We love Christmas—it's got great food, ambience, and even better movies. That is until the holiday crunch hits and you start panicking. Suddenly, you're that person—sweating in overcrowded malls, frantically scrolling online at midnight, contemplating whether your cousin really wants another scented candle. No one wants to go through that, and we don't want to see you go through that either. We're here to help. This is our curation of carefully selected presents—thoughtful without trying too hard, luxe without breaking the bank—that's guaranteed to earn you serious style points. This is Esquire Singapore's ultimate gift cheat sheet.
When it comes to fountain pens, there are luxury writing instruments in the market that are at the forefront but when you're shopping for a whole village, dropping a band on a single gift just isn't practical. Enter the LAMY Studio Fountain Pen, a mid-range luxury alternative that imposes modern aesthetics like its matte finishing and propeller-shaped twisted clip onto the classic writing instrument. Its smooth nib glides effortlessly across the page, making journaling, note-taking, or correspondence a luxurious experience. Good for the discerning writer, creative, or someone who appreciates fine craftsmanship.
(SKIMS)
Boxers? Yeah... they might sound "boring" but let's face it—they're very, very essential. However, who says essentials can't be stylish? SKIMS Stretch Boxer Briefs has been designed to move with you, these aren't your average boxers—they're lightweight, breathable and crafted from soft stretch fabric that feels like second skin. Available in three neutral shades, they're effortlessly chic and far more refined than those loud, bright red alternatives. Trust us, these are the upgrade his wardrobe didn't know it needed.
SKIMS Stretch Boxer Briefs (Pack of 3)
Don't be overwhelmed by the sheer number of skincare brands that exist in the market, or fall into the folly of buying her something she already has. Keep it simple with natural solutions that Almora Botanica presents. Named after a remarkably biodiverse region in the Himalayan mountains, the brand harnesses its adaptogenic ingredients for their resilient properties. Not only are formulations devoid of synthetic additives and harmful chemicals, products are COSMOS-certified. This official standard is only achieved by adhering to strict environmental and ethical guidelines; where all claims are rigorously assessed from sourcing, production, packaging to fairtrade practices. The flagship SAPTA complex is a blend of seven natural cold-pressed oils; prepped for lighter and faster absorption. It's the ultimate Clean Girl Aesthetic.
(Charlotte Tilbury)
What's more challenging than guessing if she's had her hair cut? Buying beauty products for her. (And let's not even get into the shade, tone, or personal preferences—its complicated alright.) But the Charlotte Tilbury Iconic Hollywood Lip Trio Gift Set is here to save the day. With three luxurious lippies, it's designed to suit every woman's style. I'll spare you the names of the shades, but trust me, they're perfect for every occasion—date nights, casual days, and those fun night outs.
Charlotte's Iconic Hollywood Lip Trio Gift Set
(Charlotte Tilbury)
If you're still contemplating whether she'll like the shade, don't stress—because the secret to flawless makeup lies in the prep. Charlotte's Magic Water Cream Set, a product that sold out within hours of its launch and earned the title of 'Queen of Glowing Skin’. It moisturises and preps the skin for that perfect, radiant glow. And when she asks how you managed to find this gem, try not to look too smug.
Charlotte's Magic Water Cream Set
We all have that one friend who's been unhealthily obsessing over Wicked lately—this one's for them. You can now bring the magic of Emerald City into their home with the OZ Diffuser by DORS. With enchanting notes of refreshing citrus, jasmine, tonka bean and woods, it's ideal for creating a sophisticated, inviting atmosphere. But let's be real—this could smell like algae and damp wood, and your friend would still love it.
Gifting someone tea is always a safe bet. The 1872 Clipper Tea Co. Holiday Collection offers thoughtfully crafted blends to get you in the festive mood. There for Me warms the soul with black Ceylon tea and festive spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Creature Comforts soothes with a caffeine-free infusion of chamomile, passionflower, and rose petals. Love Letter delights with the sweet notes of strawberry, hibiscus, and creamy milk oolong.
We raved about the Dropout née CollegeHumor. It's a subscription-based streaming service that survived bankruptcy and a pandemic, offering a range of shows, sketches, and unscripted series. Moving away from its scripted content, most of their content are improvised. Popular Dropout programmes include Dimension 20, a tabletop RPG series led by Brennan Lee Mulligan and Game Changer, where each episode is a different game. We particularly are sweet on Dropout's latest series, Smartypants, where comics make their case via a powerpoint presentation. (In this video preview, Paul Robalino, presents how to improve the human body and it gets increasingly unhinged.) Dropout's subscription is cheaper than your other conventional streaming services and for that kind of price for that kind of quality comedy, it almost feel like you're stealing.
If you're planning on visiting a friend's house for the holidays, here's one way you can make the visit more spirited—literally. Designed to hang as ornaments on Christmas trees, the Brass Lion Gin Baubles come filled with one of three signature gins: Singapore Dry Gin, Butterfly Pea Gin, or Pahit Pink Gin. Perfect for the gin lover, jokester, or anyone who believes Christmas decorations should be drinkable.
There are a few bangers from Apple that we wanted to recommend (AirPods Pro 2; iPad Pro 4) but rules are rules. We'll gonnna go with the Apple Vision Pro. It's way ahead in its cutting-edge spatial computing tech and looks like something from the future. The intuitive user experience (eye-tracking and hand-gesture controls) distracts from the weight and with the recent VisionOS update, it allows for spatial photography and with Apple's commitment to immersive films and TV shows, movie night will never be the same again.
Gifting can be a tricky task, especially when the goal is to gift something that expresses more than just feelings and emotions, but also one that leaves a lasting impression. When it comes to your significant other, the pressure is even higher. At the very least, you'd want to gift something that feels personal yet luxurious, and one she’ll cherish for years.
Here’s why the AUPEN Nirvana bag makes a strong case as the perfect gift: It’s not just a handbag, but a statement of sophistication and timeless design. Crafted by luxury brand AUPEN—known for its craftsmanship—the Nirvana bag blends style and practicality, making it a favourite of a bevy of international celebrities the likes of Selena Gomez, Taylor Swift, and Lady Gaga.
The Nirvana bag is crafted from premium calfskin material, with a minimalist design and versatile structure. Its clean lines and subtle gold accents make it a suitable accompaniment for any occasion, and its timeless appeal ensures it will be cherished long after fleeting trends fade.
Priced from USD340, the Nirvana bag is hardly a significant investment that'll dent that bank account. Furthermore, with AUPEN's partnership with LVMH Métiers d’Art, prices for the brand’s bags are expected to increase as its production expands to include global ateliers under the luxury group. What that simply means is that now is the right time to snag a bag from the brand.
At the end of the day, the AUPEN Nirvana bag isn’t just the ultimate gift—it’s a thoughtful, high-quality accessory made for someone with style, and one that can be enjoyed for years to come. Because when you truly love someone, something that lasts is what they deserve.
The AUPEN Nirvana bag is available online.
The festive season in the editorial world is my absolute sweet spot. December brings a sort of magical lull—work winds down, folks are travelling, and the only thing providing any sort of excitement are the slew of festive tastings. But what happens when your editor-in-chief is on leave, the contributing writer is working remotely halfway across the globe, the style director turns his nose up at anything beyond a whiff of soju, and the features editor has mysteriously gone radio silent on all festive dining invitations? You’re left with one writer juggling far more than he signed up for. But these shoulders are broad, and they don’t mind carrying the gustation load for the team. So here it is: my (little) curation of Christmas meals, tailored to suit all sorts of tastes and occasions.
Is there a fancier way to celebrate the festive season than being above it all? Perched 61 levels high, HighHouse presents a Festive Sharing Menu that traverses Pan-Asian cuisine while embracing winter's familiar comforts. Designed to satisfy 6, this indulgent feast offers 7 thoughtfully crafted dishes that’s served all at once that’ll have you passing dishes around non-stop.
We’ll start off with the lighter offerings; a Grilled Whole Australian Barramundi Fish delicately enhanced with pancetta and chai poh, alongside Grilled Indonesian Squid dancing with a Latin-inspired sweet and sour pineapple salsa. A commanding kilogram of 35-day Dry-Aged Argentinean Devesa Bone-In-Ribeye takes centre stage, ensuring each guest receives a mouthful of juicy, umami chew. Protein-rich selections continue with Grilled Indiana Duck Breast and a sumptuous Braised Duck Leg, elegantly finished with earthy winter truffles. And then there’s the Crabmeat & Squid Ink Fried Rice, a dish so addictive it’ll probably be the first dish to join the clean plate club. The lounge’s breathtaking panoramic views paired with the warmth of communal dining make HighHouse perfect for creating unforgettable festive memories.
HighHouse
Price: $398++ for 6 pax
When: Now till 1 January 2025
Where: HighHouse, 1 Raffles Pl, L61-62, Singapore 048616
Prepare for an extraordinary eight-course journey through New Italian cuisine, crafted by Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman—whose culinary prowess has earned Michelin acclaim in Antwerp and recognition in Tokyo. Featuring the finest ingredients like venison, langoustine, and turbot, the menu is a symphony of fresh, vibrant flavours.
Begin with the briny yet luscious Dutch Imperial Flat Oyster from Zeeland, elevated with Champagne Mousseline and Caviar to awaken the palate. Delicate langoustine with leek vinaigrette and whispers of earthy truffle follow, each course building anticipation for the main course; Venison, Pumpkin, and Chou Farci. Here, tender venison meets sweet pumpkin and the cosy embrace of stuffed cabbage. Complemented by a playlist of nostalgic beats from the ’80s and ’90s, Le Pristine promises to bring Michelin-quality food, and then some, to your Christmas table.
Le Pristine
Price: $260++ per pax
When: 24, 25 and 31 December 2024
Where: Grand Hyatt Singapore, 10 Scotts Rd, Singapore 228211
MOGA’s Christmas Izakaya Sharing Menu for 4 is perfect for those late-night catchups filled with laughter. The izakaya begins with the Shio Koji Fried Chicken—crispy, tender, and impossible to resist. Pass around those cloud-like Hokkaido Milk Buns for a satisfying bite, particularly so when dipped into the warm, luscious Blue Cheese sauce. The luxurious Foie Gras & Gammon Roll follows shortly after, complemented by the comforting Smashed Sweet Potato that’ll have everyone reaching across the table. And because deep conversations need a little liquid courage, a 300ml bottle of sake is included in the meal.
MOGA
Price: S$188++ for 4 pax / Additional S$48++ per additional guests
When: Now till 31 December 2024
Where: Pullman Singapore Hill Street, 1 Hill St, Singapore 179949
If there ever were a time to indulge in red meat, Christmas would be it. While you're at it, why not do so at a K-BBQ joint that's won several James Beard Award nominations and consecutive Michelin stars? COTE's festive Feast of the Seven Steaks offers a culinary experience that lives up to the restaurant's reputation as premium cuts are grilled tableside by an incredibly attentive service team. Expect an exceptional selection of prime meats including USA USDA Prime Filet Mignon, A5 Miyazaki Ribeye, and Australian Wagyu COTE Steak.
Traditional Korean accompaniments surround the metal grill, with standout items like Scallion and Perilla Leaf Kimchi offering bright, acidic counterpoints to the rich proteins. COTE masterfully captures the best elements of a K-BBQ restaurant—atmospheric lighting, impeccable service, and cosy booths—while avoiding common pitfalls like lingering meat odours in the air or generic background pop music. In short, it would make a comfortable spot to spend your Christmas plans.
Sidenote: COTE has recently introduced weekend lunch services for the first time since opening its doors earlier this year. Exclusive lunch offerings include innovative dishes like the Korean Crudo "Salad" in Hwe Dup Bap style, a hearty Sanche Bibimbap loaded with vegetables, and Singapore-exclusive items such as Steak Dupbap (an Australian Wagyu beef bowl topped with cured egg yolk) and Galbitang featuring beef short rib. So, in case if you've decided on another spot for Xmas, a casual lunch here might just be enough to convince you to spend next year's Christmas at COTE instead.
COTE
Price: S$245++ per pax
When: 24 and 25 December 2024
Where: 30 Bideford Road Singapore, Level 3, COMO Orchard, Singapore 229922
For those who prefer celebrating Christmas at home but dread the stress of preparing a feast for 6 mouths, ONE°15's Taste of Christmas take-home feasts provide a hassle-free solution that promises an authentic holiday meal without the risk of ruining Christmas with dry turkey. Designed to serve 6-8 people, the feast offers two options: the Meat Lovers' Feast and Santa's Joy-Full Feast.
The former showcases four classic Christmas mains: succulent Roasted Turkey, rich Slow-roasted Angus Sirloin, crispy Kurobuta Porchetta, and a sweet Honey-glazed Ham. This indulgent spread is complemented by traditional Yorkshire Pudding and fragrant Herb-roasted Potatoes.
Santa's Joy-Full Feast, on the other hand, proposes a more varied offering with an impressive selection featuring Salt-baked Salmon and Herb-crusted Lamb Rack, alongside the classic Honey-glazed Ham and Roasted Turkey. The sides don’t disappoint either, featuring a robust spread of Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta, luxurious Black Truffle Pomme Purée, and Oven-roasted Root Vegetables. Whichever you choose, both feasts include a complimentary Chestnut Log Cake, ensuring a sweet conclusion to your homely Christmas experience. Each delivery also comes with a thermal bag, so you'll be able to skip the hassle of reheating the food if you are so inclined.
ONE°15
Price: S$428 / S$458 for 6-8 pax
When: Now till 31 December 2024
Where: Home!
If you're someone with a penchant for theatrics, SUSHISAMBA is probably where you'll want to be come December 25th. Forget the fact that you'll be seated among the clouds 52 levels high in Capital Tower with a sprawling view of the CBD. You'll be able to sip on free-flowing Christmas-themed champagne and cocktails while Brazilian samba dancers and drummers flown in directly from Rio electrify the atmosphere, all accompanied by a live DJ spinning groovy tunes.
The food, of course, is nothing to scoff at either. A selection of SUSHISAMBA's signature dishes, including Sea Bream Seviche with truffle, Pork Taquitos, and Australian Grass-Fed Short Ribs. A live sushi station will also keep things fresh, serving up highlights such as the SAMBAZONIA Samba Roll, Akami Nigiri, and Hamachi Sashimi. The dramatics cap off with a dedicated Christmas Dessert Table littered with a medley of sweet treats like the Cachaça Rum Fruit Cake and Japanese Purple Potato Mont Blanc. There’s just one catch: this festive feast is available only during lunch, from 12 pm to 3 pm. So, you'll want to plan accordingly.
SUSHISAMBA
Price: $250++ per pax
When: 25 December 2024
Where: 168 Robinson Rd, Level 52 Capital Tower, Singapore 068912
Get your bows ready, slip into your most charming attire, and add a touch of festive flair with some adorable stockings—because A Very Laufey Holiday is coming back to town. Hurrying down the chimney is Iceland's third best-known musician (after Björk and Sigur Rós) Laufey and her rendition of the Christmas classic "Santa Baby."
This edition of "Santa Baby" adds to Laufey's ongoing A Very Laufey Holiday project, where each year, the winger adds a Christmas song to the album. It started in 2021, with "Love To Keep Me Warm" (featuring dodie), followed by "The Christmas Waltz" in 2022, and "Christmas Dreaming" in 2023.
"This is a story of a nice and naughty girl... as you might have guessed, our tale begins here, on this very stage," Bill Murray quips as the narrator in Laufey's "Santa Baby" music video. There's a whimsical puck to the visual. A hint of a Wes Andersonian fancy, if you ask us. American Ballet Theatre's principal dancer, Isabella Boylston, performs with an ensemble of dancers with a choreography by Alex Wong (So You Think You Can Dance; The Greatest Showman; Smash).
A Very Laufey Holiday will be available on vinyl for the first time, featuring her "Santa Baby" cover. The box set has an expandable design, allowing more addition of Laufey's holiday covers and originals in the coming years. A Very Laufey Holiday is available as a limited edition box set online.
In keeping with the festive vibe going, Laufey's debut concert film, Laufey’s A Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl will hit the cinemas and IMAX theatres for a limited run from 6 December. Filmed in Los Angeles and directed by Sam Wrench (Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour), Laufey performs with the renowned Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. The film offers a rare, behind-the-scenes perspective on this unforgettable concert.
For more information and ticketing details, click here.
It's not quite the festive season in London until famed department store Harrods is completely decked out and lit up. And this year, Loro Piana has gone full on with a complete takeover of Harrods' façade and more.
Across 36 windows of Harrods, the Italian brand invites everyone on a fantastical journey of its inner workings. The various animations showcase Loro Piana's 100-year-long heritage and savoir-faire as quality materials and brand icons are transported from one scenography to the other in beautifully intricate displays. It's like a grown-up, more luxurious version of Santa's workshop where, instead of toys, cashmere creations and bags such as the Loom bag are the gifts. Each window is also a lesson into the Loro Piana story with blurbs of descriptions to things like its Coat of Arms, the Gift of Kings series, technology like the Storm System, and more.
Beyond the splendour of the windows and decorations, the Loro Piana takeover includes two special pop-ups stocked with a series of gift ideas made exclusively for Harrods. They span across both women's and men's ready-to-wear rendered in winter-ready fabrications the likes of Sopra Visso wool, Baby Cashmere, and Vicuña. Timeless pieces like scarves (in a variety of materials and designs) and a slate of tailored selections offer everyday style accompaniments with a British undercurrent of equestrian touches, checks and classic solid hues. A selection of scarves can also be customised with initials for that extra personalised touch.
While the takeover and pop-ups are temporary, they herald Loro Piana's expansion within Harrods. Two permanent spaces are due to open—one dedicated to a kids' collection, and another to Loro Piana Interiors. It's safe to say that with its 100th anniversary this year, the Maison definitely wants to end it big.
The Loro Piana takeover of Harrods London will run until 7 January 2025.
For years now, the Christmas light-up along Orchard Road has been a sign that the year is coming to an end and that the festivities are near. ION Orchard's location as the start of Singapore's famed shopping belt means that it's also become a sort of landmark to the annual light-up—this year's sees French couture house Dior taking on the honour.
While it's typical for brands to opt for a somewhat traditional Christmas tree installation right outside of ION Orchard, we've seen over the years a penchant for more theatrical interpretations. Dior opts for a Dior Star once again this year (its takeover in 2022 was a Dior Star rendered in elegant dark hues of gold and black). This time around, the Dior Star stands 15 metres tall and reflects the Dior Cruise 2025 collection by creative director Maria Grazia Chiuri themed around Scotland's rich heritage.
The 2024 Dior Star installation takes reference from fairy tales as it's designed to resemble a giant pop-up book with the Dior Star exploding into the atmosphere surrounded by majestic animals the likes of a unicorn, lions, a deer, a monkey, and birds. It's definitely a non-traditional Christmas tree installation but the surrounding scenography of lush vegetation with accents of red florals do nod to the occasion.
As with takeovers go, Dior has more to offer inside the mall. Throughout the interior of ION Orchard, multi-sensory displays and Christmas decorations by Parfums Christian Dior can be found just about everywhere. They culminate in a duo of pop-ups at the Level 1 Atrium of the mall—a Dior Beauty Christmas pop-up and a Dior Café. The former is what one would expect fitting for the season with a number of gift sets conceptualised to make gifting easy (and luxurious) topped up with a number of personalisation options. The Dior Café is a collaboration with L'éclair Pâtisserie, featuring a specially curated high tea set consisting of familiar French sweets such as eclairs and macarons.
The entire Dior Holiday Season takeover officially launched yesterday evening. Attended by a number of local celebrities, the highlight was most definitely the appearance of Dior ambassador and South Korean actor Jung Hae-In. A constant figure at Dior and Dior Men shows, Jung was dressed in a sleek navy suit sans tie and finished with a Dior Charm brooch—all from the latest Dior Men Spring 2025 collection. He arrived to a cacophony of screams by fans waiting patiently behind barriers around the outside ION Orchard as well as outside the Dior boutique, as he first made his way to the Dior Star before making his way to the boutique. Somewhere in between, Jung was surrounded by a crowd but like the seasoned professional that he is, he stayed calm and obliged fans with waves and finger hearts as signs of acknowledgement.
And just like that, the festive season has officially commenced.
The Dior Star is located outside of ION Orchard until 1 January 2025, while the Dior Beauty Christmas pop-up and Dior Café are located at Level 1 Atrium until 2 January 2025.
Why choose between Thanksgiving or Christmas at Wolfgang's Steakhouse when you can celebrate both? The storied steak place has crafted seasonal dishes (well, American-themed) for the upcoming Big Two: Thanksgiving and Christmas. Perfect for that gathering with family and friends or a convenient excuse not to do the post-feast washing up.
Say hello to Wolfgang's Steakhouse's Thanksgiving Turkey À La Carte option. In their stunning dining room, you and your guests can enjoy a hearty holiday feast. The centrepiece, a tender and perfectly roasted whole turkey that's around 5-6kg (proof that you're getting great value for your money). This main comes with all the traditional trimmings: traditional stuffing, rich turkey gravy, and tangy cranberry sauce. Appropriate for a large group or if you feel like you needed to go against the gods, go on your own.
Now, if you really want to impress without lifting a finger, the Thanksgiving Turkey Set is the way to go. Available for takeaway, this set includes comforting Butternut Soup, their famous roasted Whole Turkey, and a variety of sides like the Bacon Brussels Sprouts, Roasted New Potatoes, Jumbo Asparagus, Pilaf Rice, Stuffing, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry Sauce.
Plus, you get a complimentary carving knife set to really do a number on the turkey while uttering "That's not a knife... That's a knife."
In addition to their Thanksgiving offerings, Wolfgang's has a special Festive Lunch Menu and a Set Menu for two to four guests. The Lunch Menu showcases some of the restaurant's most popular dishes, while the Thanksgiving Set offers a complete feast. It features highlights like Lobster Bisque, Colorado Lamb Chops, USDA Prime Ribeye Steak, Grilled King Salmon, and USDA Prime Filet Mignon, accompanied by classic sides such as Mashed Potatoes, Steak Fries, Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and Creamed Spinach. Lastly, select between Apple Pie or New York Cheesecake for dessert.
If you're in the mood for a seasonal toast, try the Amber Dusk cocktail—a stunning blend with layers of orange, purple, and white foam. This visual delight combines Buffalo Trace, Menage a Trois, Nashville syrup, freshly squeezed orange juice, and orange bitters.
The Thanksgiving Turkey À La Carte, Festive Lunch Menu and Set Menu runs 22-30 November.
Pre-orders for the Thanksgiving Turkey Set can be placed online here, while dine-in guests can pre-order by calling the restaurant directly.
Alright, now let's turn our attention to the Christmas Set Menu. Starting off with a choice of soup—either a comforting daily selection or savoury lobster bisque. For the main course, indulge in a selection of premium entrées, including 100 per cent USDA Prime Ribeye Steak, 100 per cent USDA Prime Filet Mignon, Grilled King Salmon, and Colorado Lamb Chops, each prepared to perfection. Complemented by gourmet sides like Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Fried Onion Rings, Sautéed Mushrooms, and Creamed Spinach. To finish the meal, enjoy Wolfgang’s signature Chocolate Yule Log, served straight from the trolley, adding a festive flourish to the occasion.
For a more relaxed experience, their Festive Lunch Menu is available daily till 4pm, offering a curated selection of signature dishes in a more casual setting. And to toast to the season, try the White Noel cocktail. This indulgent drink combines vodka, Baileys, caramel toffee, creamy white cacao, and blue curaçao, topped with a sprinkle of dry cranberry—a velvety treat to complete your festival meal.
The Christmas Set Menu and Festive Lunch Menu runs 1-31 December.
To pre-order or book reservations, visit sevenrooms.com
Expectations for the Christmas season: carollers; oversized socks; a red-suited invader who is, for some reason, rewarded with milk and cookies. And trees, ah yes, Christmas trees. Nothing like the forceful extraction of an evergreen conifer and watching it succumb to the tropical elements after drabbing its corpse in fairy lights, baubles and an inaccurate angel (sorry folks, I'm OT [Old Testament] when it comes to my many-eyed wheeled beings).
The conventional yuletrees are erected at our local malls but Millenia Walk embarks on a meaningful sustainable route. This year, you'll find a special tree at their establishment; one that isn't made out of leaves, bark or plastic. Instead, it is made out of… chairs?
Called the The Millenia Walk Seed Tree, this structure is designed in collaboration with Timber Actually and Charlotte Puxley Flowers. Made from upcycled wood by Timber Actually, the 7-metre tall installation doubles up as a photo op and as a resting area. Held together without nails, the tree is made up of 800 seating blocks (or "seeds"); arranged in alternating layers of Angsana and Mahogany African Mahogany wood.
There will be programmes that visitors can partake in. Explore the evolution of Singapore’s verdant landscape and discover the symbiosis between nature and humans. Learn about native tree species that lined our streets and how you can contribute to the preservation of nature in our daily lives.
Venture through the Neighbourhood Tree Trail, which combines visionaries from the fields of architecture, art and design. Installations from creatives like MM (Marcus Yang and Milon Goh), Aeropalmics (Dawn Ang) and Pass it On will be on display.
The ethos of sustainability goes beyond mere displays. Millenia Walk tenants are in on the action—Commune, OVAS and Flower Matters. With activities like sustainable dinner party setups, these programmes encourage shoppers to reconcile responsible hosting practices and environmental consciousness.
Millenia Walk's Seed Tree isn't just about the commercial aspects of the season. lights and festive cheer—it's a celebration that honours nature's precious gift while inspiring us all to embrace sustainable living in the most joyous ways possible.
Millenia Walk's Seed Tree will run until 31 December.
Guess what—there will never be an end to consumerism. Educate people on the landfills running out of space, the toxic emissions released into the environment, and how only a fraction of what is recycled actually gets recycled; but buyers gonna buy.
You’d think a two-year long pandemic on such a scale would be enough to make folks reconsider the things that are truly of value. If anything, it seemed a momentary blip before the world resumed normalcy, and its citizens returned armed with pent-up consumerism they call Revenge Shopping. Take a look at the statistics and you’ll see that the dip in the pattern has since been on a steady increase.
We’ve generated 1.86 million tonnes of domestic waste in 2022 (out of a total of 7.39 tonnes of solid waste). It’s up from 1.82 million tonnes the year before, and it would be no surprise if numbers are projected to rise. To make matters worse, foreign countries are now implementing import bans of recyclables. Want to take a stab at the total recycling rate of discarded textiles? The lowest of all collected materials at a meagre 2 percent.
Think about the last time you made a purchase you thought would change your life. Now contrast that with how you feel about it now. Even if it still stands as a wise deal, the visceral level of excitement can never match up. So back to the (case in) point. Consumerism will never end because people will never figure out how to satisfy the empty void in their hearts which is further exploited by an advertising culture on steroids to fuel a never-ending pursuit for economic growth. Hurrah.
While there is no hard and fast solution, our proposition is this. Rather than be deluded that recycling will salvage your poor decisions, make better ones.
Of course, we can’t afford to constantly live a fully sustainable lifestyle which isn’t tuned into modern society. We can, however, spend a little more effort to source for items that were perhaps bought by others in the spur of the moment. Or an item carted out online which arrived untrue to the buyer’s size, never worn. If the piece has been lightly used, is there a practical reason why it can’t be utilised again? Or simply an ingrained stigma propagating that pre-owned equates to inferior?
Instead of gratifying the illogical desire for the new and shiny, or conforming to the gifting practice of senseless knick-knacks under a budget; consider giving a deeper meaning to the season. Not just giving loved ones a token of appreciation, but the gift itself a second lease of life.
Cloop, Exit, Flame Vintage, Function Five Thrift Shop, NearestTen, Nonmainstream, Thryft
Look. When a season that's all about giving rolls around, you tend to keep your options open. You've people on the good list that you wanna play Santa to. So, you've secured that iPhone 15 Pro for dear ole dad and that Tefal wok set for your sis (it's not misogynistic if she actually asked for it, mmmkay). But then your Significant Other drop hints about "something that doesn't break the bank but yet still make a statement", you start to put out feelers. Especially, when you're a cis-male, who works for a male lifestyle magazine, you accept help whenever it is available.
And it's happenstance that AUPEN came into our periphery because celebrities like Taylor Swift, Gal Gadot, Selena Gomez, Hailey Bieber and Beyonce's daughter Blue Ivy were all spotted with it. Drawing inspiration from art and architecture and made from real leather, AUPEN's design team created a collection of asymmetrical bags— a reminder that life isn't perfect... but coming across AUPEN's collection is close to it.
To further streamline your choice in choosing a bag, we asked our intern for her opinion. This is what she has to say about these selected few:
"This model goes with every outfit and can make the most basic outfit pop. The brown Purpose one with the chain is more of a day look with denim or fall colours. If I want to party, the Purpose Ice is perfect because of the dripping crystals can move with me when I dance. I do wish that it came with a crossbody strap."
"At SGD155, this is a no-brainer for those who are on a budget. I love that this bag can fit all my essentials like my like my iPhone, keys, wallet, portable charger... (Editor's note: she lists a lot of other things that will fill up our SEO quota but we decided to just cut to the chase.) Unlike the Purpose, this bag comes with a crossbody strap that allows me to go hands-free."
"If your girl like bigger bags with extra storage space, this is might be the one for you. The slouchy silhouette can be dressed up or down and the softness of the bag is perfect. With adjustable straps, you can style it however you want—crossbody; on the shoulder. The flaps can also be styled tucked in or out for a different vibe, whatever they may choose."
"I know this isn't a carrier but LOOK AT HOW CUTE THEY ARE. These earrings can level up a basic outfit immediately!"
Any purchased AUPEN product has a gift box option so it'll arrive in a luxurious box with an engraved AUPEN metal silver plate on the lid. The jewellery will come in a grey box with a velvet exterior for that elevated experience.
