The mad rush

All I have been hearing lately is how dreadful it is to be so close to Christmas time again. Of course, the kids can’t be more thrilled since they are expecting their annual supply of shiny new toys to refill their shelves and cabinets. On the other hand, late 20-somethings to 50-somethings and everyone else who’s got a busy job and/or a wooly home life are all feeling the inevitable anxiety that comes with the holidays.

Work seems to pile up a foot higher every day as we draw closer to the "ber" months. Traffic becomes more inescapable. Every trip to the ATM gives us a minor panic attack at the sight of dwindling funds. And above all that, we still have to trudge through the crowds, shell out more cash, try to get creative with gift ideas and tick off anywhere from 50 to 500 names from our Christmas shopping list… only to find ourselves bruised, battered, burned and broke.

There must be some other way, I wonder, because, quite honestly, I’ve really had it. I can get sappy and say how we have all lost the point of the season and forgotten why we even celebrate it. I can get cynical and decide to quit spending on ungrateful friends and unappreciative family folk. But basically, it all boils down to the sheer craziness of it all. I refuse to fall into the same trap year after year (after frigging year) because it’s just turned into one giant mother of a mess. We have turned Christmas into the biggest guilt-trip of all. You expect a gift or you won’t feel loved. You feel obliged to give a gift in return. Then there’s the guilt vibes we send when we wrap a "recycled" gift. Guilt, guilt, guilt. Gross.

With the ever-growing, "real" problems of the world and even within our own backyard, I pretty much refuse to subject myself to anything that’s a waste of my time, money, and sanity. So what I’ve opted to do this year is to take the money I would’ve spent on buying gifts for my friends, co-workers and family and pooled it into a fund for those who need it much more than us. I have chosen children’s charities (like the pediatric ward of PGH and CRIBS); a friend’s chosen the environment (Luntiang Pilipinas, World Wildlife Fund, Philippine Animal Welfare Service); while another has chosen to support education (by sponsoring a child through school, or donating to a charity like Sa Aklat Sisikat). You save gas, you save time, and, check it out, you might even help save a life. (I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to realize this!)

But this idea has left me at a bit of a crossroads. Because I work in retail, I feel like I’ve just committed treason. How can I possibly discourage shopping at the shopping-est time of the year (when every shop hopes to reach its quota and make up for the weak months prior)? Well, as I like to say, "You can take the girl out of fashion but you can’t take fashion out of the girl." Meaning to say, I may be fed up with the crazy Christmas crush, but I know how we all could use some retail therapy now and then.

If you’re going to go shopping this time of year, I guess you should just do it smartly. Plan ahead (this is your cue – get going now!). Get resourceful (have your four-year-old son paint a card that you can re-print and mail out). Try not to waste too much wrapping paper (if you’re just buying the ugly cheap stuff, think of saving the trees instead). Stick to five stores (max!) where you will finish shopping for all your gifts. Lastly, if you’re going to spend eight grand on a necktie for your beau, and you won’t even buy one measly sampaguita lei from a street kid, then go take a hike!

I scoured our city for five of the hippest stores in town, and interrogated their owners and fashion buyers. Maybe they can clue us in on what’s new, what to buy, and what keeps them going when the mad rush cometh. Now people, enjoy! But please, don’t shop ‘til you drop.

Richie Ortega 

Co-owner of Souk Gallery, designer/partner of When I Was 5; designer for United Pop (a new line for Crossings Dept. Store), Modi (Modern Indigenous) and her own line of bridal and cocktail frocks

What is your own personal message to the world this holiday season? Please stop the fighting and divisiveness. We all come from one ultimate source. We’re one and the same. 

What do you love about your job? I love that my time is unstructured, flexible and never boring. My mind is constantly engaged. It nurtures creativity, and I get to travel. It’s great meeting so many new people through Souk.

What’s the best gift to give and receive under P1,000? Unicef Christmas cards for P365 a pack. Also, the Tao-Tao necklace of Modi for P700. It’s a double whammy if you give gifts for a cause.

Name your favorite holiday trend. Velvet and lace.

If you could buy only one thing from your store, what would it be?  Pia Rivera’s painting, "Open for Inspiration." She just had an art exhibit in Souk Gallery last Oct. 6.

Mia Borromeo

Consultant/managing director for Mix and Atelier M

What is your own personal message to the world this holiday season? Despite the times, we still have so much to be thankful for. Let us always be grateful for all of God’s blessings and be generous in sharing them with others.

What do you love about your job?  I love retail; I think it’s in my blood! And I love how it’s so multi-faceted – buying and putting together an edited collection each season; dealing with clients; meeting interesting people; and making so many great friends in this business, both in and outside of the fashion industry. I have a lot of fun styling photo shoots and planning in-store events.

What’s the best gift to give and receive under P1,000? A donation in someone’s name to a worthy cause. It goes a long way.

Name your favorite holiday trend. Jeans worn with ruffled and embellished tops.

If you could buy only one thing from your store, what would it be? Blue jeans. My current favorite is Habitual – super great fit!

Candy Reyes

CEO, Ishq Inc. (which means she does everything from purchasing, design, operations, etc.)

What is your own personal message to the world this holiday season?  "At Christmas, play and make good cheer for Christmas comes but once a year." — Thomas Tussern, 16th-centurey English poet

What do you love about your job?  Everything! I love that it’s not boring, and that I never do the same thing everyday. I love that I get to meet a lot of people, and work with a lot of creative minds. I love that I can make something that I love and take it around with me. I love that I get first dibs at the store!

What’s the best gift to give and receive under P1,000? There is so much you can buy for P1,000 if you know where to look! Free massages are always a good gift!

Name your favorite holiday trend. I’ve always enjoyed all the sparkly stuff that comes out in the holidays. I think it’s the perfect time to have fun getting dressed up. This year, I like all the ruffled Victorian blouses and tweed jackets with those sparkly brooches.

If you could buy only one thing from your store, what would it be?  The vintage-inspired beaded clutch. I could see myself using it for years!

Jappy Gonzalez

Fashion buyer of Homme et Femme

What is your own personal message to the world this holiday season? It’s been an "interesting" year... I look forward to the next year and may it be blessed!

What do you love about your job? That others appreciate our rationale to fashion.

What’s the best gift to give and receive under P1,000? A scented candle.

If you could buy only one thing from your store, what would it be? The Balenciaga men’s messenger bag.

Loralee Baron

Associate brand manager/ buyer, Rustan’s ladies "high street" division

What is your own personal message to the world this holiday season?  Christmas is simple – give something to the people important to you. Take this opportunity to thank the people who touched your life during the year and make them feel special. Remember waking up on Christmas day as a kid? I feel as if we experience that feeling less and less every year. We shouldn’t forget how great Christmas is despite being drowned by the realities we face today.

What do you love about your job? How it’s turned me into a very dynamic being. I’ve learned so much from the training, traveling, and buying, which have made my job colorful, meaningful and fulfilling.

What’s the best gift to give and receive under P1,000? Personalized gifts. But when strapped for time, I give Acca Kappa cologne from Rustan’s Essenses – it’s unisex, comes in an elegant package and can be wrapped in the ever-reliable Rustan’s wrapper.

Name your favorite holiday trend. Tailored pieces in black and white and cropped jackets and pants.

If you could buy only one thing from your store, what would it be? The Fendi Spy bag.