Wrapping the magic of Christmas

In a time when health crisis and other circumstances keep us apart, being with your loved ones – family, friends, community – is already a gift.  

“Togetherness is, at the end of the day, our greatest blessing, our reason for being, and our path to fulfillment,” said Rustan’s Commercial Corporation president Donnie Tantoco as he shared with the media guests to their annual Christmas campaign launch the words he heard at a virtual mass he recently attended. 

Tantoco added, “In a world where it’s all about individuals – individual rights, individual truths – the message I heard was the community, the family is more important than the individual.” 

“We cannot live fruitfully, purposefully, joyfully, and productively if we are not connected, not part of an interdependent community. What I heard from those words is we will never be happy if we do not live for a purpose that is larger than ourselves.”

It it the essence of togetherness and making it more special in the second time we are celebrating the holiday season amid a pandemic that Rustan’s department store aspires to give to its customers. Christmas, after all, is being together with the important people in our lives 

“Now, we all value relationships. And one way to connect with someone is by giving thoughtful gifts,” added Tantoco.

And thoughtful gifts, Rustan’s has in spades. 

Holiday essentials for sale, as in Christmas trees, ornaments, lights, and more are prominently displayed at Rustan’s Christmas Village on the 5th floor of its Makati branch.

Food boxes filled with sumptuous goodies from Gourmet Garage, Marks & Spencer, Theo & Philo, and Ferrero Rocher are also available at the festive specialty shop, as well as Champagne from Moet & Chandon. 

The Christmas Village is open until Dec. 31 to shoppers in store as well as to those availing the department store’s personal shopper service powered by “117 and counting highly trained personal shoppers”, according to marketing and communications head Dina Tantoco. 

Other services the department store offers for hassle-free Christmas shopping include Gift List Management that allows customers to send their gift list to Rustan’s personal shoppers, who can look for the gift choices, assist in the transaction process, and set the delivery to the buyer’s or the recipients’ houses. 

Customers who want to personally shop can schedule an appointment for Assisted Shopping service to have a store personnel assist them during their visit. Those who prefer to shop virtually can do so via video call with a personal shopper. 

“We try to make it a stress-free Christmas for all customers not only by doing it efficiently, but also recognizing that every name on your list is someone we want to do something special for,” enthused Donnie Tantoco. 

Early Christmas shoppers can take advantage of discounts on a variety of products during Rustan’s launch weekend on Oct. 15 to 17. 

Moms with little kids can score up to 35 percent off on select items from Attipas, Babyhood, Banz, Graco, Hamico, Yamatoya, Roobetter, My Carry Potty, and more.

Bags, accessories, shaving sets, and other men’s items from Gouache, Braun, Seiko, Pacsafe, Hydrapak, Lewis N. Clark, Artiart, Bugatti Bags, Loqi, Jack Nicklaus, and Knomo are offered at special rates up to 50 percent off. 

Frequent Shopper Program (FSP) members can earn x5 FSP points from Hackett, New Balance, Emporio Armani, Magnanni, Pedro del Hierro, and more.

More FSP points (x5) will be given to shoppers buying women’s apparel, bags, and shoes from Elie Tahari, Coccinelle, Dooney & Bourke, Bardot, Swarovski, Criselda Lontok, Lady Rustan, Lotus, and Luna. Meanwhile, Sitara Vintage and Etika Collective are slashing up to 15 percent off prices of selected items.

During the weekend launch, shoppers can get up to 30 percent off on kitchenware, tableware, glassware, small appliances, and other lifestyle accessories from Beka, Cuisinart, Tefal, Amefa, Nachtmann, Seletti, Wilmax, Serta, Malouf, Russell Hobbs, Saeco, Gaggia, and more.

In addition to special offers, all FSP members will get more points when they shop at participating women’s, men’s, kid’s, home, fine jewelry, and beauty brands on Oct. 15-17. Members spending at least P5,000 are entitled to x5 FSP points. 

UnionPay cardholders will receive P800 Rustan’s gift card or Rustans.com online gift card when they spend at least P8,000 in store or online until Dec. 31. Rustan’s extends it 0 percent bank installment promo until January 31, 2022. Holiday shoppers can choose between three transaction plans depending on their purchase amount, covering up to 3, 6, and 12 months at 0 percent installment for participating credit cards.