Surefire gifts for woman who is difficult to buy for
If you're lucky, you've got your entire gift list done and dusted. If not, well, no doubt it's because you've got a woman — or three — on your gift list who is incredibly difficult to buy for. Maybe she already seems to own everything that's cool, or maybe she's so particular that your usual gift-giving confidence dwindles when it comes to what she'll like. Either way, the more ideas, the better, right? From fashionable accessories to quirky tchotchkes, Rebecca Tay presents five gift ideas for her this festive season:
BUDGET BUY
We're huge fans of polka dots in any colour combo, and this sweater is the type of gift that just keeps on giving and giving; in fact, don't be surprised if the giftee still loves and wears it regularly in a few years' time. It's versatile yet standout, thanks to a simple, flattering cut and is the perfect pairing for literally everything from jeans and sneakers to a clashing, printed skirt and block heels.
Gap, gapcanada.ca | $84.95
FOR GAMER GALS
Anyone who got through 2020 without downloading or playing a new game on their smartphone deserves a medal. Whether it was Mario Kart, Animal Crossing, Pokémon or Zelda, this was definitely the year of staying in, game faces on. For anyone on your list who really took to this new hobby, a Nintendo Switch might be the perfect gift. Stick it in the dock to play on TV, play with pals using the connected Joy-con controllers, or use it as a hand-held console. Unlike other gaming systems, it hardly takes up any space and you can set it up in a second, so you can bet it'll still be in play long after our social distancing days are behind us.
Nintendo, nintendo.ca | $399.99
NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT
The world of luxury watches is generally considered pretty conservative — lots of old-school heritage companies and not a lot of new names. Which makes just-launched Canadian brand Vieren pretty impressive. Founded by Jessica Chow and Sunny Fong, the fashion designer behind Vawk, Vieren is all about Swiss-made, automatic watches that are timeless yet contemporary and geared to a new generation — one that doesn't need loads of technical lingo to appreciate a luxury watch. The brand's first collection comprises four styles. Our favourite is this super-sleek black diamond version.
Vieren, vieren.co | $3,250
A GOOD CUP PA
Founded in Amsterdam in 1986, Pols Potten is a brand of homeware and design items that are tonguein-cheek and stylish in a nonchalant, “what, this old thing?” way. Case in point: this `Teapot Grandpa,' which is cool, charming and the ultimate talking point piece to pull out when you have friends over.
Secret Location, secretlocation.ca | $160
TEDDY BEAR BAG
There's no shortage of environmentally aware fashion brands out there, but that doesn't mean we're not happy to discover another one. Milan-based Themoirè is the latest on our radar, thanks to its exclusive use of biodegradable, recycled and regenerated materials for its bags and packaging. This `Bios' faux shearling convertible clutch-cumshoulder bag, which also features the brand's signature hemp lining, is the perfect gift for the fashion lover looking for brands that don't sacrifice form, function or the environment over style.
Holt Renfrew, holtrenfrew.com | $395