Gifts that Give

It always feels good to make other people feel like they are appreciated and esteemed, and what better occasion to make them feel loved than Christmas? But wouldn’t it be great to know that the gifts you are handing out serve a greater purpose than just making you and the recipient happy?

They may be saving Mother Earth, supporting less fortunate Filipino children, a marginalized community, or a small business. What better way to celebrate the season of “the-never-ending-exchanging-of-gifts” than to give away gifts that keep on giving (even after you’ve bought, wrapped, and given them away)!

Here are some ideas that might help kick off your Christmas list:

1. For your boss, colleague, or bestie’s mom. Because I have yet to meet a person who does not like chocolates.

Launched three years ago, Truffles by K are homemade melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffles packed in an elegant (aka expensive-looking) box. Truffles by K comes in three flavours: matcha, dark classic, and milk classic.

Price range: PhP150.00–PhP190.00

2. For your nostalgic lolas, titas, and Mommy.

Awarded as this year’s regional winner under the micro-industry category of the Productivity Olympics organized by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Boards - DOLE, Craftcha, according to their Facebook page, is 99% recycled katsa (or flour sack cloth) products, crafted for the love of nature. Their products include bags, pants, blankets, pillow cases, pajamas, eco bags, and rugs. Plus point for this family business, almost 10 years in the industry now, is that they provide opportunities for PWDs who want to start their own zerowaste startup.

Price range: around PhP50.00 and up

3. For your soft-hearted barkadas who are always on the go but want to stay stylish. Since 2013, LoveHopeFaith Group, with every purchase of its Life Saver watch, donates 50% of the net proceeds to cancer patients. Life Saver watches come in various colours and two sizes.

Price range: PhP250.00–PhP300.00

4. For the eco-warrior person in your life.

Bambuhay offers eco-friendly products made from, yes, bamboo. Their product line includes straws, toothbrushes, and tumblers. This social enterprise creates livelihood undertakings that support marginalized communities, such as the Agta community in Nueva Ecija. 6. For the “underestimated” people in your life (or Dad).

“Undrstmtd* brand for the undrstmtd people” is the tagline that Eye Know Right lives by. For every purchase of various eyeglasses and sunglasses from Eye Know Right, a portion of their earnings goes to helping street children have access to free art education through its School Project.

Price range: PhP750.00 and up *Underestimated

Price range: PhP75.00 and up

5. For your writer-artist ate and coffee-lover kuya who don’t mind buying and supporting locally made products.

Eco Hub (Cebu) offers eco-friendly products that are priced right so consumers won’t have to choose between affordability and sustainability. Eco Hub rose to fame for its “plantable” pencils that are designed like a regular pencil but in place of an eraser has a gelatin capsule that contains the seeds of various plants that can be planted when the pencil has served its purpose. Recently, it also launched Kapenoy, a 100% organic coffee, with plantable tag; the coffee grounds can be used as fertilizer. Kapenoy aims to redefine the 3-in-1 coffee that is normally packed in sachets.

Price range: Plantable pencils sell at PhP20; Kapenoy introductory price at PhP8.00/coffee bag

7. For your mom, dad, kuyas, ates, titos, titas, friends, and even your pet. Basically for anyone.

Nature Joe’s prides itself on selling products that are non-toxic, chemical-free, organic, all natural, and affordable. They have a multipurpose cleaner (that’s good for your jewelry, cleaning your home, your car, you name it!), anti-dengue spray, bath soaps, toilet seat spray and deodorizer, and Furry Joe’s (pet care line).

Price range: PhP100.00–PhP400.00

Happy Christmas shopping, Dragons! And remember to keep in mind the Reason for the season. - DS