Today’s global gifting suggestions come to us from Singapore via Russel Wong, BS ’84 (Finance) and Kelsey Chong, current UO freshman (undeclared major considering Public Relations or a double major in Economics and Advertising). Following their personal gift picks, they have also shared some information about popular gifting holidays in their country.
Russel Wong is a celebrated fashion and portrait photographer who has also worked in film publicity for Oscar-winning directors Ang Lee and Zhang Yimou. Russel has photographed 17 covers to date for Time magazine. In 2012, the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art hosted an exhibition of Russsel’s photography and he gave interviews for the Oregon Humanities Center (video) and 1859 – Oregon’s Magazine (print).
Kelsey Chong has been attending her first year of UO classes from her home in Singapore. Kelsey enjoys water sports and the outdoors as well as singing and guitar. She also loves trying cuisines from diverse cultures! Her academic interests are Economics, Journalism: Public Relations, and Sports Media. Kelsey is a recipient of the highly competitive International Cultural Service Program scholarship.
Russel Wong, BS ’84 (Finance)
Celebrated fashion and portrait photographer who just started his own Youtube interview series The Russel Wong Chats
My top gifts: Trends and traditions
Pandan Cake
This is a layer cake made with the fragrant pandan leaf. Pandan is a tropical plant from the screwpine family. Pandan cake is a Peranakan dish – the Peranakans are an ethnic group descended from Chinese immigrants and indigenous peoples of the Malay island chain. – See here for a guide to making Pandan cake!
Wine
Wine is a popular gift item here. We enjoy fine wines from all over the world – including Oregon’s famous pinot noir!
Cash packets
Red cash packets are gifted for Chinese New Year, weddings, and more to bring good luck and prosperity to the receiver.
My top gifts: Personal picks
The best new cameras!
The Canon R5 mirrorless camera is a great top of the line camera! – But for those on a budget, I would suggest the less expensive Canon R6.
Books
I have always loved receiving books as gifts!
Scented candles
Scented candles are a popular go-to gift item in Singapore. My favorites are Diptyque candles in Baies (roses and black currant leaves) scent!
Flowers
Flowers are another good classic gift that I enjoy.
Kelsey Chong
Current UO Freshman
My top gifts: Trends and traditions
Kueh Lapis
Kueh Lapis is a nine-layered Malay sweet made from steamed rice flour pudding. – You can see a recipe on how to make Kueh Lapis here.
Electronics
The newest and best electronics are always at the top of gift lists here!
Colored cash packets
Here in Singapore we gift red cash envelopes for Chinese New Year. We also gift green cash packets for the Islamic holiday of Hari Raya and yellow and purple packets for the Hindi festival of Deepavali!
My top gifts: Personal picks
Handmade cards
I love the thoughtfulness and personal nature of homemade greeting cards and gifts. I get to see the giver’s creativity and know that they took extra time to make something special!
Cosmetics
Cosmetics have become more and more popular here in recent years, and I like them, too! Some popular Singaporean cosmetic brands are Faux Fayc, DrGL, and INGA by 27A.
Event tickets and gift vouchers
These can be more personal than a cash gift and can show that someone is paying attention to what I like!
Home baked goodies
Again, something with a personal touch – and delicious as well!
Gifting in Singapore
Singapore is home to a variety of both Asian and European cultures. The result is a wide variety of gifting holidays that take place at different times of year. Russel and Kelsey share that popular gifting holidays include:
- Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ
- Chinese New Year (Lunar New Year – coming soon on February 12, 2021! It will mark the beginning of the year of the Ox)
- Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which is known elsewhere as Eid-al-Fitr and marks the breaking of fasting that takes place during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan (the next Hari Raya is Wednesday, May 12, 2021)
- Deepavali, a Hindu festival that takes place in the late fall on the new moon day between the Hindu months of Asvina and Kartika. Known as the festival of lights, Deepavali celebrates Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and also commemorates the homecoming of Rama, a human incarnation of the god Vishnu
Singapore Ducks
The majority of our roughly 1300 Singaporean UO alumni attended in the 1980’s and 1990’s. The Singapore Ducks maintain a WhatsApp group that sometimes has hundreds of messages a day! Several of our Singapore Ducks made a return visit to the UO campus in 2015 and host an annual Thanksgiving gathering (unfortunately, not this year). The Singapore Ducks also donated much-needed PPE to the UO Health Center in April!
