Hey, early birds, here are where you can do your Christmas shopping in advance
Likhang HABI Market Fair
October 20-22|Glorietta Activity Center, Makati
If you really want to give a gift with meaning, head to this market fair to find products that pay homage to the makers of indigenous Filipino textile.
Presented by HABI: The Philippine Textile Council, the 7th Likhang HABI Market Fair celebrates the Filipinos who, in their continuous work to empower local traditions, culture, and customs, sustain the indigenous textile industry and help it thrive in the modern market.
The three-day fair will open with a fashion show and will feature a series of lectures to help local and global consumers understand the importance of supporting the revival of the local weaving industry. In particular, Marlon Martin of Save the Ifugao Rice Terraces Movement will helm a talk on the hot topic of cultural appropriation.
Traditional weavers such as Raquel Eliserio of Kalibo, Aklan will also be put on the spotlight to speak about their advocacies that integrate the handwoven culture with community initiatives.
Yabang Pinoy Christmas Holiday Bazaar
October 21-22|Filinvest Tent, Spectrum Midway, Alabang
Spread the good cheer to micro- and small enterprises by doing your Christmas shopping at this holiday bazaar that’s produced by Yabang Pinoy in cooperation with the Children’s Environmental Awareness and Action Foundation.
From men’s and women’s fashion to items for the home and even stuff for pets, find unique gift ideas with ease, as the tent will be divided into categorical zones. There will even a play area for kids to keep them from breaking out into boredom-fueled tantrums while the elders shop, and food stalls from the likes of Bai’s Boneless Lechon, Bigg Rigg Shawarma, and Andy’s Kitchen. The best part? Admission to the bazaar is free.
Holiday collections for the home
Splurge a bit on your starter condo—or your childhood-to-adulthood bedroom, we ain’t judging—and start perusing through some high class ish to liven up your personal space. In fact, why not even buy items to get you started on becoming the dinner host of your dreams?
Crate & Barrel has recently come out with its holiday collection, complete with Christmas promos and gifts for shoppers. For a minimal purchase, you can score small tablescape items—you need a wine glass writer, for real—while enjoying some hot cocoa and cookies while you shop.
If you’ve been good so far this year, and if you’ve been living for the insanely maximalist looks that Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele continues to bring to the runway, treat yourself to some fragrant home tchotchkes from the joyously eclectic collection of Gucci Décor. There are four scents available for both the candle and incense selections:
Inventum has “a delicate note of ancient damask rose blended with voluptuous and distinctive Taif rose.” Fumus feature “the dark, intense scent of birch, mingled with [those] of orange leaves and beeswax,” while Herbosum carries “the fresh, intense scents of tomato leaves and aromatic plants, mixed with the fragrance of long grass peppered with basil and lemongrass.” Finally, Esotericum, features “the bitter aroma of Seville oranges, intricately intertwined with notes of jasmine, leather, and salt.” Just imagine how much more festive and fancy your place would be with any of these scents.
Crate & Barrel has branches at SM Megamall, SM Aura, and SM Makati, and will have a pop-up set at the Power Plant Mall’s North Court from October 16 to 19. Find the Gucci Décor collection at the Gucci boutiques at Greenbelt 4 and Shangri-La Plaza East Wing.
