What can you send a loved one to make his or her quarantine stay easier? Here are some ideas, courtesy of Tatler Singapore’s friends who have gone through it
While the majority of us in Singapore are putting travel on hold during the still-ongoing pandemic, some of us have pressing reasons—whether it be due to business or family—to make going overseas at such a time a necessity. At the same time, there are also Singaporeans who have been living overseas and are making a return to their home country.
No matter which it is, serving a Stay-Home Notice (or SHN) on their arrival back in Singapore is, of course, mandatory. To those of us who have not gone through it, spending 14 days in a designated facility seems easy enough to accomplish for the sake of the welfare of the country. Most of these returning travellers felt the same about it, even if restlessness may inevitably set in at some point during their quarantine.
Others even found that the SHN offered them an unexpected break from their usual hectic daily routines. Author Paige Parker, who visited her ageing parents in the United States with her family, is one of them.
“We did not find the 14 days intolerable. By Day 8, admittedly, I was pretty much ready to get out, but the experience was serious mind over matter. I genuinely enjoyed having the luxury of time, with no distractions. Daily, I woke early to meditate, then exercised in the room using Alo Moves, worked on my new podcast, did a fair amount of writing, read books, took a few bubble baths, created a few TikToks, did my first Instagram Live session with Sara Taseer of Sara Taseer Fine Jewelry, and dined with my daughters. In fact, SHN was a bit of a respite,” she shared.
Doctor and entrepreneur Elaine Kim, who had to visit her in-laws in South Korea, found that serving the SHN on her return also gave her an opportunity to spend quality time with her husband and three children.
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Still, their stay would not have been as comfortable if not for the gifts that were sent their way by loving family and friends during their quarantine. These were, of course, delivered to their door via the staff at the SHN facility. What’s more important, though, is the thought that came with these items—everyone we spoke to, who had served the SHN, said that the gifts, no matter small or big, brought them joy and cheer. Here are some of the most thoughtful and useful items they received.
Scented candles
A scented candle is always among the first things that most people would think of sending a friend or relative who’s serving his or her SHN in a hotel room. Naturally, since lighting it will immediately bring cosiness to the room, hopefully, make it a touch more homely and help lift the occupant’s mood.
(Related: From Loewe to Gucci: 8 Luxurious Scented Candles in Decorative Vessels For Your Home)