Hello everyone! In this article, I’ll be compiling my Christmas gift guide for 2023, comprising 11 local brands that offer great, functional products.
In sum, the below items are some of my favourites out of all the products that I’ve reviewed recently, and I believe they would make great Christmas gifts. Without further ado, let’s get into the listicle.
Watches:
1) Aries Gold
If you’re planning on personalising a watch – by a local brand – then Aries Gold offers great value for money.
My opinion: I sincerely believe that Aries Gold offers some of the best value propositions that you can get for under S$400. For example, the Voltramic that I reviewed earlier this year has a sapphire crystal, a Seiko NH70 movement, a stealthy black coating, and a skeletonised dial. Gift wrapping and personalised cards are also available, along with dial/caseback engraving options – I engraved my Chinese name on the case back of the Voltramic – making Aries Gold watches great options for gifts.
Review: I reviewed the Aries Gold Jolter here, the Aries Gold Cruiser here, the Aries Gold Roadster here, the Aries Gold El Toro here, the Aries Gold Vanguard here, the Aries Gold Black Sea here, the Aries Gold Dreadnought here, the Aries Gold Great White here, and the Aries Gold Voltramic here. I also did an article on why I believe that they are one of the best watch brands under S$200 here.
Where to buy: Aries Gold’s webstore. Just for my readers, you can use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 20% off watches from Aries Gold. A curation of my favourite Aries Gold watches can also be purchased on The Shiok Shop.
Perfume:
2) Maison 21G
Maison 21G specialises in “tailor-made perfumes”, allowing customers to create their unique scent at an affordable price.
My opinion: Maison 21G has grown by leaps and bounds, and a key driver of that is its bespoke perfume workshops. I think Maison 21G has struck gold with its perfume workshop. It’s affordable and beginner-friendly enough even for those who know nothing about fragrances, but also has the option to delight perfume enthusiasts due to its knowledgable workshop facilitators as well as the Black Label scents. With such mass appeal, I won’t be surprised to see more Maison 21G showrooms opening this year to cater to the demand. Of course, one can customise the perfume bottle at the end of the workshop, making it a great gift. Should a workshop be too much of a hassle, the brand also sells DIY perfume creations (which are personalisable).
Review: I reviewed my latest Maison 21G perfume workshop here.
Where to buy: Maison 21G’s webstore. For those interested, the promo code “WAHMAISON20” will grant readers 20% off all perfume workshop bookings from Maison 21G online (including both weekdays and weekends), as well as all other products on their webstore.
3) Best Perfume Store
On the other hand, Best Perfume Store offers “dupes” of renowned fragrances at affordable prices.
My opinion: Best Perfume Store does a stellar job of duplicating the original scents, and offers its perfume at very affordable prices. If you’re a fan of luxury fragrances from the likes of Le Labo, Dior, Chanel, Tom Ford, Louis Vuitton, Jo Malone, and Penhaligons (you know, those atas stores that you see in ION Orchard and MBS), but don’t feel like burning a hole in your wallet to wear those scents, then Best Perfume Store is a no-brainer. It’s also a great way to try out different scents as well, before committing to the original (if that is what you desire). In today’s age of rising costs, it’s refreshing to come across a brand that genuinely helps you save money.
Review: I reviewed a bunch of scents from Best Perfume Store here.
Where to buy: Best Perfume Store’s webstore. For those interested, the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” will grant you 10% off all purchases from Best Perfume Store online.
Accessories:
4) Oxhide Leather
For those on a tight budget, I recommend checking out Oxhide Leather.
My opinion: If I have to sum Oxhide up in a word, it would be terrific value. Oxhide’s range of wallets is affordable but mostly made out of full-grain leather. As compared to those cheap wallets you see being sold in Pasar Malams, their wallets are clearly a tier higher in quality. For those uninitiated in leather, leather generally comes in three quality tiers – genuine leather, top-grain leather, and full-grain leather, in ascending order of quality. More information about leather quality can be found in this terrific article here. Honestly, I think Oxhide makes some of the cheapest full-grain leather wallets in the market currently, and they are even backed by a 6 months guarantee. Granted, Oxhide’s wallets aren’t the most visually striking, but if you’re simply looking for an affordable wallet that won’t break after a few months, Oxhide fits the bill perfectly. Furthermore, all of its products can be personalised (as seen above), making them great gifts.
Reviews: I reviewed a variety of Oxhide’s latest wallets here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their web-store here. As Oxhide Leather is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK-SHIOK“ to enjoy 10% off all online orders. A curation of my favourite Oxhide products can also be purchased on The Shiok Shop.
5) Obbi Good Label
Obbi Good Label is a Singaporean company that specialises in offering rugged, durable leather products.
My opinion: Founded in 2008, all of Obbi Good Label’s leather products are made in-house in their Geylang workshop by their team of artisans, all of whom possess at least 10 years of experience. I’ve personally visited the Obbi Good Label workshop, and I must say that I’m blown away at the brand’s dedication to making leather products that will stand the test of time. It’s important to note that its products are produced locally in Obbi Good Label’s workshop by local artisans, and not outsourced to some developing country for cheap.
Reviews: I reviewed its latest outdoor accessories here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from its web-store here. As Obbi Good Label is an official partner of Wah so Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all non-promotional products store-wide.
6) Gnome and Bow
Known for their literary-infused bags, Gnome & Bow offers bags that are sure to separate you from the crowd.
My opinion: Gnome & Bow is one of my personal favourites here. I love how they seamlessly weave literary elements of iconic fables into the design of their bags. Being an avid reader (as well as an appreciator of classic literature), I was impressed by several of their bags, including the Musketeer Athos Laptop Bag (pictured above). The Musketeer Athos Laptop Bag encapsulates the ethos of the classic novel The Three Musketeers, while remaining relatively affordable at under $500. The build quality of their products is superb too, especially considering the price point. If you love literature or are simply looking for a unique bag, check out Gnome & Bow.
Reviews: I reviewed the Kale Backpack here, the Strand Briefcase here, their wallets and accessories here, the Milton bags here, the Porthos Briefcase and Balsa Duffel here, the Hitchhiker backpack here, and the Musketeer Athos Laptop Bag here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy their bags off Gnome & Bow’s web-store, here. As Gnome & Bow is an official partner of Wah so Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all products store-wide!
7) Hoseiki
If your loved one is into feng shui accessories, then Hoseiki’s offerings would be perfect as gifts.
My opinion: I genuinely like the craftsmanship, looks and uniqueness of the Covenant bracelet. Chinese or oriental-themed accessories are in vogue, and the Covenant bracelet separates itself from other similar bracelets in the market due to its striking and modern looks. I also enjoyed the Plethora’s Men’s Wealth Necklace, though it is more generic than the Hoseiki’s Pixiu bracelets. As the icing on the cake, the accessories come in nicely wrapped packaging.
Reviews: I reviewed Hoseiki’s bracelet here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can purchase its accessories from Hoseiki’s web-store here. As Hoseiki is an official partner of Wah so Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK15” to enjoy 15% off all products store-wide!
8) Arden Teal
Arden Teal offers a wide selection of full-grain leather dress shoes and leather bags at an affordable price point.
My opinion: If you’re searching for bang-for-buck dress shoes, I’ll highly recommend Arden Teal. At just a little over $100, you get a sleek-looking shoe made of full-grain calf leather. The walking experience in them is surprisingly comfortable as well, with rubber swathes applied to key areas of the outsole to aid traction. In addition, Arden Teal includes accessories such as a dust cover and a shoehorn with every purchase as well – something uncommon at this price point. If you know of someone who needs a new pair of dress shoes, Arden Teal is the way to go.
Review: I reviewed Arden Teal’s latest offerings here, and its Chelsea boots here.
Where to buy: Arden Teal shoes can be bought online here. As Arden Teal is an official affiliate partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all shoes store-wide.
9) Cityluxe
Cityluxe is a homegrown purveyor of writing instruments, offering a wide variety of pens, inks, notebooks and more at attractive prices.
My opinion: With the new year just around the corner, a 2024 planner would make for a great gift. Homegrown writing instruments purveyor Cityluxe also offers personalisation services for both notebooks and pens, making them a meaningful gift. Esteemed brands such as Traveller’s notebook (pictured above) and Leuchtturm1917 are available, while Parker, Monteverde, Pilot pens are available too.
Review: I reviewed the Parker Jotter here, as well as a Leuchtturm notebook and a Monteverde fountain pen here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from Cityluxe’s web-store here. Use the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off!
Ergonomic Furniture:
10) ErgoTune
The leading ergonomic brand locally, ErgoTune chairs are a godsend in this current WFH climate.
My opinion: If you know of someone who’s spending long hours in front of their desk (especially during this WFH climate), then the ErgoTune Supreme V3 would be a great gift. Since using the ErgoTune Supreme V3, I’ve found the simple act of sitting to be a much more comfortable experience. Ultimately, I’m impressed by the innovativeness of the ErgoTune Supreme V3. The proprietary DuraWeave™ Hybrid Mesh material is breathable and robust, the ATLAS system conforms to the user’s back and works like a charm, and the level of customisation available is simply the most comprehensive at its price point. It even manages to look youthful, and comes with a lengthy warranty of up to 12 years. At its price, it’s a no-brainer alternative to the generic office chairs one finds at IKEA.
Review: I reviewed the ErgoTune Supreme V3 here.
Where to buy: Ergotune’s webstore. Just for my readers, you can use the promo code “22+WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy $30 off the ErgoTune Supreme, and $20 off the ErgoTune Classic. Currently, ErgoTune is running a Christmas sale where the Supreme V3 can be purchased for just $479.
11) EverDesk+
Standing desks are all the rage currently, and after using one for the year I can definitely see why.
My opinion: I definitely enjoyed the EverDesk+ Max, and it’s certainly an upgrade over my previous table. I appreciated the robust build quality, the clean aesthetic, the practicality of its organisational accessories, and its adjustable height. It’s also cheaper than its main competition – the Omnidesk Ascent starts at $850, as opposed to $749 for the EverDesk+ Max). In other words, it’s still relatively value-for-money as far as standing desks go. There’s even a 10-year warranty, so you can be assured that the desk is built to last.
Review: I reviewed the EverDesk+ here.
Where to buy: EverDesk+’s webstore. Just for my readers, you can use the promo code “22+WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to save up to $145. The discount is tiered: you get $25 off min. spend $500, $45 off min. spend $900, $85 off min. spend $1300, and $145 off min. spend $1800. In other words, the more you spend, the more discount you get. Currently, EverDesk+ is running a Christmas sale where desks can be had starting from just S$449.
Conclusion:
That rounds up my Christmas Guide for 2022! All the products listed above were some of the most enjoyable products that I’ve reviewed this year, and I’m sure your loved ones would appreciate them too. All of them are also local brands, so you will be doing our local economy and entrepreneurs a favour as well. Do note that each brand has its own cut-off date for Christmas orders, so do be mindful of that when ordering.
P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.
P.P.S: Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wah so Shiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
P.P.P.S: If you haven’t already, do follow my social media channels on Facebook here, on Instagram here, and on Youtube here.
P.P.P.P.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
