The goods news is that in Phuket the choices are endless. The plethora of romantic dinners, getaway resort holidays, spa treatments and other delights that people from the world over travel here to enjoy are within easy reach and make perfect gifts, especially for those who live and work here.
Getting that extra-special gift might take a little more organising, but here’s where more good news lies in store, as the hugely diverse range of expats, retirees and longstay tourists on the island means that there is hardly a thing on the planet that you can’t ask a friend or friend of a friend – to source and send over, so you can give it to your loved one for Christmas.
The list of most popular trending gifts changes year after year, but one thing that has remained constant over the past two decades has been tech gadgets and toys, though it’s hard to tell the difference these days. In this, tipped to be among the likely favourites locally available are iPhone 6s and 6s Plus abound, from B26,500 to B38,500, or the comparable Google Nexus 6 at B23,500.
But looking farther afield opens your gift options immeasurably. Is it a camera they wanted? Why bother, when you can just buy an SLR mount that adds a high-quality lens to an iPhone for $175, delivering professional-quality photos straight onto their phone.
Upping the ante into the “extra special” category are gifts the likes of which some are already in Phuket, from a Pebble watch all the way to an aqua jet pack, but others will need that special order. Rocketing up the sales charts for sci-fi tech freaks this year is one the most improbable, but not impossible, tech gadgets: lightsabers. Yes, they are real, just a little bit safer than the Jedi version and fairly reasonably priced starting at $100.
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Another favourite this year, just as fun but more dangerous, is the “pyro mini”. Designed for magicians to cast flames from their wrists as part of their performance, the pyro mini is fast becoming a hot favourite gift, with the latest USB-charged version being able to launch up to 600 touch paper-ignited flames up more than 10 metres. Serious fun, if you don’t get burned.
For the more down are all the classic homely gifts – candles, incense, books all the way down to novelty socks – but this year, why not spice things up a little? Instead of War and Peace, try The Complete Far Side. Yes, the great Gary Larson comic compilation lives on, even in a box set for $60.
If food and reading are required, why not combine them with “A History of Food”. Described as “Equal parts cooking manual and novel, author William Sitwell from the BBC explores the evolution of food culture, from the first cookbook to the invention of the sandwich. A simple yet
richly told story that can be enjoyed in and out of the kitchen,” this filling page-turner is on Amazon for $25. If that doesn’t cut it, how about food dice, just $3.50.
Watches and jewellery tend to top the “personalised” gifts, but in Phuket we have probably the most overlooked ideal “This is you” gift available – and you can get it in Patong. Most expats on the island know of the collection of artists at the southern end of the town, but very few take advantage of them.
So this year, why not go and get a family or individual portraits done. If need be, these artists are renowned for creating impressive recreations from just a photo.
But as all these gift ideas swirl around in your mind, don’t forget the most valuable gift of all…
Time.
Go camping, visit an island, read a book together or have a food fight at a romantic restaurant – anything that shows how much you truly appreciate that special person just being part of your life and tell them how much you cherish the time you spend together.
After all, that is the very spirit of Christmas.
Merry Christmas to one and all!