Candice is the mastermind behind some of the brand’s most eye-catching campaigns. She elevates Shopee’s visual strategy and manages a team of designers to deliver the best campaigns across Southeast Asia. But when the holidays roll around, she swaps her design briefs for wrapping paper and her deadlines for Christmas cheer.
As a mum to two kids — a 10-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son — Candice knows a thing or two about how to keep the holiday season both magical and stress-free. From personalised Christmas gifts for kids, to managing a mile-long to-do list, Candice has it all down to a festive science. Here’s a peek into her Christmas prep — and how she makes it all look so easy.
Candice’s family dynamic
With a 4-year age gap between her children, Candice has learned to tailor her approach to each child’s unique needs. “[My daughter] is officially a tween now, and is forming her own preferences fast.” she laughs. On the other hand, her son is still in full-blown superhero mode. “While they share some similar interests, their personalities and temperaments are quite different, which actually makes gift-giving easier.”
Her parenting style blends authoritative and permissive elements, allowing her to set clear boundaries while also giving her children the freedom to express themselves. “As a hands-on mum… I try my best to be involved in every part of their lives, actively listening as they tell me about their day,” Candice explains. Beyond physical gifts, she loves creating lasting memories through shared experiences, making Christmas extra special for her family.
Inside Candice’s Christmas prep
1. Personalising gifts to their interests
What are some of the most memorable Christmas gifts you’ve given your children over the years?
I would have to say Disney or Marvel-themed Lego sets. My daughter was obsessed with the Encanto movie when it first launched and she was ecstatic to receive the Casa Madrigal Lego set. She had endless hours of fun building and reworking the house layout to reenact scenes from the movie.
For my son, who’s a huge Spiderman fan, I always look for Lego sets that feature his favourite superhero. He loves collecting the mini-figurines and setting them up for “epic battles” in his “Spidey hideout.”’
By picking gifts that match her children’s current passions, Candice makes sure the presents are meaningful and will be enjoyed long after Christmas.
2. The right balance between fun and educational value
How do you typically decide on Christmas gifts for your kids? Is there a certain approach or criteria you follow?
I believe the best gifts are those that reflect my children’s interests while also being practical or educational. I look for items like toys that inspire creativity, encourage problem-solving, or foster imaginative play.
How do you balance between fun gifts and more educational or practical ones?
Before I buy anything, I ask myself these questions:
- Will my child be engaged with this gift?
- If so, how long or how frequent will he/she be using it?
- Will he/she benefit from this gift?
- Will they remember the experience or learn something new from it?
By considering both the practical aspects of each gift and its potential for learning, Candice ensures Christmas gifts for her kids aren’t just about unwrapping something new — they’re about nurturing her children’s growth.
3. Tailoring gifts to her child’s developmental stages
Does the age of your children influence the types of gifts you buy? What would you recommend for kids in different age groups?
With a focus on engagement and learning, Candice also carefully considers the developmental stages of her children when selecting gifts. Here’s how she tailors her choices for each stage of their growth:
| Age Group | Area of Focus | Gift Ideas |
| Babies (0-12 months) | Sensory exploration – stimulate sight, sound, and touch (to support early development) |
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| Toddlers (1-3 years) | Promote language development and fine motor skills |
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| Preschool (4-5 years) | Promote early literacy, improve coordination, and foster imaginative play; learning how to express themselves |
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| School Age (6-12 years) | Develop their creative, logical, and critical thinking skills while encouraging them to explore new interests |
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4. Budget
Is there a specific budget when buying gifts for your kids?
“I would typically cater about $100 – 200 per child,” Candice remarked.
This gives her the flexibility to purchase quality gifts without overspending while making sure she can choose things that truly resonate with their interests and developmental needs.
How Candice balances work, family, and Christmas shopping
Plan ahead – and stick to it!
As the Regional Creative Lead at Shopee, Candice is no stranger to tight deadlines and big projects. But when it comes to holiday shopping, she knows that the best way to avoid the stress is to plan early.
Her holiday game plan starts with checking in with family and friends. Will they be hosting the big family dinner this year? Or is Candice’s home going to be the festive gathering spot? Once that’s sorted, Candice creates a checklist of who’s been naughty or nice to make sure she doesn’t miss anyone on her Christmas gift list.
Rely on online shopping to get the best deals
Given that Candice comes from a very large family, holiday gift-buying isn’t just a task — it’s a full-on role. “We’re talking about over 50 gifts every year!” Between her busy career and keeping up with two energetic kids, Candice knows there’s no time to waste. That’s where online shopping comes in as her handyman.
With the flexibility of online shopping, she can sneak in a little holiday prep during her lunch break or after the kids are in bed, ensuring everything gets done without sacrificing family time. “It saves me the hustle of walking from shop to shop, scouring for suitable gifts and decorations. I can also save when I buy in bundles and get the items delivered to my doorstep.”
But it’s not just about convenience — Candice is a strategic shopper. She’s a pro at timing her purchases to coincide with those big sales events like 11.11, Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Of course, there’s always that last-minute scramble when unexpected guests pop in or new events crop up. But Candice? She’s got that part of the season down to a fine art. After all, she’s the queen of multi-tasking!
Candice’s secret to selecting the best Christmas gifts for her kids
Get your kids involved in gift-giving
While Candice has mastered the art of juggling a busy career, family life, and holiday prep, there’s one thing she never compromises on — making sure her kids have the most memorable Christmas gifts. For Candice, selecting the right gifts goes beyond just ticking off a list; it’s about creating meaningful moments, nurturing her children’s growth, and making sure every present has a personal touch.
One of her key secrets? Involving her kids in the process. “I think they can start as young as 3 years old,” she says. Getting your kids to choose a gift for someone else teaches them empathy and the joy of giving.
Be mindful of trends
But when it comes to selecting toys, Candice doesn’t just follow the latest trends. While many of the season’s hottest toys may seem like a must-have, she’s found that some don’t stand the test of time.
For instance, her daughter was once obsessed with unboxing surprise blind boxes like L.O.L. Surprise Dolls and Rainbocorns. “She found joy in unwrapping the packages included in the box but will abandon the figurine once all the parts are unwrapped and put together, “ explained Candice.
Now, both kids are into POPMart blind boxes, drawn to characters like Molly, Spongebob, Marvel, and Sanrio. However, she notes, “Their interest waned immediately when the character(s) they unboxed are not to their liking or are a repeat of what they already owned.”
Trusted toy brands
Speaking of trusted brands, Candice has a few favourites when it comes to finding toys that check all the boxes. From educational games to imaginative play sets, her go-to brands include Lego, Hasbro, Mattel, Connectix, and Fisher Price. “Besides quality, the design of these toys from these brands are also carefully thought through… toys from these brands are really built to last too,” she explains. And for Candice, that means her kids still enjoy the vintage Lego sets and Barbie dolls she played with as a child over 30 years ago!
Find inspiration online
If you’re a fellow parent struggling to find the right Christmas gifts for your kids, Candice has a few tricks up her sleeve. “Go on social media to browse or ask ChatGPT to seek inspiration. Or simply go to Shopee and look for the ‘Top Selling Toys’ and pick one from the list.”
Another pro tip: Browse during our 12.12 Birthday Sale to enjoy amazing discounts and prices!
Wrapping it up: Christmas gifts for kids made easy!
From personalising gifts to balancing trends with timeless classics, our Regional Creative Lead sure knows how to “unwrap” the secrets to a stress-free holiday season. By planning ahead, focusing on her children’s interests, and relying on her trusty online shopping strategy, Candice ensures that every gift under the tree is one to remember.
Need more ideas? You can always explore our ultimate Christmas gift list for even more inspiration. Or, if you’re looking for something special for the men in your life, check out our Christmas gift ideas for him.
