‘Tis the Season to be Thrifty: Where to Buy Affordable Christmas Gifts

Gift giving in the Philippines is a long-honored Christmas tradition. But in these tight times, one shouldn’t ignore budget constraints. To help you get more bang for your buck, we offer you the ultimate Christmas shopping list: places where you can put your bargain-hunting and haggling skills to the test.

Location: In the vicinity of Recto, Santo Cristo, Juan Luna and Comercio streets
What to buy: wholesale school, office and household supplies, clothes, footwear, fruits and vegetables, accessories, and many more. Name it, they have it!
What to Watch out for: Quality of goods. Check and re-check your purchases to make sure you get your money’s worth.

Location: Near C.M. Recto Avenue
What to Buy: Affordable DSLR cameras, bags, clothes, bags, and other accessories
What to Watch out for: Thick crowds, especially in the vicinity of the Quiapo Church.

Location: In Parañaque City, Metro Manila. It is also Near Mall of Asia in Pasay.
What to Buy: Quality but affordable clothes, toys, and plants.
What to Watch out for: Best to avoid it on a Wednesday, also declared as “Baclaran Day” as devotees flock to the Baclaran Church.

Location: In Ortigas Avenue, North Western St., in San Juan, Metro Manila.
What to Buy: Brand new to second-hand mobile phones, gadgets, tablets, clothes, shoes, bags accessories, toys for kids and for the young at heart at reasonable prices.
What to Watch out for: Overspending! Greenhills has a lot of attractions including restaurants and cinemas so make sure you bring extra cash.

Location: Near Quezon City, described as the gateway to Rizal Province
What to Buy: locally made shoes, slippers and bags
What to Watch out for: Make sure to visit all the stores to compare prices and to get a variety of designs

What to Buy: Everything under the sun! Shopping isn’t limited to shopping sites; you can also purchase through social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram.
What to Watch out for: Before making a purchase, make sure that the seller is legitimate. Scroll down to the buyers’ comments to check if they’re satisfied with the site’s services. Ask for recommendations from friends before swiping that credit card.

Be Shopping-Savvy
• Haggle to your heart’s content. Don’t settle on the first price offered. Canvass to make sure you get the best deal.
• Wear light and comfortable clothes to avoid heatstroke. Always bring bottled water and snacks to stave off hunger and thirst.
• Keep your belongings close to your body. Be vigilant of suspicious characters.
• With the harsh sun rays in the morning, and with the possibility of rainshowers and isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon, bringing an umbrella is a must.
• Bring your own eco-bags to lessen the use of plastic bags.