No holiday parties mean that there’s more reason to be generous with the presents. When we have reduced our physical interactions, the tangible value of gifts underlies more than what we can perceive. We know that the boxes we wrap carry the things we can’t quite say to our loved ones. We attach to them the thoughts that we don’t know how to convey in a video call. Don’t forget to include a handwritten note, the charm of which is unmatched by any e-greeting or IM.

I write this as I participate in a holiday gift exchange with some of my Facebook contacts. Something I wouldn’t normally do but 2020 seems just the year for that.

I have a partiality to beauty presents when it comes to this thought. The tactile value and the self-care aspect that they impart is our way of sending comfort in lieu of our physical presence. There is also a deeply intimate aspect. That they come in the precious packaging that ties in their functionality with looks is a big plus.

Here’s where to shop and what to get as you adapt to your secret Santa role.

Sephora’s 2020 Black Friday Sale

The deal: On Nov. 26 to 27, you can get 20 percent off with a minimum spend of PHP 3,500 and 15 percent off all products on sephora.ph with no minimum spend. They are also introducing Power Hours. The first 50 orders get a special extra gift when you checkout your order during this period. Receive a Sephora Face Roller with any spend, while stocks last on Nov. 26 from 10 to 11 a.m. On Nov. 27, from noon to 2 p.m., you get a three-piece gift with any spend, and from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m, you get a Beauty Junkie Kit with any purchase.

What to get:

BRIOGEO Merry Multi-Masking Kit: Don’t Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Honey Bear Hair Mask

HUDA BEAUTY Glow Coco Hydrating Mist

THIS WORKS Dream Team Spray + Roll-On Christmas Set

LOOK Philippines

The deal: If you’re in for a workout while shopping, there’s the 1,000 square meter haven that is LOOK Philippines at SM Aura Premier. They feature Shop in Shop Concepts, a Special Area for Clean Beauty, and a Store Studio where you can take a break with a cup of Nespresso. You’re bound to find more than the usual bargain as they house around 130 beauty brands along hard-to-find ones like The Ordinary, Klavuu, Glam Up, Dr. Ceuracle, Jumiso, Son & Park, Acwell, Papa Recipe, Mellow, and VT Cosmetics. Take note of their special offers until Nov. 30: 50 percent off on Innisfree Dermaline items, 30 percent off on select Elizabeth Arden items, 20 percent off on Benefit Brow Products and services, 20 percent off on all Klavuu items, and 10 percent off on Serioxyl Denser Serum.

What to get:

KocoStar Tropical Eye Patches in Papaya

Son & Park Beauty Water

Papa Recipe Bombee Honey Mask

Seek Space

The deal: If you’re the type who can’t figure out what to get for your (or a friend’s) skin type, then this is the place for you. Seek Space offers unique clean beauty brands along with a specialized service that chooses the products that best works for your skincare concerns. It is where you can get exclusively Instree in the Philippines. They also offer AXIS-Y, iUnik, and Common Labs.

What to get:

ISNTREE Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence

GLOW MONSTER Centella Essence + Niacinamide

ISNTREE Real Mugwort Clay Mask

Beauty Discovery PH

The deal: #BeautyDiscoveryPH is a special online shopping portal that offers NARS, Laura Mercier, Shiseido, Dolce & Gabbana, Elie Saab, Narciso Rodriguez, and Issey Miyake. You get bigger discounts the more you spend, plus you have access to masterclasses from each of the brand’s makeup and skincare experts. If you want gift sets that will be a smash, you can get picks by Mikaela Martinez, Jessica Yang, Camille Co, Colz Vidal, and Ashley Yap.

What to get:

Shiseido Eyelash Curler