Crazy work deadlines? Overwhelming home errands? Demanding social calendar? Scared of hellish traffic or the mad mall rush? It’s all right—not everybody’s built for the Christmas season. That doesn’t mean giving up completely on spreading holiday cheer to our loved ones, though. Here are Super’s online recommendations for late but thoughtful gifts.
MEL CASIPIT ILLUSTRATIONS
Super picks: Casipit, who creates diverse art from comics to murals (like his “Kapit Kamay” at BGC High Street), can be commissioned to make superhero cartoon caricatures. Merchandise based on his original work, such as the adorably funny “Cat Puns,” make cool gifts, too.
Rates: Depending on the package, $5-$40 for superhero cartoon caricatures, plus $15 if requesting delivery within two days; as low as P20 for a “Cat Puns” sticker.
Get in touch: Order caricatures at www.fiverr.com. Visit www.MelCasipit.com, @mukatman on Instagram and Twitter; [email protected].
SHA ERANDIO’S PORTRAITS
Super picks: Erandio, whose deft strokes create whimsical watercolor portraits, accepts commissions.
Rates: Postcard size, about P200; A4 size, P2,000
Get in touch: Instagram and Facebook @shaerandio
SUESH MAKEUP BRUSHES
Super picks: Suesh has all the beauty tools for the pros, hobbyists, and those who use makeup just for daily grooming. Check out the brush sets and, our favorite, Suesh’s makeup workshops.
Rates: Brush sets start at P300 for synthetic bristles, P950 for natural brushes; Basic Makeup Workshop at P1,500.
Get in touch: Suesh.com, Facebook and Instagram @sueshmakeuptoolkit
ISSEL DE LEON’S ‘INKREDIBLE’ ART
Super picks: Prints and related merchandise of freelance illustrator De Leon’s ink drawings, such as the Weather Witch, and slice-of-life color illustrations
Rates: Inquire with the artist
Get in touch: [email protected]; Facebook @isseldeleonart; @easelandthelion on Twitter and Instagram
CARISSA DY’S PET PORTRAITS
Super picks: Painstakingly and lovingly painted watercolor portraits of adorable pets
Rates: P3,000-P7,500 (depending on portrait/canvas size) for one animal’s face/full body
Get in touch: [email protected]; Instagram @wundercolor_ph
VITRUM UPCYCLED BOTTLES AND CRAFTS
Super picks: Artsy, unique lamps and lighting fixtures
Rates: Starts in the P2,000 range
Get in touch: Facebook and Instagram @vitrumbottles
KARTON
Super picks: Karton is a repository of a wide variety of products, all from local makers and sellers. Eco-friendly products (like the cotton net tote for going to the market, or black stainless steel cutlery) offer elegant, easy ways to help the environment.
Rates: Prices start at less than P100 for food items; cotton net tote, P250 apiece; cutlery, P270 per two-piece set
Get in touch: Instagram @kartonph; karton.ph
WOVEN’S MODERN HANDICRAFTS
Super picks: Woven helps keep the tradition of weaving in Samar alive through its beautifully woven laptop cases and sleeves—practical, colorful pieces of local pride.
Rates: Laptop cases at P999; sleeves, P1,099-P1,499; rectangular and round banig mats, P2,000-P2,500
Get in touch: www.wovenph.com; Instagram @woven.ph
ABEL PHILIPPINES
Super picks: Locally woven blankets in quirky patterns and colors
Rates: P400-P1,500
Get in touch: Instagram and Facebook @abelphilippines; [email protected]
PLANT PARENTHOOD
Super picks: Plants have a way of brightening up a room. There are so many greens to choose from but imagine adopting your very own potted rubber tree or fiddle fig leaf tree with beautiful broad foliage or, for small spaces, aerial plants with delicately cascading leaves.
Rates: Table-top plants start at P700; floor plants start at P1,000, depending on the height and planter
Get in touch: Instagram @plantparenthoodph
THE BLACK BOOKS
Super picks: Sleek and portable, The Ledger was specifically designed to keep track of expenses and other financial obligations for better budget management.
Rates: P200-P620
Get in touch: Instagram @theblackbooksph; theblackbooksph.com
BOTANICA PH
Super picks: Handy gin and tonic spice kit for the mixologist on the go
Rates: P1,800/spice kit; spices also available in individual packs at P880-P2,200
Get in touch: Instagram @botanica.ph; tel. 0917-8458222
KATHANG KAMAY ‘ART’
Super picks: Hand-painted shawls, fans, totes; KKbags (woven or bayong-style bags made by Lucban weavers) with trademark Kathang Kamay leather-and-copper-wire bag charms
Rates: P90-P1,999
Get in touch: Kathang Kamay & OBRA by Kathang Kamay Facebook page
LOVE CURVES PH
Super picks: The cold-shoulder flounce maxi with slit in tulip rain print, from the Luxe collection, is a patterned dream that shows off all the right curves in all the right ways.
Rates: P799-P7,999, but sale items go for as low as P390
Get in touch: Instagram @lovecurvesph; lovecurvesph.myshopify.com; also available at zalora.com.ph
LEATHER.PH BESPOKE PIECES
Super picks: Handmade (real) leather goods are pricey because these could stand the test of time. The Leather.PH product range is impressive but, if the price tag isn’t an issue, shop custom-made. All items, including regular ones, can be personalized with engraving.
Rates: Small items start in the P500 range; items for travel and work, from P1,400. Cost for bespoke pieces depends on size, design and materials.
Get in touch: https://leather.ph/; Instagram @Leather.PH
