12 Gifts of Christmas

It's that time of the year again! It is December and we all know what that means.. it's almost Christmas!

from lovethispic.com

Since we're just some days away from that 'most wonderful time of the year', I made a list of my Gift Ideas for Christmas. This list is specifically for young adults like me, who may want to give presents to their family and friends. These are just some items that might be present in your loved-ones' Christmas wishlist.

#1. BOOKS

I remember during my college days that every time we had our Kris Kringle (Manita/Manito), the number one my gift wishlist would always be a book I wanted to read. This may not be true to other girls like me, because they might prefer a beauty or style magazine. Some guys would also specifically want a comic book as their reading material gift. Get to know his/her interests so you may know what genre of book or reading material you have to get.

#2. 2015 DIARY / YEAR PLANNER

This is something everybody needs. It just somehow fell into place that after Christmas, we will be celebrating New Year’s Day. And that very holiday marks the start of another year – another year of planning activities and organizing events. This 2015 Year Planner is the perfect gift for just anyone, both those who are in school or at work. Just make sure he/she doesn't get too many of them, because actually each person only needs one of this.

You can get one from drinking Starbucks coffee (well, a lot of them) or just purchase one from the bookstore.

#3. BEAUTY ITEMS for Her

Some people would probably consider giving beauty items being too mainstream, but I personally think they’re still one of the best presents a lady receives on Christmas Day. For one, you do not have to consider any body size while you’re happily shopping. When a male (lover, friend, family member) gives a lady a makeup item, this would actually show that he exerted effort just by doing that. Looking at lipsticks and eyeliners isn’t really a guy’s thing. So this really begs appreciation, ladies. And once we find out we got a makeup item, we light up with excitement because, well, you know why.

A lovely online store that sells authentic makeup, which I got these photos from, is Ladybelle. Follow @ladybelleph on Instagram, check their items because they just might have the perfect Christmas gift you wanted to give to your girlfriend, girl bestfriend, sister, or mother.

#4. TIES for Him

Some men aren’t tie-people, I get that. Regardless, I would still count the ties in as good Christmas gifts. Whether for formal black suits party or for funky events, this neck accessory wouldn’t go out of style. You’d just have to know him well so you can get the tie he would most likely use. And if ties aren’t really his thing, you might consider giving him a HANDKERCHIEF instead. And well, that is every guy’s thing!

#5. WATCH

If only you can give ‘time’ as your present. Well, you can’t. However, you can give him/her a watch.

What’s good about giving somebody a watch is the fact that when they wear it, every time they look at it to check the time, they remember you. Cheesy but true.

#6. SHOES

Good shoes take you to good places. The only downside with this holiday gift is the risk of having a ‘fit’ mismatch. So if you’re going to give this as a present, make sure you get the feet size right. And yep, feet, as in both feet, left and right. Nevertheless, opening a a box with shoes inside just brings cheer to men and women alike.

#7. PERFUME

Most of the good and known scents come with high prices. But, they are actually very good Holiday gifts. Plus, every holiday season, there are always sale promos coming. So, you might consider getting a Burberry, Calvin Klein or a Chanel for your loved one.

#8. BODY MASSAGE GIFT CERTIFICATE

Who said Christmas presents should only be those put in boxes and wrapped in glittery papers? Well, I myself would be very happy to receive a Body Massage GC! This is perfect for children wanting to give their busy hardworking parents a ‘break’.

#9. NAME NECKLACE

If you wanted to really give something special to your loved one, one thing to go for is giving something personalized. A name necklace is one example. Some of you may think name necklaces are just for girls, but I personally think, they can be worn by both girls and boys. Avoiding the ‘girly’ feel of it would be up to the design that comes with the name or the necklace chain perhaps.

An online shop, which I featured last year in this blog (*click Here to read*), also sells name necklaces for very affordable prices! Remember Nyce Finds? You definitely have to check their store out. ;)

#10. CUSTOMIZED MAGNETS

Being sentimental often means having something done personal or customized. Aside from name necklaces, you can also give your loved ones customized fridge accessories. Just like this very cute one on the photo.

An online shop which sells really cute customized clay magnets is Personalized Accessories (@itsPAofficial). I got the photo from them, too.

#11. POLAROID CAMERA

I have intentionally spared gadgets and electronic devices from my list. But this should be an exception. Polaroid camera is in every person’s wishlist (well not for those who already have it and for those who prefer the big lenses). If not Polaroid, then let me just say a CAMERA. A camera is a truly wonderful Christmas gift. What else is it for? Of course, they are for capturing moments!

#12. CHRISTMAS CARD / NOTE

Last but definitely the best, nothing beats the classic tradition of giving a Christmas card or even just a Christmas note. All these gifts would always, always be more meaningful when you get a note with it. You feel happy when you receive gifts, but the Christmas message of love and thoughts will warm your heart. <3

Cards by La Be

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! :)

It's Okay to be Single on Valentine's Day

Hearts day 2014

instagram photo | @sosweetsuzette

Valentine's Day sure is one of the loveliest holidays of the year. And because we are just few days away from the very special day, people's Facebook status posts are now about that day. Couples say they can't wait to spend time with their partners while single men and women say they are now looking for V-day dates.

But do we really need partners on valentine's day?

I just went through a break-up. And I guess, I'm still in the process of letting go, accepting and moving on. It was a long four years. And it's four years of my life I didn't regret. When I told my friends about what happened, their common reaction was, "Sayang dugay na mo" (It's a waste, you two were together for a long time). And yes, maybe, several people did not see this coming. I was one of them. I was one of those people who believed that a long-term relationship could stand the test of having a long-distance relationship. But no, they were wrong. We were wrong. I was wrong.

Thinking things over made me realize a lot of things. I realized that you should not try saving the relationship just because you think it would be such a waste to throw away your wonderful memories together. No, you are not throwing away memories when you end a relationship. You keep the memories with you, and they will always have a place in your mind, and perhaps your heart. And while it feels good holding on to memories, there might just be better moments out there waiting for you to be experienced.

Yet, you choose to stay because you are content with what you have. I realized that being content and being happy are two different things. You can be somewhat happy when you're content. But when you are happy, you are always contented.

I realized that feeling sorry for the 'other' person sometimes becomes the reason why you don't end the relationship. We must put in mind that being in love and feeling sorry are another two different things. Wouldn't you be more sorry holding on to that person even if the feelings are gone? Wouldn't letting go be a better idea?

I realized that sometimes good things come to an end. And putting an end to a thing might be just the good decision you can make, not for anybody else, but for yourself. An end to something good might be the start of something better.

I realized that being single doesn't mean being unloved. It simply means you are gearing up for something that will come to you at the right time. It might even be with the same person you loved before, just this time, it's the right time, and things will be better because you know you've grown - to be more mature, more responsible. And when that time comes, you know you are ready for it. You know you deserve it. You know it's for you.

I realized that nobody can make you happier but yourself. You are in charge of your own happiness. You do not need a partner on valentine's day. And yes, it's okay to be single on valentine's day. <3

“It hurts to let go. Sometimes it seems the harder you try to hold on to something or someone the more it wants to get away. You feel like some kind of criminal for having felt, for having wanted. For having wanted to be wanted. It confuses you, because you think that your feelings were wrong and it makes you feel so small because it's so hard to keep it inside when you let it out and it doesn't come back. You're left so alone that you can't explain. Damn, there's nothing like that, is there? I've been there and you have too. You're nodding your head.”
― Henry Rollins, The Portable Henry Rollins