Fake markets can only get you so far. Get inventive with these one-of-a-kind gifts from local artists, artisans and designers.
Lucky Cat oven mitt
Pinyin Press
135RMB
Bring China-inspired designs to someone's kitchen via an oven mitt adorned in Pinyin Press signature Lucky Cat or boazi print.
pinyinpress.com
Dumpling salt & pepper shakers
Pinyin Press
180RMB
There's no need for gift wrap with these ceramic xiaolongbao shakers, adorably packaged in a bamboo steamer basket.
pinyinpress.com
Cookie Butter & raw nut butters
Realicious Nut Butters
200RMB per 200g jar
Owner Roscy Thomas taste-tests every new batch of Cookie Butter to make sure it's perfect. Snap it up quick – this seasonal treat is only around for the holidays.
WeChat store; Realicious
Hand-sewn silk slippers
Suzhou Cobblers
648RMB
Designed, sewn and embroidered by hand in the Suzhou style, these artfully crafted slippers come in a variety of patterns for both men and women.
suzhou-cobblers.com
Tea light gift set
Rekindled Candles
100RMB
These cleaner, longer burning soy wax candles are individually hand-poured into refillable jars and available in a variety of fragrances. Get their set of Chinese tea cup candles for the same price.
rekindled-candles.com
Don't give a 事 sweatshirt
COB Originals
150RMB
Get your screen-printed Shanghai streetwear swag while you can - the brand will leave the city in the New Year, so look for some major zaijian sales until then (eg this sweatshirt is normally 450RMB).
coboriginals.com
Travel pillow and throw
Shokay
1,500RMB
A bit of a splurge, but you'll find a cosy knit blanket of the highest quality hidden inside this travel pillow. Plus, it's from socially-conscious, Shanghai-based Shokay, who work with communities in Tibet to source the yak down yarn that's used to spin all their knitwear on Chongming Island.
shokay.com
Handmade wok
Tao Shifu
From 280RMB
One of the few remaining artisans around town who continue the craft of hand-wrought woks, Tao Shifu in Hongkou turns out about one of these stunning pieces per day. He's old school, so you'll have to swing by to reserve or if you're lucky, you can pick up an unclaimed one on the fly.
Behind No 8, Lane 429, Zhoushan Lu, Hongkou district.
Shanghai traveling-with-me tote
The Pink Punk
280RMB
Artist and landscape architect Crystal Cheng draws up a charming print for each city she visits and turns them into art prints, phone cases and hand-worked leather straps.
thepinkpunk.com
Hand-embroidered pendant necklaces
KbyKate
449RMB each
Find incredible attention to detail in these delicate, super-fine thread pendants from French designer Cathleen Gay, made with love by crafters in the Shanghai community.
etsy.com/shop/kbykate
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