They say 'tis always better to give and receive and in the Season of Yuletide many Filipinos take this to heart which is why despite the economic crunch and subprime crisis in the States whose effects that has been felt all over the world, they still come up with their Christmas list stretching budgets to buy gifts for their loved ones. In the days running to D-day (Christmas day), malls are so filled with people making their last minute shopping that you think, "crisis? what crisis?". Oh well, didn't I read somewhere that shops make more on Christmas than the rest of the year combined?
Yet with all the choices available, a few still stand out as good 'ol favorites as perfect Christmas giveaways. Let me name some of them which owe their making it to this list their being timeless, popular, convenient and no-fuss wrapping and of course, with these tight time, cheap.
1. Without a doubt, the ubuquitous fruit cake. A favorite for its longevity, this cake has had the unearned (and unfair) rep of being recycled gifts. I beg to disagree, a good one lasts no more than two days on our Christmas table. I like the nuts, raisins inside and the bittersweet taste of the brandy.
2. Sweetened or Honey-Glazed Pork ham. "The star of the Noche Buena Feast" goes the tag line of a best selling brand. This has been one of my usual gifts for friends and in-laws and, tagline notwithstanding, a Noche Buena in my home is never complete without it.
3. Bakugan. Another one of those Japanese toy creations that has got our kids hooked. Its actually a ball that when rolled transforms into a robot. You get many imitations from sidewalk stores that run from P45.00 to P75.00 but the real and good ones sell for P220.00 up.
4. Vaccum-packed noche buena grocery items. These gift packs contain items that you can use for your holiday feast like fruit cocktail, cream, condensed milk, can of mushroom, spaghetti noodles and perfect no-fuss give aways as it is already beautifully packaged.
5. Novellino wines. I really like their wines, most especially the fruit-flavored ones. Its cheap and comes in lovely bottles. Help the economy and buy one as its maker is a genuine Filipino company and the wines are proudly Philippine-made.
6. Gift Certificates. Actually the most practical gifts as it gives the recipient the choice to buy what they want.
7. A year's subscription of Good Housekeeping magazine. With its practical tips and insightful articles (they were wise enough to include one of mine, hehehe) ), its the perfect reading companion for the married woman with kids; and
8. A lot of loving and goodwill which is free, abundant and enviroment-friendly.
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