Life & Work

Christmas Special: When Romance is the Perfect Gift …or a Cigar…

chef

Chef Austin Wanjau. PHOTO | COURTESY

Imagine an elegant, candle-lit dinner. The man is wearing a Milanese tailored suit and the woman is in a lacy, deep red dress when the butler brings a combination of gin, dry and sweet vermouth. You sip your drink and smoke a cigar as if you have found the elixir of life. You are sitting outside or in a room with a romantic set-up, enjoying an exotic meal cooked by a gourmet chef. Only that this is not in a hotel, but in your dining room or frontyard.

With a budget of below Sh100,000, you have plenty of gifts to choose from including an original football team jersey, which can be shipped in days and a present engraved at Inscribed Gifts Kenya. Or get a gift from Purpink shop. Whatever it is that you buy, make sure it is serves the purpose.

Gourmet chef on call

Cooking a delicious meal for your loved one seems like the most romantic thing to do. But being a Tuesday, don’t tire yourself in the kitchen. There are a number of chefs who can make home-made dishes or deliver it to your dinner table. You can choose from Afghan, Spanish or Italian cuisines for the well-travelled to local foods for those who love African food.

Chef Austin Wanjau of Star Chef Kenya, for instance, says he has a team of chefs ready to offer a five-star dining experience at the comfort of your home. For Sh10,000 upwards, you can enjoy dinner served on hired crockery and table clothes to match the occasion.

“If you want to impress your partner then getting a chef is one of the ways you can win their affection,” he says. He will be available for a maximum of three hours.

Depending on your needs, Wanjau says he can make a meal plan and do the costing. You can choose a three-course meal or a five-course meal. The chef will then come in on Valentine’s Day to prepare the meal, serve and clear after the dinner. If you plan to cook the dinner yourself, you can get cooking lessons beforehand.

Cigar

Like in the medieval times, cigar smoking remains a luxurious pastime for a select few. Get him a pack of fine cigar and accessories. You can go for the Cohiba cigars which was created in 1966 as Havana’s premier brand for diplomatic purposes.

It was Fidel Castro’s preferred brand. For 25 sticks, you can get it locally for about Sh115,000. If he is Davidoff fan, get him the Davidoff cigar that goes for about Sh50,000 for a pack and throw in Leather Blend cologne by Davidoff, a relatively new scent.

cigar

Cigar. PHOTO | COURTESY

Sandstorm weekender bag

For a regular traveller, a large weekend bag from Sandstorm retailing for Sh21,900 could be an ideal gift for both a man and a woman. It has a leather flap with two internal pockets.

bag

Sandstorm weekender bag. PHOTO | COURTESY

Timberland Henniker Watch and Maui Jim sunglasses

The use of leather and aluminium for this rugged-looking watch makes it ideal for everyday wear. It comes with a brown case and analogue multi-function dial. It goes for Sh17,000 in duty-free shops.

Add the polarised Maui Jim sunglasses made from high-grade nylon. It is rimless for ultra-comfort and impact resistant. It has technology that wipes out 99 per cent of glare and blocks 100 per cent harmful UV light. It retails at Sh13,500.

watch

Timberland Henniker Watch and Maui Jim sunglasses. PHOTO | COURTESY

Mario Fagni /Giovanni Conti men’s shoes

The big Daddy brand has some of the world’s top brands such as Giovanni Conti retailing from Sh12,000 onwards and Mario Fagni, which leaves you with a selection to choose from for the casual and office. Merrell footwear is best suited for the adventurer.

shoes

Mario Fagni /Giovanni Conti men’s shoes. PHOTO | COURTESY

Marc Van Rampelberg’s chest of drawers

Marc Van Rampelberg’s curvaceous creation using wood has captured the eyes of international celebrities such as American actress Merly Streep and British actor John Hurt. The selection of wooden furniture from dinning sets to lounge chairs and beautifully curved chest of drawers all make beautiful pieces for gifting. The price range is from Sh40,000 to Sh150,000.

drawers

Marc Van Rampelberg’s chest of drawers. PHOTO | COURTESY