Happy Holidays!

Our gift to you this Christmas season is a little help in creating your Christmas List to give to your loved ones and to yourself, as well.

Here are products that we and our friends highly recommend. We have tried these products and we believe each one deserves a spot in your holiday shopping list.

MY SKIN ORIGINS BEAUTY BARS

Give the gift of natural beauty with My Skin Origins Beauty Bars. My Skin Origins products do not contain harmful parabens and hydroquinone. All of their products have a natural fruity smell. I highly recommend the My Skin Origins Power Whitening Beauty Bar which acts as a soap, moisturizer, and whitener. It contains Argan Oil and Shea Butter.

For men, I recommend the Kojic with Kalamansi and Papaya Beauty Bar. It can be used on the face and on the body to clean, refresh, and get rid of acne.

Beauty Bars cost P125 – P195 each. My Skin Origins has an on going 12% off Christmas Promo on products and facial services.

You may buy My Skin Origins products from the My Skin Origins Facial and Skin Care Center located at at Door 2 of #93 Jacinto Street, Davao City. You may also contact them at +6382-3212533, +63946-3030234, +63943-3637754, or at +63908-2339427 for inquiries. For more information, like the My Skin Origins Page at https://www.facebook.com/MySkinOrigins. Follow My Skin Origins on Instagram @MySkinOrigins.

SNOE BEAUTY

The Snoe Beauty Magic Beso Balm is a great gift for busy women. It is a great lip moisturizer. Some variants has a light tint which will eliminate another step in your make up routine. The Magic Beso Balm is only PhP299. This is a gift idea suggestion from Yas Fabricante of I’m a Rockstar Mom.

For women with straight hair, here’s an amazing product that will give you instant beach curls: the Snoe Beauty Hair Heroes Super Fresh Beach Waves Spray. Spray this on your hair, tie it in a bun and get instant waves in a few minutes. A 60 mL bottles is only PhP299.

In Davao, the Snoe Beauty kiosk is located at the 2nd Floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall, near the entrance of Robinson’s Department Store. For more information about Snoe Beauty, visit the Snoe Website at http://www.snoebeauty.com or their page at http://www.facebook.com/snoebeauty. You may also follow them on Twitter @snoebeautyinc and on Instagram @snoebeautyinc.

BURLOLOY DAVAO

Girls of all ages will surely like the quirky accessories by Burloloy Davao.

I saw my friend post her DavCon Christmas Bazaar find and I got curious that I looked for the Burloloy Davao booth in the bazaar. I fell in love with their cute cupcake earrings and bought one. They have many other unique designs for earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

To see their other designs, inquire, and order, like their page at https://www.facebook.com/BurloloyDavao.

HAPPY SKIN

Here’s another brand for beauty junkies. Happy Skin is a proudly Filipino brand that formulates cosmetics designed for the specific make up needs for Filipinas and Asians. All with cute memorable names and packaging.

One of their products for their 2014 Holiday Collection is the Served on a Silver Platter Limited Edition Set. The set contains all the essential products a girl needs for a daily look:

• a 10 ml Second Skin Cream Non-Silicone Foundation Limited Edition tTravel Size (Shade 02),
• a 1 g Eye Am Here to Stay 24H Limited Edition Mini Gel Eyeliner in Watermelon,
• a 5 g Get Cheeky With Me Hydrating Blush in First Kiss,
• a 2.7 g Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie in Honeymoon Glow, and
• aLiquid Foundation Brush.

This is the perfect gift for girls who don’t buy or or don’t often wear make up. The set costs PhP1,999.

In Davao City, you may buy Happy Skin products at Plains & Prints Stores at Chimes Specialty Store, at Gaisano Mall of Davao, and at SM City Davao. For more information, visit the Happy Skin Site at htttp://www.happyskincosmetics.com. You may also visit their social media accounts for beauty tips and make up how-tos: https://www.facebook.com/happyskincosmetics on Facebook, @happyskin_ph on Twitter, @happyskin_ph on Instagram, and http://www.pinterest.com/source/happyskincosmetics.com/ on Pinterest.

BDJ BOX

Here’s the ultimate gift for make up junkies: the BDJ Box.

The BDJ Box or Belle du Jour Box is a monthly subscription to a plethora of skin care, hair care, make up, and other women’s products. Each month you are subscribed to the BDJ Box, you get a box of the products featured for that month.

I have subscribed to the BDJ Box several times and I have always gotten more than my money’s worth. I have receive sampler and full size foundation products, shampoo and conditioner, a lot of lip colors in various shades from different brands, and other make up products. You get to try different products every month. Sometimes I too much products in one box that I give away some of it to relatives and friends.

A subscription to the BDJ Box is P580 per month, P1700 for 3 months, or P3300 for 6 months. You can buy a subscription for yourself or for others. Hurry up because there’s a limited number of boxes every month.

You can know more and buy a subscription to the BDJ Box at http://bdjbox.com/.

SOUL LIFESTYLE

Got a stylish loved one? The SOUL Lifestyle Possibilitees Dress is the perfect gift to give.

It’s one dress with countless ways to wear and style. It’s like giving more than 10 outfits to one person. These dresses are available in a long dress or in a ball gown cut. You can also opt to have one custom made. Just go a SOUL Lifestyle Store have your measurements taken and your dress is ready in a few days.

Another great gift item from SOUL Lifestyle is their Jelly Thongs.

These are perfect for your loved one who loves to wear comfy and casual clothes. It goes with almost anything.

SOUL Lifestyle stores are located at the 2nd Floor of Gaisano Mall of Davao and the 3rd Floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall. For more information like their page at https://www.facebook.com/SOULLifestyle or follow them on Instagram @SOULLifestyle.

MAGS HANDBAG

For your lady friends who loves bags, check out hand bags, clutches, and purses by Mags.

Mags bags are stylish, durable, and come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors. You are sure to find the perfect bag for your loved one. Or for yourself.

In Davao, Mags stores are located at Abreeza Ayala Mall, SM City Davao, and SM Lanang Premier. For a look at their collection and styling tips, like their page at https://www.facebook.com/magsPHofficial and follow them on Instagram @mags_ph.

ROLLABOLS FLATS

This season, every girl will be wearing heels to complete their Holiday look. Give her feet relief with a pair of Rollabols.

It’s ballet flats that you can roll, put inside your bag, and wear when your feet are tired from wearing heels.

Rollabolls Flats are lightweight. So it’s definitely no hassle to bring during parties. What I like about it is the thin but durable material it’s made of so it does not constrict your tired feet. Rather, it allows your toes to breathe. It has rubber soles. So you won’t slip. Rollabols come in various colors. And they’re coming up with more designs, colors, and prints soon. Rollabols Flats are more affordable than other foldable and rollable flats and shoes. So you can easily buy, own or gift, multiple pairs.

For inquiries and orders, add them on FB at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004617705509 or follow them on Instagram @rollabols_flats.

ARTISAN DESIGN STUDIO

The Artisan Design Studio is the haven for crafters.

Buy your artsy friends stamps, custom notebooks, craft punchers, paint brushes, and other crafting items that will help them in their creative process. They have arts and crafts tools and products for kids and adults, alike.

April San Pedro, the person behind The Artisan Design Studio is also an awesome graphic designer. If you have a friend who is starting her own business, you can have April design and produce business cards for your friend.

April also designs cards, packaging, souvenirs, and other items. You can even have your own custom Christmas tags or greeting cards designed and produced. Or you can check out April’s blog for some gorgeous DIY’s you can follow so you can create your own gifts. Her blog is at http://www.iamartisan.com.

The Artisan Design Studio is located at Yellow Hauz at V. Mapa Street corner Mabini Street, Davao City. April has an online shop at https://iamartisan.checkout.ph/. To see her designs and products, check out her FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/designsofartisan.

Suggested by Andrew of http://www.yeahdrew.com.

SAYA BABY CARRIER

For moms to be or mom of infants, Yas Fabricante of the I am a Rockstar Mom Blog recommends the Saya Baby Carrier.

The Saya Baby Carrier is a versatile carrier that mommies can use to carry their babies anywhere. With this carrier, they have free use of their hands and their baby is safe and comfortable. The carrier’s designed is perfect for breastfeeding mommies.

You can buy the Saya Baby Carrier at The Oak & Acorn located at Plaza del Carmen, Loyola Street, Obrero, Davao City and at the 2nd Floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall. For more information, like their page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Oak-Acorn/107672255964966.

HUMAN NATURE

Yas also recommends the Human Nature Nifty Nappy Pack for mommies and their babies.

The Nifty Nappy Pack contains products that are all-Filipino, all-natural, and environment-friendly:

• a 50 mL Natural Baby Wash,
• a 50 mL Natural Baby Lotion,
• a 100 mL Natural Baby Wonder Oil, and
• a tub of Natural Nappy Cream.

The Human Nature Office and Store in Davao is located at Plaza del Carmen, Loyola Street, Obrero, Davao City. For more information about Human Nature, visit their site at http://humanheartnature.com. Also follow their social media accounts https://www.facebook.com/humanheartnature on Facebook, @HumanNaturePhil on Twitter, and the Human Nature Philippines Channel on Youtube.

SWISSTECH

Who doesn’t have a gadget? For every gadget your loved one owns, Swisstech has a durable, trendy case for it.

Swisstech has cases in various colors and in different materials. Generally, their cases are not bulky but durable and are more affordable than other brands.

In Davao Swisstech has a kiosk at the 2nd Floor of Abreeza Ayala Mall. To be updated about their new products, like their page at https://www.facebook.com/swisstechmobile.

Similarly, Digibabe in SM City Davao and SM Lanang Premier, and Halo Mobile Clothing in Gaisano Mall of Davao sells affordable gadget cases, bags, and other small tech accessories. This is a recommendation from Andrew of the Alleba Tech Blog.

BAVIN POWERBANK

Nowadays, a powerbank is a must for people on the go and people who travel. There are powerbanks of different brands and at various prices.

Naprey Almario of the Behind the Rolling Chair Blog recommends a Bavin Powerbank. Nap cites that Bavin Powerbanks last several days and a handful of charging cycles before you have to recharge it. It is also durable and dependable for travelers.

You can order a Bavin Powerbank from the Gadget for Sale Online Store at https://www.facebook.com/Gadgetforsale and on Instagram @gagdet_forsale.

PACSAFE

For safe and secure travels, give your loved ones gear from Pacsafe.

Pacsafe Smart Travel Gear are specially designed to be light and comfortable to bring, with unique anti-slash and anti-theft materials and features. They have luggage and bags, wallets, gadget bags, backpacks, and even trendy everyday bags and handbags. There’s a Pacsafe Smart Travel Gear for everybody.

In Davao, Pacsafe Smart Travel Gear are available at SM Department Store in SM City of Davao, at Bratpack in SM City Davao and Abreeza Ayala Mall, and at Travel Club in SM City Davao and Abreeza Ayala Mall. To view their catalogue, visit their site at http://www.pacsafe.com and like the Pacsafe Philippines FB Page at https://www.facebook.com/PacsafePH.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

And the best gift you can give anybody is the gift of giving. Give a Merry Christmas to our fellow Filipinos affected by Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby) by donating via Habitat for Humanity Philippines.

Habitat for Humanity aims to ship 5,000 roofing sheets from Mindanao and to provide Shelter Repair Kits (SRKs) to the affected areas of Typhoon Hagupit. To realize this goal, Habitat for Humanity needs PhP15,000,000. And you can help them raise this amount.

You can donate any amount to Habitat to Humanity at http://www.give2habitat.org/philippines/typhoonhagupit. You can also donate through bank accounts of with the Account Name: Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Inc. with the following account numbers:

• Bank of Philippine Islands (Peso Account): 2421-0014-24;
• Bank of Philippine Islands (Dollar Account): 2424-0111-45 (Swift Code: BOPIPHMMXX);
• Metrobank Account: 7166-5204-59;
• Banco de Oro Account: 7428-0016-55; and
• China bank Account: 3270-0188-16.

You can track the progress of the Rebuild Philippines: Typhoon Hagupit (Ruby) Response Campaign at http://www.give2habitat.org/philippines/typhoonhagupit.

For more information and updates about Habitat for Humanity Philippines, visit the site at http://www.habitat.org.ph/. Follow their social media accounts: https://www.facebook.com/habitatphilippines on Facebook, @habitatphils on Twitter, @habitatphils on Instagram, and the Habitat for Humanity Philippines Channel on Youtube.

All of the items on this list have been personally tried and are recommended by the My Davao City team and the bloggers cited. We chose to feature mostly Davao and Philippine products.

Our list is already long and it’s about to get longer. We have published a Christmas Gift Ideas for Davao’s Foodies List on Kusina Maria. Watch out for that. We will also be updating and revising this list until after New Year. After all, we have the longest Christmas season, right?

Merry Christmas to all! 🙂

Here’s a map to the physical stores where you can buy some of the items on this list.

If you represent a brand or company and you’re interested to have your product to be featured on this list, send an email to riajose@gmail.com with the subject line “MDC Christmas Gift Ideas” on or before 11:59 pm on December 27, 2014. The blogger may request a sample to be sent for evaluation. A request is not a guarantee that your product/s will be featured.