You would probably have noticed that things are a little quiet around here. Yes that’s because most of us are busy with overseas holidays and the like. Why?
Because we’ve come to the season of the HO HO HOs! The season of perpetual jingling of bells everywhere you go! The season of mega year-end sale and hopefully big bonuses!
Unfortunately it is also the season of the annual Christmas gift exchange program/lunch/dinner. Once again you have to scramble about like a headless chicken for a dozen gifts for people whom you can’t stand. Headache isn’t it? It gets even worse when you are a certain budget, which perversely makes sense in this economy.
So what exactly is an economical gift? Merriam-Webster defines economical as,
1 archaic : economic 1
2 : marked by careful, efficient, and prudent use of resources : thrifty
3 : operating with little waste or at a saving
So fear not! Yours Truly is here to help you pick out the last minute cheapo gift for the unlamented and unavoidable annual office gift exchange program/lunch/dinner in true blue Singaporean style!
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Scent Candles
They usually come in either large pillars or blocks, which when wrapped appropriately, will give the illusion and impression of a really heavy gift! Your joyous recipient would probably be overcome with joy… until they smell the familiar fragrance and the unmistakable scent of candles wax.
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Chocolates
You will be quite spoiled for choice here as there is seriously a huge dazzling array available in all major supermarkets and hypermarts. You would be advised not to get Tolberone as the unmistakable shape of it makes it a dead giveaway!
Since you want to be known as the colleague with the impeccable taste, you would do well to head straight for the Ferrero Rocher section.
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Biscuits
Another spoiled for choice gift item! Usually to be found as close neighbours with chocolates in supermarkets and hypermarts. Also can be found at some “upscale” econ minimart at neighbouring places!
Resist all attempts to go for obvious choices like Danish Butter Cookies. You don’t want to spend too much on that office bitch you detest so much do you? Khong Guan will do very nicely.
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Photo Frame
Many people greatly maligned this all time favourite item and labeled it as a no brainer gift. However Yours Truly beg to differ!
Why photo frames now come in all sizes with an astounding variety of designs that will immediately show your recipient the effort and time you went into selecting this wonderful gift!
A truly gift of love.
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Mug
Much like the poor widely misunderstood photo frame, the humble mug also stood out as one of the most insincere gift ever. Again Yours Truly will ask to differ!
With more than a million types of designs, sizes, and even shape, you can easily spend hours hunting for the perfect mug with the perfect design along with a witty slogan! It is not as easy as it seems!
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Stationery
If you know who is the happy receiver of your gift, why not shop for a pencil holder? Great way to feature your colleague’s personality and shows off your artistic sense as well as fabulous great taste!
If you don’t, have no fear. There are plenty of generic looking enough holders to fill 100 RMS Titanics.
Naturally you would want to avoid places like ridiculously expensive gift shops in Orchard Road. Go straight to Mustafa!
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Jigsaw Puzzle
This would make a wonderful gift as it is reasonably large enough to make a good impression upon exchanging it.
Unfortunately it is rather light so you might wish to put it in another box along with pebbles and stones, and then gift-wrap the whole thing up!
A fun and recreational activity for your colleague and his loved ones! He will kiss your feet for this thoughtful gift!
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Perfume
Some people truly stink. So why not do them a favour and get for them some nice fragrance?
Again this being a gift exchange luncheon, you don’t want to look like the Robert who had foolishly spent a hundred bucks on scent!
Not to worry. Yours Truly is here to help you. Head straight for the neighbouring discount stores, affectionately known as the $1.99 store. They have plenty of fragrances on sale for less than a fraction of what you would pay at counters on the ground floor of CK Tangs!
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Body Lotion
Another great and thoughtful gift! It shows how much you care about the well being of your colleague enough to shop for a therapeutic gift.
But what happens if you are on a very tight budget?
Do not panic. Get something that even the ancient Greeks swear by it. Why even the legendary great seductress Queen Cleopatra would not be caught dead without it. How else you think she managed to seduce both Caesar and Anthony?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Biggest beauty of it is you can get it in supermarkets and use it for cooking as well! A 2 in 1 gift is truly considerate!
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Gift Voucher
If you are really pressed for time, or simply hate the hassle of queuing up at the cashier, why not simply get your intended colleague a Gift Certificate?
Essentially it is cash, which everyone loves! Best of all, it gives your recipient the freedom to buy anything within the voucher’s range!!
In case you are concerned over the thinness of such an understated gift, Yours Truly have come up with the perfect solution.
Simply grab a cardboard shoebox, fill it in with lots of old crushed newspapers and pebbles and rock and sand. Put the voucher in and seal the lid, Wrap it in at least ten layers of wrapper and top it off with a lovely ribbon and viola!!!
Perfect gift exchange present! Big and heavy!
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So there you go sweeties. 10 simple and lovely ideas for your annual Christmas gift exchange luncheon! It is so cost effective that for smaller companies or departments, you can even buy them in bulk and mass gift it to your colleagues!
Your company will truly appreciate your sense of style, thoughtfulness and above all, sense of taste.
This is Yours Truly signing off now, and wishing all you readers a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! See you in 2010!!
