Oh wow, it’s 44 days to go before Christmas and have you finished shopping for gifts? Around this time, many of you may be cramming for some last-minute bargain hunting but I know it’s already quite late to find some affordable stuff. So it takes some skills and effort to search for best buys. So here are some tips on where to get the perfect gifts for your loved ones in this holiday shopping season.
1. Divisoria
Nothing still beats Divisoria when it comes to low-priced items that can even go lower if you buy in bulk. From toys to fashion accessories and even home stuff, this remains to be the haven of bargain hunting in the Philippines. As early as August, Divisoria’s Tutuban and 168 Malls have sold millions worth of goods to early Christmas shoppers. You just need the special skill of choosing the best items and asking for the lowest price. Patience is also required for Divisoria shoppers especially those who drive because parking space will always be a problem. And just a piece of advice: Be mindful of your belongings while doing your shopping rounds – all the time!
2. Bazaars
Surely, you can’t even count on your fingers the number of Christmas bazaars all over the country. While every bazaar is worth a visit if you have time, choose the big bazaars that have a hundred or more stalls so you wouldn’t waste your energy jumping from one bazaar to another. After all, a lot of stall owners participate in two or more big bazaars during Christmas season. Some of the biggest bazaars are Noel Discovery Bazaar at the World Trade Center Manila on Nov. 18 to 27 and the St. James the Great Bazaar on Nov. 26 to 30 in Ayala Alabang Village. If you’re down south, check the ongoing BF Homes-Aguirre Bazaar in Paranaque or if you want to help while shopping, check the Clothes for a Cause Bazaar in Glorietta Activity Center on Nov. 18 to 21.
3. Online Shopping
If you’re too lazy to go out to shop, then you don’t have any choice but to go online. There are a lot of online shopping sites to choose from. You may check for some imported stuff on eBay and Amazon, or go local by checking www.sulit.com.ph and www.ayosdito.ph. You may also want to check some group buying sites for great deals of the day. Choose CashCashPinoy, Ensogo and Groupon for the best deals with the widest merchant partners. Or if you’re up to auction your favorite stuff, check www.pisobid.com and www.bidshot.com. Before you know it, online shopping can be very addicting!
4. Mall and Store Sale
Mall rats will definitely agree with me: There’s no other place like malls. So watch out for the next Holiday Sale in major shopping malls in the coming days. Most SM Malls have already finished their mallwide sale events but don’t worry, there are other malls that are yet to clear their inventory for the holidays. Trinoma’s Green Light Mallwide Sale is happening on November 15 to 20 so expect shoppers to go north next weekend. Eastwood is also holding its weeklong pre-holiday sale on Nov. 14 to 20. If you’re into home stuff, check Homeworld Warehouse Sale on Nov. 11 to13 at SM Megamall’s Megatrade Hall.
5. Bangkok and Hong Kong
If you still have the extra bucks to travel for some holiday shopping, Bangkok and Hong Kong are the perfect places to be. Check Platinum Fashion Mall in Pratunam for rockbottom prices for clothes, bags and shoes in the Thai capital. If you’re buying in bulk, you can even get the lowest prices that you could ever imagine. If you’re looking for a one-stop mall to buy everything you need, check MBK (Ma Boon Krung). Don’t forget to visit Chatuchak Weekend Market too for quality clothes, decors, toys and novelty items. In Hong Kong, every bargain shopper will think Mongkok Night Shopping. During this time, some stores in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui are also on sale. If you’re into signature brands, check out Citygate Outlets shopping center in Tung Chung for three levels of outlet shops of international brands like Dunhill, Armani, Calvin Klein, Bally and many more!