under $100. The brand also offers free returns and exchanges within 30 days, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally purchasing the wrong sizing online.
Review: I reviewed the Dear Bliss flats here.
Where to buy: Dear Bliss’ flats can be bought online here. As Dear Bliss is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 12% off all shoes store-wide, or the code ‘WAHSOSHIOK15’ for 15% off two pairs and above.
Perfume:
4) Maison21G
Although Maison21G is better known for its perfume workshops, the brand also offers a wide array of bespoke home scents.
My opinion: Maison 21G’s unique selling point has always been its bespoke perfume workshop, and it has transferred the same concept to its home scents as well – the brand literally describes its reed diffuser as “tailored”. This is because customers can customise the combination of scents that go into the reed diffuser, making it a hands-on and empowering experience. If you’re searching for a thoughtful gift or know that your loved one has particular scents that they like, then Maison21G’s tailored reed diffuser would be perfect.
Review: I reviewed Maison21G’s home scents (though not the reed diffuser) here.
Where to buy: Maison21G’s home scents can be purchased on its website here. As Maison 21G is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 20% off all home scents store-wide.
5) Nefertum Fragrances
If customing your own fragrances sounds like too much trouble for you, then consider Nefertum Fragrances’ line of scented candles.
My opinion: Despite being a relatively young brand, Nefertum Fragrances has carved out a niche for itself in the local market due to its high-quality yet affordable fragrances. After trying out the scents, I am impressed by their longevity and other bells and whistles, such as magnetic bottle caps. When compared to similarly-priced perfumes from departmental stores (which typically come in EDT concentration and only last 3-6 hours), Nefertum Fragrances are undoubtedly better value for money. In particular, I loved the Thai Indulgence Spa scented candle, and hope the brand comes out with more variety of candles in the near future.
Review: I reviewed Nefertum Fragrances’ perfumes and scented candles here.
Where to buy: Nefertum Fragrances’ perfumes and scented candles can be purchased here. As Nefertum Fragrances is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all products store-wide.
6) Lynk Fragrances
Those looking for room and bathroom scents can consider Lynk Fragrances.
My opinion: The All-You-Need Gift Set is not only a thoughtful present for a loved one but also a great way to experience Lynk Fragrances’ wide repertoire of home and personal products. In particular, I enjoyed the Fig & Lotus Scented Candle, Sinus Relief Shower Steamer, and Evening at the Westin Body Lotion. As compared to mainstream candle brands (such as Yankee Candle), Lynk Fragrances’ candles are a cut above, burning cleaner and longer with more complex scents. I also found the shower steamer to be a luxurious addition to my showering experience – the Sinus Relief scent strips away my grogginess during morning showers – while the body lotion leaves my skin hydrated and refreshed afterwards. Great for loved ones who need a little bit of self-love in their lives.
Review: I reviewed Lynk Fragrances’ All-You-Need Gift Set here.
Where to buy: Lynk Fragrances’ candles and scented products can be purchased here. As Lynk Fragrances is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all products store-wide.
Home:
7) Ergotune
One of the most practical gifts one can get would be an ergonomic chair – it’s something that can be used daily.
My opinion: ErgoTune states that the Vesby took three years to develop, and it shows – it is undoubtedly the best ergonomic chair ErgoTune has introduced to date. It smokes its competition in the sub-S$800 price point and gives pricier alternatives (such as the Herman Miller Aeron) a run for its money. The Vesby is substantially more expensive than the Joobie and the Supreme v3, but the enhanced aesthetic and useability make the premium well worth it. Ultimately, it is a more mature version of ErgoTune’s previous offerings and represents a significant step up for the brand. If you want some comfort for your loved one, consider getting them an ErgoTune ergonomic chair.
Review: I reviewed the ErgoTune Vesby here.
Where to buy: ErgoTune’s ergonomic chairs can be purchased here. As ErgoTune is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy $20 off all products store-wide.
8) Empire
If your loved ones already have an ergonomic chair, why not get them a massage chair instead?
My opinion: The Empire Prestige Pro Massage Chair is very impressive. Firstly, the design is compact and space-saving, an important consideration for smaller spaces like mine. Yet, Empire managed to pack tons of intelligent features into the svelte Empire Pro. My favourites are the heated leg massager and the AI body scanner system, both of which help enhance the overall massage experience. The Prestige Pro is genuinely one of the best massage chairs that I’ve tried, and I believe it smokes most alternatives in the same price range. It’s now a “visitor’s attraction” in my house – guests almost always make a beeline for the massage chair whenever they visit. If you’re seeking to pamper your loved one, then consider the Empire Prestige Pro massage chair.
Review: I reviewed the Empire Prestige Pro Massage chair here.
Where to buy: Empire’s massage chair can be purchased here. As Empire is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy an exclusive extra $50 off any Empire full-body massage chair.
9) Lumos
Alternatively, a compact projector is a brilliant (no pun intended) gift idea as well.
My opinion: I’m mightily impressed by the AURO V2 projector—it ticks a lot of boxes. First, it is compact and space-saving, easily fitting into tight spaces. Second, the projector is relatively affordable, with a sub-$500 price point. For comparison, the cheapest home models from traditional brands such as Canon and Epson still cost upwards of four figures. Thirdly, the AURO V2 delivers crisp and bright visuals, with a theatre-esque surround sound system that punches way above its price point. Lastly, the AURO V2 projector also has a few nifty features, such as in-built screen mirroring and web browsing, which further enhance its utility. I suppose this can also be a romantic gift for your significant other as well – great for Netflix and Chill nights.
Review: I reviewed the LUMOS AURO V2 projector here.
Where to buy: Lumos’ projectors can be purchased here. As Lumos is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy $55 discount off LUMOS’ entire webstore.
Watches:
10) Vesuviate
If your loved one travels often, why not get them a travel watch?
My opinion: The Attivo-Duplex is great for those seeking a striking travel watch. If you have more adventurous tastes and want a robust travel watch that will likely survive anything you throw at it, then the Attivo-Duplex ticks a lot of boxes. It has sapphire crystal (with AR coating), enhanced scratch resistance, 100M of water resistance, reliable movements, a sturdy bracelet, and an eye-catching dial – a great practical gift.
Review: I reviewed the Vesuviate Attivo-Duplex here.
Where to buy: Vesuviate’s watches can be purchased here. As Vesuviate is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off Vesuviate’s webstore.
11) Kent Hall & Co
And if your loved one doesn’t travel often, you can still get them an everyday watch.
My opinion: The Revival II is the best skeletonised watch you can find under S$300. It boasts impressive specifications that punch above its price tag (sapphire crystal, Miyota skeletonised movement, Swiss Superluminova, a decent strap/bracelet), and a design that represents a marked improvement over its predecessor. It’s a mature openworked watch that won’t bust the budget, and is terrific value for money. And if your loved one is into blacked-out watches, then this is a no-brainer.
Review: I reviewed the Kent Hall & Co Revival II here.
Where to buy: Kent Hall & Co’s watches can be purchased here. As Kent Hall & Co is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off Kent Hall & Co’s webstore.
12) Nomad Watch Works
Lastly, you can also gift your loved one a watch box, especially if they already have a ton of watches.
My opinion: While Nomad Watch Works typically specialises in watch straps, the brand has launched its series of Monad watch boxes. Crafted out of wood and velvet, the box also comes with adjustable watch pillows that accommodate wrist sizes of 14 to 17.5cm. The box has a premium feel to it, making it the perfect storage/display option for a luxury watch collection.
Where to buy: Nomad Watch Works’ accessories can be bought here. As Nomad Watch Works is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off Nomad Watch Works’ webstore.
Conclusion:
That rounds up my Christmas Guide for 2024. All the products listed above are products I personally use, and are also all local brands, so you will be doing our local economy and entrepreneurs a favour as well. Do note that each brand has its own cut-off date for Christmas orders, so do be mindful of that when ordering.
P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.
P.P.S: Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wah so Shiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
P.P.P.S: If you haven’t already, do follow my social media channels on Facebook here, on Instagram here, and on Youtube here.
P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
