Are you a better gift-giver or gift-recipient? Either way, with less than 3 weeks to go before Christmas, here are some ideas for lovely gifts and thoughtful goodies great for your loved ones (or some which may cheekily make it into your wishlist too!). If you’re the type who waits until the last minute to do your Christmas shopping, this may be the time to break the habit.
Gifts for Her
1. Lips Carpenter Gift Set
From personalised lipstick casings and nourishing tinted lip balms, to face and body gift bundles at a steal, Lips Carpenter offers a wide variety to select from this Christmas. Created with natural ingredients, such as coconut oil, beeswax, olive oil, grapeseed oil, and cocoa butter, their products are not only attractive, but free from harmful chemicals. Gift sets start from RM25 to RM250, and free shipping is available for West Malaysian orders, inclusive of a free kraft gift box per order.
2. Clarins ‘Aroma Ritual’ Collection
Meet the perfect Clarins trio to set up a relaxing and rejuvenating spa experience at home. Valued at RM281, this pampering collection includes a bottle of Tonic Bath and Shower Concentrate to gently cleanse the skin, a tube of Tonic Body Balm to protect skin from dehydration, and a candle with citrus notes aimed to soothe and calm the senses when lit. We say: très bien!
3. WISHFUL Gift Sets
Pick any of the gift sets under WISHFUL’s ‘Winterland Adventure’ collection, and you’ll be set to impress this Christmas. Prices range from RM98 to RM888 for their whimsical sets, so you know your loved ones will be in for an absolute treat. Currently on sale is the ‘Winter Haven’ box (RM148), with a calendar attached to an illuminating acrylic backing that glows and reveals the landscape of a Christmas forest!
Gifts for Him
4. Jack Black Men’s Skincare
Treat the main man in your life to one of the best (and most trusted) skincare and shaving products around. KEN’s Apothecary carries this brand in Malaysia, so pop by the store to see what they have available. The All-Over Wash for Face, Hair, and Body (RM99), Post Shave Cooling Gel (RM95), and Oil-Free Sun Guard SPF45 Sunscreen (RM105) are popular Jack Black choices to start with. As far as scents go, they have an array of aromatics, from fresh, herbaceous and zesty, to compelling, sweet and spicy.
5. Six Senses Flight Set
Say cheers with fun and yummy cocktails poured over ice from Jann, one of Kuala Lumpur’s most popular rooftop bars located at Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown. Each cocktail bottle represents a taste perception to pique the palate; ranging from something sweet, sour, bitter, spicy, salty, and umami. Grab a set (or two) for RM158+ here.
Gifts for the Littles
6. Dough Little Playdough Christmas Play Kits
Play kits make wonderful gifts for little ones as the possibilities are endless with open-ended and sensory toys. Imagination takes one far, and this year, Dough Little Playdough has launched ‘The Gracie and Gary Christmas Play Kit’ (RM99.90) – inspired by themes of kindness, service, and love. Each play kit is suitable for children aged 3 and above, and gift wrapping services are available upon request.
7. Printed swaddles, apparel, and baby accessories by Oluchi Kids
Parents who love keeping to the aesthetics will swoon over what Oluchi Kids has to offer. Neutral, nature-inspired, and contemporary printed swaddles, cot-fitted sheets, wooden toys, silicone teether rings, and silicone tableware are aplenty at Oluchi Kids. Don’t skip their sale category, as they have pretty good stocks going at affordable prices!
8. Mustela Fairytale Limited Edition Gift Set
Bring fairytales to life this festive season with the Mustela Fairytale Limited Edition Gift Set! With whimsical illustrations by renowned Italian illustrator, Roberto (a.k.a. T-Rax a pois), this collection is inspired by 4 classic fairy tales adorning the nurturing products we’ve come to love from this trusted skincare brand for babies and kids. And as a special touch, try downloading the e-books, or listening to a reading of these modernised fairytales (written by Lorenzo Naia (aka La Tata Mascio) here.
The little ones will be pampered with gentle cleansing gels, hydrating body lotions and soothing oils and creams, which contain Mustela’s patented natural ingredient, Avocado Perseose. The Mustela Fairytale Limited Edition Gift Set (worth RM115) is available on Shopee, Lazada, selected pharmacies, Mothercare stores, AEON stores, and all HappiKiddo stores.
9. Gratitude Journal for Kids by Pixiebod
Children are the best learners and instilling the art of gratitude in them can start at a tender age. Pixiebod has launched their Gratitude Journals (RM45) for children aged 7 to 10, and it also comes another version suitable for teens, as well as adults. Turn this into a gift set for the family by adding affirmation cards for Mama as an encouragement too!
Gifts for the Home
10. Ana tomy x Lilin+Co Limited Edition Gift Set
Lilin+Co produces 100% premium hand-poured soy candles that make sweet and chic additions to any home or work space. Check out their latest collaboration – the limited edition (and lustworthy!) ana tomy x Lilin+Co gift sets that include a bespoke scented candle with a special vegan leather candle holder (available in two scents: ‘Tabac’ or ‘Fireplace’), a scented notebook with premium book cloth cover, refillable inserts, and a gift-ready box packaging. Fans of Lilin+Co will be happy to know that they are now available for purchase at Sephora too.
11. A box of Decadent Chocolates by KAMI x Chocolate Concierge
Taking things from bean to bar, KAMI has joined forces with Chocolate Concierge to create a box of 12 assorted decadent chocolates this Christmas. Bringing back some of the people’s choice flavours, as well as introducing new ones, KAMI prides themselves in offering halal, alcohol-free, and strictly vegetarian chocolates in this box. All chocolates are handmade and hand-painted, and pre-order is required. Now, who is excited to try some black honey truffle bonbons?
Price: RM139.50 per box
Delivery dates (11am until 3pm): 2nd, 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 19th, 21st and 23rd December 2022
Self-Pickup Address: Pastry Pro Sdn Bhd, 8, Jalan 3/37a, Kawasan Perusahaan Taman Bukit Maluri, 52100 Kuala Lumpur
[For outstation deliveries, corporate orders and orders of 20 boxes and above, kindly contact Jillian (+6012 317 7841)].
12. Galette des rois (French King Cake)
Send love through baked goods, or serve up a tantalising galette des rois (French King Cake) on Christmas Eve. Croisserie Artisan Bakery (located at Damansara Heights) has opened up pre-orders for their galette des rois – a sweet dessert of inverted puff pastry, sandwiched with dense, creamy, homemade almond frangipane; complete with a paper crown and a special porcelain fève (small trinket) hidden in the galette. Tradition says whoever finds the fève in their slice gets the paper crown and is crowned the king/queen of the day — a yes day for adults!
13. Homeware by Anngelmade
Dreamy Japanese-inspired saucers and dinner plate sets or minimalist neutral stoneware make beautiful and practical gifts for the home. Stack the plates up and wrap them up in printed cloth using the Furoshiki method. Not only will the gift look amazing, the fabric will serve as protection and a secondary gift too! Prices for the plates start from RM26 a saucer.
14. The Good Fat Company Nut and Seed Butters
Mmm! Time to deliver a loaf of freshly baked bread, along with these quality spreads. Eating right doesn’t mean eating boring, especially with The Good Company products. The brand aims to create awareness about the differencea between good and ‘bad’ fats, and the importance of choosing healthier options when it comes to nourishment for the body. Their current artisanal range has over 14 variants of nut and seed butters, lovingly handcrafted in small batches and stone-grounded to perfection. Not sure which one to taste first? Try some of their best-sellers: maple walnut butter (RM39.90), pumpkin seed butter (from RM24.90) and almond butter with no added sugar (RM39.90).
Gifts with a Heart
15. Customised Chocolate Gifts by Cocova
Order chocolates from Cocova and support a cause! In collaboration with Kindness Cookies, cookies have been added to their Christmas Gift Sets 2022 collection. The ‘Christmas Party’ Set (RM165) gets you four bottles of Cocova’s ‘Curious’ 68% Dark Chocolate drink and four bottles of Cocova’s ‘Dreamy’ 72% Dark Chocolate drink, as well as 8 Gingerbread Men cookies, baked by disabled youths under the GOLD (Golden Opportunities For Learning Disabled) programme from Kindness Cookies.
16. The Body Shop Christmas Collection
From vegan beauty treats to blissful body care, The Body Shop has gifts to delight everyone on your list – and every budget. We absolutely adore their Box of Wishes Advent Calendar (RM499), with 24 little surprises to unpackage in the lead-up to Christmas, and their endless array of gorgeous stocking stuffer options – perfect for a Secret Santa surprise, or as a mini treat to pamper yourselves over the holidays!
The best part? These gifts don’t just spread wonder to those who receive them, but to those who helped make them too. Each gift is enriched with ingredients and/or packaging from The Body Shop’s Community Fair Trade partners, aimed at benefiting their communities. Each purchase over the Christmas period will also allow The Body Shop to donate to organisations around the world that support young people who are contributing to their communities, under their “Be Seen. Be Heard” campaign.
17. Gifts of Hope by World Vision Malaysia (WVM)
Teach your family about having the heart for gratitude and kindness. While the festive season may not be experienced the same amongst individuals, contributing to the greater need is for all. World Vision Malaysia (WVM) has launched its ‘Gifts of Hope’ catalogue, which features 3 categories one can assist in. Contribute towards practical items, such as educational materials and nutritious meals for kids (Light for Children), specially-curated gifts such as cows, seedlings and tools that serve to elevate the livelihood of families (Light for Families) and tangible gifts, like wheelchairs and toilets aimed at meeting a community’s basic needs and equipping them for a sustainable future (Light for Communities).
To find out more about WVM’s campaign and how you can help, click here.
Wishing all our #makchicmumsquad and their families a blessed Christmas and a time for warm reunions and joyful merry-making!
By Amanda Sura
Photos are taken from the respective businesses’ press kits, websites, and Instagram pages. For more details and prices, please contact the online stores and official social media pages.
