A jaded politician said just now that every time she felt the need to de-stress, she merely had to step into Rustan’s and immerse herself in the Christmas atmosphere, and her spirits would surely lift.

Her feeling is not unique to herself. Many others share it.

Bring on Christmas—now! We tired souls and bodies need it badly.

You feel Christmas the moment you step into Rustan’s. That has always been the motive that drives Nedy Tantoco, chairman of Rustan’s, to deck out the flagship store in Makati, and other Rustan’s elsewhere—to make everyone feel Christmas.

In your childhood and growing-up years, there was Michael Jackson’s “Give Love on Christmas Day” or Charlie Brown’s “Christmas Time is Here.” Such a song doesn’t fail to tug at your heartstrings and let loose a menagerie of images and feelings that remind you of a happy Christmas.

Right and happy

Rustan’s Christmas Shop has that same effect on you. It’s as if everywhere you look, all’s right and happy in the world.

Last week, on an impulse, we dropped by Christmas Shop to get that feeling. Rustan’s vice president of home merchandising Marilen Tantoco walked us through the various themes: Angelic Gold, Denim, Red Passion, Winter Mint, Winter Wonderland.

Everything is visually rich, from the gold decor to the red. And can you imagine denim as Christmas theme? It can be done—holiday balls clad in denim, for instance.

Winter Mint evokes the cool mint that is green, and the cold white snow.

The incredibly wide range of Christmas tree trimmings and decor will overwhelm you, from Santas to the crosses and the dainty laces and, of course, the snow globes.

Rustan’s marketing communications manager Dina Tantoco pointed us to unique Christmas gifts from Germany—miniature wood villages; they bring out the little girl in you.

Rustan’s display has won awards for merchandising and visual display.

Yet the cheer it brings is unquantifiable. It is a trigger of hope. —THELMA S. SAN JUAN