Christmas Shopping Guide #1 - The Cute Ones

Buying a Christmas gift goes beyond mere shopping. It's an art. 

The art of finding a gift that hasn't been presented before throughout the course of the year to the same loved one/ friend. The art of finding a gift that looks fitting for a 'Merry Christmas!' card to accompany it. And of course, in the local context, the art of getting the best deal! We are no experts ourselves but hopefully, this series will help you add some finishing moves (or buys, rather) to your festive shopping frenzy.  

To kick-start it all, we bring you into the enchanted segment of our resort - Universal Studios Singapore.  

The Cute Ones

Key challenge for this category of gifts: evoke an "awwwww" from receiver.

UNDER $10

 These caught our eyes even before we saw the price tag. Love how the DreamWorks stars like Shrek and Princess Fiona are carved out in various shapes and sizes, and attached to pens. Perfect gifts for mass distribution (especially those volunteer Santas at kids parties) and they look great even without a wrapper!

'Awwwww' factor: 3/5

Spotted at: Star Characters, Universal Studios Store (Can be found at That's a Wrap near USS entrance too)

    

End The Year With A Bang!

Here are a few updates as 2010 draws to a close.

A Gift That Will Last (... for a year at least)

Share the festive joy this Christmas with a bang! Get your loved ones Universal Studios Singapore (USS) Annual Pass Gift Certificates and send them on a year of fun.

The Season of Giving

It's the time of the year again! Streets evolve into varying shades of Christmas, lit up by an explosion of light bulbs. Shopping centres start playing (sometimes nauseating) festive favourites like Jingle Bells and Silent Night with the occasional shopper humming along. 

But what stands out most about Christmas is it being the season of GIVING. To the recipients, joy abounds. To the giver, it often translates into a mad rush of gift-hunting! If the latter describes you, fret no more:)

In the next few weeks leading up to Christmas, we will be recommending a series of one-of-a-kind gifts we've scouted for throughout the resort to stop all your hair-pulling, agonizing gift list forming process.

So watch this space for the best deals to share the festive joy this Christmas!

Check out our website too to find out how else you can catch the magic of Christmas at the resort.

Valentino, Retrospective: The Stars

" The work of Valentino is timeless..."

- Christian Biecher, architect for the Valentino, Retrospective exhibition

There are kings, and then there are Kings. Valentino Clemente Ludovico Garavani, better known simply as Valentino has been called many things. Famous for his Valentino SpA line of designer wear, he is perhaps as equally recognised for his extensive art collection as well as his flamboyant lifestyle. So much so that he was said to be one of the kings of high living.

That aside, through his 50-year career, the notion of trend was never of concern to Valentino Garavani. That didn't equate to old-school. In contrary, the Italian haute couture designer's one-of-a-kind use of volume, line, texture and recurring motifs birthed his own signature series of exotic gowns which have been hailed exquisite and timeless.