Hello everyone, and welcome to another Singaporean article! On this shiok Sunday, I’ve rounded up a list of 9 Mother’s Day gift ideas from mainly local brands, most of which are personalisable for that added personal touch.
With just a week left till Mother’s Day, here are 9 great options for those that still haven’t gotten a gift!
Watches:
Perhaps more so than any other item on this list, watches often possess emotional attachment – it’s not uncommon for people to purchase a watch to commemorate special occasions, such as Mother’s Day.
1) Aries Gold
If you’re on a tight budget, Aries Gold watches provide stunning value at a sub-S$200 price point.
My opinion: Aries Gold is a brand that is often scoffed upon by watch enthusiasts, and I think that’s a shame. Personally, I sincerely believe that Aries Gold offers some of the best value propositions that you can get for ~S$200. Take the La Oro for example – you get sapphire crystal, a Seiko NH35 movement, and a nice Italian strap for just S$145 (after promo code below)! The design language is great as well, and with a wide catalogue, there’s bound to be something available for everyone. Whether you’re a seasoned watch collector or someone looking to get his first watch, Aries Gold provides a lot for very little. Customers can also opt for a text engraving on the case back for a mere US$10, making their watches solid gift options as well.
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, and the new Aries Gold Dreadnought 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: Interested readers can buy from their web-store here. Aries Gold is also a partner of Wah So Shiok – readers can enjoy a crazy 50% off all products on their web-store. Simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy the discount!
2) UNDONE
Best known for their affordable customisable watches, UNDONE has managed to establish themselves in their niche despite the relatively short span of time that they have been around. If you truly want to customise a watch, UNDONE is the way to go.
My opinion: If you like customising your watches, you can’t go wrong with UNDONE. The UNDONE customisation tool is a breeze and a joy to use, and one really gets a sense of satisfaction when strapping a custom made watch on the wrist. Customers can opt for personalised text on the dial, or have text or an image of their choice engraved at the back. Despite the custom made nature of most of their watches, UNDONE’s prices are fairly reasonable – prices (after promo code below) starts at just US$179/~S$237 for the Urban Killy 34. Overall, I find UNDONE watches great for not only meaningful gifts, but also an outlet for one to express their individuality.
Reviews: I have reviewed multiple UNDONE watches till date – I reviewed the UNDONE Aqua, the UNDONE Urban Vintage, the UNDONE Urban Tropical, the UNDONE Urban Ultraman, the UNDONE Urban Peanuts, the UNDONE Basecamp, the UNDONE Monopoly, the UNDONE Type XX, the UNDONE Zen Cartograph, the UNDONE Batman, the UNDONE Terra, and the UNDONE 4:20 Cali previously.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their web-store. UNDONE is also a partner of Wah So Shiok – readers enjoy 10% off products on their web-store! Just quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy the discount.
3) H2 Hub
If your think your mum would prefer a more traditional watch from a “household brand”, then I would suggest getting a personalised Seiko watch from local watch retailer, H2 Hub.
My opinion: To me, H2 Hub makes for a great AD partner as they are an established homegrown brand with multiple locations in heartland malls, with a focus on affordable watches. Granted, H2 Hub does sell multiple fashion watch brands, but they also offer watches for the serious watch collector, thus catering to both segments of the watch market. In personal experience, H2 Hub has some of the lowest prices for Seiko timepieces in the market – I got my Seiko Cocktail Time “Irish Coffee” from them. And yes, you can still personalise the case back of the watch with text or image of your choice. If you’re looking for a recommendation for a Mother’s Day gift, I would suggest going for the Seiko Presage SRP839J1 “Cosmopolitan”, currently available for just S$413 (after promo code below). The textured pink dial is simply spectacular, and it is probably the best Seiko women’s watch – or any women’s watch for that matter – you can get for under S$500 currently.
Reviews: I drafted a list of watches that I would get from H2 Hub here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their web-store. H2 Hub is also a partner of Wah So Shiok – readers enjoy 5% off all products on their web-store! Just quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy the discount.
Perfume:
As Phase 3 is hopefully on the horizon, we should be returning to normalcy pretty soon. That means actually having to go to work, dining out, attending events, parties, etc. A personalised bottle of perfume would be the perfect accompaniment to your mom’s lifestyle, no matter the situation!
4) Maison 21G
Maison 21G specialises in “tailor-made perfumes”, allowing customers to create their own unique scent at an affordable price.
My opinion: I love Maison 21G – they are undoubtedly one of my personal favourites on this list. Firstly, their Duxton road boutique is welcoming and beautifully designed. Secondly, I love their concept of “tailoring” a scent for yourself. As you guys know, I’m quite big on tailoring, and was immensely intrigued by the concept of bringing the same notion over to fragrances. How Maison 21G works is simple – they have over 30 different solo scents, and which customers can combine to make their own unique scent. According to the brand, there are over a hundred different combinations for customers to explore! My favourite has to be combining Tea Time with Terrific Tonka, as well as Cannabis Cloud with Ginger Game. Maison 21G also offers a perfume workshop, where participants can learn about the history and art of perfume making, as well as get the opportunity to bespeak their own scent. Oh yes – Maison 21G also offers free engraving on each of their perfume bottles, so they make for great gifts as well for even the most discerning of mothers! Those interested can view their curated Mother Day’s gift bundles here.
Reviews: I chronicled my experience of attending a workshop at Maison 21G’s Duxton outlet here, their new ION outlet here, and their home scents here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their online store here, or visit their lovely boutique over at 77 Duxton Road. As Maison 21G is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, readers can quote the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK15” upon checkout to enjoy 15% off all products and workshops online!
5) Scent by Six
If customising sounds like too much of a hassle for you, Scent by Six is a great alternative.
My opinion: SIX burst into the local fragrance scene in 2016 with its initial trio of perfumes, the Tribeca, Puka and my favourite, the Biei. Packaged in a svelte black form factor – it looks more like a lip balm than a perfume bottle – the scents were meant to evoke the smells and vibe of the namesake locations. I found the concept of perfumes inspired by locations (which the founder had been to and loved) immensely intriguing. The scents are very unique as well, unlike anything I’ve ever smelt. The founder, Jason, actually worked at world-renowned fragrance house Givaudan for 4 years, and used that expertise to develop scents for his own brand. For those who desire a more exotic scent, SIX is definitely a good option to consider. The best part? Their perfume bottles are refillable, so you can simply buy a refill (at a much lower price) when you run out. Not only is it economically friendly, it’s environmentally friendly as well. Customers can also opt for engraving on the bottles, so it can be the perfect gift for your mom.
Review: I reviewed Scent by SIX’s perfumes here, their perfume workshop here, and their latest scents here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their online store here, or visit their physical store at Bugis Junction and 313 Somerset. As Scent by SIX is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, readers can quote the promo code “WAHSOSHIOK” upon checkout to enjoy 10% off all products online!
Writing Instruments:
For those looking for a more thoughtful gift, why not consider getting your mom some writing instruments, such as a fountain pen and a personalised notebook?
6) Cityluxe
Cityluxe is a homegrown purveyor of writing instruments, offering a wide variety of pens, inks, notebooks and more at attractive prices.
My opinion: I recently developed a love for fountain pens and journaling during Circuit Breaker last year. Like many, I spent most of my CB time in front of my computer, and I just wanted a break from the digital life. As such, I found myself spending more time taking analog notes, putting pen to paper, planning my days and what I wanted to accomplish during CB. The more I wrote, the more I grew to appreciate fountain pens. In many senses, fountain pens are exactly like mechanical watches. Sure, there are cheap ballpoint pens that will get the job done at a fraction of the price, but it simply doesn’t exude the same enjoyment as a fountain pen does. There’s a sense of class and workmanship to fountain pens that I really appreciate, and I’m sure your mom will too, especially if they grew up during a time whereby fountain pens were still the norm. Whether as a daily writer or just something special to sign cheques and documents, a fountain pen (engraving services are available) makes for a great, thoughtful gift. In addition, a customised notebook (which Cityluxe also offers) would also make for a perfect accompaniment.
Review: I reviewed some of Cityluxe’s offerings here, and compiled a list of affordable fountain pens here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their web-store here. As Cityluxe is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all online orders.
Bags:
You know what they say – a bag is a woman’s best friend.
7) Faire Leather
One of my personal favourites, Faire Leather offers leather accessories that are simply packed with functionality – definitely a practical gift.
My opinion: Faire Leather Co is able to tap upon the decades worth of manufacturing capability of Tocco Toscano, ensuring that you get a quality product (likely crafted by the same craftsmen who have been making Tocco Toscano products for decades) at an affordable price. There’s a reason why they managed to raise over $400K on their debut Kickstarter project, making them one of the most funded Singaporean crowdfunded project to date. Personally, I love the ability of Faire to combine sleek, minimalist looks with ultra-functional utility. Take their Ross Everyday Clutch for example. Despite the minimalist look, it has 10 card slots, 2 slip pockets, a back zip pocket, a slip handle, and the brand’s signature magnetic fastener. Form and function, at a price that won’t break the bank. Monograms are available too, making it a great option for mom.
Review: I reviewed the Ross Everyday Clutch here, the Bond Slim Briefcase here, and the Hunt Utility Backpack here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can order from their web-store here. As Faire Leather is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all online orders.
8) Gnome & Bow
Is your mom more of a creative – perhaps someone who loves literary classics? If so, a reversible Gnome & Bow bag would be the perfect gift!
My opinion: Gnome & Bow is one of my favourite local brands. I love how they seamlessly weave literary elements of iconic fables into the design of their bags. In particular, I love the reversible nature of their Jekyll’s Hyde collection, which I find absolutely intriguing and unique. In addition, all of their bags can be personalised with monograms of your choice, and will come with Gnome & Bow greeting cards for Mother’s Day. If you’re on a budget, Gnome & Bow is also currently having a sale on their older models, and you can still use the promo code below for a further discount.
Review: I reviewed the Milton Crossbody Briefcase here, the Kale Backpack here, the Strand Briefcase here, their wallets here, and some of their latest bags here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their web-store here. As Gnome & Bow is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all online orders.
Wine:
And if you don’t know what to get your mom, a bottle of wine is always a safe bet.
9) Asia Wine Network (AWN)
No matter your budget or your preferences, AWN has a wide variety of unique wines for you to choose from.
My opinion: I’m a bit of an alcoholic – all writers are to some extent, I suppose – and I personally get my wines from Asia Wine Network. They have a great selection of wines at affordable pricing, all of which are hand-picked by owner Roderic, and are awesome alternatives to those from NTUC/Cold Storage/Giant/etc. I’ll personally recommend the Finca El Camino Malbec, which is a stunning red packed with flavour that pairs well with all sorts of red meats. And if you’re on a uber-tight budget, AWN also has a fantastic selection of wines at bargain promotional prices here – I personally recommend the Eguren Ugarte Kame Muscat and the Bodegas Salentein Sauvignon Blanc-Chardonnay, which are steals at just $19.
Review: I reviewed some of AWN’s affordable wines here.
Where to buy: Interested readers can buy from their web-store here. As AWN is an official partner of Wah So Shiok, simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” to enjoy 10% off all online orders.
Conclusion:
That rounds up my listicle on Mother’s Day gift ideas! Most of the options mentioned above are customisable in some shape or form, so you can truly personalise your gift. With the exception of UNDONE, all the brands mentioned above are homegrown, so you will be doing our local economy a favour as well. Get a thoughtful gift for your mom, and support Singaporean brands at the same time – what’s not to like?
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.S.S If you haven’t already, do follow my social media channels on Facebook here, and on Instagram here!
P.S.S.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.
