Christmas is less than a week away and – surprise, surprise – you’re not even close to finishing your Christmas shopping. Here’s how to wing it and get your checklist completed before the big day.
1. Department stores are your best friends.
Gifts for the whole family, all in one place? Sign me up, sister. Sure, you may have to jostle with the other Christmas shoppers, but at least you’ll only have to brave the checkout line once.
If you’re especially short on time, try the TANGS online store. You can pick and pay for your items online, then pick them up at the department store’s collection counter in Orchard Road or VivoCity.
Too drained to think about what to get? Make a complimentary appointment with the Personal Shopping team at Robinsons, and you can lie back in comfort while they bring the shopping to you. And as an added bonus, they’ll even deliver the items to your home (local addresses only) if you want.
Personal Shopper Service at Robinsons – I mean, don’t you want to be waited on like that, instead of having to battle it out with the Christmas crowd?(Source: Robinsons Singapore)
2. If all else fails, what’s wrong with re-gifting?
I mean, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure am I right? Re-gifting items for Christmas is one of the easiest (and fastest) ways to get all your presents in time…without having to even make a trip down to the stores.
To ensure you don’t get caught redhanded, follow these basic rules of re-gifting here.
(Source: Plaza Too)
3. Get your gift-wrapping game on.
Nothing makes a present look more atas than fancy gift-wrapping. If you’re a gift-wrapping noob, check out this handy video for an easy step-by-step guide to winning at gift-wrapping (and life, in general).
If all else fails, buy a gift bag, wrap the item in tissue and voilà, fancy packaging with minimal effort.
4. Make use of complimentary gift-wrapping services.
Because…why not? If you’re not the creative sort who can turn newspaper and string into something eco-chic, do not despair. Most stores in Orchard Road offer Christmas gift-wrapping at this time of the year, including Sephora, Penhaligon’s, L’Occitane and TANGS. ION Orchard also offers shoppers a set of limited edition gift-wrapping paper with a minimum spend at the mall.
(Source: sgartclass.com)
5. And while you’re at it, remember to claim parking rebates at selected malls.
Well, it’s the least they could do, considering how much effort it takes just to get to Orchard Road during this time of the year.
ION Orchard offers a $5 parking rebate with a minimum of $100 spent (it increases with every additional $100 you spend), while Palais Renaissance offers 2 hours of free parking with $100 spent.
(Source: ION Orchard)
6. Just succumb to online shopping already.
Because online shopping is the best thing since sliced bread. Here are a few of our favourite stores.
Sephora
Best for: Makeup and skincare gifts.
Delivery: Free for orders above $40, $7 for orders below $40. Takes between 1 to 2 working days. Self-collection is also available.
Zalora
Best for: Clothes and accessories from high-street brands, including Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, Mango and Warehouse.
Delivery: Free for orders above $40, $3.90 for orders below $40. Takes between 1 to 3 working days. Next day delivery is also available for $8.90.
L’Occitane
Best for: Last-minute gifts for people you don’t really know, but are still obliged to get a gift for (hey, it happens).
Delivery: $12 for all purchases. Takes about 3 to 5 working days, if orders are placed before 12pm on a business day.
Shopbop
Best for: Everything your heart desires. Just kidding – but Shopbop does have an extensive selection of cool gifts, clothes and accessories. They also have a men’s site called East Dane, which has a good selection of gifts for the modern man.
Delivery: Free express shipping for orders above 100USD. Takes about 3 to 5 days.
NET-A-PORTER
Best for: A gift for your special someone…because the stuff here is not cheap.
Delivery: Free express shipping for orders above 300 USD, 15USD for orders below 300USD. Takes 2 to 3 working days.
ASOS
Best for: Cute and relatively inexpensive gifts such as quirky iPhone cases, mid-range designer pouches and novelty items.
Delivery: Free express shipping for orders above $255 (use code EXPRESSSING), $45 for orders below $255. Express shipping takes about 2 working days.
GRANA
Best for: Good quality and affordable basic clothes for both men and women. Think of it as a nicer version of UNIQLO, if you will.
Delivery: Free shipping on all orders under 31 December 2016. Shipping usually takes 2 business days.
YOOX
Best for: Off-season designer items at a discounted price.
Delivery: Free for orders above 50 USD (26USD for orders below 50 USD). Delivery takes 3 to 6 business days.
7. Stumped for gift ideas?
Here are some quick gift options for the important people in your life.
For the Mom Who Loves To Cook: Philips AirFryer
The AirFryer is like God’s gift to anyone who cooks. For starters, it makes cooking way easier because you just need to marinate then chuck your food in there (yup, anything from salmon to frozen fries), and it cooks faster than a traditional oven or grill. You can use it to fry, bake, grill and roast pretty much anything.
Also, it’s supposedly a healthier way of cooking because it reduces the need for cooking oil. Definitely a convenient appliance to have in the kitchen. See here for some easy and tasty AirFryer recipes.
Yup, you can even bake with the AirFryer.
For the Dad Who Has Everything: Body Composition Monitor
You know what they say…health is wealth…
(Source: Tanita Asia YouTube)
For the Sister Who Loooooves Makeup: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit
True makeup junkies would appreciate Hourglass Ambient Lighting products, because they truly are one of the best highlighters in the market. Seriously, this stuff makes you glow. Like a beach goddess Victoria’s Secret Angel. Frolicking on the beach. With the sun beaming lightly on your face. *cue angel chorus*
Hourglass products are available at Sephora ION Orchard, but you can also get them on NET-A-PORTER. The Ambient Lighting palettes usually sell out quite quickly, so she’ll definitely appreciate getting her hands on one of these prized babies.
(Source: brazenbrunette.com)
For the Smug Newly-married Couple: Terrarium DIY Kit
Because if they’re going to be taking lots of photos of their new home (#lovenest), they most certainly need a terrarium perched somewhere.
(Source: Love In A Bottle Facebook)
For Your Cool Boss: MacBook Marble Skin
Finding your boss the perfect present is always tough. Too expensive and you’ll seem like a suck-up, too cheap and you’ll seem like well, a cheapskate. This year, skip the just-buying-for-the-sake-of-buying gifts and get your boss something cool he/she can use – like this nifty marble-print laptop skin to pimp his/her Macbook.
(Source: Wanderer Wanderer)
For Your BFF Who Loves Travelling: Travel Skincare
Because a girl should never be without good face moisturiser.
(Source: Kiehl’s Singapore Facebook)
For the Annoying Cousin You Can’t Stand: Poop Emoji Pillow
Sure, it’s mildly offensive but you have to admit…it is kinda funny no?
(Source: Etosell on Amazon)
