Our Top Five Singapore Inspired Gift Ideas for Any Occasion
2 june 2021
As a proud Singaporean, I take great care in curating the best of the best when it comes to gift ideas that encapsulate the essence of Singapore. From our wooden serving boards sustainably harvested from local mahogany wood, to our best-selling Elephant Parade statuettes, each Singapore gift we sell is a celebration of local craftsmanship, culture and history.
Here are our top five most beloved Singapore gift ideas, and a little bit about what makes each of them a joy to give and to receive.
1. Wooden Mahogany Serving Boards: Our Singapore mahogany wood serving boards are locally and sustainably produced, totally unique, literal slices of Singapore — the quintessential Singapore gift! It’s no wonder we can hardly keep up with demand …after all, how often can you gift a one-of-a-kind treasure that is beautiful, useful, sustainable, and easily packable without breaking the bank? Salvaged from land development exercises and routine maintenance of our luscious green garden city, mahogany is known for its rich brown hue and organic variations in tone. Perfect for serving, chopping, or display, these boards come with “Made with Love in Singapore” stamped on each platter, which you can further personalise with our engraving service. Available in five sizes, from extra small (think lime chopping) to extra large (charcuterie for a crowd), these have become our signature Singapore gift for friends departing the little red dot.
2. Elephant Parade: I love that The Cinnamon Room has become THE Singapore source for all things Elephant Parade, a cause near and dear to my heart. With its goal of supporting elephant welfare and conservation, these are a feel good gift idea that never fails to delight. In fact, we have a special connection to the brand as our showroom is the former studio of artist Diana Francis, who created all of the Singapore elephants. If you’ve been to our showroom, you may have spotted a not so little souvenir she left behind: our own life sized baby elephant. But if it’s a more portable gift idea you are after, our lovely collection makes fabulous gift ideas for teachers, colleagues, or anyone on your list. Available in various sizes, configurations, and colourways, these little charmers brighten any corner of a home and are a brilliant decor accessory, as they introduce whimsy, warm memories, and interest to any room in the house. Featuring artistically rendered Singapore maps lovingly designed to showcase Singapore at various times in history, choose a modern or vintage representation — or go for the ever popular three pack of miniatures, with one of each! Don’t forget the Artbox option, for the creative adult or child. We’ve even seen the artbox done as a group activity at a goodbye party, an idea we love!
3. Cement Coasters: This set of Singapore city map cement coasters consists of four handcrafted grey concrete coasters depicting an overview map of our Marina Bay Area. With a leaflet of the city map and additional information included, this is an ideal Singapore gift for someone who has fond memories of the city or who aspires to visit Singapore. Water resistant with a table top protection cork base, these handsome and sleek coasters do well on a coffee table or on the patio, available in natural cement grey with blue and green accents, or in fresh white or modern grey.
4. Singapore Photo Books: Proudly printed in Singapore, this series of highly visual photo books filled with snapshots of some of Singapore’s favourite destinations such as Joo Chiat, Kampong Glam, and the Botanic Gardens. Go for the complete set, or choose the neighborhood that means something to your gift-ee. Printed on fine, matte paper, these books are small enough to take along as a souvenir and at the same time pleasing to hold with a lovely threaded open spine detail. They make wonderful gift ideas for your friends or loved ones leaving Singapore, and also work wonderfully as decor perhaps to augment a guest bedroom.
5. Art : For a truly special Singapore gift, look no further than our limited edition prints by artist Deborah McKellar of Talking Textiles. These are a to-die-for home accent, which make wonderful group leaving gifts as they come in a range of sizes and at surprisingly affordable price points. Each artwork tells the stories of Singapore, highlighting its rich culture and heritage by showcasing a combination of traditional architecture, auspicious Asian symbols, and the wild flora and fauna that makes Singapore what it is, all fused into uniquely evocative artworks. Each print is made with utmost care and printed in only limited numbers so that you know you are getting something special — the perfect farewell gift idea, if you ask me!
And there you have it: our top five more cherished Singapore gifts. Shop them online, visit our showroom, or drop us a line and we will help arrange the perfect gift for your loved one today!
