SURPRISE YOUR traveler friend with a wristband that tracks his/her fitness; personalize a gift set for the beauty enthusiast; gift the fashionista with statement pieces that will never go out of style; and offer functional and sustainable items to an eco-friendly pal. Here are some ideas to save on online browsing time or strolling around the mall with no idea on what to buy. These items might just be the solution to your gift idea uncertainties.

THE ADVENTUROUS TRAVELER
Help the traveler keep track of their fitness in style with Fitbit trackers. The Fitbit Flex 2 (P5,490) is Fitbit’s first swim-proof fitness wristband (it comes in gold, rose gold, and silver) which could pass as a simple piece of jewelry. The Fitbit Alta HR (P8,490) is the world’s slimmest wrist-based, continuous heart rate tracking device — it comes in interchangeable leather and metal accessory bands. Lastly, the Fitbit Charge 2 (P8,490) features a connected GPS which tracks running routes, along with a display of new health and fitness tools, smart notifications, and interchangeable bands. Fitbit is available at Digital Walker, Beyond the Box, select Toby’s stores, iBOOK, Ambassador, Timeline, iCenter, Mobile1, iGadget World, Globe, and The Inbox Stores.

Trips are not complete without keeping memories alive through photographs — and these you get to see at once. You can take a close-up of that beautiful flower or that weird insect you found with the Instax Mini 9 (P4,499) which can photograph subjects as close as 35-cm. away with its close-up lens attachment. Lighting can be calibrated with its brightness adjustment dial. Only two AA size alkaline batteries are needed to start clicking away. The special bundle includes a unique diamond pouch sling bag, an Instax album, a mirror card, Japan-nice stickers, and 10 sheets of film. The Instax Mini 9 is available in flamingo pink, ice blue, lime green, cobalt blue and smoky white.

Comfortable shoes are a must as travel entails a lot of walking while exploring sights and scenes. Adidas has launched the Crazy collection with two new styles — the CrazyADV (P6,495) and Crazy 8 ADV PK (P6,995). The CrazyADV retains its distinctive futuristic design but is upgraded with premium nubuck across the upper, a premium sockfit neoprene interior for optimum fit, and a minimalist concealed lacing system. It is placed atop a dual-density PU tooling with branding details in the midsole and outsole. The Crazy 8 ADV PK features a full primeknit construction across the upper with distinctive textured stripes and vacuum-coated structural overlays.

Gift ideas 6
Tim Tam Ong’s “Far Away” earrings

Nothing completes the fashionable traveler’s look like having a piece of elegant luggage in tow. Brics offers the Capri collection for Fall/Winter 2017 — its trolleys are ultra–lightweight and temperature- and scratch-resistant as they boast of Makrolon® polycarbonate shell. They are designed with exquisite detailing and trimmed in full grain Tuscan leather. The trolleys range in price from P16,000 to P20,000. All pieces are available in SM Aura, Shangri-La Mall, and Ayala Malls Cebu.

THE BEAUTY BUFF
UK-based graphic artist Kate Moross collaborated with Kiehl’s on its biggest holiday collection. Local best-sellers include: Ultra Facial Cream (P1,575), a facial hydrator that leaves skin well-balanced and helps reduce moisture loss; Calendula Herbal-Extract Toner (P2,425), an alcohol-free toner for normal to dry or normal to oily skin; and Midnight Recovery Concentrate (P3,895), an oil elixir that restores the fresh appearance of skin. The holiday collection also includes customizable gift sets for those who wish to personalize their gifts.

Meanwhile, to achieve a holiday glow, St. Ives recently introduced the St. Ives Apricot Oil Scrub (P399), an antioxidant scrub with a mixture of Californian and North African apricots combined to 100% grape seed oil, and the St. Ives Coconut Oil Scrub (P399), a scrub with coconut shell powder added to grape seed oil that exfoliates and nourishes skin.

THE FLAMBOYANT DRESSER
The women’s selection in Zara’s 2017 Fall/Winter collection exudes a “girl boss” aura with power suits, oversized jackets, and cozy sweaters with stunning combinations of checks, extra-long sleeves, and wide shoulders. A contemporary spin is given to 1980s style with androgynous tailoring that perfectly suits a modern, go-getter woman. Meanwhile, a reinterpretation of boho creates a more nomadic feel through bold colors and details like fringe, faux fur, embroidery, jacquard, and other handmade textures. In addition, the collection includes a revival of stylish corsets and bustiers from the 1990s.

In the men’s section, one can find metallic details like tacks, plates, buckles, silver, and all-black details, rips and prints bring to mind a 1970s vibe. On the other hand, the Sinton collection highlights the use of sober lines with comfortable patterns sans the oversized shapes. Cool palettes of electric blue, gray, and touches of pink were inspired by a collection from English minimalist architecture and design.

For timeless style there is jeweller Tim Tam Ong Design’s new collection, “The Legend of the First Bloom,” which focuses on nature and pays tribute to its beauty and importance. The collection includes bangles, rings, and earrings with designs inspired by flowers and sea creatures with an intricate mix of stones and gold. For more information, e-mail ongtimtam@yahoo.com.ph or visit timtamongpage on Facebook or Instagram.

Then one could safely give the fashionista a Mademoiselle Longchamp — a new stylish calfskin bag with an edgy perforated motif. The bag’s details include an iconic clasp, signature hardware, and an enamel-finished wax seal. It comes in black, grey, warm cognac, and sunny mimosa.

THE ECO-WARRIOR
Give a gift and help save the planet in the process by shopping for WWF-Philippines’ Panda Shop products. Choose from sustainable items such as the WWF black and white canvas bags (P300), the reusable #NotPlastic glass bottle (P390), and a fashionable water-resistant watch made from bamboo (P3,999). Proceeds go to WWF-Philippines projects. Contact pandagifts@wwf.org.ph for orders. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman

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