KNOWN AS THE HUB OF MERCHANDISE from different parts of the globe, Rustan?s presents the best trinkets this Christmas from Asia, Australia and, of course, the Philippines.

Give the gift of beauty with the premier skincare brands from Japan, only the most natural minerals to protect and maintain skin?s natural glow. Choose a variety of beauty products to suit the needs of your loved ones and yourself and have radiant young-looking skin this festive time of the year. Awake?s Vitalizing line will keep one stunning and glowing for the parties lined up this season. Finish it off with Awake?s cosmetic collection for a more beautiful look. From the Kose group, there?s Sekkisei?s Shirosumi Whitening Essence. If fine and clean pores are what one wants, go for the Sekkisei?s Seikisho range; for everything natural, opt for the new Nature & Co.; and for ageless beauty, Junkisei Prime is the perfect choice.

Australia, being one of the ultimate beach destinations, is home of the world?s best swimwear brands. A fitting gift for sun and sand-loving relatives or friends, swimwear and other beach accessories from Tigerlily are sure to be their favorite presents this Christmas. Another brand from this part of the globe is the Purist Company. With its pure and skin-friendly lines, A?kin and Al?chemy, for hair, skin and body, it is the top choice when it comes to products made organically and with 100 percent botanical aromatherapy, which is even certified by vegans.

For fashionable finds, Singapore and India are emerging countries in bringing chic, quality and sensible designs. From Singapore, Raoul?s men?s and women?s collections of apparel and accessories have been gaining raves for its luxe and trendy items suited for day-to-night affairs and perfect for parties this Yuletide season. From India, give only the most precious trinkets for the dearest people with the world?s prized stones and crystals, including amethyst and agate designed as statement jewelry.

What?s the best way to celebrate Christmas than with homegrown products? Rustan?s OVO (Our Very Own) home accents are sure to bring joy and beauty into homes. From table settings to accompany the Noche Buena, lamps to bring light, or frames made with unique material to keep Yuletide memories, OVO is only one of the many locally produced brands that our country can share to the world. Other gift options are: Culte Femme stylish clothes and accessories for stylephiles; U for teenagers; and Jill and Luna for parents or sisters.

Finally, from Hong Kong, moms will surely love to have an appliance from the brand Princess or premium flatware by Gamma to add on to their precious kitchenware collection.

Enriching coffee table books are also perfect gift items for this season. Produced by our very own, like ?Valera,? which accounts for the golden era of modernizing aristocracy and the rich culture of the past; there is also the ?Philippine First Ladies Portraits? featuring collections of women who shared their lives with men of power and their significant role in the history of our nation. Music is always one of the best gifts to humanity. Enjoy classic ballads that made Filipino artists known all over the world with the latest album by renowned composer George Sison entitled ?Only Love Remains.? More than just presents for this Christmas, all these are useful and educational masterpieces that can entice one?s mind and become more learned and cultured.

With all these offerings from the different parts of the globe, Rustan?s truly houses all things Christmas.

Rustan?s makes Yuletide shopping more pleasurable until Dec. 20 with Christmas weekend activities that all families will enjoy. Some of these activities held every Saturday and Sunday at Rustan?s Makati and Rustan?s Shangri-la are: International Food Exhibit with food from around the globe; product demos and coffee tasting; Brunch at East Café for its delectable dimsum and dessert buffet; and Eucharistic Mass at 12:30 and 6 p.m. Rustan?s is also offering a Children?s Lounge where you can leave kids to enjoy activities like painting and ornament making while you finish your holiday shopping.