Christmas Supplement: Made in Shanghai Gift Guide

by Sophie Friedman

"Made in China" may have negative connotations, but these six gift picks are all proudly made in Shanghai, designed and built by people who call the city home.

See & Speak
With Fridge Lingo’s magnets and your dexterous index finger, you can get your toilet bowl sparkling, snag some tail at Muse and order dumplings all without opening your mouth. The magnets are available in three sets: Talking to your Ayi, Sex in the City, and Food, Glorious Food.

RMB 88. Web: www.fridgelingo.com

Ringing Ears

American-born Chinese designer Kimberly Wong's designs are handcrafted in her Shanghai-based studio from found objects. There are dainty and dangly options, but our pick is this brass flower set, enormous and eye-catching, a statement piece to brighten up your all-black ensemble.

RMB 200. Web: www.cukimber.com

Hang Ups

Shanghai-based artists Nini Sum and Gregor Koerting crank out colourful, budget-friendly limited edition screenprints, posters, tote bags and T-shirts, including "Rabbit Year in Shanghai - Sunset Version", a 35-edition print that the pair designed for 2011, the Year of the Rabbit.

RMB 300. Room 302, Building 2, 962 Changle Lu. Web: http://idlebeats.com

Write on
American graphic designer and artist Amanda Pickens draws inspiration for her cheeky stationary from the cute and bizarre food items one finds in Asia. Our favorite are those featuring skewered street food, adorably printed on creamy cardstock in soft colours. RMB 25-40. Web: www.artwoodlane.blogspot.com

Sounds of Shanghai

Commissioned by The Park Hyatt Shanghai, this three CD collection (one for each year the hotel has towered over the Pudong skyline) chronicles the fictional relationship of a couple who met at the grand opening – all to the strains of distinctly Shanghai sounds.

RMB 300. Park Hyatt Shanghai, 100 Shiji Dadao. Tel: 6888 1234. Web: http://shanghai.park.hyatt.com

Light Up

Xiangyang Lu lighting store Illudeco handcrafts all its delicate lanterns in a studio behind its retail space.  Those looking to brighten up their apartments would do well with a table lamp with bases made from solid wood and shades available in silk and elm.

RMB 600-2,000. Rm. 1, Lane 450, Xiangyang Nan Lu. Tel: 6471-8137. Web: illudeco.com