It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Time to get your feast mode on and wrap those gifts with love. As the festive season approaches, the hunt for the perfect gift can be daunting.
To make your holiday shopping a breeze, we’ve curated a list of the most indulgent and unique gifts, guaranteed to ‘sleigh’ your gift exchange! From gourmet delights to festive treats, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a sneak peek:
- For Sip-Savvy Friends: A selection of gifts for those who appreciate a refined sip
- For a Foodie Family: Lavish hampers filled with handpicked gourmet delights, perfect for sharing around the table
- For That Special Someone: Luxurious treats that are sure to win hearts and make a lasting impression
***
FOR SIP-SAVVY FRIENDS
The most indulgent liquid palate pleasers this festive season
67 Pall Mall
Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for life. In that case, for wine drinkers, they should entrust the lifelong pleasure of their palate to 67 Pall Mall’s beautiful new book, Wine & The Food of Asia. The third publication by the renowned club – and possibly one of the most exciting! – is personally authored by Master of Wine Richard Hemming in partnership with the At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. Richard drew on extensive research conducted specifically for the book, and insights from hundreds of methodical tastings at the Singapore Club to expand on the intricate nuances of pairing wine with Asian dishes.
The book also doubles as a practical guide in the kitchen, featuring recipes for beloved dishes like Pad Thai and Black Pepper Crab expertly crafted by culinary professionals from At-Sunrice GlobalChef Academy. Richard personally tested these recipes in his home kitchen, proving that even a home cook can easily follow the recipes for delicious results; and in the book, offers one main wine pairing along with at least two additional options. For any wine enthusiast, this is an invaluable resource; and, if based in Asia, especially relevant.
Available for purchase at $75 nett, this hardcover book is sold through select retailers including Kinokuniya, Book Bar, and 67 Pall Mall’s online store. And psst – if you gift this before Christmas, perhaps you could use it FOR Christmas!
IWA 5
Founded a few years ago by the prestigious Richard Geoffroy - who had been head winemaker of Dom Pérignon Champagne for 28 years, IWA 5 has been the delicious joy of sake connoisseurs everywhere. Every vintage or assemblage, as the sake brewer names them, has been quietly sold out, so that even the most persistent of fans find it hard to find a drop.
Fortunately, just for you, we have here early news of Assemblage 5, the newest launch by IWA 5. A masterful, harmonious balance of warmth, depth, and vitality, the sake showcases a compelling contrast between the nose and palate, blending fruity and floral aromas with a subtle astringency that adds layers of complexity and intrigue.
Thoughtfully packaged in an eco-friendly gift box that comes with every purchase, IWA 5 is not just a gift of exceptional flavour but also a nod to sustainability. This season, give the gift of exceptional flavours and create lasting memories with every sip of IWA 5, available at S$215net through IWA’s online shop from 18 November.
LeVeL33
If you love beer and want something a little special that’s perfect for Christmas, look no further – we have the answer! LeVeL33 is offering limited-time festive gift bundles for Christmas, and the Log Cake Beer Package B is where you should cast your eyes. Comprising its one-of-the-kind Brut Beer and a decadent Valrhona Chocolate and Stout Log Cake filled with LeVeL33’s Stout chocolate ganache and smooth buttercream, it’s the perfect bundle for a cosy evening together with a beloved.
The Brut Beer is brewed using the same yeast as Champagne Barons de Rothschild, and further refined with the double fermentation technique, typically reserved for Champagne. It results in a beer with a smooth complex flavour and refined effervescence, offering both elegance and approachability in one glass. If you need to delight a beer lover or gift a surprise to a budding brew enthusiast, this will leave them wanting a refill!
FOR A FOODIE FAMILY
Scenario: You’re in charge of buying the perfect gift for your cousin’s family – and you know perfectly well that every one of them have very different tastes and not afraid to complain if they don’t like something. Loudly. Your parents’ “face” is on the line. Your terror is indescribable. But we’ve got you - these gifts make it easy to treat a crowd.
Da Paolo Gastronomia
Impress the cooking enthusiast in your life with Da Paolo Gastronomia’s Luxury Italian Pantry Hamper, available exclusively for the festive season. Priced at $268, this all-in-one package is filled with an array of premium Italian gourmet products, meticulously hand-picked from boutique and artisanal producers to ensure the highest quality.
Packed to the brim with items such as Tirrena Artisanal Ancient Grain Linguine, Galantino Olives Bella di Cerignola, Da Paolo Chianti Organic, Da Paolo Organic Pesto al Basilico, and San Pietro White Truffle Honey, it has something to satisfy everyone’s palate. Available for order online from 1 November to 31 December (or while stocks last), you can pick up this gift from any Da Paolo Gastronomia outlet or opt for delivery starting 4 November 2024.
The Marmalade Pantry
For a bit of everything, The Marmalade Pantry has got your Christmas shopping sorted with their Christmas Tale Basket. This $130++ hamper is ideal for families or groups with diverse tastes, offering a delightful selection for all. For those with a sweet tooth, enjoy festive treats like biscotti, Gingerbread Cookies, Candy Canes, and a Festive Chocolate Set. There’s also a 350ml bottle of Joseph Perrier Brut Champagne for those who fancy a celebratory toast, alongside an Artisanal Candle to create a warm holiday ambience. The Peony & Wild Freesia Artisanal Candle comes in a specially designed concrete jar adorned with a knitted design and a sleek wooden lid, making it a thoughtful and mood-enhancing gift for the season. Capturing the spirit of the holidays, each hamper is beautifully presented in a green box engraved with The Marmalade Panty’s logo. Self-collection or delivery is available from 1 December to 26 December 2024 – don’t miss out!
L-R: The Marmalade Pantry's Christmas Tale Basket; The Gyu Bar's Festive A4 Miyazaki Sirloin Bento
The Gyu Bar
Delight the food lovers in your life with gourmet bentos that promise to turn festive gatherings into culinary adventures. Featuring a whimsical arrangement where rice is shaped into a Christmas tree, The Gyu Bar’s Festive A4 Miyazaki Sirloin Bento (starting from $48) stars premium Miyazaki Wagyu Sirloin, ikura, kyuri, tamago, takuwan, sushi rice, and salad with goma dressing. The best part? It’s entirely customisable – multiple add-ons are available including luxurious Hokkaido Uni ($18), Hokkaido King Scallop ($12) and Foie Gras ($10). Even the fussiest eaters will be impressed! Available for both dine-in and takeaway from 1 December 2024 to 1 January 2025, this bento box is the perfect gift when you want to elevate a festive feast.
FOR THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE
The gift to go for when someone makes your heart crash into your ribcage – no matter if it’s out of love or fear!
AMI Patisserie
AMI Patisserie's Original Panettone
Searching for a gift that embodies thoughtful sophistication? AMI Patisserie's exquisite handmade panettone is the answer: an ideal gift for those who appreciate exceptional culinary artistry. It’s also available in two different flavours to provide a choice for different palates. For those who enjoy the richness of a delicate crumb enriched with alcoholic dried fruit, the Original Panettone, priced at $72 nett, is perfect – prepared with meticulous care, even the dried raisins, orange, and lemon are soaked in Grand Marnier and Cointreau for weeks before baking. If you’re in the mood for a nostalgic sweet treat with a nutty twist, the Pistachio Panettone, priced at $76 nett, incorporates Sicilian pistachios, often called “green gold” by connoisseurs for their rich and distinctive flavour that walks the knife-edge between sweet and savoury. Available for a limited time during the festive season, these panettones are not just desserts; they are a statement of quality and craftsmanship.
Baker X
Looking for a delightful gift that captures the essence of the festive season? Baker X’s next resident, Cassia Canelés’ adorable sweet treats are sure to bring joy to holiday celebrations and leave a lasting impression this Christmas.
L-R: Strawberry & Creame Canelé & Peppermint Mocha Canelé by Cassia Canelés at Baker X
The Festive Canelés feature the whimsical Strawberry & Cream Canelé, artfully arranged to resemble Santa’s hat and infused with sweet strawberries and cream, topped with a fresh strawberry and a swirl of whipped cream. For a twist on classic Christmas flavours, the Peppermint Mocha Canelé combines rich espresso and cocoa with a creamy peppermint chocolate ganache, finished with candy cane sprinkles, bringing a taste of winter wonder to your festivities. Each canelé is priced at $5.50, with gift boxes available: a box of 4 for $22, a box of 6 for $32.50, and a special festive box of 9 for $45, designed exclusively for Christmas. These charming canelés not only delight the palate but are also a feast for the eyes, making them the perfect gift that captures the spirit of the season in every bite!
Fat Cow
If you’re wrecking your mind because you’re trying to find something splendid and sumptuous for someone special, Fat Cow’s Osechi Box is a glorious three-tiered treasure box brimming with 50 house-made Japanese dishes carefully selected for their auspicious meanings. Prepared by Japanese head chef Shingo Iijima for Shogatsu – the Japanese New Year celebration, we think it’s the perfect choice when you need something spectacular and unforgettable: think an elegant lacquered box, slowly revealing layer after layer of intricate, traditional Japanese morsels.
Each layer is stuffed with savoury bites such as the crispy Tazukuri baby sardines, representing a bountiful harvest, and the Komochi Ayu sweetfish, embodying hope and prosperity. Priced at $500, the luxurious Osechi Box feeds up to 4 (or one very big appetite!). Available for pre-order from 1 November to 22 December 2024, with self-collection only on 31 December 2024, this luxurious Osechi Box is a showstopping way to ring in the New Year with loved ones.
With Christmas fast approaching, we hope this has inspired you and made your holiday shopping a little easier. Happy gifting!
ADDRESSES
AMI Patisserie: 27 Scotts Road, Singapore 228222
Baker X: 181 Orchard Road, Orchard Central #04-29, Singapore 238896
Da Paolo Gastronomia: Multiple locations including Great World, #01-163, Singapore 237994
Fat Cow: : Camden Medical Centre, #01-01/02, Singapore 248649
LeVeL33 : Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, #33-01, Singapore 018981
The Marmalade Pantry: Multiple locations including Oasia Hotel Downtown, #01-01, Singapore 079333
The Gyu Bar: 30 Stevens Road, #01-08, Singapore 257840
