Unusual Gift for Someone Who Has Everything: Kaya from Singapore

Sometimes you stand in front of the shelf and realise: wine, chocolates, candles and flowers are gifts this person has already received more times than anyone can count. Especially for someone who has everything, the next present can feel interchangeable. That's why a completely different kind of gift is worth looking for: something culinary, with a place of origin and a story. Kaya, the creamy coconut and pandan spread from Singapore, is that unusual hostess gift. It isn't another supermarket default, but an original gift idea people still talk about at the table.

Why an unusual culinary gift lands better

Food gifts have one quiet advantage: they actually get used. A special jar ends up on the breakfast table instead of gathering dust, and days later it still brings back the evening it was given. The best ones are things you can't find in every supermarket and that come with a little story. For someone who already has everything, that matters more than yet another candle or chocolate box.

Kaya ticks both boxes. In Singapore, it has been part of breakfast in kopitiams, the traditional coffee shops, for generations. Coconut milk and eggs are slowly cooked into a silky spread, while pandan leaves give it a soft green colour and a delicate, vanilla-like aroma. If you're curious about the leaf itself, our post on pandan tells the whole story.

A gift idea for someone who has everything

A jar of kaya is small enough to slip into a coat pocket and special enough for anyone who loves trying something new. As an original gift idea and unusual culinary gift, it works especially well when the usual hostess gifts have been done to death:

• Advent and Christmas: a little something for Advent coffee, a treat for the neighbours or an extra alongside a bigger present when wine and chocolates are already spoken for.

• Secret Santa gift: at €5.90 for a 275 g jar, kaya fits almost any budget and is guaranteed to spark more conversation than yet another scented candle.

• Unusual hostess gift: for a brunch, a dinner invitation or as a thank-you for a weekend stay — something for the next morning rather than flowers for the vase.

• Food lovers and travellers: for anyone who loves Southeast Asia, has been to Singapore or simply wants a culinary gift that stands apart from the usual options.

Original or no added sugar?

Monkey Jam kaya comes in two varieties: Original and no added sugar. If you don't know the recipient's taste well, Original is usually a safe bet, as it's closest to classic Singapore kaya. The no-added-sugar version is a nice choice for anyone who prefers to skip added sugar. We've compared ingredients and taste in Original vs No Added Sugar.

Can't decide? Give both. The Monkey Jam Kaya Bundle includes one jar of each variety, perfect for sharing or as a slightly bigger culinary gift.

How to turn a jar into a gift

Kaya doesn't need much wrapping. A square of fabric or kraft paper over the lid, a piece of twine and a small tag are all it takes. On the tag, add a line about where it comes from, such as “Kaya, a coconut and pandan spread from Singapore, where it's a breakfast classic.” That way, the recipient knows straight away what they're holding and why it's different from wine or chocolate.

For a small foodie gift basket, pair the jar with good coffee, fresh rolls or a waffle mix. Kaya isn't only for toast — it's just as good on bread, pancakes or warm waffles. You'll find more ideas in our guide on how to enjoy kaya. One practical note for the tag: kaya contains egg and should be kept in the fridge once opened.

A completely different kind of gift

In the end, a good gift is one that makes people curious. A jar of kaya brings a little of Singapore's coffee shop culture to the breakfast table and gives you something to talk about the next time you meet. For Advent, Christmas, Secret Santa and all the invitations in between, that might just be the original foodie gift idea for someone who has everything.