If the Stocking Fits... Shopping
What do you do for all the people in your life? What do you buy? Where do you go? Here’s your lifeline.
What To Buy | Where To Buy
Little Ms. Jet Setter
She’s got to park her Centrium card somewhere, so why not pick up a Smythson of Bond Street travel wallet ($3,995 from Harvey Nichols) for her? It comes with pockets for five different currencies. Her feet might be swollen from crossing international datelines, but no one will be able to tell thanks to her 4” watersnake Jimmy Choos ($54,43 from Jimmy Choo). How else do you strut out of a Lear 280? Certainly not in Tods loafers. Once off the plane, nothing is more soothing than a back massage - so when there are no pool boys around, this back roller massager will simply have to do ($105 from Franc Franc). Try loading her up with her favorite top 40 boy band tunes on a holiday iPod ($1,160) – she’s probably predicting she’ll by dating one of them by year’s end anyway. Give her these mini egg-shaped speakers ($320 from Franc Franc) to make that iPod public. She also sounds like the kind of girl who would appreciate the faux alligator skin iPod case ($1,500 from Franc Franc). Finally, chances are she already has several Evian misters ($18), but does she have a gold-studded one? Pick one up at any SaSa.
Mr. Feel Good
The Nudist
The nudist likes to keep it minimal, but there are some things that he just can’t live without. When it’s too cold to worship the sun, the secret to looking great in the buff comes from a bottle, so try Lancome’s Flash Bronzer Glow N Wear for a spot of self-tanning ($226, Lane Crawford). A level-1 German course at the Goethe Institute should get him ready for his summer holiday in Germany, the nudist capital of the world ($1,900 for a nine-week course). Make all that flesh smell good with Benefit’s Bathina Body So Fine Brush-on Perfume ($300, Lane Crawford). Buy him Agent Provacateur kitty lace-ups ($510, Lane Crawford), because once in a blue moon, nudists likes to shock people by putting on an article of clothing. And if that’s too risqué, then how about a Christian Dior dressing gown ($3,625) for when the repair man comes for a visit? Available at Lane Crawford.
The Bookworm
Bookworms are hardest to buy for, unless you’re a bibliophile yourself. But there are plenty of hot titles out there that they absolutely have to have. “Shalimar the Clown” ($96) by Salman Rushdie will sweep her away to the town of Kashmir to follow the adventures of an illegitimate child of a US ambassador. If that’s a little heavy, try the beautifully illustrated “Poison Diaries” ($213) by Colin Stimpson, about an orphan who learns the dangers of apothecary. Or try the “Memory Keeper’s Daughter” ($68) by Kim Edwards since it’s currently #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Chances are, it’s already in her collection, but would you be offended if she re-gifted it? If she has a more serious take on life, give her “China Shakes the World” ($150) by James Kynge, an assiduous study of modern China’s strengths and weaknesses. All titles are available from PageOne. And if you just can’t be sure what books your bookworm already owns, then you can’t go wrong with these leather animal bookends ($280, Franc Franc).
Mr. Sophisticated
He could use a book, too – especially, a leather-bound copy of “The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists” by Neil Strauss ($156). He would never buy this for himself as he already thinks he’s got the moves, but every guy could use an occasional tutorial. Safe gifts like a bottle Chateau Petrus or a box of fine cigars will do him proud, but check out the 100th anniversary humidors at Davidoff ($24,880) at The Peninsula. And of course nothing says “happy 2007” like a one-year lifestyle management Quintessentially card, which grants him access to every bar, club, restaurant and playpen in most major cities (call Quintessentially for updated prices, +44 (0)870 850 8585). And nothing screams sexy and sophisticated more than a man wearing an apron icing an Indonesian layer cake, so give him cooking lessons at The Playground ($800 per person for four hours), or at Towngas Cooking Centre ($300 per person).
A pair of Paul Smith cufflinks ($750-$1,150 from Lane Crawford) is a failsafe last-minute Christmas Eve buy. Another safety gift is the Christofle hand-shaped money clip ($1,260) available at Christofle. And he’ll be pretty happy with the Claude Dozorme fork set ($2,200), cheese knife ($1,000), and knife set ($1,500), which will certainly impress any guest that stops by for some wine and cheese (from Lane Crawford).
The Cook
Who isn’t a chef these days? All you need is some chef’s whites with your name stitched on it and you’re ready to go. Like all chefs, this guy will need the sharpest 8”, 10” or 12” knife you can find - 6” if he’s got small hands. The more expensive is not necessarily the better, so opt for a mid-range 8” Wusthof chef's knife from Germany ($700 from Sogo); its beautiful chrome-fetish item sure to garner applause in any kitchen. A pocket meat thermometer ($49) from Pantry Magic should make him look like a pro even if he is only faking it. Franc Franc offers a beautiful table setting, perfect for presenting holiday dishes ($25-$180). Or how about a Christofle Vertigo Salt and Pepper mill ($2,180 each, from Christofle) for the holiday table? One thing the home chef may not have, but desperately needs in their cupboards, is a four-egg microwave boiler ($115 from Franc Franc). A good, sturdy cutting board is essential – get him the Canadian Beechwood chopping board ($298 from Pantry Magic). And of course there is no shame in ripping-off recipes from lovable/huggable celeb chef Jamie Oliver. His new book, “Cook with Jamie Oliver” ($109), is out just in time for roasting turkeys and baking sweet pies.
Watersports Guy
Tech Geek
Communication with the tech geek in your life is probably limited to text messages (and he talks in binary anyway), so get him a Blackberry Pearl 8100 phone ($3,280, 3 Shop) to facilitate heart-to-heart conversations. He’s probably too busy coding to take pictures, but if he had the Sony N2 ($3,390, Sony Shop) he might just start refreshing his Photoshop skills. A Playstation 3 (Pre-order $3,780 from the Partner Shop) is the perfect item to tear him away from his laptop, but stick to getting him two-player games so you can join in on the fun. To the tech geek, a good screen is the most important thing he can have, so get him a Canon LV-7255 projector ($12,980, Canon, enquiry hotline 2170-2888) so he can take over any wall.
Pet Lover
You know how she is – she insists you address her dog by his full name and never ever insult his hair-do. For someone this in love with her pet, you’ll need to get her a pair of doggie shoes ($45-$100 from Forever Beauty) to keep her precious pooch’s paws warm during his morning walk. Meanwhile, get her a trendy weave pet hamper ($395 from G.O.D.). If she’s a cat lover, pick up an electronic cat toilet ($1,850 from Forever Beauty). You already know her pets are her favorite accessories so bling them up with collars from Hermes (around $2,000 each) and a Burberry coat ($2,350). After all, doggie and owner need to match.
The Transient
You’ll most likely have to ship your presents to Africa or the Netherlands since the transient person in your life probably doesn’t have a permanent address. His passport will be worn out with all the stamping, so freshen it up with a Smythson Passport Holder ($1,245 from Harvey Nichols). Remember he’s no backpacker, so have him travel in style with a Goyard Trunk ($50,500 from Harvey Nichols) and a Giorgio Fedon Briefcase ($6,261 from Giorgio Fedon). Give him a Travel Kit ($350 from G.O.D) to hold all those essentials and pack it full with mini skincare items ($15-$50 from SaSa) and travel candles ($35 from Franc Franc). A picnic pack ($795 from Love That Lifestyle) will let him enjoy some dinners on the go.
The Expecting Mom
High-Roller
Nothing is too bright or too shiny for the high roller, so a Christofle ring ($1,830) must absolutely belong on her elegant fingers. God forbid she bump into anyone with the same necklace, so design one for her yourself and adorn it with gems (from Tayma Fine Jewellery) Of course, she won’t be caught dead in an ugly plastic Casio; a Rolex stainless steel Oyster Perpetual watch ($21,650 Rolex) is more her style. Snag her a Memento silver microphone ($1,280, Momento) for those late nights at karaoke. Brighten up her desk with a jewel-encrusted pen holder ($2,880 from Momento) and those dull leather purses won’t compare to a goldfish-shaped clutch ($6,980, Momento). Finally, don’t forget she’ll want nothing less than a sparkling gem mouse ($728, Momento) when shopping online for more bling.
Golf Fanatic
Of course he’s well aware that there’s a spiffy dress code at any good golf course so have him showing off a brand new TaylorMade long-sleeve polo shirt ($270, Golf House). If he just can’t get that one-shot to a tee, then maybe a new set of Callaway X18 golf clubs (from Golf House for a discounted price of $7,700) will help bring him under par. Protect them with a TaylorMade golf bag ($1,930 from Giga Sports) or spring for the limited edition Calloway golf bag (there are only ten in Hong Kong) for $2,900 from Golf House. Finally, don’t forget to get him a TaylorMade leather golf glove ($170, Giga Sports) so he can get a good grip for all those holes-in-one.
Spoiled Teens
Those mean teens won't stop bugging you with endless requests so satisfy them with a set of waterproof iPod speakers ($195, Franc Franc) that they can both share. If sharing isn’t their idea of Christmas, get her a Philosophy ice cream suitcase ($338, Lane Crawford) full of skin care items and surprise him with a Christofle literary dog tag ($2,180, Christofle). Chances are they’ll only be occupied for part of the Christmas morning so before they get rowdy, direct their attention to Anna Sui’s secret wish perfume ($249, SaSa) and a Paul Smith wallet ($3,050, Paul Smith).
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Where To Go
Apple Store, www.apple.com/store.
Burberry, Alexander Building, Central, 2868-3511.
Christofle, 7/F, Sogo, Causeway Bay, 2833-8200.
Davidoff, Shop L9 Peninsula Hotel, Salisbury Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 2920-2888.
Forever Beauty Pet Grooming Centre, 120 Caine Rd., Mid-Levels, 2525-4515.
Franc Franc, 2/F, Hang Lung Centre, 2-20 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, 3427-3366.
Giga Sports, Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui, 3102-9516.
Giorgio Fedon, 2544-4700 (speak with Giovenna Guerrera for appointments).
G.O.D., Leighton centre, Sharp street, Causeway Bay, 2890-5555.
Golf House, Shop 068-069, G/F, Cityplaza, Tai Koo Shing, Hong Kong, 2915-9390.
Goethe-Institut, 14F Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2802-0088.
Harvey Nichols, The Landmark, Central, 2525-5609.
Hermes, G/F, Galleria, 9 Queen’s Rd, Centralm 2525-5900.
Jimmy Choo, The Landmark, Central, 2525-6068.
Lane Crawford, IFC Mall, Central, 2118-7777.
Linea Negra, 20/F, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2522-7966.
Logon, Harbor City, Level 3, Tsim Sha Tsui, 2375-3777.
Love That Lifestyle, 12/F, Horizon Plaza, 2 Lee Wing Street, Ap Lei Chau, 2656-4429.
Momento, Shop 255 Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2845-7900.
Mother Court, 1/F, Room 107, Melbourne Plaza, 33 Queen’s Rd., Central, 2522-8934.
Ozzie Cozzie, 3A Grand Progress Building, 15-16 Lan Kwai Fong, Central, 2819-1356.
Page One, Festival Walk, Kowloon Tong, 2778-2808.
Partner Shop, Shop B42, Basement Sino Centre, 582-592, Nathan Rd, Mongkok, 2710-8825.
Paul Smith, Shop 216, The Landmark, Central, 2523-5868.
Pantry Magic, G/F, 2-4 Hysan Ave., Causeway Bay, 2504-0688.
The Playground, Unit 10, 5/F, Block B, Ming Pao Industrial Centre, 18 Ka Yip Street, Chai Wan, 8118-5625.
Rolex, 14/F, Jardine House, 1 Connought Place, Central, 2249-8888.
SaSa, 500 Lockhart Rd.,Wan Chai, 2833-1918 (and other locations).
Sogo, 555 Hennessy Rd., Causeway Bay, 2833-8338.
Sony Shop, 209, Man Yee Building, 60-69 Des Voeux Road, Central, 2882-0101.
SplashHK, G/F, 168 Che Keng Tuk Rd, Sai Kung, 2792-4495.
Tayma Fine Jewellry, 2/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Charter Rd, Central, 2525-5280.
Towngas Cooking Centre, 77 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, 2576-1535.