Last year, I listed down unique Christmas gift ideas for family and friends, and where to find them. This year, although my list of shops to choose from hasn’t changed much because these still have some of the most creative items that anyone in the family or barkada will appreciate, I’ve decided to add to the list and create a 2014 edition.
Some of my favorite stores still include Quirks Novelties & Curiosities, PopJunkLove, and Me & U. Quirks Novelties & Curiosities will always have something for any personality in the family or barkada while PopJunkLove will surely have something kids and kids-at-heart will treasure forever. Me & U isn’t just for that special someone, but also for mom and dad, lolo and lola, and even tito and tita.
Now aside from these stores, where else can you buy unique Christmas gifts in Metro Manila without having to search far and wide? Check out these shops below:
FOR DAD, BROTHER, OR BOYFRIEND: Coolectible Toys Powered by TackThis
This is a new online store that features collectible items any superhero-loving toy collector will go crazy over.
FOR HARRY POTTER FANS: Seven Potters Online Shop
I’m pretty sure you have at least one friend who’s a die hard fan of Harry Potter and will defend his or her ship until the end of time. (Note: By ship, I don’t mean the large vessel used by muggles to transport themselves via sea. By ship, I mean: “I ship Dramione!”)
FOR SISTER OR GIRLFRIEND: Typo
I first encountered Typo when I was in Kuala Lumpur, and I fell in love at first sight. I probably took an hour picking the right pasalubong for a friend who’s also a writer—and I seriously wanted to buy everything. When I found out they were finally opening a store in Trinoma, I couldn’t contain my giddiness! I immediately went to buy a birthday gift for my sister, who’s an artsy future-architect. I swear, Typo has the best things to give to a writer or an artist.
FOR SISTER OR GIRLFRIEND: Happy Poppy
They have designs for bags and notebooks that make me go, “Awwww!” I have three of their notebooks, and I actually use the bag for my laptop and laptop charger (because it’s so light). These would make lovely gifts for classmates or blockmates!
FOR SISTER OR GIRLFRIEND: CarmenClaire Cosmetics
Any girl who loves makeup will find something to be excited about here. My favorite product from CarmenClaire Cosmetics is the Covert Operations Concealer Palette, which is so easy to bring around, and effortlessly covers dark under eyes, pimples, and blemishes. When I’m off to work and I know I have an event to attend in the evening, I just bring this with me for an instant makeover.
FOR SISTER OR GIRLFRIEND: Bijoux de Lou
I actually discovered them on Facebook, particularly because they were selling really awesome Harry Potter-related necklaces. But another thing that I really want to get for me and my cousins are the “Best Bitches” necklaces, which are perfect for a barkada of 4.
FOR MOM, SISTER, OR GIRLFRIEND: Scribe Writing Essentials
Another semi-biased shop, but I love any shop that has anything to do with writing! They have really breathtaking notebooks, too.
FOR SISTER OR GIRLFRIEND: Always Modish
Always Modish has been my go-to shop lately when it comes to skirts—they’ve got a variety from pencil, to knee-length, to full-length skirts. The designs are one-of-a-kind as well, and they’re extra comfortable. If you have a sister or a girlfriend/girl friend who’s into skirts, why not get her something other than Forever 21 and H&M for a change?
Tee Signs offers quality hoodies with customized designs. You can even have “couple hoodies” made!
FOR EVERYONE: Regina’s Gift Shop
I can’t remember how long Regina’s Gift Shop in Shoppesville, Greenhills has been alive but I do remember that as a little girl, I used to come here often to buy anything WWE-related. These days, you can find anything from Despicable Me Minions to One Direction items to Starbucks mugs.
FOR EVERYONE: Fully Booked
What I love about Fully Booked, especially the Bonifacio High Street branch, is the basement level that houses all of the coolest things like Swear Jars or Wedding Fund Jars in the form of tin cans, more adorable notebooks (as if I haven’t listed down enough cute notebooks), fashionable laptop sleeves, hilarious notepads, and more. They opened the Tintin Shop as well, and if you cross over to the other side, there are shirts that any book lover will swoon over.
FOR EVERYONE: The Clutter Shop
If you know anyone who belongs to the Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings, or Star Wars fandom—visit this online shop NOW. Their items are not only affordable, it’s hard to find them anywhere else.
So those are just a few shops you can check out once you start shopping for Christmas gifts. Do check back often, as I plan to update this list whenever I can. I hope this helps you come up with unique Christmas gift ideas, and if you have your own shop or gift idea to suggest, please feel free to comment them below!