25 December,2022 09:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Team SMD
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Your Christmas clothes are ironed, the bells and jingles are in order, and you are ready to visit your friends and tuck in some cake. But with all things festive, comes last-minute panic. Spreading festive cheer takes hard work. Sunday mid-day has put together a unique last-minute gifting guide for those of you who can't wait for the courier to arrive.
There is truly a Starbucks around every corner in Mumbai now. Be it the western suburbs, or eastern, the coffee shop is well stacked with merchandise. You can sip on their festive Crunchy Red Hat Mocha as you browse through the stands for a last-minute gift. Since the merchandise, like everything at Starbucks, is pricey, we will suggest you get this cute Christmas tumbler (Rs 1,200 onwards), that is red, double-wall plastic insulated, and comes with a silicone lid seal. It's ideal for both hot (black coffee to carry to work), or cold (cold brew) and will surely appease any family member, secret Santa receiver, and even your better half.
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To buy: All Starbucks outlets
When all the kids are waiting for their socks to be full of gifts, a bright red stocking must be the first gift. Crosswords has a range of Christmas specials (R250 onwards), including books and jigsaw puzzles of characters from Xmas tales, activity bags and themed stickers, but also stockings to hang so Santa knows where to leave the gifts for those who have been nice. Place your presents in this one to make it look like it came straight out of Santa's sack.
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To buy: All Crosswords store
The Greenturtle store has a lot on offer kiddies this festive season. The DIY clay stick-ons (R349) that come in different shapes of Santa, snowman, reindeer and tree, can be easily put together by a three-year-old kid and add cheer to your home decor. The store also has 10-in-one ball pens (R99) that come decorated with Xmas motifs. It's for those who like to show off quirky stationery. Xmas themed card games (R399) are goof to take along on the end-of-year family getaway.
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To buy: Shop No 3,
Four Bungalows signal, Andheri West
If you are short on ideas but need something cute without burning a hole in your pocket, Miniso is the place to head to. We like their red mugs (R99 onwards) that are perfect for hot chocolate nights. They also have tiny Christmas cards and cute pink hair towels, which look like a stuffed toy when wrapped around. Perfect for the kiddies.
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To buy: Miniso in Thane, Borivli, Colaba, Lokhandwala, Ghatkopar, Kurla, Goregaon
The ZARA festive collection is making the rounds of Reels, but we prefer its competitor. H&M's collection of knitted Xmas-themed jumpers with polar bears, and âLet It Snow' tags.
For those who like their trinkets, check out their studs in adorable glittery Christmas tree, Santa, snowflakes and reindeer designs. The hoops have charms in the shape of baubles and bells. A pack of six earrings is priced at Rs 799 and the hoops at Rs 399.
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To buy: H&M stores
Isn't winter the season to have long, warm showers? And when you come out smelling of roses, what's not to like? Bath & Body Works' festive collection (R599 onwards) features a red bottle of cotton candy champagne shower gel, a white jar of vanilla bean Noel body cream and a red winter candy apple body scrub.
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To buy: BBW at Viviana Mall, Thane, Inorbit Road, Malad, Inorbit Mall, Vashi
The Christmas tree or Araucaria heterophylla is intrinsic to the year-end festivities. We found this quirky planter (R1,295), which will fit in a corner of your home, at the window sill or at your work table. This one is for all ages.
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To buy: Chumbak stores
Where do old songs from the US go to die? To Goan Catholic homes and parties," says author Jerry Pinto in the introduction to Indian Christmas, an anthology of essays, memories and hymns on the celebration of the festival closer home. We can't help but agree, given that Jim Reeves' Christmas songs continue to be a recurring feature in Goan homes every year. Add Boney M and ABBA to the mix, not your American bands, but still very much an Indian thing. This new collection edited by Pinto and Madhulika Liddle, has contributions from across India - memories by Priti David, Patricia Mukhim, Nirupama Dutt, among others. This is also that kind of gift that one can never go wrong with, especially today. Priced at Rs 699.
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To buy: Leading bookstores
Everyone loves fairy lights and if they come inside a cute wine bottle, even better. These battery-operated fairy light bottles are being sold cheap near Crawford Market, and come in a range of shapes and sizes, with corks. You can place them on a side table, or hang them by the window. You can get them at R250 onwards for
a pair.
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To buy: Lohar Chawl, Crawford Market
