Here are the perfect Christmas gifts for every type of person in your life
By Althea Kalalo,
Seeing parols and festive decor all around? Feeling a colder than usual breeze at night? Hearing Mariah Carey and Jose Mari Chan wherever you go? Christmas is definitely here then! Even if the country’s health crisis has put a hold on large family gatherings and different face-to-face celebrations, it’s still a time when Filipinos can celebrate and give thanks, even in their own little ways.
A part of this holiday is giving gifts to one another, something that says ‘I care for you’ not because of whatever the gift is, but because of the thought of gift-giving itself. Still searching for the perfect presents for your friends and family? You’re in luck, because we’ve listed down the best gifts to give every kind of person in your life:
For the athletic friend
If you’re looking for a gift for that friend who’s into working out and catching a sweat this quarantine, why not give them a Re:New jug? These jugs are sure to keep their drinks cold for 24 hours, plus they get designs that promote the work and stories of local artists. You can also get them yoga mats, resistance bands, and other work out accessories from Metis.ph to help supplement their routines.
Gifting tip: Choose a jug, yoga mat, or any other work out accessories that you think complements their personality.
For the artistic friend
If you want to give your friend some art supplies they can use to express themselves, head over to The Painter’s Nook both for painting materials and personalized painting kits. You can also check out Common Room PH, where you can buy assorted stickers, notebooks, and other trinkets that your artistic friend is bound to like.
Gifting tip: Make them a personalized gift package by placing different painting or art materials in a kraft box.
For the drinking buddy
No matter how high or low your tolerance is, there’s always that one friend who you consider to be your favorite drinking buddy. If you’re looking to (virtually) recreate your last pob crawl with them, why not give then some of Run Rabbit Run’s cocktails to go? If you want to give something more laid back, you can also check out Jade’s Temple PH, which sells beer with interesting flavors (mango and apple cinnamon beer, anyone?).
Gifting tip: Buy their favorite drink, or a drink that will remind them of a fun (read: crazy) night that you experienced together.
For the anime-loving friend
Show some love to the person who gives the best anime recos by immortalizing their favorite character through a Pops Funko! Or if they’re avid followers of both anime and their manga counterparts, you can also get them manga from the Fully Booked online store.
Gifting tip: Make sure you know which figurines or manga they already have so that you can avoid buying them a duplicate!
For the K-pop/K-drama fan
K-culture has definitely been on the rise with the success of groups like BTS and Blackpink, as well as shows like Crash Landing on You, It’s OK not to be OK, and the recently concluded Start-Up. If you know someone who has grown invested in K-culture, the perfect last-minute gift could be Netflix bundle, Viu Premium, or skincare essentials from Nature Republic, Laneige, and Innisfree.
Gifting tip: Makeup and skincare may be a bit tricky so if you’re not sure about their style or regimen, it would be best and safest to go for a streaming service gift.
For the ‘food is life’ friend
Have a friend who likes to keep busy in the kitchen? Then give them the gift of cute kitchenware and glassware with Spencer’s different offerings. If they’re more of the type to eat than cook, you can get them some yummy vegan treats from Balanse MNL or help them make the perfect cup of hot chocolate with Xocolat cacao!
Gifting tips: If you’re buying kitchenware, make sure it complements the ones your friend already has. For snacks, be wary of any allergies your friend may have!
For the plantito/plantita
If you have a friend who is trying to grow their collection of plants, why not give them the most adorable animal planters from Fig & Vine, or add to their collection of plants and pots by getting them something from Plants Manila? Either way, they will surely appreciate how you took the time to pick the best plant for them and their space.
Gifting tip: There are different sizes and types of plants out there, so make sure you get one that fits into your friend’s space, or is somewhat similar to their other plants in terms of plant care.
For the fashionista
If you’re looking for gifts for that friend who always seems to have the perfect outfit for every occasion, then you should consider the comfortable, locally-made linen pieces of Marceló Studios. You can also check out the unique and timeless pieces from Aku Jewelry if you want to get them earrings or necklaces.
Gifting tip: If you’re going to buy your friends clothes, make sure to know their sizes first!
For the beauty enthusiast
Have a friend that loves makeup, or one that takes skincare very seriously? If so, you can get them different products and tools that go with their makeup or skincare routine from Beauty MNL and Sephora. You can also explore local brands such as Finn the Label and Filipinta Beauty.
Gifting tip: It’s better if you know what makeup shades go well with their complexion, as well as what their skincare go-tos are.
For the environmentalist
For your friend who’s been advocating for green living and fighting for the environment, a nice gift to give them are definitely items that have minimal impact on what they hold so dearly. Check out stores like Slo, ECHOstore, and Things That Matter for various lifestyle and home essentials.
Gifting tip: Consider wrapping these gifts up in recycled materials like newspapers, old calendars, or anything that you can recycle. They’ll surely appreciate it!
Whether or not you find the perfect gift for every person in your life, the most important thing this holiday season is being there with your loved ones, even just virtually. This is the season of giving, but it doesn’t necessarily mean giving gifts. It’s the season of giving love, giving hope, and giving joy as we celebrate another Christmas.
Source: The Red Circle
