Editors’ picks: Christmas gift guide for those who love dining, fashion, beauty, astrology and more

I’d been a huge fan of candles even before I started covering homes, architecture and design—there’s nothing that beats coming home after a long day and filling your living space with their calming ambience and beautiful scents.

Diptyque’s Les Mondes de Diptyque collection, launched earlier this year, comprises five candles, each with scents inspired by nature, places and experiences, and has a little something for everyone. For stressed-out loved ones who need peace and harmony, the Temples des Mousses, with the aromas of tree moss, matcha and cedar essence, invokes the serenity of a garden. La Vallée du Temps, which offers the scent of the caffeine-rich South American shrub maté, plus jasmine and white tea, takes inspiration from the very specific experience of being in a craft workshop in a Chinese tea plantation—ideal for the intellectual one in your friend group. These candles are the gifts that keep on giving, too—they’re Diptyque’s first refillable offerings.

- Andrea Lo, executive editor, Tatler Hong Kong

So much of my job is behind-the-scenes, but sometimes it can be a real treat to step in front of the camera for a change.

A few years ago, a family friend gifted me a glamour shoot for the holidays and I thought it was genius! It’s the best gift ever for several reasons. One: it offers a unique and memorable experience that goes beyond material possessions. And the person you give this to will have the opportunity to create lasting memories, captured by a seasoned professional. Two: it gives your friend or family member the chance to feel totally pampered and valued as they’ll receive the undivided attention of a skilled photographer who will work diligently to bring out their best qualities. Three: it’s a gift that boosts confidence, allowing the person to really shine in front of the camera (and honestly, everyone deserves to feel fabulous). Finally, four: the resulting photographs will be a cherished keepsake that can be displayed for years to come.

Whether it’s for a family, couple, or individual, a professional photoshoot as a Christmas gift is not only thoughtful but will bring so much joy. I’ll do you a solid, if you’re in Hong Kong, use Anna Koustas. She’s a master at her craft.

- Tara Sobti, Head, VIP content & community, Tatler Hong Kong

For that friend for whom skincare is all about consistent self-care, and who will put in the daily effort to keep their skin looking and feeling its best, the CurrentBody Skin 4-in-1 LED Mask that was released earlier this year is a great gift.

The original CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask had been around for ages, and I’m so glad I took so long pondering whether or not to get it that I was still pondering when this 4-in-1 version came out. The original mask only had red light, whereas this latest mask has four LED light options: red light for anti-ageing; yellow for restoring; green for brightening; and a combo of the three to target different areas of the face for a comprehensive treatment. I, ahem, might have bought this as a present to myself when it came out, and after a couple of months’ of use, I’ve noticed my complexion is more even-toned, and my skin responds more readily to my skincare products. For best results, I use the combo setting on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and one of the three solo colour settings on the other days of the week; and I rotate through the red, yellow and green LED lights on a weekly basis. Bonus: I use this mask as part of my night-time skincare routine, and taking selfies in the dark with the mask on and sending it to friends to scare them is a lot of fun.

- Heidi Yeung, digital editor, Tatler Hong Kong

Disclaimer: this is nothing personal. Miu Miu is officially the hottest brand of 2023, according to the annual Year In Fashion report of Lyst Index; and clearly the brand has got the key to women’s hearts.

For the holiday season, Miu Miu’s gifting collection offers a wide range of cute accessories and dazzling pieces with a playful twist of brand signatures. There is even a collaboration with Marshall and Polaroid, and not to mention the shearling hairbands, hair clips and fluffy mini bags. Depending on the budget, you can find a perfect small accessory for every girl (and boy); or a precious one for your bestie. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Miu Year!

- Cherry Miu, regional fashion director, Tatler Asia

Take advantage of the cool and dry December weather and get in touch with your appetite—and Hong Kong’s vibrant street food scene—by gifting a tour for yourself and friends with Hong Kong Food Crawlers. Covering street food routes from Sham Shui Po to Tai Po, it’s led by local eats expert Ashley Yue, who can secure tables at the most on-demand dai pai dong tables in town, as well as create exquisite wine pairings to go with your stir-fry king.

- Gavin Yeung, senior dining editor, Tatler Hong Kong

For all those who want to make Christmas extra special for their special someone (Ka-ching!), I would recommend the gift of time—not just because I’m the editor of Tatler GMT but because it’s the most invaluable gift we could ever give anyone. I personally love Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Reverso watches, but if you’re looking for something sporty, the Tudor Black Bay GMT with a pepsi bezel is so cool.

For jewellery lovers, invest in a piece that will grow on you, I personally love a transformable piece that can be worn in many ways, so you never get bored of it. For instance, you can get so creative with a brooch. Wear it on your jacket or as a pendant, clip it on your hairband or wear it on an old belt or even a bag—the possibilities are endless. Invest in an art-deco inspired brooch by Cartier or support artisanal, Hong Kong-based boutique designers like Valentina Fine Jewellery by Anastasia Gardner or The Collection by JLG created by Julien-Loïc Garin.

- Amrita Katara, watches and jewellery editor, Tatler Hong Kong

Whether you’re already training for January’s Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, or you want to add more sport to your life in 2024, receiving or giving a pair of Lane Eight is a good resolution in many ways. Firstly, it’s an environment-conscious gift, as Lane Eight is a Hong Kong-born and -bred brand with shoes designed with sustainable materials, and is targeting to be carbon net zero by 2030. Secondly, they offer a large selection of workout shoes. So whether you’re a gym addict, a Pilates fan, a casual runner, or simply someone who prefers comfortable shoes for walking, you’ll find a pair that suits your needs in an extensive range of colours, from neutral beige to bubblegum pink and electric blue.

Bonus: Lane Eight has shown their support to the city through their participation in events such as the Gay Games 2023, A Plastic Ocean Foundation’s beach cleanups, The Women’s Foundation’s Break The Norm campaign, and more. 

- Salomé Grouard, deputy digital editor, Tatler Hong Kong

Step aside, party snacks of yore, for Partyclette has entered the chat, ready to kick festive soirees up a notch in a mere 40 seconds. This little wonder, fuelled by three tea lights, will jazz up any starter, snack or cheese course. For those who like to entertain, the XL version is armed with 16 tea lights, which means there’s no need to wait, as it can simultaneously serve up to eight. Give this to a friend, and you’ll have the perfect excuse to frequently pop by—for the love of cheese and good company, of course.

- Fontaine Cheng, dining editor, Tatler Hong Kong

As someone who has been focusing on a simpler approach to life, comfort and longevity have been recurring themes when making any purchase, and if I’m shopping for others, I try to consider how a piece will exist within their lifestyle long term. That’s why my ideal present (that’s frankly suitable for anyone) is Paul Smith’s signature striped cotton dressing gown: not only is it a luxurious piece to lounge around at home in, but its classic print will always be stylish. Also, being made from 100 per cent cotton means that if the receiver takes good care of it, it should last a long time. 

- Amalissa Hall, digital style writer, Tatler Hong Kong

Best and most budget-friendly way to get started with film photography. Don’t want to worry about aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and eager to get to the shooting right away? This is camera is it! Film photography can turn you into a gear-hunting fanatic very quickly, so it’s good to just get acquainted with the basics of framing shots before you start geeking out on fancier cameras. All you have to worry about is to find a film lab to develop your photos once the 36 shots are up. Bring it with you everywhere, remember to use the flash when it gets even a tiny bit dark, and you’ll have nice grainy photos. Best part, this is not a disposable camera, and you can keep buying film rolls once you’re done with it!

- Khoa Tran, social impact editor, Tatler Hong Kong

If you’re looking for a Christmas gift for a gal pal—or anyone who likes make-up—I’d like to recommend the Tarte holiday limited-edition Amazonian Clay Party Palettes Cheek Set, which features a trio of three-in-one palettes that consist of a highlighter, blush and bronzer in each. I recently got gifted one myself and I found it incredibly handy to keep in my bag and reapply make-up on the go, especially as each art deco-style box is fitted with a mirror and is super-sleek, allowing me to slip it into the slimmest of purses. With the party season in full swing already, this low-key yet essential gift will have your loved one thanking you for keeping them flawless during those back-to-back bashes.

- Suchetana Mukhopadhyay, digital sub-editor, Tatler Hong Kong

What do you get someone who spends all their time running a business? A game where they spend all their time running a business, of course! It might seem baffling why anyone would enjoy spreadsheets, layouts and staffing plans in their free time but watching a business grow can be zenlike when it’s just for fun.

The most relaxing choice would be Megaquarium, where you run a happy home for dozens of sea creatures. Another superb option with greater stakes would be Two Point Hospital, where you administrate a medical facility catering to a host of bizarre ailments. Lastly, and for the truly ambitious, Tropico 6 will allow you to run an entire island economy from the top down, be it agricultural, industrial or tourist-based. All three of these titles are available on both PC and a range of consoles and have a load of DLC bundle packs, making any of them the perfect gift for an entrepreneurial pal.

- Rick Boost, Gen. T editor, Hong Kong

Zodiac sign pendants are a thoughtful and convenient gift because they are inherently personalised—assuming the gift receiver is into astrology and identifies with their sign! It can also be either budget friendly or extravagant depending on you whether you opt for costume or high jewellery. (And how much you like the person.) It’s not just pendants, you can get rings with the sign motif or even charms that make a nice addition to a bracelet. If you really have cash to burn you can supplement it with the person’s birth stone or crystals appropriate for their sign and really make it a full-blown luxury astro-wellness gift.
 
- Aaina Bhargava, arts and culture editor, Tatler Hong Kong

To me, Christmas is all about having a great time with family and loved ones. So when it comes to festive gifts, a good puzzle game is my go-to for a fun afternoon with friends.

HK Puzzle Mystery, a passion project by Hong Kong-born artist Kitty N Wong and local food tour company founder Virginia Chan, impressed me with its dim sum-themed puzzle box last year. This year, the team launched a new version which comes with a scavenger hunt and detective game in which players have to crack a case of a missing pangolin in Hong Kong. Combining beautiful illustrations, games and a story about Hong Kong wildlife (a topic that holds dear to my heart), HK Puzzle Mystery is on the top of my Christmas gift list this year.

- Zabrina Lo, features editor, Tatler Hong Kong

The warm glow of candlelight holds a magical power, soothing the soul and creating moments of pure bliss. Fragrances have a lasting impact, and as the scent fills the space, it becomes a reminder of your thoughtfulness. When it comes to candles, PTJ Studio is a hidden gem that has captured my heart. Their handcrafted soy wax candles are extraordinary, showcasing unmatched quality and artistry. Each piece, from ceramic candles to wax melts and tablets, is a true work of craftsmanship. Whether for a special occasion or to brighten someone’s day, candles have a way of lighting up hearts and spreading warmth.

- Alix Lefebvre, assistant manager, VIP relations, Tatler Hong Kong

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