It’s that time of the year again when some of us will wrack our brains for the perfect item to gift to people in our lives who have different personalities. Sure, you can ask the internet for tips (there’s BOTB [best of the best] online, right?), but it’s best to come in handy with a few ideas in mind just in case you happen to be ready to do your Christmas shopping.
The fashion-forward
We have that friend in the circle, or a Tita, who is always the first to know the latest trend. For the fashion-savvy individual, COS’s curated holiday gift edit is a must-see. With its focus on iconic wardrobe pieces, elevated essentials, and innovative designs, COS offers a range of gifts that are both stylish and sustainable.
The selection features a captivating interplay of materiality and textures, embracing contrasts and winter layering. Seasonal red tones and metallic shine finishes blend seamlessly with winter neutrals and playful prints. Versatile styles transition effortlessly from day to evening, enhanced by draped silk scarves and sequin-embellished accessories. Soft leather quilted bags complement textured teddy surfaces, while jewelry made from recycled materials presents elevated styling opportunities.
Modern knitwear showcases intricate yarn compositions and stitchwork crafted in more sustainable fabrics. Soft winter jumpers, scarves, and hats feature Good Cashmere Standard or recycled cashmere fibers alongside RWS wool and RMS Mohair styles.
COS’ festive gift edit is now available in stores and online globally.
The social drinker
Yep, just for those special occasions that call for a drink, or maybe two. Don Papa Rum, the first premium single island rum from the Philippines, invites you to unlock the magic and level up the merrymaking of the holiday season with its two specialty holiday cocktails with a uniquely Filipino twist—the Sugarlandia Sour and Merienda Colada—a collaboration between Audrey Gustilo, resident mixologist and brand ambassador of Don Papa Rum, and The Black Box Mobile Cocktail Bar, a mobile beverage bar offering special cocktails curated by world-class bartenders.
The Sugarlandia Sour, a riff on the classic Old Cuban, is made with Don Papa Rum (7 years old), fresh kamias juice, and tamarind cordial. The mix is then shaken with ice and poured into a coupe glass, garnished with yogurt-popping caviar, and served in a garden bowl with smoke-dry ice, melding the festive spirit of the season with the rich greeneries of Sugarlandia.
The Merienda Colada, on the other hand, is Sugarlandia’s holiday twist on the classic Piña Colada and the traditional Filipino snack turon and ube ice cream. It is made with Don Papa Rum (7 years old), Ube Cordial, pineapple juice, coconut, and rice milk. The concoction is then clarified with toasted soy milk, topped with white chocolate and kesong puti foam, and garnished with rice milk crackers, banana puree, and a jello infused with Don Papa Rum 7 Years Old and jackfruit. The Merienda Colada highlights some of the uniquely Filipino flavors and, together with Don Papa Rum, creates an elegantly delectable cocktail that perfectly encapsulates the Filipino Christmas spirit.
Discover the wonders of Sugarlandia and elevate your yuletide celebrations by grabbing a bottle of Don Papa Rum in any of their partner retailers: Landers, S&R, Kultura, Ralph’s Wines & Spirits, Boozy.ph, major supermarkets, and more.
And please, drink responsibly.
The peace-loving adventurer
Inspired by nature’s beauty and wonder, Pause Lifestyle offers ‘wearable reminders’ for one’s mindful pursuits. These lifestyle pieces come in the form of beautifully designed charmeuse silk scarves, bag accents, and twillies, among others, that easily put the wearer into a more relaxed mood.
Pause Lifestyle is run by two women who are creative entrepreneurs looking to express their love for the beauty of nature through art and lifestyle products that inspire one to take a moment to pause and appreciate the brighter side of life’s in-betweens. Their products aim to make the wearer feel closer to nature through colors, patterns, and designs that reflect nature’s wonders. Follow @pause.ph for more details.
I could list more, but hopefully, that will be our part two, for we lack the space. You may reach me at joba.botana@gmail.com.
