Some (Sort-of) Rules in Christmas Shopping

Hooray! I'm almost done with my Christmas shopping! I just have to get something for my parents and then I'm finished.

This year I didn't attend a single bazaar, but I still managed to complete my shopping list relatively stress-free by adhering to a few simple rules.

1. It's never too early to start shopping. I started tucking away trinkets and tiny toiletries during the year and stashed them all in one big bag hidden inside my closet. When the holidays rolled in, I had more than enough items to give away to colleagues and acquaintances.

   

   During our office Christmas party, I gave away travel-sized Body Shop shower gels and creams to my officemates. Items I scooped up during this year's mid-year sale.

2. It's ok to give the same items to family and friends. My brothers and close friends tend to be athletic and so when I saw these Running Shoe Wallets at the Nike Outlet store in Sta. Rosa Laguna, I immediately scooped up five pieces.

   

   These nifty things can be clipped on the shoelaces and can hold car keys and other small items so as not to get in the way of running.

3. Gift certificates and gift cards are not cop-outs. I'm getting my parents either a gift certificate to their favorite massage place or sponsoring one of those dial a massage services to come over to our house. I also got my nephew one of those play cards from Timezone because young 'uns like him seem to like to gad about in arcades.

   

4. Take advantage of enterprising officemates and their "kalakal". Our legal assistant brought in cute bags, wallets and pouches made of native fabrics from Pampanga and so I snapped up half a dozen bags to give away to female friends and relatives.

Ok, so my Christmas battle plan might seem to be a little impersonal, but I tend to go generic only when it comes to other adults who view Christmas as an excuse to stay at home while still getting paid. When it comes to the little ones who view Christmas as a magical time and whose hearts skip a beat while opening their presents, I take extra care and effort to choose the perfect gifts.

This year, I wanted to get matching dresses for my two nieces because I wanted to keel over and die from the cuteness overload. Once again, I found another gem in Sta. Rosa in this little boutique that sold pretty dresses for little girls, as well as costumes for boys and girls. Strangely enough, the boutique is called "E Bags outlet" but it sold mostly dresses and only had a single rack with bags. Weird.

The dresses ranged from Php400-Php900, the more expensive dresses being more elaborate with petticoats and embroidery. I bought two green checkered halter dresses and am just dying to see how they'll look like on Maddie and Julia!

Here's hoping that you're all more or less done with your own Christmas lists too :)

*E Bags outlet Paseo de Sta. Rosa Mall, Sta. Rosa Laguna Tel. No. (049)5412303

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