It's the season of giving which also means shopping. Before you head out with your wishlist for your friends and relatives, consider these recommended shopping places and finds from our trusted SP moms.
1. Mall sales
Image from http://www.robinsonsmalls.com
Len Salcedo-Torres, a 33-year-old housewife, shops at the nearest city mall every year as early as October. "I go there very early with my list ready and wearing my most comfortable shopping get up. I usually get everything on a buy 1 - take 1 or 50% off promo, not minding the size at all. If I have to change a size, I go back after the sale to avoid the crowd. Finishing my Christmas shopping early gives me more time to spruce up the house for Christmas."
SP mom's tip: Avail of the free gift wrapping service. Line is short when you shop early.
2. World Trade Center
image from http://www.sxc.hu by Daniela Corno
Vanessa Basilio-Liwanag, a bank employee, is lucky because her workplace is close to the World Trade Center. "I do my shopping at trade fairs held usually near Christmas time, and I like it that there's a variety of products, the place is secure and the venue is weatherproof."
Macky Benigno notes that she goes to WTC for toys and gifts for kids. "[There are] So many choices for toys and clothes, mostly export over runs. Items are of higher quality than those found at Greenhills and Divisoria."
For a schedule of events at World Trade Center, check out wtcmanila.com.ph.
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3. Dapitan Arcade
Image grabbed with permission from mommy blogger Fleur Rubio-Sombrero's page
http://mommyfleur.blogspot.com
Dapitan Arcade is haven for home makers and home decorators. Mom Andrea Cecille Akim says, "You can find neat handicrafts, decorative items and gift items there. Although some of these items can be found in Divisoria, too, the prices at Dapitan Arcade are much lower because they manufacture the items themselves."
Dapitan Arcade is located near the intersection of Kanlaon and Dapitan streets near Welcome Rotonda in Quezon City.
SP mom's tip: Classy need not be expensive. An inexpensive item with good workmanship can have a higher perceived value.
4. Pasig Night Market
Image from http://www.sxc.hu by Phillip Collier
28-year-old Shery Lyn Vargas of Pasig prefers to buy Filipino and know how to get it cheaper: she goes to the Pasig night market. "[There are] a lot of good finds for all ages - locally-made shirts, kids' dresses, etc. They sell the same items that you see at malls and the Greenhills tiangge, but at half the price."
The Pasig Night Market is held at the 3rd floor of Pasig Market every Friday midnight to Saturday morning.
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5. Ayala Alabang Village Bazaar
image from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net by Tom Curtis
In Ayala Alabang alone, a number of bazaars are held regularly by different organizers. Lawyer Zennia Barrion has been shopping here for her Christmas needs. "When shopping for gifts for people special to me, we wait for the bazaar at Ayala Alabang. It's usually held around the second week of November. Their price may be at par with those in malls but they sell items that are hard to find, and are of export quality. I still get raves for a bag I bought there years ago. For me it's the uniqueness of the gift that counts that's why I reserve those items only for myself and my family."
6. Baclaran
Image from http://www.sxc.hu by paolo ferla
If you're looking for shoes, accessories and clothings, why go far? Bianca dela Rosa of Pasay City explains why Baclaran shopping is always a good decision.
"Their price is the same as Divisoria's. I find jeans and shirts from Baclaran that are just as durable as the ones you can buy in the mall. It's also easy to compare prices with stores selling the same stuff because these stores are situated nearby, saving you both time and effort walking and scouring the entire place."
SP mom's tip: Shops in the Baclaran area close at around 6-7 pm.
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7. Marikina Riverbanks
image from http://www.riverbankscenter.com
32-year-old Marycris B. de Guia, a legal secretary and a resident of Marikina, explains why this popular shopping place is enjoyed not only by the people of Marikina but those coming from the Rizal and Pasig areas as well.
"We used to go to Divisoria to buy Christmas gifts. But due to time constraints, we decided to do the shopping at The Riverbanks Mall in Marikina. It’s more convenient for us and it's very much like Divisoria – sans the crowd. Aside from the wide array of affordable items, there is an amusement center where the kids can spend time while you shop. The yearly Christmas Bazaar is facilitated by the local government of Marikina.
For more info on directions and events, check out http://www.riverbankscenter.com. The Riverbanks Center Christmas Bazaar is ongoing until January 16, 2013.
8. Divisoria
image by the author
Who hasn't been lured to the promise of cheaper buys at Divilandia for Christmas gifts? Count in Rosenelle Tajanlangit, a stay-at-home mom from Antipolo. "We go to Divisoria as early as October every year. There are more items to choose from, including specialty stuff for the home. Come November, we head to Marikina and Antipolo for more shopping."
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9. Online shopping
Image from http://www.freedigitalphotos.net by scottchan
Karen Abigaile Roxas saves herself time and effort by shopping online. "I have a list of trusted online shops for almost every gift need - from baby stuff, clothes, imported items like perfumes and watches, even toys and gadgets. I find many of the items cheaper than those sold in the malls. It's hard to tag kids along while shopping that's why buying online suits me perfectly. What's more, some sellers give you freebies."
SP mom's tip: themall.ph is a one-stop shop for people who love to purchase online. Also check out Smart Parenting's Online Marketplace for your online shopping needs.
10. Catalog/ Direct Seller
image by the author
Busy working mother Shane Emperador of Makati shops at her own convenience. Instead of going to the mall, her purchased items "go" to her. "Buying products from catalogs is convenient and time-efficient. I don’t usually have time to go to the mall, so I just order cosmetics and undergarments online. The quality is good and at par with those in the mall. Ordering from, say, Avon is convenient since I only have to choose which item I like and the dealer buys it for me. It's also a practical choice financially, since I have a one-month grace period to pay for the products that I order. That way, I have more time to save money."
Raphonzel Lejano says she has found the best gift she can give this Christmas from a catalog. "Ever since I found out about the harmful chemicals our everyday personal products contain, especially products for babies, I have decided to buy my Christmas gifts from Human Nature. Their products are all sourced from the Philippines and everything is natural and organic."
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11. Specialty Shops
Image from http://www.smartparenting.com.ph/kids/preschooler/33-essentials-for-your-little-student-s-study-area# papemelroti, coin bank image from www.papemelroti.com
Karen Solar of Cainta heads on to a specific store in a mall for unique and functional items. "Papemelroti items are mostly from recycled materials and they're cheap - from notepads, beaded jewelries, figurines, home decors and my new discovery, a cute owl & egg coin banks. Here, you'll find an item that will suit your friends & families, even kids."
SP mom's tip: You can order online at http://www.papemelroti.com
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