Jose Mari Chan shares tips for finding the perfect Christmas gift
MANILA, Philippines — As we settle into the “Ber months,” it’s time to start thinking of your Christmas list. If you’re at a loss as to how to spread joy to your loved ones during the holidays amid a pandemic, who better to ask for advice than one of the Philippines’ Christmas icons, Jose Mari Chan?
The musician, who has been Shopee’s Christmas ambassador since 2018, shares that the important thing is to imbue gift giving with the true spirit of Christmas.
“This pandemic may have completely changed our shopping habits, but one thing remains the same — every chance you get to show kindness, do so. Whatever you give doesn't have to be a big amount.”
Take advantage of the convenience and accessibility of online shopping
Like many Filipinos, Jose Mari Chan prefers to shop online these days, from gifts to basic necessities and healthcare products.
Apart from enjoying the safety and convenience, he adds that users get to help out other Filipinos. “You're doing not only yourself a favor. You also continue to support small businesses, manufacturers, and delivery services.”
Always check for free shipping and other promos to make shopping more worthwhile
Jose Mari Chan reminds users to keep an eye out for vouchers, especially during big sales. At the upcoming Shopee September 30 Payday Sale, for instance, users can enjoy free shipping with no minimum spend, 30% bills cashback, and 30% off vouchers. Stack vouchers for bigger discounts.
Go cashless for safe and convenient transactions
Start opting for contactless payment methods for safe and convenient payments.
It's better to plan ahead and organize your Christmas list early on
Jose Mari Chan shares that he and his wife are early birds when it comes to holiday shopping. He advises users to follow this principle and plan ahead.
“List down some important people whom you want to cheer up, then browse online to see what items you can give. Do it early. If you leave it up to the last minute, you might make some impulse purchases or even overspend,” he said.
Put more heart into picking gifts to make it more meaningful
Feeling stumped about gift ideas? Here’s a piece of advice from Jose Mari Chan: try to come up with gifts that hold meaning for the recipient. “For the past years, my wife and I have been giving each other a common gift that we’d both agree on prior, such as items we need for the home. I would also ask special friends if they have a favorite charity, and I would donate in their name as a gift.”
The musician concludes that as he gets older, he derives more pleasure from giving than receiving. “When you receive, it's just a moment's pleasure. When you give, it lasts longer. When you give out of kindness, love, charity, and generosity, the impact will last for many years.”
