The gifts that keep on giving

YStyle’s writers dig deep and share what they’re giving this Christmas. From fancy electronic gadgets to sweet personalized stationery, it’s beginning to look a lot like a well-styled Christmas.

Holiday shopping tends to give me a borderline ulcer so, to spare myself from the stress, I shop year-round and stock goodies in my guest room closet. Whenever I travel or see something that fits a friend’s personality I buy it on the spot so I don’t have to comb the malls fighting hoards of people. Some trinkets I’m dishing out this season include personalized note cards with classy, regal toile de jouy trimming that are perfect for everyone and so reasonably-priced they won’t burn a hole in my pocket (arrives in less than a week, e-mail TC Alvarez-Sibal at tc@central.com.ph for orders). Other friends are getting to-die-for sinful cakes and cookies from Classic Confections (tel. 746-2773). These sweet treats are guaranteed to deliver a merry Christmas to all. –Jackie Cohen-Antonio

When looking for Christmas gifts for family and friends, I always try to find things that would actually be useful. I don’t think anyone needs another tie or picture frame. My sister just moved into her new house with her husband so I’ll most likely get her something for her home. I’ll probably get my other sister GCs for some pampering treatments since she’s getting married early next year. Mom always insist that we shouldn’t give her gifts for Christmas – she says that we should just be good and all. I usually give her beauty stuff since she likes that. For friends and relatives, I find that stuff for the home, toiletries or cool accessories are always well-liked. Wrapping them up nicely also adds that extra holiday sparkle to gifts. I also buy Christmas cards that benefit charitable institutions. with feature photos taken by Isa Lorenzo (one of the series pictured). Proceeds of the sale of the cards benefit the icanserve foundation (www.icanserve.net). –DJ Montano

This holiday season, I intend to give gifts that involve interaction with friends and loved ones. I need to do a lot of catching up with the people who are dear to me. For my mother, sister and sister-in-law, I plan to treat them to a full day of pampering and gossiping at a health spa. For my brothers, the latest Play Station with lots of popcorn and beer until all of us pass out. For nephews and nieces, half day at Kid’s Station and half day at Power Books to choose whatever they like. And for my friends, bottles of sparkling wine, cheese, chaser anti-hangover pills, moisturizer and brunch at M cafe for all the late nights and early morning parties this season.–JR Isaac

Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. I feel like it gives everyone the license to feel like a child again. The decorations, the toys, the presents and the Christmas sweets always make me feel like I’m five again. Everything becomes pretty at the end of the year. I want my family and friends to feel the exact same way. And the way I see it nothing brings you back to your childhood better than a toy. I want to give everyone I love an adorable Santa Teddy Bear. You’re never too old for a Christmas hug from a fuzzy friend.– Alessandra Tinio

This Christmas, as a reformed regifter, I will give my friends a candle collection that I created with my boyfriend Marcel using specially made Cereo candles. Each candle commemorates each island we visited this year together with our friends with a scent to matches. The labels are all art deco, our favorite era of design, and our Christmas card is a polaroid of my Christmas tree that we decorated together.– Celine Lopez

I plan to reward my trusty one-eyed dog/faithful steed Albert this Christmas with a rockin’ party outfit. Every dog needs one. (Check out The Fat Dog at 50th Avenue in Alabang Town Center for dog tuxedos and Santa suits.) – Bea Ledesma

The gifts I’m giving:

My sister: an Ipod Nano. Since this has been published, I have no excuse to back out.

My best friend Anne: an ironing board, since she just moved into a new apartment, although it’s a very unfashionable gift for the fashion editor of Preview magazine.

My traveler friend Cheche: portable speakers for her Ipod

My boyfriend: a Paul Smith wallet, which is overdue from last Christmas

My male colleagues: Bench Disney Cuties shirts. Real men wear cute cartoon prints.

My female colleagues: Bloom lipgloss and Lush products

My YStyle colleagues: ardent prayers that we can all overload on carbs without gaining unwanted pounds. –Ana Kalaw

The best-suited gifts for my girlfriends would be a copy of chick-lit fave Men are From Mars Women Are From Venus or the more recent He’s Just Not Into You. But I don’t want to be that predictable this season and I’m getting a strong feeling that I’ll be receiving at least one of two said books from them this year. So I figured, get Philosophy’s Few Good Men Lip Balms in lemon custard, gingerbread and bubble gum ice cream flavors. Its packaging is humorous; each balm is soothing to the lips, and delectable. – Bianca Salonga