Festive Flourishes: Montblanc’s holiday gift guide

With less than a month to go until Christmas arrives, there’s no better time to get started with your festive shopping list. With loved ones spread far and wide, however, it can be a daunting task to select just the right present to show your loved ones just how much you cherish them. Thankfully, renowned German luxury accessories brand Montblanc is here to help with an expansive array of stylishly sophisticated gift ideas that will appeal to all tastes and preferences.

Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days Doué Classique Fountain Pen

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For the calligraphy enthusiasts, Montblanc serves up a whole host of stunning writing implements, ranging from the Meisterstück Around the World in 80 Days Doué Classique Fountain Pen – engraved with vivid imagery of inspired by the eponymous Jules Verne novel – to the StarWalker UltraBlack Precious Resin Fineliner and Meisterstück Platinum-Coated Classique Ballpoint Pen.

1858 Geosphere Watch

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Watch lovers, meanwhile, are literally spoilt for choice. For jet setting adventurers, there’s the 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Watch or the 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition, both of which are equipped with a worldtime complication featuring two rotating domed hemispheres that track multiple time zones. For a more minimalist look, you could do far worse than the blue-and-white stylings of the Star Legacy Full Calendar, a timepiece that accurately displays the day, date and month and is even burnished with a moonphase indicator at 6 o’clock.

M_Gram 4810 UltraBlack

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Then there’s Montblanc’s stunning collection of M_Gram 4810 UltraBlack leather bags, which will surely find favour with any on-the-go fashionista. Comprising the line are the Backpack – replete with exterior and interior pockets including a padded compartment for laptops – and the Clutch and Mini Folio, two flexible designs that can either be worn cross-body or handheld. All feature black embossed leather punctuated with the bold geometric M pattern.

Montblanc MB 01 Over-Ear Headphones x Montblanc UltraBlack Edition

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Similarly embodying an all-black aesthetic is the Montblanc MB 01 Over-Ear Headphones x Montblanc UltraBlack Edition. Sure to appeal to the audiophile in your life, this over-ear wireless headphones deliver a lush sound experience while offering soft leather cushioned cups for maximum ear comfort.

Sartorial Hard Phone Case Apple iPhone 13 Pro

Finally, rounding out Montblanc’s carefully curated list of festive gifts are stylish accessories for the debonair gentleman. Ranging from leather belts and wallets to the Sartorial Hard Phone Case Apple iPhone 13 Pro, each adornment is underscored by the signature design codes and understated elegance that have made the brand beloved the world over. Happy shopping!

Christmas Weight Gain: Enjoy the food without the guilt!

Warnings about impending weight gain over the holidays are as prevalent as eggnog, chocolates and Christmas cake. It’s true that tucking into a 6,000 kcal feast is not the best course for your overall health, yet an extra slice of dessert does not have to mean the death certificate for your annual nutritional goals.

But no-one should feel miserable about the heavier meals and parties that December brings. So pass the roast and let’s discuss navigating any growing anxiety about the holiday spread.

The Truth about Christmas and Weight Gain

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Although the festive season might cause for some weight gain scares. While headlines scream 1-4kg in weight gain, these figures, although undeniably scary, are dubious. Still, the approach to commence crash dieting is most prevalent around the holiday season; and though it might help you drop dress sizes, the results are short-lived, and can negatively impact your body and mind.

The drastic reduction of calories slows down metabolic rate and burns calories  slower, and breaks down muscle, is damaging for hair and skin quality, and most importantly weakens your immune system. Besides, crash dieting hinders the body’s ability to absorb healthy fats which are integral for the complete absorption of vitamins A, D, E and K by your body. You don’t need an expert to tell you that this doesn’t sound like an ideal solution to your overall health.

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So, are a few indulgent meals going to resign you to a life of ill health and bloating, or avoiding holiday weight gain is as impossible as Santa slipping down a billion chimneys on Christmas Eve? The answer is not all black or white.

A decade long independent clinical analysis on more than 120,000 healthy Americans carried out by the National Institutes of Health, found that a highly processed, junk food-heavy diet caused an average weight gain of three pounds in over four-year periods – clearly, fostering a balanced lifestyle for 364 days a year is more important than obsessing over one holiday that calls for a grand celebration.

Seasonal Variations in Weight Are Normal

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Our bodies have a remarkable ability to maintain a steady weight, or a set point weight, over the long term. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that on average our weight fluctuates only 0.5kg throughout the year. It peaks in winter, due to the side-lining of a healthy lifestyle, but bounces back to normal.

80/20 Approach 


Eating fresh, natural foods, and shunning a high-sugar, high-salt, ultra-processed diet will provide long-term benefits for your health and your figure. Yet, it would be rather Scrooge-like to renounce all treats in December. Nutritionists recommend intuitive eating instead, which means careful selection of nibbles and an understanding of moderation and hunger cues.

The 80/20 rule diet weighs in here: eat ‘clean’ 80-percent of the time and allow yourself to indulge more freely during the other 20-percent. The knowledge that 100-percent compliance is not required is enough for most of us to stick to a balanced, healthy eating plan in the long term.

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Pick Your Poison Wisely

We know that alcohol is empty calories, similar to candy and soda, when mixed with syrups and juices it packs a heavy amount of carbohydrates, but now research has found it also slows the body’s fat-burning ability by nearly 30-percent. That doesn’t mean you have to quit cold turkey or deny yourself social situations because you’re obsessed about your weight and health.

The World Health Organisation recommends a maximum of two drinks per day in the festive week – anything over that amounts to binge drinking. A glass of beer can have 140 to 200 kcal, while a large whisky neat has 70 to 90 kcal, but once you top that with mixers or make a decadent cocktail, it will probably pack in more calories than a beer. Only Vodka Soda is a great option for the calorie-conscious drinker. It’s Hong Kong’s first zero sugar, zero carbs and premium vodka soda and comes in a can— no affiliation but perfect for those who want their tipples but not the carbs. 

Break a Sweat

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While sticking to an exercise routine is challenging during the busy days of December, workouts don’t have to be overly long or more strenuous to get results. An extra 30-minutes could help counteract last night’s office dinner.

If you’re pressed for time amid an influx of people and parties, split your session into short, doable bouts. Any extra steps you can get in are also better than slumping on the sofa. Keeping the load on your feet, and unnecessary worry about fleeting seasonal weight gain from your mind, results in a healthy body.

(Text: Nikita Mishra)

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Give Joy: Emphasising on the joy of shopping and gifting with DFS Group

In time for the holiday season, DFS is back with its annual Give Joy campaign to celebrate the festive mood and the happiness of gifting. From November 15th to December 31st, customers can enjoy shopping from a selection of more than 90 brands including Johnnie Walker, Prada, Dior and more. The specially-curated 2019 collection for Give Joy has a variety of more than 150 products across the retailer’s luxury product pillars, including watches, accessories, wines, cosmetics and much more besides.

Give Joy wines and spirits

Moreover, with the campaign taking place in downtown T Galleria and airport locations worldwide, the luxury travel retailer has set up pop-up stores that allow customers to add a personal touch to the items purchased. Take, for instance, one can stop at a Christian Dior counter in one of the aforementioned locations and get unique gift boxes with personalised ribbons, bespoke name engravings and customised wrapping papers enhanced with evocative fragrances.

Give Joy personalised gifts

Furthermore, the DFS stores will also showcase theatrical events that range from visits by Santa and his crew to performances by local musicians to highlight more on the festiveness of this most joyful time of the year.

Give Joy gifts for her

“The holiday season is all about sharing and spreading joy. Every year, we are delighted to be able to excite and inspire our customers with an array of heart-warming experiences, pop-ups and activations that celebrate the pleasure of gifting,” said Ariel Gentzbourger, DFS Group Executive Vice President, Merchandising.

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For more information on this festive promotion and the wonderous gifts of the Give Joy campaign, visit www.tgalleria.com.