(Hopefully) Not Too Late Christmas Tips

You Can Make this a Special Christmas

At Christmas time, the mall is particularly stressful.

I mean the crowds are massive and stifling, the parking is horrible, the merchandise are disgustingly overpriced.

Christmas never used to be this way.  It used to be special.  The glittery, dreamy, new-clothes-new-shoes-lots-of-gifts-and-sparkles kiddy kind of special.

(Or is it because, then, I was not in charge (and not spending)?)

But I have grown up (as I must) and now it is my turn to make it special for my brood.

(And I wonder, was it stressful too for my mom and dad, or is it more stressful now because the world has become more fast-paced, more guilt-ridden, more material-focused?)

So ever since the countdown for Christmas began, I have been on the lookout for other alternative ways to give or buy gifts without breaking the bank or losing my sanity.  Here are some of my picks:

Mercato Centrale.  The newest innovative weekend lifestyle market in town with the freshest produce and the most wonderful desserts that are perfect to give as gifts. If you do not catch them (their last day this year is December 19 but hours are extended to 2pm), you can still order goodies from some of their concessionaires via their delivery partner Foodie Delivery (87878).

The Green Book Planner:  I admit this is self-promotion but I am really proud of the planners designed by hubby that are not only eco-friendly but wonderfully beautiful too.  They are already available at Scribe and will be available at Fully Booked on the week of December 20 and Powerbooks next year.

Chic Nails Hand Foot and Body Spa.  What better way to spend the holiday than to pamper and be pampered?  Chic Nails is my favorite spa because they really know how to take care of their customers – from the iced tea (or coffee or hot tea) when you arrive, to the way they massage you, or buff your nails, or attend to you.  Gift certificates for the holidays (or non-holidays – one does not need a holiday to want to feel beautiful) are available.

Cash Cash Pinoy.  I bought Spiral’s buffet tickets there for half the price (with free bottomless iced tea!) and haircut at the Hotel Sofitel’s Philippe’s Salon at 77% off.   Past deals include hair rebonding at 86% off and an overnight stay at a hotel at 70% off.  Other noteworthy groupon offerers, that is “group coupon” for you or wholesale bargain companies offering deals online, are Ensogo and Awesome.ph.

Jetsetter.com.  The gift of travel and experience (think Kenya and a 12-day all-inclusive luxury holiday, or Yukon dog sledding, or an arctic expedition cruise, or going on an Indian Tiger photo shoot).  Their offerings are really interesting, certified fantastic and the fact that this is an invitation only website (I had to wait to be invited!) totally adds to the charm.  (I was thinking of buying a New Year’s Eve at Napa experience for my mom but then I started wanting it for myself…)

And then there’s this non-gift suggestion from Zen Habits (the alternative gift – to yourself or to others – that will not clutter the home), like offering to wash the car, or giving gifts you baked yourself, or volunteering, or asking people to donate to your favorite charity in lieu of gifts, or doing a gift swap (something that you already own) or doing something fun together, like caroling and watching Christmas-themed movies non-stop or playing with the children (100% focused) non-stop.

Happy Christmas.  May it be filled with abundance and good memories and kiddie-glee.

Article by Issa. Art by Danvic Briones. Copyright 2010.
Website: www.YouWantToBeRich.com
Email: issa@youwanttoberich.com

P.S.  The MoneyDoctors blog is now live.  You can check it out here.

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