Gift giving is turning into an imperfect art. Many roam from store to store, mentally debating whether the single item they choose will be cherished or banished into a closet. Luckily for us, local merchants have the perfect solution: custom gifts. Shanghai expat Min Joo Shin is a proponent of customized gifts. “I give gifts I know a person will like,” she says, “the more personal the better.”
This is exactly what you get at the Mai Ou Bakery, a creative heaven for sweet lovers. This bakery specializes in designing and customizing cakes for all occasions. “Most people bring a photo for us to put on their cake. Our digital photocake is our most popular item,” explains manager Chen Yu Lee. “We use a special printer that prints in edible ink, so it’s perfectly safe to eat.” An eight inch cake goes for RMB180, and for a larger party, RMB448 will get you a 16 inch cake. Place orders at least two days in advance.
Sofapop is a great alternative for home decorating aficionados. The shop lets you customize sofa and cushion cases, wall furnishings and even curtains. Sofapop uses state-of-the-art printing technology, Digitex, to print stunning colors that won’t rub or wash off. Prices range from RMB95-8,855.
For people who love a challenge, Renoir Puzzles is another great option. The store turns any of your pictures into a puzzle, for a gift that not only is unforgettable but also entertaining. If your lucky recipient is a beginning puzzler, bring in two pictures for two puzzles made up of 108 pieces for RMB160. For more of a challenge, try the 300-piece puzzle for RMB300 or a 500-piece puzzle for RMB360.
Finally, in the basement of Dragon Gate Mall, there is Papaya Yamazaki, a store filled with interesting notebooks (RMB95), postcards (RMB10 per card) and planners (RMB95), all designed by owner Mango Lee herself. “I loved designing all of these items and helping people choose the covers that they want for their notebooks,” she happily explains. These notebooks are perfect for budding artists, but great for anyone who loves to write.
Although finding the perfect gift takes a lot of time and effort, with your own custom made present in hand, giving a heartfelt present has never been this easy.
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