Last-Minute Christmas Gifts from Local Creators and Brands

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I’ve always found that when it comes to Christmas presents, people tend to fall into one of two categories: either they have everything done and dusted by August or they spend the last few days before Christmas frantically scouring the stores for something (anything!) that family and friends will like. And we get it, there’s enough going on at this time of year without having to think about presents. Luckily, there are plenty of local creators and brands who are still shipping out orders, and if you get yours in ASAP, you should receive your gifts before Christmas (although be sure to check with them at the time of ordering). Below are a few of our favorites.

For the keen yogi:
Taozi Yoga class passes

Give the gift of yoga with a class pass to one of our favorite Beijing yoga communities, Taozi Yoga. They’ve recently moved into a beautiful new studio in International Wonderland, so this is the perfect time to get into a regular practice with them. Purchase via Taozi Yoga’s WeChat account (scan the QR code on the poster above) and receive a complimentary gift certificate customization.

For the budding mixologist:
Laiba bottled cocktails

Whether you’ve got a friend who fancies themself a bartender or just likes a good drink, Laiba’s “bar in a bottle” concept is a great way to celebrate the festive season. The Shanghai-based company has curated a signature selection of premixed cocktails from some of China’s best bars and bartenders, all of which can be ordered online and delivered straight to your door anywhere in China. Purchase via their website (laibabeverages.com) or via the webshop (in English) on their official WeChat account (WeChat ID: LAIBA_Beverages). Delivery is from Shanghai and takes about 1-3 days.

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For the friend that’s fallen in love with Beijing:
Liuba Draws prints, calendars, and more

If you have ever been to a bazaar or craft market in Beijing then you have probably seen Liuba Draws’s colorful products. Her illustrations are a true celebration of Beijing, from the massive skyscrapers of the CBD to the small details of everyday life in the hutongs. Order via her WeChat store (access via QR code below), where you will find prints, calendars, keychains, magnets, and more. If you have any issues with the WeChat store, add Liuba on WeChat: liubatje.

For fans of kitchsy and cute Beijing memorabilia:
Gifts from the Palace Museum

In one of the savviest moves we’ve seen any cultural institution make, a few years ago the Palace Museum (aka the Forbidden City) launched a full-blown e-commerce offering on Taobao, with literally dozens of different types of gifts inspired by the palace’s history and architecture — even stick-on nails! We particularly love the gifts inspired by the many cats that make the museum their home, like the adorable mugs pictured above. To find the store, simply copy-paste “故宫官方旗舰店” (gùgōng guānfāng qíjiàn diàn, official shop of the Palace Museum) into Taobao.

For home cooks that need a helping hand:
A foodie gift box from FeedHer

Kitchen responsibilities can get a bit overwhelming at this time of year, particularly for cooks who aren’t that confident, so why not get a gift that takes some of the stress out of cooking? FeedHer creates easy meal kits for a range of tasty dishes, each stocked with all the dry ingredients and spices you need to make a specific dish. Their festive food gift box includes the making for dishes like biryani and dahl curry. Scan the QR code on the poster to order.

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Images: Unsplash, courtesy of the brands

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