Visit These 5 Places To Buy Real Christmas Trees & Decorations In Singapore

All of us have different memories of Christmas that we hold close to our hearts. As time passes, our relationship with the Yuletide season evolves. However, one thing remains the same. There’s nothing quite like the smell of Christmas in your home to lift your holiday spirit.

What exactly, is the smell of Christmas? Fresh wreath and trees of course!

For newbies, take this friendly words of advice. If you want to score a fresh tree, you must get it early. Don’t worry about the upkeep because these trees normally last the whole season. Little fading may occur due to being in the tropics. Check out our top picks to buy one in Singapore.

#1: PETITE FLEUR

Spruce up your home with a Christmas wreath meant to be hung on your front door or in the living room to welcome guests and loved ones. Boutique florist Petite Fleur’s 26cm Christmas wreaths will make you stand out from the crowd as it is carefully arranged for you. No two wreaths look exactly alike!

Apart from this, they are selling mini pine trees measuring 30cm to 60cm. These mini-Christmas trees come with fairy lights and fresh decorations.

Image Credits: petitefleursg.com

Price: S$120 for wreaths and S$120-210 for trees, excluding 7% GST

Order online at petitefleursg.com and get free delivery.

#2: IKEA

IKEA not only houses the famous Swedish meatballs and DIY furniture, but also the Vinter 2021. The Vinter 2021 consists of live Christmas trees that retail for S$59 to S$79 at their Alexandra store. Accompany it with a tree stand for only S$25.

Image Credits: Image Credits: ikea.com/sg

Price: S$59 for a 1.6m tree and S$79 for a 2m tree

Purchase at the IKEA Alexandra store. Delivery rates range from S$15 to S$70.

#3: FAR EAST FLORA

When traveling along Thomson Road, it is hard to miss the Far East Flora. Far East Flora is known for its massive selection of flowers and plants. Local plant enthusiasts should be aware of its existence and its huge nurseries. Quickly visit to see their selection of noble fir trees, which were imported from Europe.

Trees that measure 2 to 2.5 meters come with a tree stand. It costs about S$379.45 including GST. If this is beyond your budget, consider purchasing smaller trees or mini trees to bring home the holiday spirit.

Image Credits: facebook.com/FarEastFlora

Price: S$379.45++ for 2-2.5m tree with a tree stand

Location: 565 Thomson Road, Singapore 298184

Purchase online or in store, with a delivery fee of S$25.

#4: SING SEE SOON

Searching for affordable Christmas trees that are as tall as you? The search is over. Sing See Soon has Fraser fir Christmas trees that range from 1.52m to 1.83m, which are sold without a stand. Due to its straight horizontal branches, these Canadian variety of fir trees are pleasing to the eyes.

Image Credits:
singseesoon.com/collections/christmas-tree/products/faser-fir-christmas-tree-5-6ft

Price: S$188

Location: 5 Simei Lane, Singapore 528710

Get yours online or in store, with a delivery fee of S$30.

#5: WONDERLAND BOTANICALS

You don’t have to sacrifice the festive decorations just because you live in a smaller space. Rather than putting your items in the storage area, you can opt for a tabletop Christmas tree. Join a tabletop Christmas tree workshop on 17 Dec to learn how to make your own tree. This 2-hour workshop costs about S$150.

For those who want to save time and money, you can simply buy a Christmas wreath decorated with classic berries for S$135 or a bouquet of nobilis fir branches for S$25.

Image Credits: wonderland.com.sg

Price: S$25 for the bouquet, S$135 for the wreath, and S$150 for the workshop

Location: 1M Yong Siak Street, Singapore 168641

You can order online and get it delivered to your doorstep!

Sources: 1 & 2

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4 Reputable Tattoo Studios Around Singapore, Prices Start At S$60

Are you thinking getting inked any time soon? Whether you want to tick off “tattoo” in your bucket list or want to grow your collection of body art, there is a variety of tattoo studios in Singapore. Read this list to explore your options and to know the estimated rates of these four reputable tattoo studios.

#1: INKVASION TATTOO STUDIO

Highlights
Easily accessible location
Versatile tattoo designs
Customized tattoo designs
Pain-free and safe numbing options

Searching for an easily accessible tattoo studio that is just minutes away from Orchard MRT? The search is over! Inkvasion, located at the Far East Shopping Centre, houses skilled tattoo artists that can help you achieve your desired design. The artists at this studio are proficient in a myriad of tattoo designs such as words and scripts, dot work, fine line tattoos, Polynesian tribal, Japanese art, and more. Find your ideal design by heading over to @inkvasionsg on Instagram.

Prices start from S$100. Please contact them through WhatsApp at +65 8127 5371 for a free quotation.

Website: inkvasiontattoo.com
Location: 545 Orchard Road #06-15 Far East Shopping Centre, Singapore 238882

#2: WILD PAW TATTOO CO.

Highlights
Aftercare products
Best known for modern and classic tattoo designs
Customized tattoo designs

Wild Paw Tattoo Co. is a laidback studio where the atmosphere is relaxing, and the staff is friendly. It is best known for its modern and classic tattoo designs. Clients can either get beautiful portraits of their beloved pets or their favorite cartoon characters. As a friendly reminder, the studio has a strict policy against bringing alcohol or drugs. Furthermore, they only accept clients aged 18 and above.

Tattoo prices can range from S$200 to S$350.

Website: wildpawtattoo.com
Location: 30A Bali Lane, Singapore 189866

#3: LOVESICK TATTOO STUDIO

Highlights
Award-winning tattoo artist and founder
Customized tattoo designs
Affordable price for small tattoos

Established in 2012, tattoo artist Louis Tham founded the Lovesick Tattoo studio. Brainchild Louis Tham has been in the tattoo scene for about a decade. In fact, he has won multiple awards in Singapore and overseas for his tattooing expertise. Alongside Louise, the studio houses two professional resident artists named Liucifer Ling and Kian Tan. These talented artists have unique tattoo styles to suit the client’s preferences. For instance, you can opt for Louis who specializes in black and grey realism tattoos or Kian who fuses Japanese art with dot works.

Small designs can cost as low as S$60. While big and striking designs can cost about S$150-S$400 per hour. Rest assured that this studio completes all its inking within its sterile and safe environment.

Website: lovesicktattoostudio.com
Location: 35 Selegie Road, Parklane Shopping Mall #05-03, Singapore 188307

#4: VISUAL ORGASM TATTOO STUDIO

Highlights
Team of tattoo artists
Freehand and customized designs
Colored and monochrome designs
Late closing times

Visual Orgasm Tattoo Studio has a team of tattoo artists that specialize in different tattoo styles such as freehand, cartoon, drawings, blackwork, and realism. Best of all? The artists are open to customizing designs to suit their client’s preferences. You can even bring your child’s drawings for inspiration.

Since the studio allows flexibility in choosing designs, Visual Orgasm also allows its clients to choose between colored and monochrome designs. Those who want to have vivid designs are free to book an appointment on the studio. Just ensure that you answer their forms online and consult them before getting inked. Prepare accordingly as the studio’s base price is S$150 for small and simple designs. Prices will vary for more complex designs.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

Website: visual-orgasm.com
Location: 8B Canton St, Singapore 049748

Note: With the current situation, increased social distancing requirements and other operational changes were implemented in these tattoo studios. Please contact your tattoo studio for more information.

Sources: 1 & 2

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What experts have to say to your common queries on ADHD

a business woman who is frustrated

ADHD is a term loosely thrown around but it actually refers to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if you don’t already know.

It’s not just a childhood disorder but a lifelong condition. Dr Lim Boon Leng, a psychiatrist at Gleneagles Medical Centre, shared that about 30% of children would have their symptoms continue into adulthood.

There has been more light shed on ADHD recently via CNA Insider and thus we would like to take this chance to dig deeper. Here are what experts have to say to the public’s common queries on ADHD.

Is ADD the same as ADHD?

According to Dr Bhanu Gupta of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), the label “attention deficit disorder” (ADD) is a dated phrase for ADHD. ADD was the original diagnosis name for what is now known as ADHD. Presently, inattentive-subtype ADHD may be referred to as ADD too.

How is ADHD diagnosed? What are the signs?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) is a tool used by doctors to detect ADHD. For hasty- and hyper-related behavior problems, there are nine measures, and for attention deficit, there are nine too.

Fiddling a lot, chatting a great deal, dishing out responses before questions end, and disrupting others are all symptoms of hyperactivity and impulsivity. Being easily carried away, having trouble organizing chores, and delaying or hating things that demand prolonged mental effort, such as coursework or writing reports, are all signs of inattention.

Kids must normally meet six or more of the evaluation criteria, while individuals aged 17 and above must meet a minimum of five of them. Children, particularly boys, are more prone to having hyperactive characteristics, according to Lim. However, as children become older, they tend to internalize their restlessness.

Do you advise that I get myself or my child checked?
a woman talking to someone

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Obtaining a clinical diagnosis for adults can be impactful and aids with closure, according to Lim. “Many people with ADHD have gone through a pretty rough time in childhood – they’ve always been criticized, they’ve always been told off and told they’re lazy,” he added.

As per Dr Vicknesan Jeyan Marimuttu, head and senior consultant at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital’s (KKH) child and adolescent mental wellness service, having a kid assessed can help the family, school, and individual comprehend his or her challenges adequately.

“Often, children may be blamed for being naughty… when in fact the underlying issue is that of ADHD,” he said. “Over a period of time, the mislabelling can result in a sense of helplessness in parents and poor self-esteem in children.”

Where can I go to get a diagnosis at a cheaper rate?

A recommendation from any polyclinic or Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) GP clinic (for CHAS cardholders) is required to be shown at IMH as a subsidized patient. But do note that while concessionary patients can enjoy reduced rates, they are likely to wait much longer for a consultation slot than unsubsidized or private patients.

To provide you with a sense of the cost, the first examination at IMH costs S$42 for adult subsidized patients and S$46 for kids and teens. At KKH, qualifying patients are also entitled to reduced rates. Without subsidies, the first appointment with a private specialist can cost up to S$300.

A visit to a psychologist is also an alternative. According to Jean Tan, a clinical psychologist with Cognitive Health Consultancy International, a psychologist will generally give psychological support to assist patients in better controlling their ADHD symptoms. With more psychologists at polyclinics nowadays, you can expect a referral process after seeing the GP.

Can I know what to expect when I go for the initial screening?

Grown-ups will undergo an initial evaluation at IMH, where a complete mental background will be collected, and symptoms of ADHD will be examined, frequently through a designed questionnaire.

As the individual goes through the full examination, which is based on the DSM-5 criteria, Lim remarked that the indicators of ADHD can become prominent. He frequently asks questions in a sequential sequence, going over the patient’s personal history and looking for indicators.

“The approach is very much open-ended, so we don’t lead them into answering whether they have or do not have concentration issues,” he said. “Rather, the approach is more to find out what problems they’re facing, and let them describe it.”

What are the ways to help myself deal with the effects of ADHD?

Gupta noted that most ADHD recommendations advocate medication as the initial method of treatment. But clinical psychologist Tan commented that although medicine can help with restlessness and attentiveness, not all individuals will embrace it. This is where a psychologist can assist patients in understanding ADHD symptoms and how they substantially affect daily life.

“Strategies such as cognitive behavioral therapy can then be developed, to overcome problems such as procrastination, time management, and organizational difficulties.”

Gupta agrees and explains that psychological therapy can help with the behavioral and emotional elements of ADHD, as well as prevalent co-morbidities like anxiety and depression. Many people have benefited from ADHD coaching, although it is costly and not readily accessible.

Is it compulsory to declare my condition to my current or future employer?
a woman listening to her colleagues

Image Credits: unsplash.com

As we come to a close, some of you must be wondering if it’s compulsory to make your condition known to your employer. To that, Lim said, “If you understand your company culture and you know they may not provide you help and may make things difficult… then you’re entitled to keep your condition confidential.”

But Lim said that he has observed numerous organizations make accommodations for employees with ADHD, such as providing a private work area and not pushing them to hot desk.

He did point out, nonetheless, that varied levels of acceptance of psychiatric or psychological problems exist. You will ultimately have to consider whether disclosing your condition will benefit you in any manner.

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Best Places To Get Plant-Based Meat Alternatives In Singapore

Over the weekend, I had the chance to meet up with a childhood friend. With her contagious personality and unwavering enthusiasm, she encouraged me to try the plant-based options at Starbucks. You read that right! Starbucks, of all places, introduced me to the wonderful world of plant-based meat alternatives.

To my surprise, the dish resembled the flavors and texture of the real meat. I expressed how eager I am to try another plant-based dish and my friend said: “If you think about it, meat primarily gets its taste from its herbs and spices.” My curiosity grew and I began to search for other vegan creations offered by restaurants and supermarkets in Singapore.

Through the innovation of companies and startups, the vegan scene is thriving with its amazing plant-based meat products. Read this article for the best brads and where to find them.

#1: IMPOSSIBLE FOODS

When the well-renowned plant-based meats by Impossible Foods graced our sunny shores in 2019, it won the hearts of many with its beef-like flavor and texture. Two years later, it became a center of many dishes such as burgers, pizzas, and even curry puffs.

Image Credits: facebook.com/ImpossibleFoods

Craving for the OG plant-based meats? Satisfy your hunger with Impossible Foods’ selection at FairPrice, Cold Storage, or RedMart. Its Impossible Beef (340g) retails for S$11.90 at these stores.

Website: impossiblefoods.com

#2: QUORN

Let us move the spotlight from California’s Impossible Foods to United Kingdom’s Quorn. Quorn sells a wide variety of vegetarian meat products including vegan fish fingers, crispy nuggets, burgers, sausages, and more. Their products are made from a fermented protein that is derived from the fungus that grows in soil.

Image Credits: facebook.com/Quornfoods

What separates Quorn from the rest is its competitive prices. For instance, a 336g packet of Quorn Sausages retails for just S$6 on RedMart. Quorn is available at most supermarkets including Cold Storage and FairPrice.

Website: quorn.sg

#3: IKEA

Let’s face it! Many Singaporeans drop by IKEA to eat their Swedish meatballs rather than to buy a list of furniture. Instead of braving the crowds, you can taste their plant-based alternative at the safety of your own home. Take home a frozen bag of plant balls for S$8.50 (12 pieces), S$10.50 (16 pieces), or S$12.50 (20 pieces). These plant balls are made of nourishing ingredients such as yellow pea protein, oats, and potatoes.

Image Credits: Lara Isabella Parry via facebook.com

Visually, these plant balls resemble the Swedish meatballs. Order a plate of 8 plant balls with mashed potato and mixed vegetable for S$6.50 to see for yourself!

Website: ikea.com

#4: BEYOND MEAT

From beef patties to ground beef, you can easily recreate your favorite meal dish with the plant-based meats offered by Beyond Meat. Australian company Beyond Meat’s plant-based products not only look and taste like meat, but they also cook in a similar fashion. Best of all? All their products are made without gluten or soy.

Image Credits: facebook.com/beyondmeat

Beyond Meat products are available at the local restaurants such as Porta and Wolf Burgers and supermarkets such as FairPrice, Cold Storage, and RedMart. Grab a 453g pack of minced beef for S$19.95 at FairPrice or S$19.67 at RedMart.

Website: beyondmeat.com

BOTTOMLINE

These plant-based meat substitutes can affect your wallet, your body, and the environment. Sticking with non-processed food like vegetables, grains, nuts, fruits, and tofu can help you save more money as meats tend to be relatively expensive. Incorporating these plant-based meats to your diet can affect your budget too depending on your frequency of cooking and your brand of choice. Plan your meals wisely.

At the end of the day, items made with plants are nutritious and versatile. Do not be afraid to explore other vegan options in Singapore!

Sources: 1, 2, 3

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5 Cheapest Delivery Services In Singapore

Thanks to technology, running an e-commerce store or a small business has become more manageable. Online shopping applications and social media platforms help business owners to reach consumers islandwide – and even worldwide. In addition, some courier services provide pick-up options wherein they can collect the items from you. This option makes it possible to operate a business without leaving the safety of your own home.

While we do not need to solely rely on SingPost to ship our items, the issue now is the multiple options for delivery services. Which courier should you choose? Will your parcels be shipped in time and intact?

To help you decide, here are five delivery services that you can choose from. Keep the size of the parcel in mind!

  1. For small parcels: Postage-paid solutions such as PolyM, SmartPac, or Ninja Pack are incredibly convenient. Simply put your item/s in, seal the pack, and drop it off.
  2. For bulky parcels: Qxpress’ next-day delivery provides the cheapest rates for bulky or heavy items. Check out their rates below.
  3. For huge parcels: When it comes to van or lorry deliveries, you cannot skip on Lalamove or GetVan.

FOR SMALL PARCELS

A. EZIE App

Enjoy the cheapest deliveries in Singapore! (only from $2.89) EZIE’s ambition is to help eCommerce sellers to grow and scale their online businesses by providing tailored eCommerce solutions.

Their eCommerce solutions portfolio is tailored to eCommerce multichannel services to help our customers selling on multiple online channels (ie: Lazada, Shopee, Shopify, etc.) and includes:

  1. Logistics (on-demand B2C shipping & fulfillment services),
  2. Multichannel Order management solution,
  3. Multichannel Customer service,
  4. Multichannel Sales / Marketing services,
  5. Financial and Insurance Services.

No min. order is required. Free door-to-door deliveries are available in EZIE!
For more information, visit their website.

B. SINGPOST

SingPost is the country’s forefront in mail and logistics solutions. As a well-established courier, SingPost offers cheap rates for small parcels that weigh up to 2kg, 324 x 229 x 65mm.

Forget about queueing at the post office! You can ship your small parcel through convenient options such as the PolyM and the SmartPac. PolyM (no tracking) is a local postage-paid packaging that delivers your parcel directly to the letterbox. While, the SmartPac (with tracking) is a prepaid postage service that comes with free packaging and letterbox delivery. Delivery takes about 2 to 3 working days.

Fees:
PolyM S$2
SmartPac S$3.20
SmartPac Box S$3.80

For more information, visit singpost.com.

C. NINJAVAN

NinjaVan’s Ninja Packs are postage-paid polymailers that come in different sizes. Best of all? It does not have a weight limit unlike other couriers. You can put all the items you want in the bag, which makes it ideal for delivering small yet heavy items such as books. After preparing your Ninja Packs, you can quickly drop it off at the Ninja Point. Track your parcel as it is being shipped. Delivery takes about 1 to 3 days.

Oh, by the way! The only downside about using this is that it comes in packs of 5 when you purchase it online. Online orders below S$50 will have to pay S$1.90 for postage. Individual packs can only be bought onsite at selected locations.

Fees:
XS 230 x 170mm S$3.17 (S$3.60 – padded)
S 350 x 250mm S$3.50 (S$4.00 – padded)
M 470 x 330mm S$3.90 (S$4.48 – padded)

For more information, visit packs.ninjavan.co..

FOR BULKY PARCELS

QXPRESS

If you are planning to have your bulky or heavy parcels delivered, you can go for Qxpress. Qxpress accepts parcels for up to 30kg! Its standard Qxpress Delivery is a next-day service that offer deliveries for a variety of sizes such as 5kg, 20kg, and 30 kg. It is an affordable solution for shipping bulkier items that do not fit in a SmartPac or a Ninja Pack.

Are you in a hurry? Then, select the Qxpress Quick Delivery (same day delivery) which costs about S$5.99/km. This is only practical for short distance deliveries.

Fees:
5kg S$4.30
10kg S$6.90
15kg S$9.90
20kg S$12.90
25kg S$15.90
30kg S$19.90

For more information, visit: qoo10.sg/shop/qxpress.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

FOR HUGE PARCELS (VAN & LORRY DELIVERIES)

A. GETVAN

GetVan specializes in huge and heavy deliveries that are completed instantly and on-demand. The only exception is the Extra Large lorry, which you have to book 2 hours in advance. The fee includes loading and unloading time, but does not include the driver’s help. You will need to load all the items yourself by default. To get the driver’s help, you must pay an additional fee of at least S$15.

When comparing the published rates, you will notice that GetVan generally charges lower base rates compared to Lalamove. However, it has higher per-km fees. It is wise to weigh your options and to consider getting GetVan for short distance (van/lorry) deliveries.

Fees:
Send (car) $25++
Regular (small van) $35++
Large (large van) $40++
Extra Large (14ft lorry) $70++

For more information, visit:getvan.com.sg/goods.

B. LALAMOVE

Lalamove is one of the most popular delivery service provider in Asia. Although it is best known for its vans and lorries, Lalamove has a full suite of vehicles such as cars and motorcycles. Use these vehicles for moving smaller items, instantly!

You do not have to wait by your doorstep the entire day because you can book their services on-demand. The driver will also help you to load the goods. So, you can definitely buy the second-hand washing machine on Carousell.

Fees:
Motorcycle $10 + $0.35/km (8kg, 40 × 25 × 25 cm)
Car $12 + $1/km (20kg, 70 × 50 × 50 cm)
MPV $19 + $0.50/km (50kg, 110 × 80 × 50 cm)
1.7m Van $30 + $0.50/km (350kg, 160 × 120 × 100 cm)
2.4m Van $38 + $0.50/km (500kg, 230 × 120 × 120 cm)
10ft Lorry $42 + $0.75/km (1 ton, 290 × 140 × 170 cm)
14ft Lorry $79 + $0.75km (2 tons, 420 × 170 × 190 cm)

For more information, visit: lalamove.com.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

With the help of these reliable and cheap courier services in Singapore, online resellers are presented with the opportunity to grow their small businesses. Since buyers will be able to enjoy the lowest possible rates for quality service, this sounds like a win-win!

(Disclaimer: Terms and Conditions apply per courier. Fees may be subject to change. Please visit the courier’s website for more information.)

Source: 1 & 2

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