Christmas is officially a month away. With all of the sales sprouting up at this time of the year, it’s natural to be overwhelmed by all of the deals that are out there. We get it: time is running out, Christmas parties have been planned, and the temptation to swing by the grocery or your go-to shopping app and pick out the pre-assembled gift baskets or promo sets is very real.
But if there’s anything we’ve learned in the two years of isolation c/o the pandemic, thoughtfulness is always a good look when you want to show your loved ones that they’re important to you. Shopping intentionally isn’t too hard either, as there are loads of small local businesses out there with quality products.
Take that generic supermarket kabuhayan basket out of your online shopping cart and consider these gift suggestions hand-picked by the CNN Philippines Life staff — all the best to show the different types of people in your life that you care.
For the home cook who wants to be “Yes Chef’d”
Falling truffles—more magical than falling snow: Truffle shaver from Truffle Philippines (₱800)
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Snazzy protection for their favorite stand mixer: Water dispenser cover from Arthe (₱149 to ₱275, depending on size)
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Cooked in Japanese clay vessels, rice rises to the occasion: Authentic Japanese Donabe from Manzen (price varies depending on type)
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Rock every stir-fry with a heavy-duty wok: Hand-Hammered Carbon Steel Wok from Wokbang (₱899 to ₱949, depending on size)
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Serious knife skills start with serious knives, purely Pinoy-made with adaan wood: Filipino Artisan-Crafted Knives from Natadem (₱5,999 to ₱6,999, depending on type)
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For the dining table that demands an OOTD: Squiggly Table Runner from Roomy (₱850)
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For the helicopter pet parent
The sentimental way to spot a suitcase on the baggage carousel: Handpainted Pet Portrait Luggage Tags from The Leather Studio Manila (price varies per design, standard price for a portrait is ₱1,800)
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A compartment-filled keep-all to always stay on pup of things: Everyday Dog Walking Bag by Bite Me Korea from Bobba’s Backyard (prices start at ₱1,575, depending on size)
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Let them keep their furbabies close to their heart: Pet Embroidery by Bark Project PH (₱500 to ₱850, depending on size)
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Stylish, reversible dog beds to fit any space: The Muttress from Bowhouse (₱1,850)
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For healthy and hole-some Paw-liday feasting: Peanut Butter Doggonuts from Alaga (treats start at ₱200 per box and birthday cakes start at ₱600)
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For the person who vows to cut down their screen time
Put the phone down and keep your mind and hands busy with a tactile puzzle: IQ Cube from Flying Tiger (₱220)
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Cleanse yourself and your surroundings from negative social media juju: Smoke Cleansing Set from Tres Brujas (₱2,699)
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Spend a few hours reconnecting with yourself through intentional grounding: Ugnayan Cards For Connection Deck by Jen Horn and Kookie Santos (₱1,380)
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Inhale the calm with notes of cinnamon, vetiver, and sandalwood; exhale the bad vibes while diving into a good book: Aromatique Incense from Aesop (₱2,000 per variant, available in Murasaki, Kagerou, and Sarashina)
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Travel to China, Sri Lanka, and South Africa in just a few sips of loose leaf tea: Teas from Tea Origins (White Peony at ₱300, Peach Punch at ₱205, Le Chocolat at ₱350)
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Let soft linen distract you from doomscrolling and take you to dreamland: OEKO-TEX Bedding Linen Set from Raw Home (₱3,795 to ₱4,995 depending on bedsheet size, inclusive of a fitted sheet and two pillowcases)
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For the Type-As who had their 2024 resolutions written out in October
Calendars, planners, and gift wrappers adorned with Filipino wildlife and flowers by local illustrator Raxenne Maniquiz: The Flora and Fauna of the Philippines 2024 collection from IFEX (₱249 for the desk calendar, ₱349 each for the 2024 Monthly Deskpad Planner and Gift Wrapper Book, ₱649 for the 2024 Notebook Planner)
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Light this up to set the mood for a good planning sesh: Candle from Saan Saan (mini size at ₱550 and regular size at ₱950)
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For coffee capsule lovers, open one window a day for a ‘lil treat to get you through every day of December: Fusalp Advent Calendar from Nespresso (₱2,950)
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A set of basic tees for stress-free dressing: The 1948 T-Shirt from Crispa (₱499 for one shirt, available in black and white)
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A minimalist first aid kit that fits snugly in your bag in case of emergencies — perfect for the always-prepared: Fast Aid Kit from MedEthix (₱700 per kit)
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For the person who loves a good sweat and a good serve
Pack all your active essentials in a tote bag: The Play Padel tote from Play Padel Club Philippines (₱990)
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Build up muscle and flex it with resistance bands: Fabric Resistance Bands from The Sweat Club (₱378)
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Make the world your gym with versatile weights: Weighted Bangles from Meraki Sports (₱1,000)
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Track progress from workouts and diets, to body clocks and emotional well being: Fitness Journal from Peach Queen (₱1,199)
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Remind your friend to hydrate and take breaks with a mid-workout drink: Protein Juice from Kaya Juice Bar (₱140)
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Build a Cooler Christmas Basket with all small-batch & local goods
Fruit-flavored hot sauces from mild pineapple to punchy watermelon for award-winning anghang: WAP! Fruit Hot Sauce Holiday Box of 4 by Aleros Chili Co. (standard price is ₱250, price varies depending on sauce)
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A crumbly childhood treat becomes tasty tipple for the season: Engkanto Brewery Nutty & Nice Choco Nut Stout (₱499 for a pack of 4)
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Sweet Zambales mangoes get tipsy and give plain old toast the holiday buzz it deserves: Castillejos de Zambales Mango, Coconut, and Lambanog Preserve from F3 Fresh Foodie Feast (₱200)
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It’s about time ube infiltrated artisan chocolate — especially ones made on a century-old cacao farm in Batangas: 1919 Ube Chocolate Bar from 1919 Chocolate (₱230)
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With okra and shiitake mushrooms made crispy and snackable, the only thing you’ll be “guilty” of is settling for standard potato chips: Crunchy Okra from Better! Snacks (₱385)
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