You know a bazaar is good if you vowed to only spend two hours there but end up staying for close to four.

That’s exactly what happened to us at the Noel Bazaar at the World Trade Center. Organized by Cut Unlimited, the Noel Bazaar series started in 2001 and has become a yearly holiday tradition, ushering in the Christmas season with great bargains and fantastic finds.

t1124noel_feat7_3 — PENCIL lipsticks, 3 for P100, Aniq Aniq

But the Noel Bazaar isn’t just about hawking goods, the organizers created it in memory of Noel Pascual-Gozon, a beloved brother and friend. The bazaar contributes to a number of different organizations including the Bantayog ng Mga Bayani Foundation, GMA Kapuso Foundation, Associate Missionaries of Assumption, Gifts & Graces Foundation Inc. and Sts. Peter and John Parish. Shoppers can feel good not just about the great bargains but the fact that they’re also helping a good cause.

We spent Wednesday afternoon exploring the entire floor, hitting booth after booth and making great discoveries, from cool shirts and funky shoes to pretty bags and fun accessories. There’s a great mix of local and imported brands and there are booths devoted to export overruns (Shirts at P100! Dresses at P150!), travel essentials (packing aids, bag organizers, incredibly light towels) and stuff for the home (Ikea products, crazy clocks, even furniture). There were designer fragrances (some were half off!), eyewear, cosmetics and toys, all at great prices (and don’t forget, you can haggle too).

t1124noel_feat7_4 — BOOK clock, P850 each, Below SRP

And if you get hungry while shopping, no sweat. A number of booths serve hot food and refreshing drinks for weary shoppers.

Apart from the great shopping, there are also special events lined up—Christmas tree and choir competitions, a shopping contest, special performances and celebrity booths and auctions.

We left the Noel Bazaar tired but happy, our arms loaded with shopping bags full of great finds not just for ourselves but our loved ones.

t1124noel_feat7_5 — FUNKY shoes, P300 a pair, NXY

We’re already planning our next trip back.

The Noel Bazaar will run until December 2 at the World Trade Center. Operating hours are 12 noon to

10 p.m. on Mondays to Fridays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. On December 14, the Noel Bazaar will move to the PICC Forum Tent where it will stay until December 23. Operating hours will be from 12 noon to 10 p.m. from Mondays to Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Entrance is free for all shoppers from Mondays to Wednesdays. Entrance fee is P50 the rest of the week. Metrobank cardholders get free entrance any day of the week. Follow Noel Bazaar on Facebook and Twitter.