Christmas is coming up soon and what says you care other than getting that someone in your life an amazing gift. Buying someone a handmade gift can be a great and unique gift that’s different.
So what would be something memorable, unique and made with love? This could be as simple as handmade accessories or gifts, or something even more elaborate that puts other handmade gifts to shame.
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Usually, handmade gifts refer to those you make yourself, but if you’re anything like me, you probably have no clue how to make something that anyone in their right mind would love. That’s why we thought it would be a great idea to put together some handmade gift ideas that you can actually purchase and is made with the same love and care by those with amazing skills.
Why choose a handmade gift?
There are plenty of reasons to go the homemade route when it comes to gifts, and these include wanting your gifts to be more meaningful because rather than something mass-produced, these are made with love and care.
While they might not all be artisanal products, it does have a special feeling of getting something that was made with love and care.
If you’re buying it in Southeast Asia, there is also the added benefit of having some of the best and unique craftsmanship in the world. From amazing batik dresses, sculptures, paintings to funky pop art and more. There is a variety of choices that you may not be aware of.
To help you pick the best handmade gifts in Southeast Asia for your loved ones, we put together a list of shops and retailers that you can get amazing handmade gifts that show how much you care.
Buy artisanal handmade fashion from all over Southeast Asia
From tote bags to batik dresses, Dia Guild has a lot of amazing local fashion from designers all over Southeast Asia. Founded by three Malaysian friends, the brand is an online platform selling Southeast Asian fashion and accessories.
Their curation of fashion and homeware show that goods from the region are not just mass-produced or at the expense of workers’ rights, as the portrayal has long been. Instead, independent brands and artisans are contemporising craftsmanship while employing slow and ethical production.
Some of our favourites are:
- Crane Tote, which retails at USD 150. This bag was handmade by a working mother Shirley Ong, who carefully sources vintage obi and kimono silks from Japan. The wooden handle on this tote adds an elegant touch to this handmade gift.
- Batik Chiffon Silk Shawl In Pink, retails at USD 240 and was made by Cebu artisans, who painstakingly painted the scarf using the canting method where wax is applied to the cloth and colour is gently applied using soft brush strokes.
Go fun, quirky and cat-themed at Cat Socrates in Singapore
Cat Socrates has both a retail and online presence and they ship internationally (COVID has made it a bit difficult, so do check with them first). This is a unique and fun indie treasure trove that is full of gifts, books, stationery, toys, trinkets and more, from all over Asia.
They also stock some awesome lifestyle goods by local designers in Singapore. They are also known for their in-house cat that lounges in their retail stores. It is a great place to buy something fun that is a perfect handmade gift for your friend or loved one.
Some of our favourites include:
- Handmade wooden card case, which retails at USD 29. Every piece of wood was personally selected and went through the process of hand cutting, drilling, grinding, waxing.
- Dangle earrings from clear relief glass, which retails at USD 40. Each piece is handmade by European artist Yuliya Kvarta.
Celebrate Filipino culture with Buklod Crafts
This is a 25-year-old family-run business that celebrates the uniqueness of Filipino culture. Though they only provide their handmade products to the local market, it is a truly amazing handmade gift for anyone who is moving house or looking to get great looking storage.
Their baskets are handmade by local world-class artisans in the Philippines. The best part is that each of the products is truly unique, so whatever you buy, you know is just for you.
One of our favourites is:
- The square hamper with the liner, which retails at the affordable price of USD 30. This is handmade by local weavers and each one is unique.
Explore local Filipino fashion with Narra studio
Narra Studio was started by a Filipino American artist and non-profit museum director of design who grew up in New York City. The products are handmade by traditional artisans, and indigenous communities throughout The Philippines and aims to provide them with a new customer base and a place to share their work in the U.S and internationally.
Each product is made with care and dedication using traditional techniques that are environmentally sustainable. Just looking through their social media gives you a ton of handmade gift ideas that would be ideal for any season.
Our favourites include:
- Tboli fern ring, which is USD 49. This upcycled brass ring is handmade by Tboli artisans in Lake Sebu, Cotabato, Philippines
- Handwoven Visayan patadyong, which retails for USD 89. Patadyong are traditional garments that can be worn as dresses, skirts, trousers, capes, and more.
Explore Indonesian handmade gifts with Clerci
They are a social enterprise that provides handmade products from Indonesia, including Bali, Java, Lombok and more. Their products include pillowcases, yantra flags, household items and ornaments. The handmade crafts are made and shipped from Bali.
The products are all handmade by local artisans and make amazing handmade gifts for your loved ones.
Some of our favourites include:
- Bohemian leather wallet, which retails at USD 95. This is lovingly handmade by talented leathersmiths using the finest leather in endless tan, the Sahara Wallet makes the perfect bohemian accessory to keep your valuables safe.
- Men’s ethnic leather waist bag, which is USD 160. Made by the same artisans, the leather bag is shipped all over the world from Bali.
Have we missed out on anything? Let us know in the comments and we’ll give it a look to see if it deserves a spot on our list.
