It’s finally this time of the year. It’s been a massive year for us!
Every year I put together this sustainable gift guide in a bid to highlight certain brands that I love that you should love instead of
the big bad brands out there. Haha.
This year comes a little late as I am just recovering from Covid and also COP28, but hey I can’t knock tradition.
This time I call it a “sustainable-ish” guide because frankly, the term sustainable is just so loose even I felt uncomfortable calling this a Sustainable Gift Guide. But I believe that a lower carbon, more ethical and more just future begins with spending our money on smaller, local, more intentional brands that want to do things better.
If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll notice that some brands repeat because I love them so much. But they launch new things, so it’s refreshed!
What counts as a sustainable-ish gift for me?
The term is loose, but I define it as gifting intentionally and as low-impact as possible. That means considering intangible gifts, local or regionally based brands that are low-waste or source ethically, potentially cruelty-free, small-batch.
We can’t buy our way out of the climate crisis but I hope your gifts can help raise awareness and socialize alternatives to break status quo.
I don’t earn anything, this is all just to share good things.
I also note that this is a time that can be really difficult for a lot of people. I am not forgetting that we are in a period of economic difficulty, a horrific gen*cide, and yet another Covid wave. I hope we can extend our festive cheer & support our community financially, emotionally and physically.
Be it the staff working overtime on the holidays, the tissue-selling uncle, an art fundraiser, a neighbor, or that little stray cat on the street.
Thank you for being part of my community, and I hope that this list is something that you can look to throughout the year as well.
And the list begins!
May we care for each other so that we can all thrive together
ZERRIN’s Pop-Up
Now, let’s start with some events happening over the next few days and weeks beginning with ZERRIN. Running from now till 31 December, you should check out ZERRIN’s pop-up at Anchorpoint.
I had a teeny chat with ZERRIN’s founder, Susannah, who has kindly dropped a few recommendations that you should check out.
If you’re looking for a thoughtful Secret Santa gift under $40,
Pass It On’s Christmas Candle Grab Bag, which includes their best selling Alps candle + a mystery candle refill ($39) - which is great value considering a candle alone is usually $35 and a refill is $18.
For someone who could use some mindfulness and calm,
A custom blend oil by Slow Rituals ($24) which can be customised at their pulse oil bar, or there are pre blended scents too (3 to choose from) also at $24. The quiet moments scent is great. Frankincense and Yuzu.
For someone who loves colour
A reusable batik printed tote bag by Fern - ($25). Lots of pretty colours to choose from!
A bucket hat from Fern (reversible) ($25)
For someone who needs a pick me up
Gift a ZERRIN gift card (redeemable online or at pop ups)
Miseico’s Sleep Elixir. Great for those that need to rest better.
To celebrate someone's success over the year
Pass It On’s Gift Box ($79) which contains two candles, a custom wooden lid + rechargeable candle lighter.
A sweet surprise gift box from Ollie. Enjoy some plant-based mists.
Don’t forget to check out the many other brands on display at ZERRIN’s pop-up!
Address:
01-14 Anchorpoint Shopping Centre
370 Alexandra Road, 159953
Open daily 10:00 to 7:00pm
Closed 25 December
Public Garden at Suntec City
Next, Public Garden is happening on the weekend of 23-24 December at Suntec City! It’s one of my favourite regular arts markets, and it can get rather overwhelming. But what I love is that creatives from around the region will come by to sell their craft. I can’t imagine the amount of heart and labour that goes into preparing for Public Garden, but send some love to these creators here!
Intentional, exquisite, handcrafted jewellery - Ssek Jewellery
❤️ What’s cool: One of my favorite jewellery makers in town, Tammy makes the most ethereal quality jewellery that I love and own. Gift it to yourself, a friend, whoever that will appreciate the thoughtfulness that goes into these handcrafted pieces.
👀 Check this out: The image I chose is the Constellation Earrings and I love the ability to mix and match the pieces. But have a browse, you’ll find something you love.
✨ Price range: $35 and above
📍 Where to find: Find them at PG or on their website here!
Burst of colour with Smitten by Pattern
❤️ What’s cool: This Indonesia-based brand has been my favourite since 2018. Their playfulness, cheekiness and brand of maximalism I just cannot stop loving. They are having their year-end sale online, but make sure not to miss them (you won’t) at Public Garden this year.
👀 Check this out: I’ve had their scarves for awhile and it’s the perfect pop of colour for when you’re abroad, going to work, or hanging on a bag.
✨ Price range: $15 and above
📍 Where to find: Check them out online if you won’t be at Public Garden!
Ethereal ceramics by Ummuramics
❤️ What’s cool: One of my favourite ceramic makers in town. This Singapore-based brand makes the most absurdly beautiful ceramic goodies.
👀 Check this out: I own a beautiful cup from them already and have resisted using it in case I break it. But please check them out!
✨ Price range: $15 and above
📍 Where to find: Check them out online if you won’t be at Public Garden!
Cute figurines and more - Momo Rave
❤️ What’s cool: I recently discovered this creator but I could not stop looking at what they make especially their Amigurumi range.
👀 Check this out: Check out these handcrafted Amigurumi figurines which will make perfect gifts for that Pokemon loving friend.
✨ Price range: I don’t really know but go down to Public Garden to find them!
📍 Where to find: Check them out online!
Brands to check out
Besides those two events, here are other brands that I love as well:
Refillable candles - Pass It On
❤️ What’s cool: Already mentioned by ZERRIN above, but this Singapore-based brand carries sustainable lifestyle products and refillable candles. I always shout them out every Christmas because they have these beautiful candles ($35) that are refillable ($18). They just launched their newest scents and I love the Bordeaux one.
👀 Check this out: Pass It On’s has a Christmas set ($79) but also gift sets for difference price points! Of course, always make sure that these are things your loved ones need.
✨ Price range: $18 - $80
📍 Where to find: Find it on their website & stockists here!
Stretchable clothes for kids - Petit Pli
❤️ What’s cool: This is not a local brand but I’m at the age where my friends are having kids and this is one revolutionary brand that I’ve loved from afar for years. (I even got to collaborate with them last year!) Clothes that stretch as your kids age. Their things are a bit space-like and edgy, but hey it helps you take the edge of figuring out what to dress your kids in for years - hence the price!
👀 Check this out: Clothes that STRETCH.
✨ Price range: $130 and up
📍 Where to find: Find it on their website here!
For the person who loves board games - Playlogue
❤️ What’s cool: A studio that produces games that generates conversation, I will never stop flappin’ about their game Fly-a-Way.
👀 Check this out: Fly-A-Way is a competitive, family-friendly, strategy board game for 2-4 players that dramatises and fosters conversations on bird migration and conservation. Birds face threats and disruptions in their migration journey, and it’s up to you to save them and help them migrate safely!
✨ Price range: $65 and up
📍 Where to find: Find it on their website here!
For that person that could use an ice bath - Trapeze Rec Club
❤️ What’s cool: Located at Tanjong Pagar, TRC has had a cool track record of offering a suite of wellness packages.
👀 Check this out: I’ve been seeing their ice bath everywhere and I heard from a friend that if you’re dealing with jetlag, an ice bath will help solve that real quick.
✨ Price range: Gift a wellness package, a trial package, or just a gift card! $60 and up
📍 Where to find: At Tanjong Pagar or online here!
Who doesn’t love books? - Ethos Books
❤️ What’s cool: A local publisher, publishing hard-hitting, soul-shaking good books.
👀 Check this out: There are some new and old launches this year that I love, namely - The Singapore I Recognise, Making Kin, Brown is Redacted
✨ Price range: $15 and up
📍 Where to find: Check it out here!
Gift compassion and support tireless animal rescue - ACRES
❤️ What’s cool: ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society), is a registered charity founded by Singaporeans in 2001. They do amazing work caring for the animals in our community, and even housing these animals in a rescue and rehabilitation compound. God-tier work.
👀 Check this out: They’ve been saving birbs from glue traps, from pangolins stuck in drains, illegal pet trade, saving scared snakes from scared humans, advocating for human-wildlife coexistence. So needed given the many cases of human-wildlife conflict we’ve seen this year with the pythons (RIP)…and crocodile (RIP). Also don’t miss their latest investigation on illegal wildlife trade here.
✨ Price range: PRICELESS.
📍 Where to find: Gift a donation, support merch, or check some things off their wishlist!
Fresh, low-waste, clean wellness products - Oasis Beauty Kitchen
❤️ What’s cool: A locally made, low-waste, vegan health and beauty store. I will never stop shouting about them. I’ve been following them for over 5 years now and am continuously amazed by their range, quality and price point. Think soaps, scents, make-up and facial care for all peoples and furkids.
👀 Check this out: Their refillery is a must-visit and must-support! But they also have a whole range of gift bundles for you to try their products. Highly recommend the Marseille soap. 100/10.
✨ Price range: $15 and up
📍 Where to find: Check it out here or at their store in Joo Chiat!
Cruelty-free, vegan, Singapore-based scents - The Lab Fragrances
❤️ What’s cool: A Singapore-based scent company, making cruelty-free scents. As I slowly switch all the stuff I use to cruelty-free products, finding a scent that doesn’t make me sneeze and has the scent I want was tricky. But I recently got one from The Lab Fragrances and love it.
👀 Check this out: I especially appreciate their statement on animal testing - “It might be true that the perfume brand in question has never tested on animals, but the sheer knowledge on ingredients’ harmfulness majorly comes from past animal testings done by raw material companies. So whenever we know for sure that a particular ingredient in our composition is harmless, this may just be because there sadly had been an animal testing somewhere and sometime in the past.”
✨ Price range: $88 and up
📍 Where to find: Check it out here!
For the news-savvy friend - Jom
❤️ What’s cool: Jom is a weekly digital magazine covering a lot about Singapore through a diversity of formats, from short-form video to audio podcasts. Top-notch commentary about local and world news in accessible ways.
👀 Check this out: Besides gifting a membership, they also just launched their physical print so please check that out! (I got a wee comic strip in there hehe)
✨ Price range: From $96 (that’s $8/month!)
📍 Where to find it: Gift amazing local content right here with Jom.
For the foodie who loves dips - Loaded Gun Kitchen
❤️ What’s cool: This is a cool local brand with awesome dips - vegan too! For parties or as gifts, you can even return the jars to the team to be reused (be sure to tell your Santee that!)
👀 Check this out: I love how colourful they are, and best thing is these are great for the meat eaters too because of how flavourful they are.
✨ Price range: From $40
📍 Where to find: Don’t miss it here.
Books for everybody - 4 books to check out
❤️ What’s cool: My friends have written really cool stuff and you need to check them all out. How to Date a Dozen Men (by Samara Gan) is such a fun read, The Burnout Guide (by Gabriella Adytanthio) is so relatable to the corporate girlie and the hustling creative, Plantasia (by Pamelia Chia) is THE recipe book for the meat-eater and what better way to celebrate delicious Asian cooking but through vegetables, and finally learning about snappers via A Snapper Tale (by Dr Elle Wibisono) which is a great children’s book written and drawn by a marine biologist.
👀 Check this out: I can’t believe I get to call these cool people my friends!!
✨ Price range: From $15
📍 Where to find it: How to Date a Dozen Men, The Burnout Guide, Plantasia, A Snapper Tale
Gift coral reefs - Carbon Ethics
❤️ What’s cool: I’ll never ever miss this gift out. Carbon Ethics is an organization that aims to restore the climate balance through nature-based solutions with pioneers in blue carbon conservation.
👀 Check this out: While offsets aren’t a silver bullet, conservation efforts are still mega important. So support their efforts and I love that they even send you updates!
✨ Price range: From $10
📍 Where to find: Gift a climate solution with a gift card or a coral/mangrove!
Gift a better way to shop - The Fashion Pulpit
❤️ What’s cool: You’ve heard of thrifting, but swapping is something you have to try. With premium selections and one that changes depending on who swaps with them, it’s an infinite wardrobe that you pay a fraction of.
👀 Check this out: For existing members, you can share your points with your gift-ee! If not, gift memberships to your friends!
✨ Price range: Custom, but memberships usually start at $35
📍 Where to find it: Gift a shopping experience here.
Bring teh tarik to your parties as your gift - Teh Tarik Gelek
❤️ What’s cool: Eggnog who? Teh tarik is where it’s at. Found them on Instagram and love the idea. Support this home-based business!
👀 Check this out: They brew tasty, smooth, creamy teh tarik for intimate gatherings to big events. Do opt for their large reusable dispensers! Not sure if you can return the individual bottles but I can imagine that might be logistically tricky.
✨ Price range: $90 for 45 cups, that’s $2 a cup!
📍 Where to find it: Try them out here.
Don’t forget to drop by Millenia Walk for Outer Edit’s Christmas with our Trees showcase.
While we may be familiar with the picturesque, pine trees for Christmas, we are way less familiar with what’s at home. I’m the same, and I recognise that plant blindness despite being an environmentalist. OuterEdit’s Christmas Tree turns fallen roadside trees into a very festive installation. Thanks for celebrating our own!
My friend Elliott and I decided to add some quick tips on how you can identify some of our local roadside trees.
As I close of 2023, I just wanted to say a big thank you for all the support this year. It’s been a massive one for me especially as I hit some milestones like being a National Geographic Young Explorer, heading to COP28, running my first silkscreen art jamming workshop and also being on BBC’s 100 Women list.
I’m putting this space here to be grateful for the community that makes this all possible, and also manifest some cool collaborations in the coming year that I’m slowly working on to make sure that we can continue to push for more climate education.
I’m going into 2024 a little nervous but also excited for what’s to come. A sneak peak, I do have some explainers on green finance, and also a project funded by National Geographic on human-wildlife conflict.
Some more projects are in the works are we are on the lookout for funders, collaborators and more. So please reach out!
Wishing everybody happy holidays and good tidings. Let’s go into 2024 with greater resolve to do better for the people and planet. Thanks for advocating for better worlds through such diverse ways, and thank you for the love and support. I can’t do this work without you.
x Qiyun (catch me on the ‘gram)
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If there are things to edit - I apologise in advance! - Please drop me an email at hello.theweirdandwild@gmail.com and let me know!