I’m shopping for gifts to bring to the US next month when we visit T’s family. His mother and the extended family live in New York. His father and step-mother are in Arizona. His elder sister’s family is in California. Except for 1 of T’s uncles who has travelled to Singapore for work, I can safely say that the rest of the family only know Singapore is in the general vicinity of Asia so I can literally get anything. I’d love to get something really good though.
Forget tacky Merlion key chains or t-shirts with slogans like “Singapore is a FINE city”. I think those are my last resort.
My search for nice “Singapore” things to gift them has brought me to trawl the interwebs. I now have a short list of things that I might get. I haven’t decided if I want to and how I’m going to lug them over but I’m prepared to fill one entire suitcase with gifts. Here’s my list:
- Charles & Keith handbags (shoes are difficult because I don’t know sizes)
- TWG tea bags or kits
- Tiger Balm ointment and lotions
- +65 Indie Underground CD compilation released by UNIVERSAL MUSIC (I actually had a hand in this.)
- Khong Guan biscuits (don’t knock it! I love Marie biccys dunked in milk tea or Milo!)
- OSIM back or eye massager (anything bigger and I can’t carry it)
- RISIS gold-plated Orchid necklace (T’s mother loves to garden and by extension, flowers.)
- Uyii handmade bags (I ordered 3 purses with customized leather tags that they sadly don’t seem to carry anymore.)
- Gryphon tea (more tea?)
Are there any other things you can think of? What about kiddie things?
Please send me your recommendations. I still have more than a month to go, so I have got lots of time to shop.
An Exercise In Trivial Pursuits 
I only think of food gifts when it comes to Singapore, especially the Bengawan Solo cookies in tin cans. But this is only for the sweet tooth, and they might not be as impressive as something useful…
I can’t bring regular food because it will take a long time for me to visit everyone
RISIS is good. I got some earrings for M’s mum and she loved it. How about some nice batik sarongs or placemats? Prima Mixes come in gift packs as well. Good gifts if they’re into cooking. Pre-mix singapore sling if u can carry them.
I’m gonna go to Chinatown to buy some table settings. I’ve got 25 people to buy for
ooh i got some things from peranakan museum gift shop too. actually the museum shop is a good place to start
Okay!!
I love you more than anyone who has ever lived :*