10 ‘Die Die Must Try’ Events And Eats To Rev Up Your First Half Of June [1-15 June]
Aaand it’s finally June!
If you’re in school, that means the long awaited June holiday break. If not, there’s always the weekend to spend some quality time with your loved ones.
With a whole bunch of exciting events to go to and new eats to sample, this month’s line-up of events surely does not disappoint!
Think fun festivals of all kinds, shopping till you drop at The Great Singapore Sale, and new cafe openings. Whether you’re a beach bum, die-hard foodie or someone who appreciates great music, we’ve got some ideas on how you can spend your weekend!
Here are 10 activities you need to head down to ASAP!
Play & Discover
1. Faber-Castell Art Festival
It’s time to pick up your colouring pencils again!
Faber-Castell, the makers of brilliant pencils and creative goods, adds colour to the month with its first ever art festival.
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Image Credit: These include lessons on fashion illustration, brush calligraphy, hand-lettering, and watercolour painting. You can also bond with family over art competitions, badge making, and mind mapping.
There will also be an art exhibition, where proceeds from the sale of artworks will be donated to the Singapore Children’s Cancer Foundation.
Make sure you nose around the huge spread of Faber-Castell products on sale too!
Faber-Castell Art Festival
Where: Singapore ION Orchard #04-13 & Marina Square #02-190A, 6 Raffles Boulevard, S039594
When: 27 May – 4 June, 11am – 9pm daily
Contact no.: 6339 8787
If you remember watching Channel 8’s The Little Nyonya, you’ll jump at this chance to be part of that world.
The Peranakan Festival offers the most immersive chance to learn about the vibrant Straits Chinese culture in Singapore!
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Image Credit: The Peranakan Festival[/caption]
Expect a slew of performances, including the traditional Dondang Sayang, a humourous love ballad.
Kids will love the arts and crafts workshops, where they’ll learn stamp carving, silk screen printing and book cover art. You’ll also get to have fun dressing up and taking pictures in Nyonya or Baba traditional kebayas!
Try your hand at making (or wolfing down) traditional desserts, Nasi Ulam, sireh and betel nut, at the cooking classes and food tastings here.
Finally, sit down for high tea with the less privileged elderly and children from Lengkong Bahru and beneficiaries from Prison Fellowship Singapore, and learn the heart of the Peranakan community.
Peranakan Festival This one’s for those who live for decadent food and extravagant parties. Lo & Behold’s month-long festival shows us Singaporeans how to party with class and style!
Where: Claymore Connect, 442 Orchard Rd, S238879
When: May 27 – June 17, 11am – 6pm
Contact no.: 6262 4428
Lo And Behold Group Festival
Image Credit: Party like Grace Kelly at Electroball: The Golden Age of Hollywood, at swanky 1930s bistro-bar The Black Swan. Or head to OverEasy Orchard, for a Riverdale-themed bash!
If you’d rather eat than party, catch an epic Pizza-Off happening at Extra Virgin Pizza. As part of the festivities, Tanjong Beach Club will also be serving up an All You Can Eat Bottomless Brunch.
If you want to learn a little something, The Rabbit Hole will be playing host to a snazzy Gin Workshop, so bottoms up!
Lo And Behold Group Festival
Where: Various locations
When: 29 May – 25 June
Contact no.: 6338 8035
Website
4. DBS Marina Regatta
Been dreaming of the perfect beach getaway, but haven’t got the time to go?
Well, DBS brings the beach to you at this year’s DBS Marina Regatta, Singapore’s first and only urban pop-up beach!
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Image Credit: DBS Marina Regatta[/caption]
Held at Marina Bay, there’ll be plenty to do, eat and drink–like a real beach, but better.
Laze around in hammocks with an ice cold cocktail in hand (we recommend one from Potato Head’s Coconut Bar), take yoga classes hosted by lululemon, or get your blood pumping by tackling Singapore’s largest inflatable water obstacle course.
DBS Marina Regatta 2017
Where: The Promontory@Marina Bay
When: 1 – 4 June | (1 June) 4pm – 9pm; (2, 3, 4 June) 10am – 10pm
Remember how much you loved listening to stories as a kid?
StoryFest brings that spark back, with a showcase of the best storytelling from Singapore and around the world.
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Image Credit: StoryFest SG[/caption]
There are workshops and performances for everyone–kids, adults, and aspiring storytellers themselves!
Families will be transported to faraway lands at Enchanted Tales, which features folk and fairy tales from Russia, Africa and France.
Adults too can choose from a selection of adult audience shows, including a monologue and a story slam in the Singapore Showcase.
There’s even a workshop where you can learn to use stories to build emotional literacy in children, and one where the audience themselves are used to form a story.
It’ll surely be a happy ending to the day, no matter which you choose!
International Storytelling Storyfest
Where: The Arts House, 1 Old Parliament Lane, S179429
When: 2 – 4 June
Contact no.: 6332 6919
Website
6. Beerkini Rocks
Beach, beer, bands and babes…
That, and a whole lot more, is what you’ll find at Bikini Bar’s quarterly beach party, Beerkini Rocks!
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Image Credit: Music fans can look forward to rock classics and chart-toppers by talented local rock and alternative acts O.K Ready! and Rockweller.
Also not to be missed are their crazy drink offers, with Jaeger Shots at $8, Monster Bombs at $9, and Buckets of Bintang going at $40.
Bikini Babes will also be challenging rock and rollers to exciting beach games with prizes to be won!
Beerkini Rocks
Where: Bikini Bar 50 Siloso Beach Walk #01-01, Singapore, S099000
When: 3 June, 3.00pm – 11.30pm
Contact no: 6631 8938
Bangkok’s famous April’s Bakery has finally opened in Singapore!
And it’s serving up Hong Kong-style Lao Po Bing (Wife Cake) with a twist.
Choose between sweet and savoury options depending on your mood–both are stuffed with flavourful, colourful fillings, wrapped in a thin, flaky crust.
For an afternoon snack, try the fragrant Pork with Gravy, or the subtly sweet Pork with Honey.
For dessert, get the Thai Milk Tea, Green Tea, or go for the popular Taro (with a hidden gingko nut within!) and Pumpkin flavours.
These Cantonese-style pies are handmade and baked fresh daily to ensure they taste great, and they’re all priced at only $2 each!
We suggest you head down early, because the yummier flavours get snapped up real quick.
April’s Bakery
Where: April’s Bakery Singapore, Tampines MRT Station, #01-31, S529538
Opening Hours: 8.00am – 10.00pm, or till sold out (Mon-Sun)
Contact no.: 8122 7604
This newest addition to the themed cafe scene may be the most magical one yet.
The quirky Enchanted Cafe charms at first sight with its beautiful decor, complete with a magical garden and collection of spell books.
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Image Credit: Enchanted Cafe[/caption]
But what’s most striking is the presentation of its dishes.
Think: Bright red cherry compote, blackberries and blueberries in a vivid splash against a deep blue plate, sprinkled with seemingly handpicked bits of nuts and leaves. That’s what makes up the tangy, yet sweet Berries Compote French Toast ($14.90).
For something traditional with a twist, there’s the Ngoh Hiang Burger ($18.90), which is exactly what it sounds like, complete with bits of water chestnut and black garlic sauce made from scratch.
The most instagramable thing here is the Sorcerer’s Elixir ($9.90), a blue drink that turns glittery purple after an orange liquid is added.
This has to be the most enchanting cafe to open since the Harry Potter Cafe.
Enchanted Cafe
Where: Rangoon Road, Singapore 218374
Opening Hours: Closed on Mon; Tue: 10am – 10pm; Wed – Thur: 12pm – 10pm; Fri: 11am – 11pm; Sat: 10am – 11pm; Sun: 9am – 8pm
Contact no.: 8813 1086
Facebook
Shop
9. PC Show
Maybe you’ve been thinking of swapping out your laggy PC for a new one.
Well, there’s no better time than the annual PC Show!
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Image Credit: Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, S018956When: 1 – 4 June, 12pm – 9pm
Contact no.: 6299 8633
Shopping. Many of us do a whole lot of it–often, more than we should.
Well, a 10 week period starting from 9 June just gave us even more reason to do so!
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Image Credit: Your Singapore[/caption]
For both tourists and locals alike, there’s no better time to hit the stores than during the Great Singapore Sale!
This is the time when retail stores in Singapore feature their greatest sales and markdowns.
Had your eye on a dress, but couldn’t bear to part with that kind of cash? We say it’s now or never.
Stretch your dollar and fill those shopping bags with bargains of all kinds–from fashion to jewellery, electronics to toys, to spa treatments, hotel stays, food, and visits to local attractions!
The Great Singapore Sale
Where: All over Singapore!
When: 9 June – 13 August
The Projector: How An Abandoned Theatre Became An Artsy Alternative Cinema
DBS Marina Regatta Is Bringing The Beach To The Bay, With lululemon Workouts, Potato Head’s Coconut Bar & More!
If you’ve been spending all your hours cooped up in the office rushing to meet deadline after deadline, we think it’s time to get out and feel the warmth of the sunshine on your face again.
Where, you ask? Look no further than the CBD. This 1-4 June, DBS brings the beach to you.
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Laze around in hammocks[/caption]
Back for its sixth edition, the DBS Marina Regatta will see the return of Singapore’s first and only urban pop-up beach at Marina Bay.
Dubbed “Singapore’s Biggest BayFest”, there’s no place like the DBS Marina Regatta this summer.
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There will be plenty to eat and drink[/caption]
From lying in a hammock with an ice cold cocktail, to taking lululemon yoga classes against a scenic backdrop, to tackling Singapore’s largest inflatable water obstacle course, the DBS Marina Regatta has something for everyone!
Here are some amazing highlights at the DBS Marina Regatta!
1. Sip On Cocktails at Potato Head’s Coconut Bar
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Potato Head’s Coconut Bar (Image Credit: Potato Head)[/caption]
Bali beach lovers will be familiar with Potato Head, an essential stop for anyone heading over for a vacay.
Fret not if you’ve never been there; Potato Head will be bringing its renowned Coconut Bar to the DBS Marina Regatta. Sip on the bar’s fresh coconut cocktails and beers, and be transported to paradise!
Where: Bay Beach – Singapore’s only pop-up urban beach
2. Make A Splash At The Giant Inflatable Water Obstacle Course
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“Battle Bay”, an inflatable water obstacle course[/caption]
Last year, the DBS Marina Regatta brought a five-storey water slide to the Bay. This year, it’s bringing “Battle Bay”, a massive inflatable water obstacle course with nine obstacles spanning 11,000 square feet! Do you and your friends have the mental and physical chops to finish the Battle Bay?
Tackle the course as an individual or a team of four, and stand a chance to win cash prizes if you or your team clock the fastest time. With both bragging rights and $8,000 up for grabs, you’ll want to start training now.
To take part as a team, sign up 
An illustrated projection of the Marina Bay skyline[/caption]
For a brief respite from the sweltering heat, step into the Bay Dome, one of two majestic domes at the regatta. Standing at 7.5 metres tall, you’ll get to immerse yourself in Singapore’s largest interactive art dome and add your personal touch to an illustrated projection of the iconic Marina Bay skyline.
Create your own unique characters and watch them come to life on the projection. Watch the canvas evolve as characters stream in and create a dynamic and vibrant landscape!
Where: Bay Dome
Price: Free
4. Work out with lululemon
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Yoga at the Bay[/caption]
Fitness enthusiasts, this one’s for you. Popular brand lululemon will be collaborating with Yoga+ and WeBarre to bring you a curated line-up of yoga and barre classes at the Bay. Complete all classes and receive a special surprise from lululemon!
Work up a sweat with fellow fitness enthusiasts! Who knows, maybe you’ll make a new friend or two!
Classes are free, so hurry and sign up at 5. Get Ultra-Ready at the DBSMR X ULTRA Countdown Party
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Image Credit: 
Artist’s impression of Marina Regatta 2017[/caption]
With such a fun and exciting array of activities to participate in at the DBS Marina Regatta, there’s no reason to stay indoors this June! So get out there and have some fun!
Follow DBS on Facebook for more updates or visit
DBS Marina Regatta 2017
Address: The Promontory@Marina Bay
Date: 1 – 4 June 2017
Time: 4pm – 9pm (1 June); 10am – 10pm (2, 3, 4 June)
Price: Free admission
Also read Nothing To Do In Tiny S’pore? This Bank Is Making It Its Mission To Bring More Life Here
Re-Inventing Christmas As A Time For Giving, The 21st Century Way
Christmas.
It has traditionally been a holiday to spend time with loved ones, to give them presents, and generally reflect on how the struggles and triumphs we experienced throughout the year have changed us for the better.
We spent our childhood Christmases with our families as we decorated trees, watched Christmas-themed movies (I’m pretty sure I’ve caught Home Alone every year since I was 4) and caught up with family we rarely saw.
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Asia For Good!
Giving Back The 21st Century Way
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Eco-friendly Christmas[/caption]
First, why not have a green Christmas by being eco-friendly?
Christmas is definitely the most magical time of the year, but it’s also one of the most wasteful. Just think of all the wrapping paper and cards you chuck each year! Switch things up by going green this festive season, and do your part for Mother Earth.
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Christmas Hacks[/caption]
For starters, try out these super simple sustainable Christmas hacks, like putting your gifts in a reusable tote, or making your very own recycled wrapping paper out of old packaging!
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Biotrap[/caption]
Next, you can crowdfund, or give a micro-loan to help someone’s wish come true.
Today, technological advances have made it more convenient to give to the less fortunate, and giving back to society has never been easier.
Social enterprises like projects.
Better still, when repaid, you can choose to lend the money to someone else, making it a gift that truly keeps giving.
You can also play a part in the development of mind-blowing social innovations – like these bio-degradable mosquito traps to combat Zika, by funding them on platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
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Socially Conscious Christmas Gift Guide [/caption]
Now, we all love Christmas, but it has a tendency to be a commercial affair and a celebration of consumerism (let’s face it, who doesn’t love an excuse to binge shop!).
Therefore, instead of getting run-of- the-mill hampers, why not do Christmas differently with quirky gifts that give back to communities in need.
For instance, when you buy Yellow Leaf Hammocks’ ridiculously comfortable hammocks, you’re empowering artisan weavers in Thailand, and improving their lives and livelihoods.
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cool gadgets like Luminaid’s colour-changing solar lanterns and TOMS’ Apple Watch straps.
For each one you buy, proceeds will go straight to communities in need.
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Creative Ways To Give Back[/caption]
You can also make a statement by trying new, unique, and meaningful activities with your loved ones this Christmas.
Try cooking a meal for families in need, or round up your bill to the nearest $10 for a good cause at Timbre (Timbre will match your donations dollar-for- dollar, and the proceeds will go towards medical treatments for patients who cannot afford it).
There are so many simple and creative ways to give back that will not only let you create special memories with those closest to you, but also help to spread the Christmas cheer to the less fortunate.
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Festive Eating To Festive Giving [/caption]
Did you know that you can even feast for a good cause? Have your feast and give back too, by indulging in yuletide feasting at restaurants that employ the marginalized.
For example, dine at restaurants that train ex-offenders in culinary skills to help them get their lives back on track. Soon Huat Dining House at Chinatown Point.
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Give Back This Festive Season[/caption]
So this Christmas, instead of struggling to find presents on the streets of Orchard Road (which, let’s admit is going to be crowded with other Christmas shoppers), why not take these options into consideration to make your Christmas an extra special one?
Asia for Good is reinventing the spirit of giving back this Christmas with their socially conscious gift guides and hacks for a merrier, more sustainable way to celebrate the festive season!
Asia For Good
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DBS Foundation[/caption]
The team at Asia For Good believes that consumers have the power to create positive change, and the good news is that socially conscious living is actually really easy!
You just have to continue doing the things you already love – like eating, shopping, and traveling, but this time, with companies that make a difference.
Their lifestyle-oriented stories on the Asia For Good website covers everything from cool social innovations, to socially-conscious restaurant reviews, so that you can live ethically and effortlessly.
What’s more, the website also features a regional directory of social enterprises to connect you with businesses (like cafes that hire ex-offenders, and companies that make eco-friendly bamboo tissues) that are giving back and creating a positive impact in society.
Visit https://www.asiaforgood.com to find out more.
Also Read: What If We Told You, You’ve Been Choosing Your Christmas Gifts Wrong All Along?
What If We Told You, You’ve Been Choosing Your Christmas Gifts Wrong All Along?
Let’s be honest, while we Singaporeans love Christmas (the lights, the food, the endless parties and get-togethers!), picking out the perfect gifts for family and friends can be pretty tough.
We can readily admit that pinning down that unique, extra special and thoughtful gift for a loved one is no easy feat.
Chances are, after hours of searching and walking up and down Orchard Road, you would have settled for the typical gift sets, hampers and bags of sweet treats to give out to family, friends and colleagues (don’t even try to deny it)!
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the Nail Social for a relaxing spa day. Located along Haji Lane, this nail spa offers up manicures and pedicures for ladies and gents!
Using only products that are non-toxic, eco-friendly, fair-trade and/or cruelty-free, the Nail Social is also a socially-conscious salon that trains and employ underprivileged women, who often face a higher barrier to employment. The Nail Social in partnership with The Pink Room International Nail Academy co- sponsor Professional Manicurist Courses, which beneficiaries undergo enabling them to pick up skills of the trade.
Nail Social is probably one of the most comfortable nail spas around, with personal iPads loaded with movies and complimentary glasses of wine on weekends, guests are definitely in for a treat. The best news? Nail Spa can also play host to your bridal showers and intimate get-togethers!
The Nail Social
42A Haji Lane (2nd Floor), S189235
Opening Hours: Weekdays 11am – 9pm; Weekends 10am – 8pm
Contact: Phone +65 6717 3221 ; Whatsapp +65 8145 5226
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AsiaForGood[/caption]
Founded by a group of local Singaporeans who were keen to overthrow the idea that Singapore is boring, Geylang Adventures strives to explore the different dimensions of Geylang while creating a more harmonious and welcoming society for all.
During the Geylang Adventures Trail, guests will get to explore the winding lorongs and back alleys and experience firsthand the eco-system that forms the backbone of Geylang. Intertwining stories of childhood adventures and interactions with the people who spend their days and nights in Geylang, the Geylang Adventures Trail hopes to break down barriers and open our eyes to a different side of this historic neighbourhood.
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Geylang AdventuresGeylang Adventures Trail
Daily, 7pm – 10pm
Weekdays: $35, Weekends: $40
Contact: [email protected]
3. Enjoy A Tranquil Moment @ Hush TeaBar
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4. Coffee Appreciation Courses @ Bettr Barista Coffee Academy
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DBS[/caption]
Not just a place to learn to appreciate coffee blends (not to mention unleash your inner hipster), Bettr Barista also trains women and at-risk youth to be baristas. A firm believer in holistic well-being, they also offer emotional development and physical skills training.
For more information on Bettr Barista Coffee Academy:
Bettr Barista Coffee Academy
37 Mactaggart Road, #07-03, S368083
Opening Hours: Weekdays 10.30am – 5pm; Saturday 10.30am – 2pm; Sunday Closed
Contact: +65 6509 0113
5. Learn How To Whip Local Delicacies @ Food Playground
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Food Playground[/caption]
Learning to cook is a skill most of us sorely lack (no, instant noodles don’t count!), but fortunately, there are cooking schools here in Singapore where we can pick up some culinary skills!
Food Playground offers three-hour long cooking classes where participants can have a go at whipping up local favorites such as Nasi Lemak, Chicken Rice and Laksa!
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have a festive meal for a good cause at these restaurants that give back!
For more information of Food Playground: https://www.foodplayground.com.sg/
Food Playground
24A Sago St, S059020
Contact: 945223669
6. Dine In The Dark @ Dialogue In The Dark
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Dialogue In the Dark[/caption]
Looking for a unique experience like no other? Dialogue In The Dark may just have what you’re looking for!
Located at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Dialogue In The Dark enables local Singaporeans to “learn to see in the darkness”. Guests will go through a guided one-hour long tour, where they will walk around a typical housing estate, and later sail down the Singapore River – experiencing everyday environments that are vastly different without the gift of sight.
If you’re looking for something a bit more intimate, Dialogue In The Dark also features Lunch in the Dark.
Guests will have a chance to experience a full course meal in complete darkness. Relying on other senses such as sound and touch, guests are encouraged to communicate, and help each other ease their fears and apprehension throughout the experience – perfect for that friend who’s keen on trying out something truly unique!
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SG Socially Conscious[/caption]
Most of us have tried our hand at picking up a new language. Let’s be honest – most, if not all of us, know a handful words from another language (the perks of being born in Singapore!), but picking up a new language using just your hands is a whole new experience.
At Extraordinary Horizons, participants would be able to pick up basic Sign Language. If you’re keen on delving deeper into how the deaf communities live their daily lives, Extraordinary Horizons offers customizable workshops where you can experience music, dance and song appreciation for the deaf!
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Singapore Sign Language Club[/caption]
Extraordinary Horizons strives to promote deaf awareness through their sign language courses, workshops and outreach programs. EO Horizons also features performances by those dabbling in the deaf performing arts scene in Singapore, and helps the disadvantaged gain self-confidence as well as attain life skills and knowledge!
Extraordinary Horizons
Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
3 Coleman St, #04-04, S179804
Scape Co Ltd
2 Orchard Link, #04-01, S23797
Contact: [email protected]
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Family Christmas[/caption]
Let’s be honest, most of us can’t use that many bath and beauty products at any one time. So this year, instead of popping by a store for those yearly gift boxes head down to any of these 7 local social enterprises and have a unique Christmas experience!
Feeling inspired? Check out this list of fun events that give back this festive season.
If you’re looking to make your Christmas one that really counts, check out Asia For Good’s socially conscious gift guides and hacks for a merrier Christmas!
(feature image: Reignite The Magic Of Christmas On Orchard Road With ION’s Tiffany & Co. Xmas Tree!
