Shop stops

With the holiday season riding in full force, there’s no way of escaping all that the Christmas festivities bring. In the same vein that ducks are force fed to make their livers swell for delicious fois gras, we are overloaded with everything green and red for the yuletide season. Not that I’m complaining. I’d love for someone to continuously feed me and I look forward to this season that is upon us. Cooler weather, Christmas carols, delicious treats, family and friends coming back, cozy feelings and reflecting on the past year are what it’s all about. The only thing that sends shivers down my spine is the mere thought of holiday shopping!

One has a better chance of breaking out of Alcatraz than coming out alive from a mall expedition these days. To avoid a nervous breakdown, may I suggest nabbing your gifts for the whole kit and caboodle at five major shopping destinations.

With about two weeks to go, you still have time to complete those shopping lists without any elf assistance. Make your list, check it twice and buy Pinoy!

Bench doesn’t discriminate. Her Bench has its own line of vintage boxer shorts for P199.75. Why sweat it out when you have a set of two face towels priced at P129 to keep you dry? My lunch cost more than the mad makeup finds at Her Bench! An eyeshadow duo or single goes for P99, face powder is P90, lip gloss is P89 and lipstick is P109. I’m loving life right now!

It’s hard racking your brain to find a gift for someone who has it all. Dimensione can be a saving grace for a situation like this. Aside from furniture, they carry knick-knacks that can be dream stocking stuffers. Beautiful mirrored frames with gilded gold trimming are a steal at P659. An incense set complete with perfumed sticks and its holder is P395 while a set of eight key chains goes for P455.

A truly Pinoy institution, Bench carries a whole range of items for everyone on your Christmas list. A one-stop shop, they have packaged gifts perfectly for instantly labeling and dolling out. Boxer shorts come neatly packaged for P179.75. Piggy banks are P129 so you can start saving your moolah for Christmas shopping next year. Or stash your cash in retro coin purses for P159.75. Sunglasses in different shades, rose (P459), gold (P369) and purple (P499) add instant glam without draining the wallet. To keep smelling good, the limited edition Love at First Sight cologne, costs P129 and delivers an inner fuzzy feeling as well. Scents don’t stop there. A trio of baby colognes is P96, a hairbrush and body splash set is P149, cologne with coin purse is P159, hand sanitizer and lotion set is P102 and a packaged toy with deodorant is P199. Other gift sets include Superbench dolls with body sprays at P279, Baby Bench hairbrush set with cologne at P149 and a gift set replete with soap, powder and cologne for P169. Have everyone around you smelling and feeling great!

I’m crazy for Kasheica! It emanates feminine chic geared for your mom, titas, sisters, cousins and friends. Fabulous finds include floral ballet slippers at P799, a pink woven shoulder bag for P1,599, an orange plastic bucket bag perfect for the beach at P595 and pretty bracelets in different colors for P995. Delicate tops to don include thin knit sweaters for the brisk climate in gorgeous pastels with ribbons at P999 or with floral trim and rhinestone buttons at P899.

Proper etiquette dictates that giving is better than receiving but human nature suggests that receiving is just as fun as giving. Human has great inventory for sale that would help out the human race without breaking the bank. To beautify, Rice Milk grain scrub is P129, Honey Milk body wash is P99 and Milk body moisturizer is P75. Funky photo frames are P74.50 while cutesy packaged milkshake T-shirts are P299.75. Silver braided belts at P299 are a hard bargain to miss and regal chandelier and crown T-shirts are a whopping P379.75. Royal looks for plebian prices that rock.

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