Iowa followed its lowest-scoring game of the season with a 110-point eruption the next time out. The Hawkeyes will be one week removed from that scorching effort when they host Northwestern in Tuesday's Big Ten opener in Iowa City, but rust won't be the only roadblock for a potential repeat showing. Iowa (6-1) also is bracing for stiffer competition in conference play while navigating an injury to Seydou Traore. The reserve forward suffered a sprained ankle midway through the first half of a 110-77 home rout of South Carolina Upstate on Nov. 26. Also missing frontcourt contributors Even Brauns and Cooper Koch, the Hawkeyes still flexed their resilience and depth. Brock Harding notched a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds and Owen Freeman netted 17 points as five Iowa players scored in double figures. "Coming off a loss, going into Thanksgiving break here, we've got a couple days off coming, it'd be easy to kinda (think), ‘All right, let's relax for this one, guys sit out,'" Harding said. "But I think we really locked in." Northwestern (6-2) overcame 40.8 percent shooting to defeat UNLV 66-61 in the third-place game of the Arizona Tip-Off on Friday in Tempe, Ariz. Brooks Barnhizer, a preseason All-Big Ten pick who was sidelined by a foot injury during the Wildcats' first four games, had team highs of 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He has scored at least 20 points in three of four games. Northwestern limited UNLV to a 42.1 percent effort from the floor. Matthew Nicholson propelled the defense with two of the Wildcats' seven steals to go with two blocks. "We're a defensive-minded team and, you know, our identity is just getting stops," Barnhizer said. "Everything else will take care of itself. So, the older guys were trying to come out here and do that tonight and I think we did a pretty good job of it." Strong ‘D' helped Northwestern's ball movement, too, as the Wildcats assisted on 15 of 20 made field goals. Northwestern went 8-for-18 (44.4 percent) from long range to improve to 3-0 this season when connecting on 40 percent of its 3-point shots or better. --Field Level MediaNone
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Truly Wicked! All the scandals of the 1939 Wizard of Oz: How Judy Garland was drugged and starved in an 'iron corset', actors DIED and one had an eyelid burned off... not to mention the drunken orgies By TOM LEONARD FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 21:16, 26 November 2024 | Updated: 22:04, 26 November 2024 e-mail 12 View comments It has been one of the biggest marketing campaigns in Hollywood history, starting as far back as the Super Bowl in February. And the two main stars of Wicked have certainly played their part, gushing, sighing and crying on cue to sell a movie that already looks certain to be a holiday-season blockbuster. Wicked – based on the Broadway show, which itself spins off the 1939 The Wizard of Oz film – celebrates female empowerment, naturally, and the importance of not judging by appearances like skin color. Especially when it's green. On the accompanying press tour, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo – who respectively play Glinda (the Good Witch of the South) and Elphaba (Wicked Witch of the West) – have rarely been seen apart, lovingly holding hands and parroting each other's sentences. Just a shared glance in interviews has sometimes been enough to send the tears flowing. Making the highly anticipated movie, they concur, has been a dream come true. If only the same could be said of the iconic film that spawned it all. Celebrated for its pioneering use of technicolor, The Wizard of Oz was the most expensive movie ever made on its release – and, according to the US Library of Congress , it is the most-seen film of all time. On the accompanying press tour, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, who respectively play Glinda and Elphaba, have rarely been seen apart, lovingly holding hands and parroting each other's sentences. Celebrated for its pioneering use of technicolor, The Wizard of Oz was the most expensive movie ever made on its release and, according to the US Library of Congress, it is the most-seen film of all time. And yet, just like the wizard himself – eventually exposed as an ordinary man hiding behind a curtain and madly working levers – the making of the film was anything but magical. In fact, The Wizard of Oz was so notorious for production disasters and controversies that some have mirthlessly observed the green-hued Wicked Witch of the West must have cursed it – before, that is, Dorothy doused her with a bucket of water and she melted. Dorothy was memorably played by a teenaged Judy Garland, for whom making the movie involved anything but sexual empowerment. Molested both by studio bosses and the Munchkins – natives of Oz – and forced to accept an oppressive regime to keep her weight down and look younger, her already shaky mental health never recovered as she descended into drug and alcohol abuse. Her tragically premature death at only 47 – from an apparently accidental overdose of barbiturates while she was in London in 1969 – is widely blamed on the film's toxic legacy. Garland had signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) production company at the tender age of 13, although her pushy mother had started giving her pills for energy, and to help her sleep, when Garland was just ten. That insidious trend accelerated once she got into the clutches of a ruthless, slave-driving Hollywood studio. MGM chiefs fretted continually about her weight and would deprive her of food, leaving her perpetually hungry. One studio executive told her: 'You look like a hunchback. We love you but you're so fat you look like a monster.' Another called her a 'fat little pig with pigtails'. MGM's callous behavior left Garland with a life-long insecurity about her figure. She was seeing psychiatrists by the age of 18. The studio even pushed drugs on the teenager (the fate of numerous other young stars) encouraging her to take amphetamines, known in the business as 'pep pills', to keep her slim and energetic through a relentless filming schedule. MGM also gave Garland sleeping pills to calm her down at night. Dorothy was memorably played by a teenaged Judy Garland, for whom making the movie involved anything but sexual empowerment. MGM's callous behavior left Garland with a life-long insecurity about her figure. She was seeing psychiatrists by the age of 18. (She is pictured here in 1954, aged 32). 'Speed her up, slow her down,' said a studio insider who boasted Garland was 'run like a clock'. The studio's concern over her appearance increased when she was given the role of Dorothy, who is meant to be 12. Garland, who was 16 when she got the part and a year older by the time filming was over, was told she needed to lose 12 pounds. Quite aside from a strict diet of chicken soup, black coffee, 80 (appetite-suppressing) cigarettes per day, diet pills and more amphetamines, Garland had to wear a bizarre corset on-set which not only pulled in her stomach but held down her breasts. Garland claimed – surely not seriously – that the contraption was made of iron. Around the time she started making the movie, studio execs began molesting the actress, groping and endlessly propositioning her for sex. MGM chief Louis Mayer liked to show that he thought she sang from the heart by putting his hand on the teenager's left breast. 'I often thought I was lucky that I didn't sing with another part of my anatomy,' Garland later recalled. 'Having sex with the female help was regarded as a perk of power and few women escaped the demands of Mayer and his underlings,' Garland's biographer Gerald Clarke observed. Victor Fleming, one of five directors brought in to make the movie over five months of shooting, once tired of Garland's failure to stop laughing while shooting a scene and slapped her in the face. He, at least, was ashamed of his behavior and told the crew to punch him in the face in return, only for Garland to kiss him instead. The diminutive actors hired to play the munchkins could not have reached her face to slap it, but they could, and allegedly did, put their hands up her skirts. According to Garland, the adult thespians, who mainly suffered from dwarfism, were hardly the sweet and innocent race of 'Ozians' they portrayed on camera. 'They would make Judy's life miserable on set by putting their hands under her dress,' wrote Sid Luft, her former husband, in a 2017 posthumous memoir. 'The men were 40 or more years old. They thought they could get away with anything because they were so small.' Although some have insisted they assaulted Garland, the munchkin actors have become mired in other notoriety over the years for their wild behavior. After shooting finished, for instance, producer Mervyn LeRoy recalled how, 'they had orgies in the hotel and we had to have police on about every floor'. Although some have insisted they assaulted Garland, the munchkin actors have become mired in other notoriety over the years for their wild behavior. After shooting finished, for instance, producer Mervyn LeRoy recalled how, 'they had orgies in the hotel and we had to have police on about every floor'. Speaking in 1967, Garland recalled: 'They were little drunks. They got smashed every night and the police used to scoop them up in butterfly nets.' She said she also once agreed to go on a date with one of them but brought her mother as a chaperone. 'Fair enough, two broads for the price of one,' quipped the munchkin. Bert Lahr, who played the Cowardly Lion, corroborated the grim tales, claimed: 'Many munchkins made their living by panhandling, pimping and whoring. Midgets brandished knives and often had passions for larger personnel.' It was said that a German munchkin who called himself The Count once had to been rescued from a toilet bowl. 'We were all looking for him,' said Ray Bolger, who played the Scarecrow. 'Apparently, he drank his lunch, sat on the stool, fell into it and couldn't get out. There he was with his head and legs stuck up.' Garland was not the only female performer to be damaged by the movie – and for some the scars were literal. The Wicked Witch of the West, for example, makes a memorable on-screen entrance amid billowing red smoke and flames. But in reality, the scene went horribly wrong for both Margaret Hamilton, the actress playing the witch, and her stunt double, Betty Danko. One day, a member of the film crew fell through a trap door on to Danko, waiting to make her entrance below, and injured her shoulder. Consequently, Hamilton had to finish the stunt herself, leaving the same way Danko had arrived – in an explosion of fire and smoke. However, the flames came too soon and Hamilton, who was wearing flammable copper-based green make-up, caught fire, giving her second and third-degree burns. The area around her right eye was particularly badly hit with the eyelid and eyebrow entirely burned off. The Wicked Witch of the West makes a memorable on-screen entrance amid billowing red smoke and flames. But in reality, the scene went horribly wrong for both Margaret Hamilton, the actress playing the witch, and her stunt double, Betty Danko. The flames came too soon and Hamilton, who was wearing flammable copper-based green make-up, caught fire, giving her second and third-degree burns. Even when she returned to work six weeks later, Hamilton had to wear green gloves rather than make-up as the nerves in one charred hand had been left so exposed. Hapless stuntwoman Danko later had to shoot another famous scene in which the broomstick-riding Wicked Witch writes 'Surrender Dorothy' in smoke in the sky. For the smoke, a special pipe was attached beneath the broom – but it exploded under Danko, who sustained severe burns on her inner thighs and damaged her reproductive organs so badly that she had to have a hysterectomy. They weren't the only ones injured. Two of the actors playing the evil winged monkeys ended up in hospital after flying accidents of their own in which the wires holding them broke, sending them crashing to the studio floor. Today's health and safety industry would have a collective heart attack at the primitive working conditions and technology on the set. Just nine days into filming, Buddy Ebsen, who played the Tin Man, became extremely ill and had to be hospitalized. To achieve his shiny skin effect, crew were painting his face white before powdering over it with real aluminum dust. Each time the make-up was applied or touched up, Ebsen was inhaling toxic fine grains of the metal which coated the inside of his lungs and stopped oxygen reaching his blood. The actor was so ill he had to be replaced by comedian Jack Haley and only appears a handful of times in the finished movie. The film makers responded by mixing the aluminum dust with white paint, creating a paste that Haley wouldn't inhale. But in the end he was taken to hospital himself after the paste got in his eye. Asbestos, now known at the time to be carcinogenic, was used to create the snow that falls on to Dorothy and her friends after they fall asleep in a poppy field. While there was no proven link with the filming, both Bert Lahr (the lion) and Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow), later died of cancer. The wardrobe department only added to the misery on set. Each time the Tin Man's make-up was applied or touched up, Ebsen was inhaling toxic fine grains of the metal which coated the inside of his lungs and stopped oxygen reaching his blood. Asbestos, now known at the time to be carcinogenic, was used to create the snow that falls on to Dorothy and her friends after they fall asleep in a poppy field. While there was no proven link with the filming, both Bert Lahr (the lion) and Ray Bolger (the Scarecrow), later died of cancer. Many cast members, especially the Wicked Witch's guards and her flying monkeys, had to wear heavy makeup and hugely cumbersome outfits. Given the powerful lights that the early Technicolor process required, temperatures on the Hollywood set soared to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, causing some actors to faint. They were carried out. The Cowardly Lion's outfit was made of real lion skin and caused Lahr to sweat so heavily inside it that the costume had to be put into an industrial dryer each night. For his part, Bolger claimed the rubber scarecrow mask he had to wear left him with facial scarring. But few cast members escaped unscathed. Even Dorothy's dog, Toto, played by a Cairn terrier named Terry, suffered a sprained foot after one of the witch's guards stepped on it. He was temporarily replaced by a doggy double. It would have been little consolation for Terry, but he was reportedly paid more for his role in the film than the Munchkins. Skies might well be blue somewhere over the rainbow, as Dorothy so beautifully sings, and there's certainly no sign of our love affair with The Wizard of Oz ending any time soon. But to borrow the catchline of today's movie spin-off, Wicked: 'You're not being told the whole story!' Share or comment on this article: Truly Wicked! 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Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate tax products to write unbiased product reviews. Tax-loss harvesting can help reduce your taxable income, particularly if you're in a high tax bracket. It requires selling a stock at a loss in order to offset realized capital gains. Investors must follow specific timing rules and use a non-retirement account to get the tax benefits. According to legendary investor Warren Buffett, the No. 1 rule in investing is to never lose money. While the stock market typically rises over the long term, it is common to experience losses from time to time. A strategy called tax-loss harvesting is one way to use those losses to your advantage. What is tax-loss harvesting? Tax-loss harvesting is the process of selling securities such as stocks, exchange-traded funds ( ETFs ), and mutual funds at a loss in order to offset capital gains elsewhere in your portfolio. A capital gain is a profit you make from selling an investment. "The benefit of loss harvesting is it allows for the reduction of capital gains taxes created by the sale of other investments," says Brandon Brake, an accountant and office tax leader at Clifton Larson Allen. "This is potentially a great tax planning tool if you have capital gains in your portfolio," he says. Short-term gains are those realized on investments held for a year or less, while long-term gains are those realized on investments held longer than one year. Short-term capital gains are taxed as ordinary income according to your tax rate, while long-term capital gains have their own set of tax brackets and rates, which are typically lower than ordinary income tax rates. Quick tip: Tax-loss harvesting is used in taxable investment accounts. It's not a strategy you can apply to tax-deferred accounts, like a 401(k) or IRA, because the advantages of it are negated by the other tax rules within these accounts. How tax-loss harvesting works In short, when you sell an investment for a loss, you can use that loss to offset any capital gains. If you have some losses left over, you can offset up to $3,000 in ordinary income. If there are still losses left, you may be able to carry them forward to future tax years. Generally, the process for tax-loss harvesting follows these steps. First, sell an investment in your portfolio at a loss by the end of the calendar year. Most investing apps have a display setting to sort each of your investments by year-to-date gains to help quickly identify possible candidates to sell. Keep in mind that you're not required to sell all of your holdings in any particular security. For example, if you have $10,000 in a stock that you wish to sell for tax-loss harvesting purposes, you are not required to sell 100% of that stock. Consult an investment or tax professional to determine what makes sense for your situation. With the proceeds from the sale, choose another investment to buy. Unless you can wait 31 days from the date of sale, this new investment must be different from the one that was recently sold to avoid the wash-sale rule. "You have to purchase another security that is not 'substantially identical,' and if it's too different from the security you just sold, it may disrupt your investing strategy and cause you to lose out on the recovery," says Rachael Camp, a CFP® professional with Camp Wealth Management . For example, you can sell shares of a tech stock and buy a tech-based ETF to help you stay aligned with your diversification goals. But selling a tech-based ETF tracking the Nasdaq 100 to buy another tech ETF tracking the Nasdaq that's just under a different fund manager may be considered a wash sale. "Ensuring compliance with the wash-sale rules should be evaluated closely with a qualified investment advisor. Short-term tax reduction goals should not take priority over sound, long-term investment strategy," says Brake. You can use the amount of the loss to offset any capital gains you have realized during the calendar year by reporting the transaction on your income tax return. If your capital gains are wiped out and you still have losses left over, you can reduce your ordinary income by up to $3,000. When looking at your portfolio, you notice that you realized a gain of $5,000 by selling Stock A earlier in the year. Without tax-loss harvesting, you may have to pay taxes on the full amount of that gain. However, you notice that you lost $10,000 on Stock B. If you sell Stock B by December 31, you can offset the gain from Stock A. Now you have $5,000 in losses left over — $3,000 of that can be used to offset your ordinary income for the current tax year, and $2,000 can be carried forward to next year to offset future capital gains. Pros and cons of tax-loss harvesting As with any financial strategy, there are pros and cons to consider that will determine whether tax-loss harvesting is right for you. Pros Cons Reduce tax liability by lowering capital gains and, potentially, ordinary income Ability to carry over losses into future tax years Selling an asset to harvest a loss may cause an imbalance in your portfolio Can be complicated and time-consuming without the aid of a financial or tax professional Restrictions on reinvesting into the same asset within a certain timeframe Who can benefit from tax-loss harvesting? Tax-loss harvesting should be considered a part of an overall financial plan and used when it aligns with your financial goals. "Tax-loss harvesting is not for everyone," says Camp. "If your income is low enough, you may be in the 0% capital gains bracket and therefore, generating losses and resetting your basis lower may not benefit you." Tax-loss harvesting may be appropriate when: You have experienced significant capital gains. If you have experienced a significant capital gain or loss in the current year, you may want to consider tax-loss harvesting to reduce a large tax bill. Rebalancing your portfolio. If you're looking to maintain a specific asset allocation with stocks but your current portfolio has drifted away from that target, tax-loss harvesting could be a useful strategy. Selling investments at a loss can help offset any realized gains and bring your portfolio back in line with your desired allocation. Many robo-advisors offer automatic tax-loss harvesting. This can help take the chore and potential mistakes out of the process. FAQs on tax-loss harvesting Tax-loss harvesting could be worth it for small losses, but it depends on your overall investment strategy. Consult a financial advisor for personalized advice. No, you cannot harvest losses in your IRA or 401(k). Tax-deferred retirement accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s don't generate realized capital gains, so tax-loss harvesting is not available. The wash-sale rule prohibits individuals from claiming a capital loss on the sale of a security if they purchase the same or a "substantially identical" security within 30 days before or after the sale. If you violate this rule, your losses will be disallowed and added to the cost basis of your newly purchased security. Real estate/mortgages Taxes Retirement planning Small business finances Banking BudgetingAptiv PLC stock rises Friday, outperforms market
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Nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested in Islamabad after a large rally demanding the release of jailed ex-prime minister Imran Khan. The protest, which saw more than 10,000 people marching towards the city center, was met with a sweeping security crackdown. Authorities deployed 20,000 security personnel to disperse the crowds, who were defying a lockdown and a ban on public gatherings. Protesters clashed with security forces, and police used tear gas to disperse the crowds. Islamabad Police Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi confirmed that 954 individuals had been arrested between Sunday and Tuesday, as protesters came within 1.6 kilometers of their intended target. The government reported at least one police officer and four paramilitary personnel were killed during the clashes. PTI Continues to Challenge the Government Imran Khan, who has been imprisoned since August 2023, has faced numerous legal battles that he claims are designed to block his return to politics. Despite these setbacks, Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has continued to stage regular protests. This recent gathering marked the largest protest in Islamabad since the February elections. Key figures from PTI, including Ali Amin Gandapur and Bushra Bibi (Khan’s wife), led the protest, though Khan himself made a statement from prison urging his supporters to gather. Gandapur vowed that the movement would only end when Khan was freed. Government Calls Protests “Extremism” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the protests, calling them “extremism.” He and his ministers held regular press conferences, asserting there would be no mercy for the protesters. However, as the situation de-escalated, some officials began calling for reconciliation to avoid further damage to the country’s citizens. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan urged both Khan’s party and the government to engage in “purposeful political dialogue” to find a peaceful resolution. Michael Kugelman, South Asia Institute director, commented on social media, stating that Pakistan’s protests had no clear winners and that the country was facing a growing confrontation. Excessive Force Deployed Against Protesters The Pakistani government has faced increasing criticism for its heavy-handed response to the protests. Mobile internet was shut down across Islamabad, schools remained closed for multiple days, and roadblocks prevented many workers from reaching their jobs. Amnesty International condemned the government’s actions, stating that law enforcement had used “unlawful and excessive force” to quell the protests. Khan’s Struggle and Political Influence Imran Khan, a former cricket star and the leader of PTI, was ousted from office in 2022 after a no-confidence vote, which followed tensions with Pakistan’s powerful military establishment. His removal sparked protests, with Khan becoming a central figure in opposition to the establishment. PTI has continued to defy the government, gaining significant support despite the crackdown. Khan led PTI to win more seats than any other party in this year’s election, but a coalition of parties that is perceived to be more aligned with the military ultimately excluded PTI from power. The ongoing unrest and political tension have continued to polarize the nation.Winless in rivalry, Dan Lanning, No. 1 Oregon determined to tame Huskies
If Christmas gift shopping were a bingo game, soap, candles and chocolates would be a surefire win. But Singapore’s small businesses are upping the ante with delicious looking soaps, candles with second lives and chocolates infused with teh tarik and masala chai. Shopping locally not only means gifting one-of-a-kind presents; you also get to support homegrown artisans and, in many cases, causes that give back to society. From handcrafted homeware and fun fashion to books, stationery and tasty treats, these 28 brands are all you need to sleigh your holiday shopping this year. 1. Hands Design The founder of Hands Design is living proof it’s never too late to discover your passion. At 59, after countless YouTube tutorials, this former cement truck driver-turned-self-taught craftsman now creates stunning wooden and resin homeware along with his family. Think charcuterie boards for party hosts, or desktop stands and wrist rests for your workaholic pals. Finally, home office essentials that fit the study they painstakingly designed. 2. Hikari & Shores Sure, Taobao makes home decor shopping easy, but mass-produced items rarely compare to one-of-a-kind creations. Enter Hikari and Shores, founded by a wedding photographer-turned-artist with a flair for crafting intricate wooden lighthouses, cabins and even 4x4s. Perched on “rocks” and suspended in wooden frames, these enchanting pieces are perfect for commemorating a shared adventure or adding a touch of magic to any space. 3. Habichl Working alongside her “employee of the month” – a mini dachshund named Riley – the founder of Habichl creates tufted textile pieces inspired by nature and its vibrant colours. From coasters to wall-hung rugs adorned with flora and fauna, these functional designs also shine as art when arranged in a three-by-three grid. Don’t miss her latest creations on The Stacked Store, like the sunny side-up and burger stack coasters. 4. Clean Folks Club Soaps might be the go-to budget gifts, but let’s be honest – they’re often forgettable. Which is why Clean Folks Club is changing that with “creative dessert soaps”. The Christmas Wreath Cake Soap combines festive scents like lemon, vanilla, peppermint, and cranberry, while the Ang Ku Kueh Soap brings Christmas colours and a chuckle. Or get ahead with the Pineapple Tart Soap Set – Chinese New Year is only a couple of months away. 5. The Plant Loft For the friend who can’t keep their plant alive longer than a YouTube Premium trial, the Plant Loft’s gift sets come with guides that spell out everything – where to place them, how much water they need and how to revive them when they’re looking a little sad. Looking for something cute that’s nearly impossible to kill? Try the heart-shaped Hoya Kerrii, which only needs watering once a week. 6. NPCC No, not the National Police Cadet Corps – this NPCC is a fresh creative concept store lighting up New Bahru. Their acrylic lamps are customisable, with layers and colours crafted for fans of the dopamine decor trend. These lamps will feel right at home on an eclectic display shelf and, even in a neutral home, deliver just the right pop of colour to brighten the mood – and the room. 7. Ves Studio Who said pottery had to be boring beige? Ves Studio, nestled in Chip Bee Gardens, redefines ceramics with playful handmade homeware. The Ishi Collection, available in three vibrant colourways, brings texture and charm to your coffee or tea routine, while the Messymsxi 2.0 collaboration features hand-painted vases and plates that double as wall art. Feeling quirky? Their face-adorned pieces will add a touch of whimsy in any space. 8. Pass It On From plantable candles to crockery made from upcycled rice and coconut husks, Pass It On’s products are here to bring the festive cheer without the waste. Even the packaging is designed with care – their limited-edition furoshiki wraps transform into hand towels, table mats, or wine bottle holders; while reusable gift tags double as coasters. Now, that’s what we call guilt-free gifting. 9. Goodness Gracious Founded by a mum determined to ditch plastic, Goodness Gracious is another option for eco-conscious shoppers. Their handmade beeswax food wraps use 100 per cent cotton fabric, Australian beeswax, organic coconut oil, and natural tree resin, and come in designs like Peranakan tiles and Italian villas. A thoughtful gift for any budding domestic goddess – and a win for planet Earth too. 10. Sojao Sojao’s bed linen is proof that solid-coloured bed linen is anything but boring, but there’s more to their products than aesthetics. GOTS-certified, breathable and softer with every wash, their sheets are ideal for Singapore’s humid nights. Pair them with their lightweight Summer Quilts – available in a smaller size for fur kids – for the ultimate snuggle session. 11. Beyond The Vines Available in four sizes and a wide range of colours, the Dumpling Bag is a familiar sight in Singapore for good reason. But while this hero product gets all the glory, other versatile designs like the Crunch Carryall deserve some love too. Water-resistant and spacious enough to fit a 15-inch laptop, this nylon tote might just be the better pick for the men on your gift list. 12. Jiakuma Here’s another dumpling bag that caught our eye. Inspired by the childhood game of five stones, Jiakuma’s Origami Dumpling Bag is part of their Japanese-inspired collection, alongside the octagonal Mariko and knotted Kiki series. Hand-stitched in Singapore with textiles from around the world, the bags feature loud, quirky prints. Many designs are reversible, so you're basically getting two bags for the price of one. (#girlmath) 13. Studio Qiling Studio Qiling, whose co-founder boasts a Louis Vuitton and Goyard pedigree , stands out with silk accessories featuring hand-drawn flora and fauna. The Classic Porcelain Cat – one of their bestsellers, depicting a Singapura Cat frolicking among blue-and-white florals inspired by traditional Chinese porcelain. The print can be worn as a scarf, bandeau, kimono, or our personal favourite, the pareo, which transforms into a halter top or wrap skirt. 14. Snuggly Studio Snuggly Studio started with quirky rugs for floors, tables, and walls but has since expanded into clothing. Gifting apparel can be a gamble, but their graphic tees and neutral loungewear are safe bets. The Intentional Summer tee is a gentle reminder to slow down and embrace self-care, while the New Curves co-ord set – with its curved hem and slouchy slacks – makes a trendy airport outfit for your jet-setting friend. 15. Plain Supplies 16. Faire Collective Also born on Kickstarter, Faire Collective is all about clean, polished designs with compartments that actually make sense for modern professionals. (Brief)case in point: The Bond All-Purpose Briefcase has a spot for everything from laptops to chargers. Frequent travellers will love the trolley slot strap that slides onto carry-on luggage, and the small pockets for mobile pins and SIM cards? Total game-changers. 17. Rugged Gentlemen Shoppe For adventurers who like a bit of scruff, try Rugged Gentlemen Shoppe from Obbigood Label. Founded in 2019 by a group of crafters, it blends premium leather with all things outdoorsy for a tough yet refined look. Take their handmade belt made from full-grain cowhide and solid brass buckles that develop a patina over time, or the OGL Kingsman Bi-Fold Wallet, crafted from “almost unbreakable” Japanese Tochigi leather. 18. Talking Toes From Axe Oil and Mamee logos to the classic Good Morning Towel, Talking Toes is the go-to brand for fun local designs. There’s a pair for every personality – mahjong fans, durian lovers, and that one friend who needs kopi and toast even when they’re abroad. And for the introverts recovering from the holiday hustle, their Social Hangover Club collection couldn’t have come at a better time. 19. Siders Online Often, the best gifts are the ones people wouldn’t buy for themselves, and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Siders Online. Your Owala tumbler doesn’t need a cap, but if it doubles as an earphones pouch, why not? Fruit-shaped bags might seem extra, but hey, they’re water-resistant, and our toiletries aren’t going to pack themselves. And those claw clips shaped like sushi, pasta, and croissants? Take our money already. 20. A-kynd Gifting jewellery doesn’t have to be all serious business – A-kynd has you covered with their fun and functional pieces. From holographic daisies to gummy bears and balloon dogs, their quirky charms decorate shower- and tarnish-proof earrings and necklaces. Bonus: Your recipient can mix and match charms, a la Pandora, for a personalised look. And with adjustable rings, you’ll never have to stress about sizing again. 21. Epigram If you’re shopping for old souls who still love the feel of a real book, head over to Epigram Coffee Bookshop, Singapore’s first bookstore dedicated to local titles, before it closes in January 2025 . There’s something for everyone at Epigram – from self-care journals for teens and young adults to children’s stories with lessons that resonate with adults, much like a good Pixar film. 22. Books Beyond Borders Books Beyond Borders, the secondhand bookstore helping fund girls' education in Nepal, now has a physical store at The Scarlet Singapore. While you’re giving their well-loved books a second life this Christmas, check out their sister brand, Two Storytellers, for gifts made by artisans in Nepal. That new read would be even better with a journal made from handcrafted paper to go along with it. 23. Drool Stamps Founded by a Singaporean illustrator who turned her childhood hobby of eraser carving into a stamp empire, Drool Stamps touts a menagerie of animal-themed rubber stamps, featuring the internet’s favourite critters – capybaras, alpacas, sloths – and furry friends that will make any pawrent swoon. Gunning for best secret Santa of the year? Get a custom wooden stamp – a name, couple portrait, or even a family portrait. 24. Artisan Collab Artisan Collab is an initiative under SPD’s Sheltered Workshop that helps persons with disabilities through vocational training and employment. Their artisans, including leather apprentices and bookbinders – some of the last of their kind in Singapore – craft everything from key fobs to handbound journals wrapped in printed fabrics and finished with hot stamping. When you buy one, you’re not just gifting something handmade – you’re supporting meaningful work and preserving a cherished tradition. 25. Hook Coffee Coffee lovers will always appreciate a caffeinated Christmas package, and whether your recipient prefers beans by the bag, Nespresso pods for busy mornings, or drip bags for their travels, Hook Coffee has it all (in fun flavours like Iced Gem Biscuits, no less). Know someone ready to turn their nose up at 3-in-1 coffee? Their gift sets – complete with equipment – are the gateway to the rabbit hole of coffee gear. 26. Tily Tea When Tily Tea’s founder brewed Codonopsis with red dates and goji berries at the instruction of her TCM practitioner to help her husband power through his late nights, she had no idea that was the first cup of Tily Tea. Fast forward to today, the brand offers tonic teas packed with Chinese herbs usually reserved for soups. Their gift collection, packed in festive tins and cute tea ware, is a fun way to show you care without getting all preachy about supplements. 27. Fossa If Fossa can turn Soy Milk and Youtiao into chocolate, surely they can turn the classic Christmas gift – chocolates – into something special. The Singapore Flavours set, featuring flavours like Teh Tarik and Masala Chai, is ideal for non-locals or friends living abroad. For a more festive touch, their Christmas Town Gift Set includes three flavours: Apple Cinnamon, Amanatsu & Mint, and Christmas Fruit Cake with 72 per cent dark chocolate – sure to earn that coveted “not too sweet” approval. 28. The 1925 Brewing Co It isn’t a party without a little booze, and The 1925 Brewing Co has just the craft beers to set the mood. This family-run brewery honours their Singaporean Teochew heritage, crafting beers that pair perfectly with Asian cuisine. Expect distinctive flavours like Kaya Toast, Musang King and Liang Teh Lager (Chrysanthemum), a 4.8 per cent ABV brew featured in their six-pack gift set.