Ever been in a situation where you needed to buy a Singapore souvenir for visiting friends and family and you couldn’t think of what to get? Or you have expat friends who are moving out of Singapore and you want to gift them something meaningful to remember the Little Red Dot?
Don’t worry, I got you covered! Here’s a comprehensive list of local stores where you’re bound to find something suitable for your gifting needs!
Home/Lifestyle
- Photophactory - One of my favorite go-to websites for finding gifting items! The brand offers purses and home decor pieces (such as tray sets and coasters) which capture the quintessential parts of Singapore, such as the batik print, Perenakan design, and the unmistakeable skyline.
- I love This City - This online website offers curated paintings, sketches, and photography from different cities and brings their essence to your home. You can check out their page on Singapore and find unique and affordable artworks from recognizable neighborhoods around town (like the Joo Chiat shophouses, etc).
- Cat Socrates - This charming boutique with locations in Joo Chiat and Tiong Bahru is full of cute and unique Singaporean gifting items - think coffee table books about Singapore, coasters and magnets with funny or irreverent Singlish terms, cards, puzzles, and trays/plates with a Singaporean design. A must visit!
- Singapore Visitor Center - There are different locations around town and here you’ll find a combination of vintage items (Perenakan style teapots) and more modern gifting pieces (Merlion stuffies, local card games and books) designed for tourists.
- National Gallery Gift Shop - Great for gifting coffee table books and other stationary type of knick-knacks that are local in flavor.
- Independent Market - Quirky and fun, Independent Market has tons of curated Singaporean products and brands, including artwork by local artists, cushions and magnets featuring local dishes or Singlish terms, books, etc.
- Em + Co Art - Colorful and whimsical art, tea towels, and gifting cards that capture the tropical vibe of Singapore and the classic shophouses
- The Creative Hut - This watercolor artist has converted some of her best pieces into gifting pieces, such as a fabric hardbound journal and linen sets, that capture Singapore’s lust tropical flora and fauna
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| One of the many books you'll find at Cat Socrates or at Independent Market |
Women
- Design Orchard - A retails space on Orchard Road which spotlights Singapore's local designers and homegrown brands - be it clothes, jewelry, scarves, or other trinkets, you will find some creative pieces here (note: the items here are on the expensive side)
Kids
- Times Junior (at Jewel Changi) - With merchandise ranging from books, toys, stationery, gifts and accessories - including a dedicated selection of children’s books by Singapore authors
- DrawnBy Jessica - These washable silicone mats with magic markers are a great gifting idea for the little ones. There is one specifically with the Singapore skyline which makes it an apt souvenir!
- Indigrow Kids - Check out their cultural book called A to Z of Singapore. It’s perfect for toddlers and up
Food
- Bengawan Solo - I love to gift Bengawan’s local treats and cookies (almond cookies, pineapple tarts, sugee cookies, etc) which come in beautifully decorated tin boxes. They last well too so you can easily pack and carry them in your suitcase to gift them to your friends and family on the other side
- Irvin’s - This Singaporean snack brand is famously known for its addictive Salted Egg Fish Skin Chips. They’ve been a hit whenever I’ve taken then for colleagues and friends. You can easily find stores in the city as well as at the airport.
- Kaya Jam - It is synonymous with the local breakfast and it's oh-so-good! This coconut-based jam is meant to be spread it on your toast and it's delish! You can find it anywhere but if you're looking for a nice packaging, check out Raffles Hotel Signature Kaya Jam.
- Tanglin Gin & Brass Lion Gin - Both are local gin distilleries in Singapore that make good quality gin in different flavors. What’s more, they come packaged in beautiful bottles! Be sure to try Brass Lion’s Butterfly Pea Gin which changes color upon adding soda or tonic (it’s one of my faves).
