My kids were recently given a Christmas gift of Le Comptoir De Mathilde chocolate. It’s a huge slab of chocolate shaped as an egg, with chickens and yolks, and it comes with a small mallet to crack the chocolate. We decided to crack it open on Christmas Eve and I can say it is some of the best chocolate I have ever tasted, far too nice for little kids. The gift had come from The Beast Shop, so I was intrigued to find out more about this store. Amber Xiang, a former media specialist, started the Shanghai custom-made flower arrangement store on Weibo, and they now have a store in Sanlitun. Their website www.thebeastshop.com is very detailed and slick, but isn’t in English. If you know someone that can read Chinese, it’s an easy to navigate site, where gift ideas are broken down by gender, occasion, and style, alternatively you can visit their store.
They specialize in flower arrangements, amongst which you can find scented candles with flowers RMB 490, flowers presented in vases and hampers, and even boxed along with socks. A little late for this year, but they have beautiful wreaths and festive arrangements, most of which are scented, bringing both the look and smell of Christmas into your home. If you’re buying for someone with very specific tastes, they can put together bespoke bouquets.
It’s not just about flowers, if you’re looking for something different to give as a gift for, they have a range of fragrant oil diffuser gift sets from RMB 660, which come in a range of scents. Silk pajama sets for both men and women, from RMB 1,380 – 1,690, silk dressing gowns RMB 1,560, designer slippers from RMB 3,000, scarves, ties, and bags. You can also find a variety of home ware items, including cushion covers which come in an array of designs and styles. If you’d like to give something extra special to a new mom or dad, they have adorable clothes for a new born, including booties, hats, and bibs. Prices range from RMB 620 to over RMB 3,000.
The Beast Shop
Taikoo Li, Sanlitun South Area, s3-11
185 1397 5160
beijingkids Shunyi Correspondent Sally Wilson moved to Beijing in 2010 from the UK with her husband and son. Her daughter was born here in 2011 and both her kids keep her happily busy. In her spare time, Sally loves to stroll through Beijing’s hutongs and parks. She is a (most of the time) keen runner and loves reading: books, magazines, news, and celeb websites – anything really. Sally is also a bit of a foodie and loves trying out new restaurants.
Photos: courtesy of The Beast Shop
