It is Christmas eve today, and yet there are always those of us in a fix about buying presents for loved ones… either we couldn't make enough trips to the shops, or came home too late the weeks before, or just did not find something we liked enough. But that goodie bag must not remain empty! Fret not, as there is still time to think of something, and at Star Lifestyle we like to help you sort your ideas and give some of our own, just so you can pick up items that are readily available and can also be personalised, which is always a nice touch, especially on the receiver, as the giver's thoughtfulness truly shines through.

Tea tins

There is a health trend of people cutting down on caffeine, but that does not mean that teas have to be given up completely— after all, green tea has so many benefits. Thus, a great gift would be the blends of floral/spiced teas and storing them in air tight containers.

For people who have not given up on caffeine yet, something like a French earl grey or high quality green tea would be ideal. Good quality green tea usually come in tins or ceramic pots, these also work as great collectables once the tea is used up. Different varieties of teas can be found at the many shops at the Gulshan 1 market in Dhaka.

Mufflers and Scarves

Nothing says Christmas gift like a muffler or woollen scarf, and it is also a charming gift! Since time is not on your side today, buying scarves is a good option, as many varieties are available for winter, along with dressier versions in silk for glamour all year round. The scarves themselves can also be fashioned into small goodie bags, full of other trinkets. Most of the boutiques and brand shops in the local malls carry woollen mufflers, like Artisan, Yellow, and Usha Silk, Doyel, Aarong, are some who carry brilliant silk and other dressy versions.

Sketch Pads

Sketchpads and notebooks are almost always a great idea, even though everyone is not an artist. Locally made sketch pads are a great gift, with their touch of whimsy and colours. These can be used to jot down reminders, make lists of things to do, or simply to doodle and sketch as stress busting activities.

A bit of extra pizazz can be added by including a personalized note or particularly favourite poem or quote on the first page— a nice pick-me-up for the receiver throughout their time of using the item. 

Art supplies stores like ones in Nizam Shankar Plaza, Boi Bichitra, and many online pages have cute selections, for example Clumsy Crafter, Books and Notebooks, and Dream Chaser, and Paperworm pages on Facebook.

A tutorial voucher for pottery

While pottery is an art form mastered only in the long term, some simple objects are fairly simple to learn, for example customised plates for using or decoration, which make for great gifts, but working with clay is also very meditative and therapeutic, and that experience and spending of time adds to the gift's charm.

Clay station offers to teach a wide variety of techniques and always has someone to help with the process, and you can offer this very experience.

Photo and food: Sobia Ameen