Sassy Mama’s Online Holiday Gift Guide 2013

‘Tis the season to get spending… and where has the year gone?! Once again, Christmas is upon us and whether you’re jetting off overseas to visit friends and family, or staying in the ‘Kong, there’s no escaping that you’re going to need some presents tucked up your sleeve. Pounding the Hong Kong high street is never much fun, so here’s Sassy Mama’s hit list of just some of our favourite online buys this Christmas.

For The Edited Highlights

For the pick of the Christmas gift pack, your very first stop should be Sassy Sale! We’ve curated some seriously Sassy seasonal gifts that we’re confident will get you ticking names off your list quicker than you can say “pass the mulled wine”!

Whether it’s a family-friendly deck of our 50 Things To Do With Your Kids in Hong Kong cards, a chic and practical Mischa Travel Clutch, indulgent treats from Dumon Chocolatier, delectable dining discounts from What’s Up Hong Kong, party-perfect foldable flats by Shoesee, a three-day juice cleanse from Punch Detox, Christmas dinner-friendly tights by Milk and Honey Shoes or even practical advice on hiring domestic help from our very own Andreas Rosboch… we’ve got something for everyone here!

For Him

It’s always good to support homegrown talent, and recently discovered Damina in Soho have something for the men in your life. They’ve just introduced a range of Italian made, button-down fashion shirts with unique and exquisite detailing like contrasting or double collars, AMF stitching detail, French cuffs and bold colour. The shirts are designed to fit a full range of Western and Asian body types and sizes. The quality is impeccable but affordable, prices start at $980… this could be the perfect present for your man this year and certainly beats socks! Click here to see the full selection.

If the blokes in your life are of a certain age (namely grown-up but going on 15!), then Truffle Shuffle might be just the treasure trove you’re looking for. This British-based website is home to everything retro and nostalgic, perfect for conversation-starter tees, pop culture accessories and tongue-in-cheek gifts. Star Wars? Top Gun? Breaking Bad? Button Moon? They’ve got it all… and then even more!

If you man’s a beer lover then he’ll love a subscription to the Hong Kong Beer Club. Subscriptions range from three months ($1200), six months ($2400) or a whole year ($4700). Each month, carefully selected beers from the world over are delivered direct to your beer enthusiast’s door. Subscriptions include VIP membership of the HK Bottle Shop and discounts on in-store products to boot!

For Foodies

If there’s a cheese enthusiast on Santa’s list they will love the Classified Cheese Box, which includes a variety of cheeses that are either regional, country-specific or curated by their in-house cheese specialist – this month it’s a super indulgent 500g of pure creamy Mont d’Or goodness. Reasonably priced at just $275, this will make a great token for any cheese fiend, delivered right to their doorstep.  Note that delivery is limited to Hong Kong Island only. 

Food, glorious food…nothing quite beats it as a great gift, especially when it comes beautifully packaged and delivered direct to your loved one’s door! Sassy Mama is LOVING the Joyful Season hamper, $1899, by gifthampers.com.hk – packed with fabulous savoury and sweet goodies from all around the world. We’re loving the French Gourmet Hamper (that comes with a private cooking class experience!) and some delectable french goodies. If you have a foodie on your gift list this is the perfect one-stop shop; hampers start from $399 with plenty to choose from; delivery is free in Hong Kong and you can even get same day delivery for those gift emergencies!

Chai? Rooibos? Or a nice organic matcha? Whatever your leafy tipple, Teapigs have something to whet your appetite for a refreshing cuppa. With loose-leaf blends, tea bags and all the associated accessories, this is a tea purists’ paradise! Not sure what you’re buying? The handy guide helps you narrow down your selection and find your perfect brew. Time to put the kettle on…

For the Home

A picture paints a thousand words… or so the saying goes! Remind friends and family overseas of special times they had in Hong Kong, or buy for friends here as a treasured memento of time spent together. For your own little piece of Hong Kong, visit the selection of high quality photo canvasses at Zzzoom Photography.  Prices start from $1100.

We are fans of the funky range of cushion covers by world class designer/photographer Clinton Friedman at Attic Lifestyle. Introduce the couch to a bit of art… they’re also light and flat, so easy to pack if you want to take gifts abroad this Christmas. Alternatively, international shipping is free on orders over $1500, and free within Hong Kong on orders over $200. Clinton Friedman cushion covers are $550 each.

For Her

Lusting after a bit of K-Mid style? Want to get onboard with the best of British? Check out UK-based fashion site Atterley Road, which stocks a whole host of fab brands including Hobbs (and their even more stylish diffusion line, NW3), Jigsaw, Whistles, Great Plains and Zatchels. They’ve even just launched their own super-chic boutique line, Atterley Road, which is full of sophisticated dresses and effortless accessories. Perfect for fashionistas who are bored of the Hong Kong shopping scene!

If bling is her thing, then she’ll love all that sparkles at Bayila, another Hong Kong-based designer that ships worldwide. Visit her online ETSY store and feast your eyes on statement necklaces and earrings in stunning high quality Swarovski and Preciosa rhinestones. The necklaces come packaged in seriously impressive black quilted leather-look boxes that scream “special gift”! We’re coveting the Galadriel show-stopping necklace ($1982) made from pristine Swarovski rhinestones, and the elegant Juliette drop earrings ($676), both shown above.

“Style is a way of speaking without saying a word”. If she loves her fashion but you’re a bit scared you’ll get it wrong, plump for a gift card from Backroom. With its mix of luxe designer labels and urban cool she’ll be one very happy fashionista!

Alternatively, if you fancy taking the plunge and choosing that special something yourself, Boticca have a handy holiday collection where they promise to find the perfect gift. You input your budget, the style of the person you’re buying for (e.g. chic, casual) and what product they tend to like the most e.g. necklaces, bags, earrings, etc., then the computer does its stuff… clever! Boticca offer free worldwide shipping, free gift-wrapping and if you’re a bit last minute they offer express shipping too.

For The Beauty Junkie

Hong Kong has most of the mainstream beauty brands covered… so for true beauty junkies you have to go that little bit further leftfield! Cult Beauty is a fabulous website full of niche, independent cosmetics brands – like peeking into a Beauty Editor’s closet. A few of our favourite finds include Jack Black’s no-nonsense lip balms, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ amazing lip tars, the all-purpose celeb fave Egyptian Magic Skin Cream and the beautifully-packaged Le Soft Perfume fragrance sticks.

OPI and Essie are so last year, dahling! These days, it’s all about the indie nail polish makers – one-woman-bands mixing up a storm and producing absolute beauties. Up until now, most of these unique polishes have been subject to stringent shipping laws and hefty delivery fees – until Shop Dazzled appeared! Founder Denise has brought over some of the best indie brands to her Hong Kong-based site, including A-England, Cirque and Happy Hands, so look out for lacquers more glittery, crazy and creative than you ever imaged. Happy Hands even has a range themed around cult TV comedy Arrested Development… need I say more?!

For Little Ones

BaoBae showcases the most tasteful baby and children’s clothes, toys, books and furniture around, as well as a selection of maternity items so you can shop for the small people in your life and pick up a little something chic for mama at the same time! And if you’re all shopped out, BaoBae’s luxury gift hamper service is your friend! Simply state any personal preferences, such as favourite colour or due date (if the recipient is currently a bump!) and have the clever option of including a wee gift for a sibling up to the age of 7 or mama too.

If there’s a little lady in your life, then she’ll love the adorable tutus, tops, dresses and in particular this cute “Born To Wear Diamonds” onesie with attitude from Caramella Boutique, based in Hong Kong and available to buy online. It’s strictly girls-only from newborn to 12 years… but don’t worry boys, we’ll find something for you as well!

So, one for the boys… see, we told you we wouldn’t leave you out! Cutie Cutie Baby is another great online destination for – funnily enough – cute clothing, catering for both boys and girls from newborn to 7 years. This red “Sherlock” Tee caught our eye, but there’s plenty more for little lads and lasses. And if you’re stuck for inspiration they can also help you put together a gift set, which comes beautifully presented in either a pink or blue mini suitcase – choose from $500, $800, $1000 or more.

And if your kids are in need of winter woolies this holiday season, or you have friends and family freezing overseas then Feine Cashmere has some of the best knitwear for kids. We’re loving the brighter colour palette of designs – in particular for boys – including the ever-popular hoodie design that girls will want to wear too!

Looking for something to keep the kids out of mischief on Christmas Day? Always! Sassy Mama are loving the clever designs from South African-based CoolSpacesforKids, available online from aforementioned internet wonder ETSY. Of note are the Doorway Puppet Theatre, the Playhouse Tablecloth and the Hopscotch Mat. Cute!

A Sassy Mama favourite, All About Me Hong Kong specialises in personalised, fun and educational books for kids, set in Hong Kong where your little one and their friends become the stars of the story! All About Me Hong Kong have a new book out called “Christmas in Hong Kong. The Search for Snow”. Does it ever snow in Hong Kong?! Your little one will have to read the book to find out more!

For designer kids duds, snuggly-soft toys, and gorgeous gifts for little people (and, let’s be honest, it’s mama you’re really trying to impress!) then Maggie and Flynn are certainly worth a look. With flash fash from newborn to six years, we guarantee you’ll find it hard to stop clicking…

For Everyone

A Giftwell voucher is an easy, quick and convenient solution for those eternal gifting conundrums. They have carefully selected a range of Hong Kong’s most unique businesses (and tried and tested Sassy Mama faves!) for you to choose from, and vouchers come in simple, sleek and luxurious packaging that will look great under the tree come the big day!

UK website Not on The High Street is a total treasure trove of quirky, personalised and downright thoughtful gifts. Featuring oodles of independent designers, you can easily while away hours clicking through their different categories. We defy you not to come away with something from here! Shipping varies by seller.

Another one-stop “little bit of everything” shop from the UK is Oliver Bonas. Selling women’s clothing, jewellery, accessories and homewares, this online store is currently offering free international shipping on orders over £50 (approx. $625). Check out their gift guide for inspiration.

What about the person who just has everything? Usually we’ll all have at least one of these on our Christmas lists! What about a Charitable Choice gift card? Buy them online, and the recipient gets to choose which Hong Kong-based charity receives the donation.

So that’s it folks… happy shopping, and we hope your Christmas stocking is just as covetable as this one!