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.
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