Nothing puts one in a miserly mood than when one is faced with hordes of sharp elbows, body odor and cranky salespeople. Whatever thoughtfulness you had at the beginning of your Christmas gift shopping session turns into a “Oh, chuckit, our friendship wasn’t even that great to begin with!” exasperation after sweating it through hours of traffic jams and long queues at the cashier and wrapping station.
During trying times like these, the solution lies in the vast world wide web. My friend Macy decided last year to do most of her shopping online and ended up giving gifts that pleasantly surprised her recipients because of their uniqueness, and she looked happy and relaxed giving her presents that she had time to wrap personally because of the time she saved shopping online.
Most online shopping beginners are daunted by the thought of giving their credit card details to a complete stranger and paying up first without getting the merchandise instantaneously. When going shopping on the Net, it’s important to check out the reputation of the shop you are visiting to ensure a headache-free shopping trip.
Check out these tips on how to do bulk of your shopping online:
1 Shop locally. Shopping in US-based online stores can be so much fun, but at this point in time, it would be unrealistic or ridiculously expensive to have your package shipped here to make it to your recipient by the 25th.
2 Look for unique finds. A lot of online shops at the Multiply marketplace are resellers of popular products from the States, so there’s a big chance that you could score that hard to find Urban Decay lip gloss.
Our online favorites
Check these treasure troves online to find the perfect present for the people on your list.
Beauty
Digital Traincase (https://digitaltraincase.multiply.com/https://facebook.com/digitaltraincase)
Get your beauty fix from Digital Traincase’s wide array of makeup products and accessories from Nyx, Urban Decay, Barry M, Evolution of Smooth and Charm brushes. Their restock rate is very fast and their prices are super affordable.
French Macaroons Boutique (https://facebook.com/frenchmacaroonsonlineboutique)
French Macaroons Boutique extends its beauty repertoire and sells cute satchels, too. We love French Macaroons stock of Urban Decay primer potion, Tarte cheek stains and Urban Decay’s super smooth, super pigmented eye pencils. They also do custom orders for certain brands.
Beauty Bar (https://www.beautybar.com.ph)
One of the go-to places of beauty junkies recently opened their online storefront for those who simply don’t have time to drop by at a boutique. Check out new arrivals from high-definition cosmetics brand Koh Gen Do and other classic favorites like Burt’s Bees and Smashbox.
Tech
Kimstore (https://kimstore.multiply.com)
Anyone looking to shop for reasonably priced gadgets need not look further than Kimstore. The folks behind this online shop respond quickly and carry a wide and great selection of gadgets ranging from cameras, phones and tablets, and latest models, too.
Oh, Shoot! (https://www.ohshoot.us)
The artsy and the wanderers should bookmark this cute toy camera shop. Analog photography enthusiasts will love the selection of cameras curated by toy camera expert and top photographer Jill Lejano.
Fashion/Accessories
My Ticker Tape Parade (https://mytickertapeparade.com)
Folks looking for a one-stop shop online should check out My Ticker Tape parade, a store selling quirky watches, colorful bags, artist-designed wallets and organic beauty products.
Bijoux de Lou (https://bijouxdelou.multiply.com)
Quirky and vintage-lover Lou travels all over the world to fill her online store filled with adorable, whimsical jewelry to suit any mood. Choose from a wide variety of intricately detailed necklaces, lockets, rings, brooches and cuffs. Your wallet is not safe here!
Woof & Meow! (https://woofifdogscouldtalk.multiply.com)
Treat the special furball in your life with adorable personalized bowls and ID tags. The tags are etched in brass shaped like a bone, a heart, or a paw, perfect for your furry loved one.
Amber Lights Laguna (https://amberlightslaguna.blogspot.com)
Fill your room with the scent of freshly baked banana nut bread, heady chocolate mint or a relaxing day at the spa, thanks to custom blended soy wax scented candles by Amber Lights Laguna. Gift a signature scent by combining two candles in complementary scents. They’ve also added reed diffusers and room sprays for the candle-phobic.
