Let's face it: Most of us don't want to go over the hassle of shopping in malls because we sometimes simply just don't have the time and the energy to do so. Besides, the time spent in traffic would probably be much longer and more draining than the time spent in finding the perfect gift.
And that's where online shopping enters the picture. Not only are online shops good places where you could discover unique and homegrown items that make the best gifts for the best people in our lives, but they also make shopping seem as easy as 1-2-3!
If you're one of those who are too lazy or busy to go out and shop, worry not, because we're giving you a rundown of Instagram stores you can check out to find the perfect gifts for your best friend, mom, dad, and even your SO!
1. Rob & Mara
For your best friend who's either busy adulting or traveling the world, a pair of Rob & Mara shoes would be a great addition to their closet. This local shoe brand offers a wide variety of shoes – from sandals to boots, oxfords to sneakers – all of which are handcrafted and made from genuine leather. A pair of sandals would cost you about P1195 while their boots are price at P3495.
2. Risqué Designs
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Fusing the traditional and the modern designs together is Risqué Designs. Their shoes are all inspired by the art and craftsmanship of the Filipinos and make them something people can wear whenever they want to either dress up or keep it casual. Risqué pieces are also made from materials and skills that are native only to certain parts of the country such as loom-weaving and wood-carving.
3. Tutum Shop
"Tutum" is a word which means "attitude" in Turkish, and that's exactly what girls get whenever they wear a pair from Tutum Shop. The brand started out as an online shop, offering everything from sandals, mules, flats, and heels. Their designs are all simple yet classy, so it won't be hard for you to mix and match them with whatever kind of outfit you're sporting!
4. AKABA
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Bring home whenever you go with bags from AKABA! Partnering with different weaving communities in the country, their bags are famous for highlighting the art of handweaving and make it known to the world! AKABA has bags of all shapes and sizes – satchels, knapsacks, backpacks, duffel bags, and shoulder bags – so you have something to use whatever your gala is!
5. HALOHALO Store
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Halohalo store took the recycled plastic, made it into a banig mat, and turned it into a bag and a sofa! From here, you could get your Palengke Tote, Bilog Bag, Bucket Bags, Banig mats, and Banig Sopa which are good statement pieces at home, at the mall, and at the beach! Who would have thought the banig could be this fashionable and useful, huh?
6. Vela Manila
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Another online brand which modernizes the traditional Filipino art and handicrafts is Vela Manila. Their products, made from handwoven textile and vegan leather, also feature a timeless design that you can sport no matter how casual your outfit is! The people behind the brand also take the extra effort of going to local communities to learn more about the context and the tradition behind the designs, so you get to bring a piece of culture home whatever the design you pick!
7. Lawud
Lawud is a Visayan term for the "vastness of the open sea" and it's what inspired the guys from this homegrown brand to create shirts that reflect it. Their shirts, made from handpicked fabrics, are something you can definitely wear to the beach, to work, or to your weekend adventures!
8. Pasadya Manila
Pasadya Manila is the shop to check out if you want to get your own tito shirt (a.k.a. that patterned buttoned shirt which may remind you of a former Manila mayor). Every shirt is tailor-made for its customers, something that would explain why it's called Pasadya!
9. Factory
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Check out Factory if you're looking for a statement pieces to give to your best friend. Their items are inspired by the 60s fashion, mixed with the modern aesthetics of today. They have shirts that would be easy to mix and match with anything, and jackets that would give your outfit the extra boost it needs for you to stand out!
10. The Gentleman Project
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A perfect gift for your dad, your SO, or that guy friend who's always late, The Gentleman Project gives you a variety of watches to choose from. All of their watches are made from top-quality materials and are made to suit whatever lifestyle that men in your lives have.
11. Tesseract Manila
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Tesseract Manila creates "timeless, classy, and elegant handmade pieces" which are inspired by the culture and life and made only from the best locally and internationally-sourced materials. Because of the different kinds of accessories they offer – rings, bracelets, necklaces, and more – fashionistas get to explore and discover their style more.
12. Alunsina Handbound Books
For that friend who love writing and leather journals, Alunsina's handbound books would make the perfect gift. You get to customize everything for it to be exactly like how you want it – from the color of the leather cover to the kinds of pages inside. You even get to have them stamp the cover with your name if you want! Aside from the journals, Alunsina also offers planners, leather pen holders, and miniature journal keychains.
Which of these will you be getting this Christmas? Let us know in the comments!
Homestream images from Factory, Tesseract Manila, and Tutum Shop's Instagram pages.
