Marie Teather gets an early start on the Christmas shopping at top online stores.
Children
Hip Little Bubba
This Hong Kong online baby store offers quality items for stylish babies, toddlers and mothers. Hip Little Bubba was founded by Nicole Darragh in 2010 after the birth of her first child. Products include organic baby formula, clothes, toys, baby blankets and a whole lot more. Check out the colourful new range of Christmas stockings and adorable Baby Gift Boxes.
Tiny Footprints
A haven for mums in Central, Tiny Footprints also has an online store selling top-quality, eco-friendly products. It places an emphasis on sourcing non-toxic, environmentally friendly products such as organic baby toiletries, disposable nappies, air purifiers and furniture made with natural non-toxic materials.
Health and beauty
Native Essentials
Hong Kong’s first online natural skincare and bespoke aromatherapy blending service was founded in 2011 by Italian aromatologist Daniela Pelonara. Native Essentials creates all-natural, therapeutic and botanical products for the whole family using organic ingredients sourced worldwide. Handmade in Hong Kong, its range includes spa-inspired body and skin lines, mother-and-baby products and sleeping-reviving aids.
iHerb
For those of us who have discovered this online health and nutrition store, there was life before iHerb and life after iHerb. Look no further for your fix of vitamins, minerals, all-natural beauty supplies, natural foodstuffs and workout supplements at discounted prices. It’s based in California but offers super quick and cheap delivery to Hong Kong.
Fashion
Nuan Cashmere
Irish-born designer Caoimhe Ryan launched Nuan in 2006, dedicated to classic, elegant and beautiful cashmere. Nuan (the Mandarin word for warm) was inspired by a trip to northern China, where Ryan discovered the luxurious cashmere used in Nuan’s innovative knitwear.
Aftermath
Hong Kong-based designer Nina Ricardo founded Aftermath in 2010 inspired by her passion for travel, art and all things retro. Small limited-edition collections feature Betty Draper-inspired 1950s silhouette dresses and skirts in hand-picked patterns and fabrics designed to flatter every figure.
SnapSack
SnapSacks are fun, stylish bags that can be customized by inserting photographs, drawings and other knick-knacks into the cover pockets. Founded by former Hong Kong resident Anna Hart, SnapSacks are easily changeable for a whole new look. Shipping is free to Hong Kong and a five per cent of every purchase is donated to Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Programme.
House and home
Sleep Naked
Ever wondered where luxury hotels get their crisp, cool bedding? Right here, that’s where. Sleep Naked made sheets, duvet covers, towels, robes and pillows for leading hotels until individual customers started also making requests. Delivery is free to most of Hong Kong
Marks & Spencer
Much as we enjoy shopping at our local M&S branches, it can be cheaper to order online from Britain and pay the flat-rate delivery fee of £15 – no matter how much you buy. After all, what would Christmas be without a big order from M&S?
Gifts
Not On The High Street
For unusual or personalised gifts, British online store notonthehighstreet.com is a one-stop solution. A huge range of products are sourced from small, creative businesses worldwide that are, you guessed it, not available on the high street. Delivery is available to Hong Kong on many items, but charges vary considerably.
Shop Latitude
A good source for luxury homeware, jewellery, fashion or interior pieces from style capitals across the globe. Search for gifts by location – Hong Kong, Morocco, Milan, New York – designer or product. We love the bazaar section that lets you buy ethnic goodies from Mexico, India, Turkey and Morocco. And if you can’t find exactly what you want, Latitude’s artisan makers will customize a piece just for you.
Food and wine
South Stream Seafoods
After years of supplying Hong Kong’s top restaurants, hotels and airline caterers, South Stream Seafoods has also built a reputation for home deliveries of quality imported seafood and fish. It offers Australian and New Zealand meat, fish and bakery goods, including a gluten-free range. Delivery is free on orders of more than $500.
Jett Foods
Premium quality food delivered safely and quickly to your door. Order online from a selection of USDA prime steaks, Spanish Duroc pork, US organic chicken and premium seafood including king crab’s legs and sashimi-grade scallops. Delivery is free on orders of more than $500; order before 10 am for same-day delivery.
Secret Ingredient
Hong Kong’s first gourmet, ready-to-cook delivery service lets you choose a recipe online and then shops, chops, preps and delivers the fresh ingredients to your home or office ready to be cooked at home in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for no-fuss dinner parties, date nights, anniversaries or “me time”. First-time customers can enter ‘NewChef’ at checkout for a $50 discount.
Golden Goose Gourmet
Run by Southside resident James Fortier (the former general manager of Morton’s Steak House at the Venetian Macau), this upscale, online grocery market delivers hand-picked imported food to your door. Order prime meats, fresh seafood, foie gras and caviar, and a great selection of prepared foods. Free delivery on orders of more than $600. There’s a 10 per cent discount when you sign up for the mailing list.
The Bottle Shop
Founded by two Aussies with a love of craft beer, The Bottle Shop has a shop in Sai Kung as well as this online store that distributes world-class international craft and non-commercial beers. Also available are (mostly Australian) confectionery, crisps, hard-to-find spirits and wines, and even handmade ice-pops and ice-creams.
Wine ’n’ Things
Started in 1993, Wine ’n’ Things was one of the first importers of New Zealand wines into Hong Kong. Since then it has added high-quality wines from Australia, California, Chile, South Africa and Spain. The online store also has a large selection of craft beers from New Zealand and Australia as well as Crabbie’s Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer from Britain.