Oh no… Christmas is just a few days away. I’m one of those guys who dread it. Here’s my problem – I never know what to get people. If you are anything like me, you’ll need gift ideas… lots of gift ideas.
We painstakingly pulled together 26 Christmas gift ideas for you. The only criteria was we thought it was cool. That’s it.
Hope you enjoy the list. It’s arranged by price.
Merry Christmas happy shopping!
Handstamped coin purses by Thimblecap
DIY peeps are gonna love this. There’s something to be said about stuff made by hand. It may not be your hands, but it’s still made by hand. These Thimblecap coin purses are a favorite at The Assembly.
Price:
PHP60 to 85 (depending on size)
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug
Burloloy by Lilila Primitive Art
There’s always been a hint of reggae in Cebu. If you look long enough, you’ll probably spot someone wearing those familiar colors of black, red, green and yellow.
Price:
PHP 50 and up
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug
Rude pencil sets by Idiosyncratic Crafts
Anything with a colorful attitude is good. Where else can you find these words in such a colorful palette? When you gift this to someone prepare to hear the words, “Oh. Em. Effin’. Gee.”
Price:
PHP 120
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug
Switch Stitch Vinyl Wallets
Tired of those boring leather wallets that you can get everywhere? Give away wallets with style. Switch Stitch Vinyl Wallets have lots of personality. Perfect for someone with just as colorful and loud.
Price:
PHP200
Where to buy:
The Chillage in Adnama Bldg. North Reclamation
Home Massage with Spa Holic
There’s nothing worse than having to drive home after receiving a relaxing massage. It erases your state of relaxation almost immediately. Gift a massage at home. They will love you for it.
Price:
PHP 250 each (Buy 10 and get 1 free)
Where to buy:
Give them a call +63 917 306 9318
Messy Man Sprays
Do you want your messy man to start cleaning himself up? You can get him toiletries from Messy Man. Heck! They even have a stuff cleaner. It’s a spray to clean stuff like bike helmets, rubber shoes, man furniture or whatever.
Price:
PHP250 and up
Where to buy:
The Chillage in Adnama Bldg. North Reclamation
Uber Cool Wall Clocks
While window shopping, I spotted these inside Joan and Klaire. In as few words as possible, these are awesome. Someone needs to gift these to me now.
Price:
PHP350 and up
Where to buy:
Joan and Klaire in Banilad Town Centre
Coffee beans from Boots Coffee Bar
Quick story. What was supposed to be a quick question about coffee in their booth in the UP Cookout became an hour and 30 minute conversation about the ins and outs of this dark liquid that I love. I’ve been buying freshly roasted beans from them since.
Price:
PHP400 to 600 (depending on the type of beans. It goes up to much higher if you order the civet ones)
Where to buy:
Connect with them on Facebook or email them at info@bootscoffeebar.com. Since it is freshly roasted, it takes them about 3 days to send you an order.
Custom phone cases from Instacase
For something personalized, Instacase is the solution. Does your friend like Game of Thrones? Breaking Bad? Hello Kitty? No problem! Gift a customized phone case with that printed on the case.
Price:
PHP450 – 750 for phones; PHP1000 – 1500 for tablets
Where to buy:
Instacase, 2nd Floor SM City Cebu
ZeroThreeTwo Shirts
When those relatives from abroad get back to Cebu, a perfect gift would be a piece of ZeroThreeTwo goodness for them to take back to their land far far away.
Price:
PHP499 and PHP599
Where to buy:
Hip Street in Ayala, American Blvd in SM City Cebu, Republik in Banilad Town Centre, The Chillage in Adnama Bldg, The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug, The Assembly Online
Happy Skin Lipstick
For the makeup junkies, a girl always needs a little lipstick in her beauty pouch. With various colors to choose from it just shouts, “Shut up and kiss me!”
Price:
About PHP499-550
Where to buy:
Plains and Prints in SM City Cebu and Ayala
Adultery by Paolo Coelho
Your book loving friends may enjoy this controversial new book from international best- selling author, Paulo Coelho called Adultery. As you can imagine, there was a buzz when it was released. Warning: Gift this with care.
Price:
PHP 500 and up
Where to buy:
National Bookstore, Fully Booked, eBook in Amazon
Armstrong & Smith temporary metallic tattoos
Know someone with issues with permanency? They can have a test run on temporary tattoos. None of the pain and forever-ness of the real stuff, but with just as much fun.
Price:
PHP500/sheet
Where to buy:
The Chillage in Adnama Bldg. North Reclamation
Poison Metal Flasks
Any alcohol loving creature will appreciate a finely made flask. For the times when it gets cold at night and you need a sip of that heating nectar… who are we kidding. It’s the Philippines. There are no cold nights. This flask would look awesome in parties though.
Price:
PHP700 (small) and PHP800 (medium)
Where to buy:
The Chillage in Adnama Bldg. North Reclamation
Baby Carriers
We aren’t leaving out the new mommies. Your uber cute and uber delicate baby have to be placed in good hands. Yours. But there are times when those hands get tired. That’s when you need a Baby Carrier.
Price:
PHP750-2500
Where to buy:
PH Flag 6 Panel
You’ve got a stylish proud Filipino on your hands. Gift them the Filipino flag on their heads. It’s subtle, cool and a basic part of any wardrobe.
Price:
PHP799
Where to buy:
Hip Street in Ayala, American Blvd in SM City Cebu, Republik in Banilad Town Centre, The Chillage in Adnama Bldg, The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug, The Assembly Online
Glassy Sunglasses
The sunglasses are nice and simple. No frills. Just fun. Comes in various colors. You can have them in a subdued grey or in a multi-color madness. Durable to a fault.
Price:
PHP 1050 and up
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug and Republik in BTC
Loudbasstard Amplifier
Whenever I want a unique gift, Loudbasstard always comes to mind. I have personally given this to people, they always respond in awe of what it is.
Price:
Php 1099
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square and The Assembly Online
Tomato Time Swap Watches
You know what makes good gifts? Anything with color. These Tomato Time watches are full of customizable color. You can mix and match the straps to your outfit. How great is that?
Price:
PHP1300
Where to buy:
Tomato, Ayala Center Cebu
Kameleonz Sunglasses
Perfect for someone who can’t decide what color to wear. The Kameleonz allow you to change the colors of the siding of your shades. Feel like sporting a subtle matte black? Check! A dazzling bright orange? Check!
Price:
PHP1500 and up
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug
Sala Chaussures
Lovers of anything decadent will love a pair from Sala Chaussures. Their limited production runs ensures that you won’t see anyone with the same pair ever.
Price:
PHP1450 – 2300
Where to buy:
Order from their Facebook page.
Beer Making Kit
This item will definitely bring a smile to a beer drinker’s face. Presenting the Beer Making Kit! You can order it online at eBay. There’s a long list of sellers you can choose from. Tip: Always go for the top sellers!
Price:
PHP 1500 and up
Where to buy:
Kinkajou Bottle Cutter
Have you noticed a lot of the glasses in some of the fanciest restaurants in Cebu? I’m looking at you Tavolata. Those are wine bottles cut in half. Gift the Kinkajou Bottle Cutter to an unwitting victim and have them make you fancy schmancy glasses in your own home.
Price:
PHP3500
Where to buy:
The Assembly in JY Square, Lahug or The Assembly Online
New Balance M530 Premium
Good shoes are good shoes. Nuff said. Full of suede goodness, this is ode to all the 90’s kids. The comeback is here to stay.
Price:
PHP5395
Where to buy:
Urban Superior in Banilad Town Centre
Folding Bike
The DENR should soon require sidewalks and bike lanes in all PH roads. Now is the time to get a good bike. With prices of folding bikes starting at only about 5k, suffice to say, a folding bike would be an awesome gift.
Price:
PHP5800 and up
Where to buy:
Super Rare Kicks
Answer me this. Is someone very close to you a legit sneakerhead? Someone you care and love? Someone you wouldn’t mind spending five figures on for a pair of shoes. Let me save you the hassle for looking for these shoes. Just visit Gabby’s Closet. Look there.
Price:
PHP10,000 and up… waaaay up.
Where to buy:
Gabby’s Closet, Unit 201 AVAGAR Bldg. Escario cor. Molave Street Cebu City
*Thanks for the suggestions from @alveel_kaith. Uber helpful!
**Co-written by Shaira Berame
