The holidays are back! With only a few more weeks to go until that well-beloved time the clock strikes midnight welcoming the 25th, you know that along with celebrating the season, you'd want to get awesome gifts for your friends and family to celebrate the occasion. Â It's always the generic pens, handkerchiefs, mugs, and gift certificates. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the classics. In fact, there are ways to make these gifts much more memorable.
With more people buying more products, it seems as if there are no more original and cool gift ideas you can wow everyone with on Christmas Day, or your annual company/school/whatever-holiday-gathering-you-have's Christmas party, especially if you're trying to save on money this year. Don't you fret, though. Santa's coming early with this list of presents, and they're all under Php 300!
*not shown in order of price whatsoever
-Wireless speakers for blasting out nonstop Christmas songs on all day long.
Photo from www.lazada.com.ph and https://www.facebook.com/smstationeryph
Christmas will definitely be in our hearts⌠and ears. (They donât actually have JMCâs face on them, sorry.) Get the ones in the first photo here for Php 299 (Theyâre on sale, hurry!)  http://www.lazada.com.ph/sound-bytes-n10-extreme-bluetooth-speaker-blue-1246478.html and the ones in the second photo for Php 299 as well at any SM Stationery Branch. Visit their Facebook page for more information https://www.facebook.com/smstationeryph.
-Socks to match everyoneâs latest Christmas outfits.
Photo from http://www.andiemaginary.com/2015/11/27/st-james-the-great-christmas-bazaar/
ICONIC Socks sells formal, sports, anklet, and invisible socks all for Php 300 and under. Check out their website and nearest branches here: http://www.iconicsocks.com/
-Color-changing mugs for brightening up someoneâs hot chocolate/coffee/tea experience.Â
Photo from www.lazada.com.ph
Warm up in the chilly holiday air with a drink in these Iyach mugs just for Php 228 at http://www.lazada.com.ph/iyach-heat-activated-design-light-bulb-changing-mug-black-281807.html, http://www.lazada.com.ph/iyach-heat-activated-design-battery-changing-mug-black-281915.html, and http://www.lazada.com.ph/iyach-heat-activated-design-smiley-face-changing-mug-black-281916.html
-This book about the creatures and beasts of Philippine folklore.
Photo from http://www.krissyfied.com/2016/07/the-lost-journal-of-alejandro-pardo.html
Definitely for those thrill-seekers looking to snuggle up with a good book come Christmas night. Get this in any National Bookstore branch for Php 295. (There are several copies of this at NBSâ Solenad branch)
-Artsy stationery for the ones who need a bit of inspiration during the holidays.
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/papemelroti/
From notebooks and pads of paper that are less than Php 50 each, and even high-quality Christmas cards that go for Php 15, Papemelroti definitely caters the perfect budget Christmas gifts for many. They have more stationery and knickknacks that they sell on their website (they ship worldwide!) here http://www.papemelroti.com/ or you can go visit their nearest branches as listed here http://www.papemelroti.com/branches.htm.
-Coin purses for keeping all the loose change to give to Christmas carolers.
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/smstationeryph
These coin purses go for only Php 199 in SM Stationery branches, but for a much cheaper alternative while keeping the quality, Heartstrings sells cloth coin purses that go for only Php 50. (Heartstrings has branches in SM Santa Rosa, Festival Mall Alabang, and more.)
-This easy-to-do fresh hot chocolate/coffee in a mug.Â
Photo from www.poorandpretty.com and https://www.facebook.com/ilovebrizuelastsokolate/
When in doubt, DIY! Thereâs nothing thatâs more perfect for the chilly atmosphere of Christmas than a good cup of hot chocolate. Just grab packets of Swiss Miss hot chocolate (both milk chocolate/dark chocolate ones usually go for Php 130 or less), pour them in any mug-sized jars you have just being stored at home (recycling, yay!) and add a whole lot of marshmallows on top. You can also go for the classic Filipino tablea bars and all they have to do is pour hot water in, and mix. Requires a teeny bit more effort, but thatâs the spirit of giving with love, right?
-Cord wrappings so no one has to magically try to untangle their cords and cables anymore.Â
Photo from https://www.facebook.com/DaisoJapanPH/
These color-coded cord wrappings go for only Php 88 at any Daiso Philippines branch. Â Daiso also offers many different kinds of useful trinkets and accessories, even homeware and tools, all for incredibly cheap prices.
-This VR box thatâll turn your smartphone videos and games into reality (well, sort of).
Photo from www.lazada.com.ph
This one by Lazada seller VR Box includes a Bluetooth remote control that you can hook up to your smartphone, so you can bring the cinema to your own house without even taking a step away, and play games as well. Virtual reality makes for awesome party challenges as well, especially with impressing other people. Get one for Php 299 here http://www.lazada.com.ph/vr-box-3d-virtual-reality-glasses-with-free-bluetooth-remotecontroller-4682035.html?campaign=bestsellers.
-Earphones that actually have wires included. Case closed.
Photo from www.lazada.com.ph
These go for Php 189-199, and they even have cases to store them in that are worth Php 149 so they donât  get- well, lost. Get the earphones here http://www.lazada.com.ph/colored-tag-106db-printed-earpods-zigzag-flower-2879291.html, http://www.lazada.com.ph/colored-tag-106db-printed-earpods-70s-woodstock-2879289.html, http://www.lazada.com.ph/stereo-earphones-for-iphone-samsung-black-buy-1-take-1-3021043.html, and http://www.lazada.com.ph/wawawei-stereo-earphones-for-iphone-white-buy-1-take-1-3021049.html. The cases can be found here http://www.lazada.com.ph/sound-bytes-mini-round-storage-case-bag-for-earphone-headphonedark-blue-5057340.html.
-Possibly the most adorable pens youâd find.
Photo from PAPELitoâs Instagram page
PAPELito is a local brand that offers tasteful and budget-friendly stationery and decorations that suit most of what millennialsâ styles are today. From calligraphy practice sheets, to brush pens, to these adorable My Neighbor Totoro pens that were priced at less than Php 200, their products definitely bring back creativity and nostalgia to any person that sees them, and for reasonable prices. Â You can order from them online here http://www.papelitoonline.com/, and you can also spot them in several bazaars around the Metro.
That sums up this list! There are so many great gift ideas under Php 300 out there, and these are just some of them. Hereâs a little tip when shopping for gifts that your recipients will truly love. Buy from local brands and small businesses! This way, youâre giving your fellow countrymen a better Christmas of their own. You ultimately allow them to have food on their table for noche buena, Â and to give gifts to the people they love. After all, it is the season of giving.Â
It canât be forgotten that the spirit of Christmas in itself isnât in the presents, it is in His presence. Itâs a season of thanksgiving and new beginnings.Â
Happy Holidays, everyone!