Christmas Supplement
Talk' s Christmas Gift Guide
Stuck for what to buy that special somebody in your life? Talk has you covered with gift ideas for even the most difficult of people to buy for.
For The Fashion Maven
It’s the tome that launched a thousand copycat fashion biographies. The ultimate coffee table book for fashion lovers, Tom Ford tells the story of one of the fashion world’s greatest icons, and includes contributions from quite a number of other fashion icons – including Anna Wintour and Graydon Carter. First released in 2008, when the former creative head of Gucci had announced he was quitting fashion to direct movies, (he has returned to fashion with his namesake label in the intervening years) it was meant to be Ford’s swansong, but is now a sought after collectors item for fashion fans around the world. Price: RMB 900. 10 Corso Como, North Annex, Wheelock Square 1717 Nanjing Xi Lu, near Tongren Lu. Web: www.10corsocomo.com
For The Gagdet Loving Geek
They might already have the newest iPhone and a big, old bulky iPad lying around collecting dust, but that’s no reason for the gadget devotee not to desire the latest in techy goodness from Apple. The new iPad Air is sure to have them drooling with its lightweight (less than a pound), exterior encasing a host of features, including the much-hyped 9.7 inch Retina display – to make photos and movies look exceptionally clear.
Price: From RMB 3,558 (16G) up to RMB 5,688 (128G). Apple Store, Hong Kong Plaza, 282 Huai Hai Lu, near Huangpi Bei Lu. Web: store.apple.com/cn
For The Heavy Metal Madame
Shanghai-based jewellery designer, Josie Chen, sure knows how to wow with her chunky, statement necklaces, often infused with a rock’n’roll feel. This ‘English Heritage Inspired Necklace’ is no different, with hematite and silver strands co-mingling with beaded accents to make quite the holiday talking point indeed.
Price: RMB 850. XinleLu Showroom, 87 Wuyuan Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu; XinleLu Boutique, 414 Shaanxi Bei Lu, near Beijing Xi Lu. Web: www.xinlelu.com
For The Gamer Boy (Or Girl)
With China recently lifting its 13 year ban on gaming consoles (for companies that register within Shanghai’s Free Trade Zone) the time is ripe for Chinese sales of newly released consoles, including the PS4 and Xbox One to be even more freely available than they already are at Shanghai’s grey market electronics malls. Reviews comparing the consoles heavily favour the PS4, which should be popping up in Shanghai any day now. Price: TBC. With the closure of the Xiangyang Lu electronics market and renovations underway at the Huahai Lu electronics market, your best bet for Christmas game console shopping is probably Xujiahui, which has multiple electronics malls, including Metro City.
1,111 Zhaojiabang Lu, near Tianyaoqiao Lu.
For The Wannabe Chef
We don’t know that anyone really needs a Thermomix, but talk to any foodie friends who have one and they will quickly have you convinced that you’ve been living without this counter-top wizard for far too long. The Thermomix TM31 minces, chops, purees, weighs, stirs, grates, grinds, blends, cooks and simmers; in fact, it does the work of at least twelve kitchen devices and practically cleans itself when food preparation is done – making it a bonus Christmas present for ayi.
Price: RMB 12,000. Vorwerk Household Appliances Co. Ltd. 9F, Vorwerk Plaza, 1,768 Yishan Lu, Minhang. Web: www.vorwerk.com
For The Well-Heeled Woman
If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, the way to a woman’s (okay, maybe it’s just this woman’s heart) is through her feet, by way of a beautiful pair of heels, preferably in red. These sexy suede pumps in ruby red by Shanghai-based label, Mary Ching, should do the trick nicely. Part of the brand’s ‘Chinese Whispers’ autumn/winter collection, they are designed right here in Shanghai, but made in Italy. Price: RMB 4,000. Mary Ching, Ferguson Lane, Shop 106, 376 Wukang Lu, near Tai’an Lu. Web: www.mary-ching.com
To Warm Someone's Wardrobe
Give someone you love – or even just like a lot – the gift of superstylish, warm and well-priced cashmere from Philippe Le Bac this Christmas. They have hats, gloves, scarfs and ready-to-wear lines – made for high-end French and Italian fashion brands, but sold at wholesale price under their own label here in Shanghai. Lucky us! Price: Beanies from RMB 190, Down jackets up to RMB 3,350. Philippe Le Bac, 273 Huangpi Bei Lu, near JW Mariott and Shanghai Art Museum, plus many other locations around town.
For Your Favorite Four-Legged Friend
If you have a puppy love of your life that you would like to treat this Christmas, head to one of Mignon Boutique’s three locations for spa treatments and gorgeous outfits galore. Not to mention a range of yummy dog treats for your puppy to munch on while the humans go to town on turkey.
Price: From RMB 50 per piece. Mignon Boutique, 408 Changping Lu, near Shanxi Bei Lu; 646 Biyun Lu, near Yun Shan Lu; Room 103, 2 Lyon Garden, 60 East Ronghua Avenue, near Shuicheng Nan Lu.
For A Sweet Smelling Sweetheart
Atelier Cologne is newly available in Shanghai and it is, quite simple, fantastic. A world away from the synthetic scents being pushed by celebrities the world over, this brand celebrates the traditional ingredients of cologne, combined with high concentrations of essential oils. A full eight hours after application, the lovely scent will still noticeably linger.
Price: RMB 1,000 and up. Lane Crawford, Shanghai Times Square, 99 Huaihai Zhong Lu, near Pu’an Lu. Web: www.fresh.com
Wrap It Up
Once you’ve bought all of those lovely gifts for your nearest and dearest, you are going to have to wrap them up in something. We recommend wrapping paper from Paper Tiger Shanghai, whose Chinese inspired designs manage to combine both a traditional and contemporary feel. As an added bonus, this brand prints on 100 per cent recycled paper with soybased ink.
RMB 15 (per 85x60cm roll). the Squirrelz. Eco Village, Building 10, 485 Fenglin Lu, near Zhong Shan Nan Er Lu. Web: www.thesquirrelz.com
Deck Your Home With The Christmas Spirit
Yuyuan Bazaar
Brush up on your bargaining before venturing to Yu Gardens – this is a great place to get items on the cheap. They have everything from tinsel, ribbon, fake snow, lights, faux pine trees to wooden carved reindeer and dancing Santas.
Yuyuan Bazaar. 137 Anren Jie, near Fuyou Lu
Ikea
Stock up on fake trees (RMB 450), wrapping paper and decorations, as well as the containers in which to store them year-round. It’s best to do your holiday shopping early because items fly off the shelves quickly. Ikea. Multiple locations around town.
126 Caoxi Lu, near Sanhui Lu. Web: www.ikea.com
Carrefour
The French big box store has been catering to expat needs in Shanghai for years and Christmas is no different. Fake trees here start at RMB 100 and ornaments, wreaths and lights are all reasonably priced. The Gubei branch has the most goodies for one-stop shopping. Carrefour. Multiple locations around town. Gubei Carrefour. 268 Shuicheng Nan Lu, near Yan’an Xi Lu
Rosa Gallica
This pretty little flower shop is a popular choice come December for Christmas trees (the real kind) of varying sizes and provenances. Dongbei firs are priced from RMB 650 and their American counterparts will set you back RMB 1,300 plus. The hefty price tag is almost worth it to have your Shanghai abode smell just like Christmas.
Rosa Gallica. Ferguson Lane, 376 Wukang Lu, near Tai’an Lu. Tel: 2821 2241
Party Stores
Holiday House is overflowing with Christmas knick-knacks, ornaments and decorations – and if you want to dress as Santa this year, they have costumes too! Their fake trees are reasonable at RMB 99 – RMB 220. If Holiday House doesn’t have everything you are looking
for, check out Ruby’s Party, which has two stories of festive bits and bobs to sift through.
Holiday House. 1,188 Fanyu Lu, near Kaixuan Lu. Tel: 5119 1310; Ruby’s Party, 3,333 Hongmei Lu, near Huaguang Lu. Tel: 6401 6323
DIY Christmas Dinner
Christmas in Shanghai can be tough for expat ‘orphans’ stuck in the city over the holiday period and far from family and friends. If you’re looking for a way to recapture that traditional Christmas dinner you remember from home, but not sure where to start, here are a few tips to get going.
The first thing that folks look out for when they are planning a Christmas ‘do’ is the bird (and not the rude kind employed by cranky motorists). If you want to cook your own, you can get a frozen Norbest turkey delivered to your door from City Shop for RMB 429 if you don’t feel like venturing out. Web: www.cityshop.com.cn If, like most people in Shanghai, you don’t have an oven or just can’t be bothered with such extreme DIY, then you might be looking for a more cooked version of a turkey. The BLOCK butcher shop at the Kerry Hotel has a holiday turkey-to-go deal with hampers including a whole fire-roasted turkey, honey-roasted sweet and baby potatoes, festive cookies, minced pies, and a bottle of wine. The first 30 people to order will also get 20 per cent off. Christmas Turkey pick-up/delivery is available from 10 to 26 December. Turkeys are RMB 880, and hampers for six to eight people are available from RMB 1,180. The BLOCK. 2/F, 1388 Huamu Rd, near Fangdian Lu. Tel: 6169 8886 or 6169 8884.
Our pick for the easiest way to have Christmas dinner at home has to be Party On Catering, who deliver roast turkey (RMB 980 for a 6 to 6.5 kilogram bird complete with gravy and cranberry sauce), maple glazed boned ham (RMB 950, serves 12), and roasted beef strip loin (RMB 659 for one kilogram) as well as trimmings such as chestnut stuffing, creamed green beans, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie, and more – all delivered to your door piping hot. A 15 per cent discount is available if you have ordered through Party On before, or get organised and order at least 14 days in advance. E-mail: [email protected] for a full menu and price list. Another important festive element for any Christmas dinner is the booze and this year it will be easier than ever to have the world of fine wine and spirits at your fingertips. In honour of the Christmas season, M1NT Cellars is having a major 60 per cent off sale, so you can get a great deal on all your festive wine needs. To make it an even better offer, M1NT Cellars also delivers throughout Shanghai for free. Web: www.m1ntcellars.com
Christmas Church Services
St Ignatius Cathedral
Also known as the Xujiahui Cathedral, St. Ignatius was designed by English architect William Doyle and built by the French Jesuits between 1905 and 1910. St Ignatius has a Christmas service in English on 24 December from 10pm and on 25 December at midday St Ignatius Cathedral. 158 Puxi Lu, near Nandan Lu. Tel: 6441 2211
Dongjiadu Lu Catholic Church
Built in early Spanish baroque style in 1853, the gorgeous St Francis Xavier Church, better known as Dongjiadu Lu Church, was the first foreign built church in Shanghai. Dongjiadu Lu Catholic Church has a Christmas mass in English on 24 December, from 8pm, and two on 25 December, one from 10:30am and another starting at 12:30pm. Dongjiadu Lu Catholic Church. 185 Dongjiadu Lu, near Wanyu Jie. Tel: 6378 7214
St. Peter's Church
St Peter's Church, in the heart of Xuhui, was first built in the 1930s as a Byzantine style church with a central dome and five chapels. St. Peter's has a Christmas Eve service in English from 9pm. On Christmas day they have a service in English at 5pm, a German one at 3pm and a Korean one at 6pm. St. Peter's Church. 3/F, 270 Chongqing Nan Lu, near Hefei Lu. Tel: 6467 0199
Non-Denominational
Mu'en Church
The Moore Memorial Church, also known as Mu’en Church, is located on Xizang Lu, across from People's Square. This church was a Christian Church established by American missionaries in 1887 and has built up a local membership that numbers in the thousands since reopening in 1979, after its closure during the Cultural Revolution. Mu’en Church has a "Candle Eve" service on 21 December from 7pm to 9pm, and will have services around Christmas Day, times TBC. All services are in Chinese. Mu'en Church. 316 Xizang Zhong Lu, near Hangkou Lu. Tel: 6322 5069
Protestant
Hengshan Community Church
Shanghai's best-known Protestant church, otherwise known as Guoji Libai Tang or the International Church, Hengshan Community Church was established in 1925 and is popular among expats. Hengshan Community Church has an English Christmas service on 25 December at 11am to 12:30pm, which features a special story time for children Hengshan Community Church. 53 Hengshan Lu, near Wulumuqi Lu. Tel: 6437 6576
