Handmade accessories using ribbons and beads from Dongdaemun Shopping Complex make great holiday gifts.
/ Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul |
By Lee Hyo-won, Han Sang-hee, Kwon Mee-yoo, Ines Min
Window displays, sparkling with decorations and artfully matched products, are fiercely competing to catch the attention of passersby. How about moisturizers for your husband to beat the dry spell or a handmade necklace for a girlfriend? Or cute and practical iPad cases might do the trick. Here are a few shopping ideas for those on the prowl for the perfect last-minute buy, whether you’re on a tight budget or willing to splurge.
Bedazzle with accessories
You can never have too many accessories to keep warm or add a little sparkle during the cold season.
Scarves are of course a timeless classic to prepare for wintry windy days. Try Loro Piana’s buttery-soft cashmere scarves and animal lovers should check out Stella McCartney or Lavin’s or Sonia Rykiel’s trendy outfits. Even Kenzo has launched a special knitting kit for its 40th anniversary this fall.
But those looking for something more personal should try their hand at making something yourself. Christmas may be only a week away but it is enough time to knit a scarf. Online mall www.gmarket.com offers a variety of yarn and knitting kits. Love Knit in Hwagok-dong offers knitting lessons, in addition to selling supplies both on and offline (www.loveknit.net).
 You can never go wrong with romantic jewelry. According to Cartier, the demand is higher than ever for its “Love” line during the holidays. You can choose from among an elegantly crafted variety, such as white gold bracelets and rings studded with blue and pink sapphires, purple spinals, amethysts and aquamarines.
Another idea is time pieces. If Cartier is a little out of your price range, Swatch offers practical products in smart designs. A special limited watch collection, Snow Dance, features an ice skating couple inside a snow ball on the dial.
Why not try your hand at making your own bead creation? Head to Dongdaemun Shopping Complex (a.k.a. Dongdaemun General Store, right outside exit 9 of Dongdaemun Station on lines 1 and 4), which offers an assortment of fine ribbons and beads, from pearls of various sizes to colorful metallic ones.
 A myriad of materials are available for those willing to tap into their artistic side. Also merchants might expect you to purchase the materials in large batches since many buyers are accessory designers. If you explain that you’re on your own, most are willing to sell you goods in small quantities.
Feast on design
Parents are notoriously difficult to buy gifts for — what to buy for the people who gave you life?
If you’re stuck in a creative block, try a set of new classy dinnerware to set the mood for the holiday table with Hermes’ bold red-lined designs and elegant table settings.
 The patriotic and seasonal Hankook Chinaware offers a multitude of Christmas-themed sets adorned with wreaths, mistletoe and pine trees. One of the world’s largest tableware manufacturers, the Korean brand offers an economical choice in pairs of seasonal mugs.
Cerawork in Seorae Maeul, or the French Village in southern Seoul, provides a place for creative minds to decorate their own ceramics. Blank dishes and mugs can be painted for a truly original Christmas gift (www.ceraworkstudio.com).
Pamper and protect
 The chilly winds can be harsh when it comes to your skin, so how about offering something to soothe the dryness, while adding a hint of sparkle and color for holiday parties and events?
Local brands such as Innisfree, the Face Shop and Etude House are always good choices for those on a tight budget. Not only are these brands affordable, but they offer high quality products. Innisfree has prepared winter gift sets and also packages including their all-time favorites such as the Green Tea Seed Serum Special set and the Olive Real Power Cream Special set. Etude House is offering its Hello Kitty Mini makeup line and Espoir Mini-me perfumes — cute and simple for anyone who likes cosmetics.
For fancier gifts, check out Acqua di Parma, Mac cosmetics, Bobbi Brown or even Kiehls. Most cosmetic brands are all offering special edition seasonal gifts, such as lipstick sets, eye shadows and perfume. Kiehls has an array of gift sets that include their top sellers, while Mac has come up with a limited edition Tartan line, which are perfect for the Yuletide ambiance.
For men, you can stop by Laneige or Hera for some good deals or splurge on gift sets at Biotherm or Kiehls.
Get stylishly tech-savvy
 The hottest item on this year’s Christmas present list would be tablet computers such as Apple’s iPad and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab.
Luxurious brands offer various designs of cases for tablet PC owners who want to add an elaborate protective touch to their slim gadget. Gucci has three kinds of iPad cases in different materials, while the Louis Vuitton case is covered in its signature monogram pattern and the Damier Graphite, allowing users to carry their tablets in style. Though expensive, these brand-name products are so popular you must put your name on a waiting list and test your patience
For more practical people, Incase has a variety of iPad cases from a simple perforated snap case to an origami sleeve and ultimately the convertible magazine jacket. 
As these tablets and smartphones have touch screens based on capacitive sensing, it is painful to use them barehanded outside when the weather is freezing.
Sontosi has introduced “Glove Toc,” a pair of gloves knitted with a special textile for conductivity, for a warm, smart life. The fingertip part of the special glove transmits electricity from the body to touch screens. The gloves are available at www.sontosi.com.
For toasty toes
Frostbite is never in style, so keeping those vital extremities such as toes warm is one of the top priorities in winter wear. Uggs have upgraded themselves from casual “fur”-lined boots to a luxury brand name with its latest collaboration with perennial favorite Jimmy Choo.
 Bypass the simple basics for something with studded flair, cheetah print or moccasin-style lamb suede fringe. If you’re cruising for warm toes without spending wads of cash, head toward the shopping meccas of Dongdaemun or Namdaemun markets for cheap and cute knock-offs. Studious and trend-aware university attendees can head toward the shopping grid near Ewha Womans University for a less crowded shopping experience and more youth-oriented deals.
hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr
sanghee@koreatimes.co.kr
meeyoo@koreatimes.co.kr
inesmin@koreatimes.co.kr |
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