You have exactly one week left to shop for something for the most special someone (or people) in your life. You have probably already blown off a whole chunk of your money on buying gifts for your colleagues, friends, cousins… BUT when it comes to: a parent, a sibling, a loved one, a husband, a daughter, a grandson (ok enough with the generational mention)… you simply cannot scrimp (pssst, DH, are you listening? hehehehehe joke only– or yikes, I will friggin’ lose all my medical benefits, so I will now be shutting my boca*) on their gifts. At least TRY not to scrimp 😉
For one of these people or ALL of these people *if you’re so lucky to be blessed with a LOT of loved ones haha*, you matter so much. And now that it’s Christmas, there’s no reason for you to be a total Scrooge when it comes to them *Ok, I am exempted from this “rule” hahahaha*. Sure, recession hit your pockets, but this is THE ONE TIME you can show your *cough* material love to your MOST SPECIAL ONE/S (the very one person/s who would wipe out the savings you’ve so hardly earned throughout the year muwahahaha).
And so, without further ado, MY list of Luxe Gift Ideas. Some with prices published but others without (sorry I lacked time in gathering all the complete info for you– but I tried 😀 *cut me some slack please– this baghag wannabe is still suffering from jetlag! Waaaaah*).
1. Something from Agatha. I always see Agatha pieces in Printemps in Paris, and had bought something of theirs sometime last year (with the brand’s signature scottie). I hadn’t realized before that Agatha had actually already opened in Manila sometime ago because I am hardly in Greenbelt. And then I saw the shop. I had to go in just to see what they have. And wow, plenty plenty gift ideas!
Scottie hairclips in different colors, priced under Php 1,000
They may be on the high end, price-wise, but they’re still a lot cheaper than Alexandre de Paris 😉 And these little guys are made in France.
Scottie-backs, also below Php 1,000.
Agatha is very famous in Paris for their charms. Bracelet chains cost Php 2,650 up, while charms cost from Php 1,450 up.
(I’d pick an eiffel tower charm *natch!*, a bag *natch again!*, and a scottie 🙂
Cellphone charms of Agatha cost Php 1,150, while watches go from Php 11,500 up. *I am so liking that Scottie watch too!!!*
(Thank you Julie and Gladz for helping me out!) Agatha is on the 2nd level of Greenbelt 5. Tel. # (632) 758- 6246
2. Your contribution to the annual family dinner is your gift. Instead of eating out (which we normally do, by the way hahaha), eat in! Yesterday I received a most wonderful gift for the whole family from a dear friend.
Hainanese Chicken (shown above are 2 orders) with Chicken Rice ! No, this is not from Tao Yuan (which I also love by the way), this dish was prepared by Chef Steven Villacin. For just under Php 1,000 per order, you can allow your family members to enjoy this VERY yummy version of Hainanese Chicken. Chef Stevie’s version is such that you should heat up the accompanying chicken sauce, bring to a boil, then serve it over the chicken (especially if the chicken is cold). You don’t need to heat up the chicken at all (in fact, I think it’s best left unheated).
The result is this. *Droools*
It is chicken that is very different from Tao Yuan, so there’s really no basis for comparison. This dish is just as fantastic (and I am pretty picky with my Hainanese Chicken, having eaten some pretty good ones over the last year or so), the chicken was tender and the sauce was topnotch. My children feasted over this chicken with the accompanying sweet soy over the very yummy chicken rice, while I chose to have seconds (and thirds actually) with the ginger oil sauce and green chili sauce. This is my kind of “luxurious” comfort food because where I’m at, it’s really difficult to get good Hainanese chicken (unless you brave the 2 hours or so traffic to go downtown– a luxury *time* during which, this holiday season, I just don’t have anymore). For orders, you may get in touch with Chef Steven Villacin at (+63917) 578-3843. Orders can get picked up inside Bel- Air 3 Village, just across from Rockwell Power Plant Mall (and I think *though I’m not too sure* he can also deliver within Makati for a fee)!
3. I saw Hotflops while I was walking around Greenbelt. While they were already publicized in other blogs, I didn’t rush to get me a pair. I have way too many slippers and I only use them at home. So there was no need for me to buy an expensive “designer” pair of flipflops. But then Hotflops had those same cute designs for kids.
So I figured I had to get some for the kids of my immediate family 🙂 I like the fact too that the kiddie slippers
are currently on sale for just under Php 1,000!
4. Do you guys remember when M&S was still called St. Michael’s? 😀 Does anyone remember buying those knee socks with heart cut-out designs which we scrunch down to about 2 inches above the ankle and wear to school? *hehehehe OhemGee Imma fashion victim!* Anyway, at Marks and Spencer there are a LOT of things you can get. I have always just passed by the stores but never really went into any of them until I saw this cute London double decker red bus coin bank. Priced at Php 1,395 and comes with chocolate coins 😉
I love this London Bus! Incidentally M&S also has a Union Jack piggy bank 😉 Marks and Spencer is on the Ground level of Rockwell Power Plant Mall.
5. For the athletic man in your life, why don’t you get him a nice pair of Vilebrequin boxer- short swimming trunks for him to use during Summer 2010 in Boracay or in one of your future exotic island getaways?
I first heard of this brand around the same time I met bag maker Hervé Chapelier. The funny thing is, just like Chapelier, the brand Vilebrequin was also born in the 70s, and the idea behind the brand also began in the very chic beach resort of Saint Tropez, France! What coincidence (and oh the creative minds must’ve been vacationing in the French Riviera)! Vilebrequin swimtrunks material is unique in that it is quick- drying. Oh and here’s the cutest part– the brand also carries boys’ swimtrunks– you can actually find coordinating father- and- son trunks :). And now, this French Riviera- chic brand is now available in the Philippines at Rustan’s Makati. I personally love their prints– they’re sooo happy! 🙂
6. And now, what’s this Christmas gift idea list without some bags, right? Straight from the House that Monogram Built, Louis Vuitton has some good ideas for both male and female. For your man, how about this Monogram Neo Greenwich (which incidentally you can also borrow– how’s that for “dual purpose” hahaha). I love that these handles are black.
No more patina worries *whistles* Priced at Php 130,000.
And if your budget is below Php 16,000 for the woman of your life, this might be a nice little starter piece for her 🙂
If you wish to spend a little more, there’s the Porte Monnaie Flocon (pronounced Flo- khon) coin purse in the miroir material
(Super Cute!) Priced at Php 26,900.
And if she likes big wallets, try the Monogram Insolite wallet, which comes with a contrasting interior color (available in red, blue, and white interior). Priced at Php 32,300 only–
I say “only” (it’s subjective, although I can tell you I will flinch too if I had to cough up this amount for a wallet haha) because for an Hermes dogon wallet, you will need to shell out 2 Insolite wallets’ worth 🙂 Louis Vuitton is on the ground floor of Greenbelt 4. Tel. # (632) 756-0637
7. Something for the more pocket- friendly, is this Marc by Marc Jacobs zippered tote.
The bag is large and very light. Plus it has that cute print! Priced at Php 11,500, I think this is a good gift to receive (or if you’re a guy, to give to your lady love :D) Marc by Marc Jacobs is on the ground level of Greenbelt 5. Tel. # (632) 729-9607
8. If you are not into big bags, here’s another bag I would like to suggest. And it comes from Bottega Veneta, an Italian leather brand that has been synonymous with understated luxury. This particular compact document case/ wallet in violet
(it actually looks royal blue in the photo but it’s a very nice violet color in person) will set you back by Php 34,000. If luxury is what you want, and without those logos, then this is the brand I highly, highly recommend. Bottega Veneta is at Greenbelt 4’s ground floor. Tel. # (632) 757-6293.
9. Now, if your recipient is not too big on bags, why not go for jewelry? Urban Zone host and dedicated mother Daphne Oseña Paez’s rose quartz (for love) bead necklace with antique charm locket, cross, and swarovski charm is lovely.
Ok, I admit I may sound like I’m plugging *hehe ok, in a way I am* but even if Accessory Lab didn’t carry Daphne’s necklaces, I’d still suggest them as a Christmas gift because I credit Daphne for bringing antique charms and lockets as well as medallions back to the accessories and bling scene again. Plus, this necklace would go quite well with a nice, classic LBD. Priced below Php 18,500. Daphne’s necklaces can be found at Accessory Lab, 2/F Rockwell Power Plant Mall.
10. For the Christmas season, it’s nice to have these wooden Nutcracker figurines in the home, and is a great gift to give to those who love decorating the home!
and then you can play (or ask them to play) Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker *Dance of the sugarplum fairy* on the ipod for that added Yuletide spirit 😀 Hehehehe. These wonderful pieces are priced at Php 1,480 each (for the standing beefeater soldiers) and Php 1,580 for the one in the rocker. They are available at one of my most favorite stores in Manila, AC+632 *at 2F Greenbelt5, Tel. # (632) 758-2564*, owned by Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre. I swear, they have the best window display in town. Someday if I am rich and can afford to buy a mansion *guffaws… ok I’m not going to be too ambitious* house, I’d love to have them decorate at least one or two of my rooms *hehehe phantom boudoir*. They really have excellent taste!
Welp, that pretty much sums up my luxe Christmas list this year. Some of these suggestions may be expensive (but I’m sure there are generous sponsors out there this Christmas! *pleading puppy- eyes look*, while others are really affordable and yet, still luxurious 🙂
Hehehehe and I guess, if all else fails, you can just wait until the very last minute (like maybe December 23?) and then troop over to Hermes, Manila in Greenbelt (which is slated to open its doors to the birkin- loving public on December 20– though wait, I’m not too sure if this will be a “public” opening).
Happy Shopping, peeps! *Have you guys already begun shopping? Or you peeps are still waiting until the very last minute? Let me know! 🙂 *
x
Mrs.T
what can you say about this marc jacobs tote?
http://resources.shopstyle.com/pim/66/f3/66f3b718ebd6cbdfd1796c8face88429_medium.jpg
I want that MBMJ bag.. it helps that it isn’t “miss marc” who is on the print 😀
I was one of those who wore the St. Michael socks for school. It was the “IN” thing. And we used to hoard them in HK. 😉 And I also used to buy the xmas cards they sell and give them to my classmates during HS days. Haha!
I love the MJ bag! I have been going back to GB5 just to look at that bag. It’s perfect for everday use, it’s light and it’s big and cute! 🙂
nice christmas picks!!
fit all kinds of budget from hi-lo!!
some fills your tummy and some empties your bank account!!LOL
but then something for everybody!!
cute, chic, charming, costly, & cheap
jp boi