Singapore’s lifestyle mavens share their most meaningful Christmas gifts
As Cynthia Chua, Jeremy Nguee and others share, it’s not always the most expensive items that are the most cherished.
From having 50 family members over for dinner to a rare pink diamond ring and a lead pencil from the 50s, these Christmas gifts show that it’s always the thought and memories that count.
CAROLINE LOW-HEAH, DOCTOR AND FOUNDING CHAIRPERSON OF KIDZ HORIZON APPEAL
“I had 50 relatives at my house for Christmas dinner last year and I made the entire meal from scratch – mince pies, Christmas cake, gingerbread cookies, chocolate log cake, trifle, three turkeys, two hams and trimmings, smoked salmon mousse and turkey liver pate. I feel that the tradition of togetherness must be kept up. These were folks that matter and I was so happy that we could celebrate as a family.”
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CHRIS CHONG, MANAGING DIRECTOR, CAPITALAND RETAIL
“Growing up, I did not have many toys, so my family gave me an exquisitely made miniature mouse sculpture last year. It was precious because I was born in the Year of the Rat and I was going through a rough patch at the time when I received the gift. It was a loving and encouraging reminder from them that despite all the obstacles, I’d eventually overcome them and that my family would always be behind me. The mouse is now on my nightstand – a comfort toy that inspires me.”
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CYNTHIA CHUA, FOUNDER AND CEO, SPA ESPRIT GROUP
“My best friend of over two decades, Jerry, gave me a vintage lead pencil from the 50s during our annual Christmas gift exchange in 2013. He knows that I love writing and collecting all sorts of stationery, especially pens and pencils. This is a unique pencil with a lead reservoir – a truly rare find for which I knew he went to a lot of trouble to obtain. I love how it’s not only a piece of history and a celebration of craftsmanship, but also a symbolic reminder of our deep friendship. Like the pencil that has seen more than half a century and is still functional, Jerry will always be there for me.”
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ETHAN KOH, FOUNDER AND CREATIVE DIRECTOR, ETHAN K
“A few years ago, a dear friend Serra Kirdar gave me a photo collage of the beautiful places we had visited together – from legendary places such as Le Senequier cafe (which was frequented by the late Karl Lagerfeld) and Le Club 55 in St Tropez, to the captivating Ravello town on the Amalfi coast. These travels shaped my inspiration during the formative years of my design journey, and allowed me to fully explore my creativity as I absorbed the surroundings that I would never have imagined visiting on my own. I felt truly blessed by its beauty.”
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JEREMY NGUEE, CHEF-OWNER OF PREPARAZZI, FOUNDER OF BATU LESUNG SPICE COMPANY AND CO-FOUNDER OF MRS KUEH
“I'm a huge ceramics enthusiast and there is no finer example than our very own local Mud Rock Ceramics. The artists Seok and Michelle are dear friends and I bug them a lot for some of the amazing pieces they make. One year at Christmas dinner, they surprised me with a soda-fired sake pourer and cup set from a very limited firing. I knew how special that set is to them and was very touched that they would give it to me. Seok and Michelle are very special to my family and have been there for us through good and difficult times, so the gift is a wonderful symbol of our friendship!”
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VIHARI PODDAR, MANAGING DIRECTOR, VIHARI JEWELS
“My husband gave me a beautiful Argyle pink diamond ring last December, knowing that I love these rare diamonds, and that the mine producing them will close in 2020. It’s a meaningful gift that can be passed down to my daughter as an heirloom 30 years later.”
