Stefan’s picks for giving Christmas gifts

Designer extraordinaire, Co-Founder/Director of the absolutely divine Arq Style House, and delightful dynamo Stefan Andre Joachim takes some time off from creating magical Christmases around the island to give Weekend FT readers some tips on great gift giving to suit any budget during this festive season

Every year, Christmas literally starts for some of us creative folk in July! Yes, July, as the process from storyboard to budget approval and finally confirmation takes that long unless you are happy hopping on the www and happy snapping Jeff Leatham or the Time Square angels and their horns for cheap production! 

So no matter how much you may love Christmas, by the first week of December you are ready to hibernate until July again, which makes the gift-giving part of it make your mind go blank! I’ve been told that this happens to plenty of folks and not just us crazies so this year I couldn’t have been more excited to be called upon to do a list to make things easier for some of us.

Personally, I believe that a Christmas gift is a token gift however I have been challenged on this matter and yes, I must agree that there are a few people in one’s life that you do sometimes go completely blank for because you cannot possibly buy them another perfume this Christmas as well. It seems a bit too easy. 

Adding to the list of my obsessive compulsive disorders, I also believe that gift giving should not be only for those with lots of money so when choosing these lists, I drove myself proper crazy ensuring that a pair of shoes can be bought for lots of money and also by those on a budget, so when you read “shoes,” don’t think but from where and what? Just remember I was not privy to your bank account. That decision you need to make and remember your wallet will direct you to that shop! The most important part of this list is the bit where I have tried to include everyone so no matter what the price tag, I’ve got you covered. 

Finding the right Christmas gift for the people on your list can be a tad trying but it’s fun to surprise them with gifts they may not have thought of like a yoga mat or a cool blender. 

My list includes cool Christmas gifts for tweens and adults alike, as is there a difference now really? These ideas are designed to enhance your lifestyle and provide practicality for you and your family. 

I tried to include many of the local designers but costs proved the biggest problem here, which is another reason why local retailing should seriously consider price point. I have given special mention to The Body Shop and to Spa Ceylon as I fully believe that those products are well within an affordable mark for the quality it offers. 

My biggest excitement for the season was MINSO, a Japanese gadget store housed in the Kandy City Centre. This shop was so brilliant and so full of little items which could be picked up for as little as Rs. 180, what better deal for a little quality gadget and certainly knocks the socks off all the Chinese rubbish we get at this price mark. 

My number one position goes to ‘Bellissima,’ a simple dessert but unique gift idea of an extremely original dessert which comes in many flavours, however I have crowned the chocolate biscuit pudding the Queen of the lot! 

Dush Ratnayake, the man behind this creation, has also made life easy for us by selling gift cards, so you don’t need to carry the bottles with you to the party you are invited for as you may put the host to shame with this dessert and upsetting some aunty is not a very nice thing to do during the season no matter how good your intentions are. 

There are a few more cute ideas (not included in pictures) like movie tickets, paying someone’s phone bill and getting them a one-month gym membership to get them going.

Finally, remember, the thought of a gift should come from the heart and not your wallet so try to pass on your blessings to the less fortunate by finding out if they need anything, even something small. 

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas and a blessed, blessed New Year!