MANILA, Philippines - “Christmas time is here; happiness and cheer, fun for all that children call, their favorite time of the year,†the opening lines of the timeless Charlie Brown Christmas carol sing it best, when the most wonderful time of the year earns the most smiles and glows in kids’ eyes. When the trees brim with trimmings, the lights start twinkling, the gifts get wrapping, and the letters to Santa start sending, happiness is everywhere for the children and child at heart alike. And nowhere in the metro is the childlike, traditional Christmas spirit more alive — along with the pure pleasures of giving and receiving — than in the retail wonderland of Rustan’s.
Transforming itself into a winter playground for the holidays, Rustan’s Department Store decked its halls with the finest trappings for the yuletide season, with much sparkle, shine, and shimmer to inspire plenty of joy to the world. What with the Rustan’s Christmas Gift Registry, the first of its kind in the country, the kids can choose exactly what they want to see underneath that tree come Christmastime, inspiring their niceties, along with letters to Santa and to their loved ones.
Spreading some holiday cheer, Georgia Schulze-Del Rosario and her three beautiful daughters, Nadia, Sonia, and Katia, discovered much joy for their wardrobe from the Rustan’s racks. Finding festive dresses and fashionable accessories to match the jolly air, looking their finest in the plentiful parties that dot the season will prove to be effortless.
With furry friends aplenty, frilly garnishing abounding, and fun toys well accessible, see the smiles of the kids light up as they find their way around the country’s most beloved department store. Adorable boxers for girls and boys from Tumble Bumble make for a cute little present, while Crocodile Creek backpacks and lunchboxes, as well as Sugarbooger water bottles, may just earn too much charming oohs-and-ahs. Those desirably fuzzy toy pets from Douglas Furry Couture and dazzlingly lovely flats from Chooze, when garbed in that special Rustan’s Christmas gift-wrap, expect plentiful hugs and kisses in return.
And since no one can really outgrow the wonders of Christmas, there are also plenty of shiny presents on display for the adults. Lining the Rustan’s shelves are trinkets and trappings that match the glimmer of the tinsels and lights of the holiday season. Not all that glitters is gold, some are gorgeous jewels, like Ziio Jardin de Paradis necklaces or Carrera y Carrera Velasquez diamond and amethyst earrings.
Some twinkle with practical uses to match their luxurious looks, like the Bedat & Co. gold timepieces, or the Bugatti Swarovski Encrusted Diva Coffee Maker. While some are just pure sights to behold, like a Guiseppe Ruocco Victory bronze sculpture or a set of “The Kiss†by Klimt plates from Sebino Arte. Rustan’s other brands like Sergio Rossi, Jill, Loewe, Oleg Cassini and Hackett offer stuff that is great for both men and women.
And to make the season even more enjoyable, exciting prizes that will take you the world over will be up for grabs, courtesy of Rustan’s Holiday Around the World promo. A grand prize of unforgettable holiday stays in Dubai, Shanghai, Singapore and Beijing is in line for lucky shoppers, while three lucky winners will win holiday stays for two at Raffles and Fairmont hotels with round-trip business class tickets from Asia Miles, and nine winners will get to experience holiday stays for two at Raffles and Fairmont Hotels. And, as if these aren’t grand enough, yet another six will win Rustan’s merchandise from prestigious global brands. Using your Citi card for shopping will earn you even greater chances of winning.