Christmas is just around the corner, and just the other day, I went to SM North Edsa and The Block for some Christmas gift shopping and saw their Disney Christmas setup. There was a group of people lined up outside the stage to meet and greet & get their kids’ pictures taken with Mickey and Donald. There are other events lined up for SM North Edsa like fireworks displays and meet and greet Santa Claus (for kids). If you’re closer to another mall or you wish to learn more about the schedule of SM Mall Activities, please visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015).
A Season of Magic – Disney inspired Christmas Theme by SM North Edsa, The Block, and SM Annex.
In the middle of The Block at SM North Edsa, there was this humongous Christmas Tree.
Giant Christmas Tree at SM The Block
The surroundings are filled with Disney inspired Christmas decorations which would make you feel like you and your kids were in Disneyland.
Giant Christmas Tree surrounded by Disney inspired Christmas decorations
There is also a cute mini house and a mini car where you and your kids can pose and post online using your social media. If you wish to join the Merry SM Christmas campaigns and contests, visit SM SuperMalls’ social media sites and always use #MerrySMChristmas2015 as your hashtag. Who knows, you might win a gift + a shopping spree from SM Supermalls!
Kids would love to pose in the mini house and car at SM The Block
Humongous Disney inspired gifts can also be seen in the area. Speaking of gifts, this year, I want to have a different way of shopping for Christmas gifts. I want to take gifting to the next level! You’ll learn how you too can achieve this later on. For now, let us revel in the sights you can find in your nearest SM Mall so bring your whole family, and take part in this year’s #MerrySMChristmas2015 activities.
Giant Christmas Tree = Giant Gifts! 🙂
It was really awesome how SM North Edsa created the feeling of Christmas in their Mall theme because you don’t have to spend an absurd amount of money just to go to Disneyland in order to meet Mickey and Donald or buy original Disney items because they have everything, from toys, chairs, pillows, cute outfits, and even bikes! Here are some gift ideas I found that are perfect for your kids or your godchildren (inaanak):
Stylish and Chic Minnie Bags
Super Cute Minnie Dolls
Take Mickey with you with these awesome Travel Neck Pillows
There are also items for kids (and adults like me) who love Frozen!
These Frozen items can also be used in the traditional “monito monita” – something… cold? blue? white? or something cute?
These cute little bikes are perfect for toddlers because they look really sturdy plus they are super affordable!
I’m sure kids would love to take part of the events organized by SM. Check out the poster below or go to https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015 for more details so you can join the merriment at SM Malls.
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It was really awesome how SM North Edsa created the feeling of Christmas in their Mall theme because you don’t have to spend an absurd amount of money just to go to Disneyland in order to meet Mickey and Donald or buy original Disney items because they have everything, from toys, chairs, pillows, cute outfits, and even bikes! Here are some gift ideas I found that are perfect for your kids or your godchildren (inaanak):
Stylish and Chic Minnie Bags
Super Cute Minnie Dolls
Take Mickey with you with these awesome Travel Neck Pillows
There are also items for kids (and adults like me) who love Frozen!
These Frozen items can also be used in the traditional “monito monita” – something… cold? blue? white? or something cute?
These cute little bikes are perfect for toddlers because they look really sturdy plus they are super affordable!
I’m sure kids would love to take part of the events organized by SM. Check out the poster below or go to https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015 for more details so you can join the merriment at SM Malls. Back to Content List
A Royal Holiday at SM Novaliches
When SM Novaliches opened, we were really happy because it was just a few blocks away from our home and going to the supermarket has never been so easy and fun, especially if we earn points while shopping using our SM advantage card.
SM Novaliches’ Christmas Decors
SM Novaliches’ Christmas designs
Looking at SM Novaliches, I noticed that the Christmas themes differ between malls. While SM North Edsa’s theme this year is Disney Christmas, SM Davao’s theme was Sanrio, which was awesome as well because I love Sanrio characters and products. The theme for SM Novaliches is “A Royal Holiday”, wherein you can find Cinderella and her pumpkin carriage at the center of the mall.
Cinderella with her Pumpkin Carriage
There is even a spot locator on the ground as guide on where to take the best selfies with your kids.
Look for this spot locator so you can take the best selfies
As a child, I’ve loved Cinderella because she came from a very humble beginning, worked hard and found her luck to become a princess. Most of us dream that this would happen to us after all, “a dream is a wish your heart makes”. Our dreams push us further to reach new heights in whatever we are doing and dreams also serve as an inspiration for us whenever we feel like giving up.
Theme of SM Novaliches was “A Royal Holiday”
One of my dreams is to be part of something great, and I didn’t mean recognition or popularity contests, etc. Every year, I always make sure I’ve done something to share my blessings with others and SM thru their SM Cares Program, help us by letting us participate in their projects and that’s what I really love about the SM Supermalls. Back to Content List
During Christmas, SM Supermarket also offers shoppers gift ideas such as these wonderful and super affordable Christmas baskets(Holiday Gift Baskets) & Containers:
PHP 2,500 only for this BIG Christmas basket
Big Christmas baskets are great as gifts and giveaways on raffles. There are several items inside to choose from and it’s pre-wrapped so you can only choose the basket with content and not the content itself. If you’re in a budget, you can try the smaller version that’s looks gorgeous. I really love the basket on this one. lol 😀 What’s great about baskets is that it can be a decorative centerpiece in your home or use it as a magazine holder, or whatever use you can come up with, the only limit is your imagination. 😉
Perfect for NOCHE BUENA giveaway – PHP 1,000 only for this medium-sized Christmas basket
A great addition to the Christmas baskets are these plastic containers. It’s more mobile and easy to hold. You can buy it now and wipe off dust easily in case it becomes dusty come Christmas. It’s an awesome storage once you clear out the contents. I imagine it can hold food that you want to protect from unwanted insects or mice (in case you have those pesky creatures running around). You can choose the size depending on your budget. These containers are perfect if you’re going to do bulk buying as well since you can stack them together without worrying about damaging the plastic or ruining the form of the container.
PHP 800 only for this Large Christmas Container
PHP 300 only for this Medium-Sized Christmas Container
And just a few paces away from the Christmas Baskets, you can see the Wines and Liquor, another staple as “Christmas gift” and for Christmas Celebrations and parties. This is a must in any celebration!
Wines & Liquor is just a few steps away from the Christmas baskets! That’s very convenient! 🙂
SM has been part of our lives and we grew up going to SM to buy whatever we need because they have everything! Plus, holidays, holiday shopping and other events are best spent inside SM Malls because they really plan and organize events that entertain us (mall shows and activities for all ages), help us with our finances (sale events and discounts), and help us feel the true spirit of Christmas by taking gifting to the next level. Back to Content List
A Royal Holiday at SM Novaliches
When SM Novaliches opened, we were really happy because it was just a few blocks away from our home and going to the supermarket has never been so easy and fun, especially if we earn points while shopping using our SM advantage card.
SM Novaliches’ Christmas Decors
SM Novaliches’ Christmas designs
Looking at SM Novaliches, I noticed that the Christmas themes differ between malls. While SM North Edsa’s theme this year is Disney Christmas, SM Davao’s theme was Sanrio, which was awesome as well because I love Sanrio characters and products. The theme for SM Novaliches is “A Royal Holiday”, wherein you can find Cinderella and her pumpkin carriage at the center of the mall.
Cinderella with her Pumpkin Carriage
There is even a spot locator on the ground as guide on where to take the best selfies with your kids.
Look for this spot locator so you can take the best selfies
As a child, I’ve loved Cinderella because she came from a very humble beginning, worked hard and found her luck to become a princess. Most of us dream that this would happen to us after all, “a dream is a wish your heart makes”. Our dreams push us further to reach new heights in whatever we are doing and dreams also serve as an inspiration for us whenever we feel like giving up.
Theme of SM Novaliches was “A Royal Holiday”
One of my dreams is to be part of something great, and I didn’t mean recognition or popularity contests, etc. Every year, I always make sure I’ve done something to share my blessings with others and SM thru their SM Cares Program, help us by letting us participate in their projects and that’s what I really love about the SM Supermalls. Back to Content List
And in case you are wondering where the pink bear went off to… I gave the pink bear to Bekbek, our neighbor. She’s this really cute and studious little girl with a very sweet demeanor. She was really happy to receive a super advanced gift for Christmas. The Pink bear was also happy because she now has a younger and more imaginative human to take care of her. There would be more gifts to come this Christmas because with SM, we can really take gifting to the next level.
Bekbek loves her Bear of Joy. 🙂
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The past few years, I have been very materialistic and have showered myself with gadgets and things especially during Christmas Season. This year, I don’t intend to give myself a material ‘gift’ this Christmas because I often buy things for myself during the earlier parts of the year. Christmas is about gifts to OTHERS, sharing our blessings to our loved ones, friends and to our neighbors. My personal Christmas wish list is actually about intangible stuff.
because I don’t want to be stressed this Christmas. It’s always better to shop before you drop (to the floor from exhaustion)! 🙂 I’ve already planned and considered everything in my Christmas gift shopping this year and everything went rather well so I would like to share some tips I came up with. 
- Research and listen to your family members and friends and find out what they need and something which they will actually use.
- List down at least 5 options per person so you have different options to choose from in case your first few options are not available.
- Go to SM Malls as much as you can and buy gifts in batches. That way, you won’t get crazy tired, carry too much load or lose any of your shopping bags.
- Do some window-shopping to look at the prices so you’ll know the price range and set the budget you’ll need.
- Budget your money and don’t buy things that are not important and not on your “list”.
- Use your SM Advantage cards to accumulate points & rewards.
- Ask your favorite stores at SM Malls if they have discount cards or loyalty/frequent buyer cards.
- Start your holiday shopping immediately after Halloween season, because Merry SM Christmas Spirit is in the air, plus you and your kids can participate in promos and activities.
- Bring your eco-bags or buy SM Eco bags so you can put together small shopping bags and carrying them is easier.
- Watch out for promos and discounts, especially Christmas gift packs from your favorite stores at SM malls.
- Give your cellphone number to your favorite store in SM to text you if they’re running a holiday promo. This gives you first dibs on everything.
- Enjoy shopping, hum and sing the Christmas songs playing on the mall speakers, take selfies on Christmas decorations and post them on Social Media to encourage the season of sharing and gifting. Don’t hate shopping and don’t expect gifts in return since the reason for your gifting is because you want to share your love, joy and happiness this Christmas Season.
These 12 tips are of course, common or basic knowledge to all of us so here’s a new tip: DOWNLOAD SM SUPERMALLS MOBILE APP for the most convenient shopping experience ever because you’ll get promos, sale alerts, etc on your mobile phone! 🙂 SM BONUS: You’ll get to see convenient parking locations, view-reserve-buy SM Movie tickets (especially useful during big crowds during MMFF season), play games and find your favorite stores in the SM Super Malls nearest you. It’s free to download and available in iOS and Android.
Image courtesy of SM Supermalls’ Social Media #SMMobileApp #EverythingsHere #MerrySMChristmas2015
…because Time is our friend but can also be our enemy. We are not around forever so during Christmas, step back, relax and enjoy the company of your family, friends and loved ones, even your loving pets! This is definitely on my Christmas wish list this year because I’ve been too busy with work and other stuff that I’ve neglected family time. My gift this year to myself is to make every moment count, to create memories, capture them in photos or videos, share these memories to others, etc. I want to look back at these memories because these are the things that really matter. Apart from that, I want to be able to give those people who are very important to me gifts to let them know how special they are to me. After all, we don’t work just to pay off bills and buy things that we enjoy. We work in order to share our blessings and find the true meaning of our lives. 
Woohooo! Now that we’re past LEVEL 1, we’re going to LEVEL 2, I’m taking gifting to the next level by buying gifts for my Family, friends and loved ones instead of buying myself things! Back to Content List
Since I’m almost done with some of my Christmas Gift shopping at SM North Edsa and SM Novaliches recently & I can’t post their gifts here, I’d just mention the things I considered to buy for them. (Disclaimer: Do note that it may or may not contain the actual thing I bought for them so that when they receive their gifts, it would still be a surprise.) For my family (for my parents and in-laws), I saw these awesome Santa Clauses that are great as house decors. They last a long time and they’re definitely an investment! 🙂 Just imagine one of these placed near your Christmas tree!
hohoho! Merry Christmas! —- kids will love this and it’s perfect for Christmas selfies at home!
These Large Santas are a little over PHP1,000.00 – I found these at National Bookstore SM Novaliches
These small santas range from 500-700 pesos only
Below are my gift ideas for my family members. I prioritize function, comfort and usability than giving them something they won’t use. Also, these items are available in SM Malls near you. If you can’t find the exact thing, something close would definitely be at the area because SM has the best collection of merchandise and gift items compared to their competitors.
Gift Ideas for my Family — if you see something you like, they’re available at SM malls.
HERE ARE MY OTHER GIFT OPTIONS FOR:
- Mom/Mom-in-law – jewelry; tops; pocketbook, Korean movies (original) | Dad – Lacoste polo shirt; some cool device; electrical equipment, safety equipment, pants | Ate Jen – Book, dress, Bag (UP), couple shirts | Keno – Hard disk drive, speakers, power bank, couple shirts | Kelvin – watch, polo shirt, bag, power bank, couple shirts | Lester – bag, polo shirts, guitar, Videoke, cellphone.
- And guess what? I actually bought (some I’m still going to buy because of lack of budget) most of the gifts at SM NORTH EDSA when I had a meeting with a client. I’m going to buy the SM Christmas Baskets, Santa, etc. at SM Novaliches though because it’s nearer our place. It’s true when SM says they have EVERYTHING. I didn’t even had the chance to go to another nearby mall because everything I wanted to buy was right there at SM malls. Plus, I was able to get a lot of points on my SM Advantage card. Now, that’s very awesome and convenient.
- Speaking of guitars, a store in SM Novaliches has great Christmas discounts!
Awesome guitars at very low prices at SM Novaliches
Awesome Gift to friends – Christmas Baskets because you don’t have to buy them clothes/shoes that might not fit and you don’t have to worry that they won’t be able to use your gift. Plus, it’s a great welcome to give these as gifts because we celebrate both Christmas and New Year so if they already have food for Christmas, your gift might form part of their New Year’s Eve Dinner.
Christmas baskets are great gifts because it can be shared with the whole family of the recipient.
Watson’s gift sets are great as gifts because it’s easy to wrap, you can also give it as is if ever you’re going to bulk buy and give gifts to officemates, classmates, or even to your godchildren and relatives.
Watson’s Gift sets – easy to wrap and perfect for bulk buying
Oh wow, I’m on to level 3! 
This Christmas I want to take gifting to the next level by focusing on giving back to others. As I’ve mentioned earlier, I have the whole 11 months to buy things I need and Christmas is supposed to be a season of love and sharing. I have two things I want done this year, one is to reach out more to our neighbors and second is to be a part of a major campaign to help others. I don’t usually participate in Christmas parties in our Subdivision, but this year, I want to reach out more and be able to give back to them in my own little way by sponsoring a game with prizes, and giving gifts to the kids in our neighborhood. As for major campaigns, I love teaching and guiding kids (Kariton Pushing Volunteer) and making them happy so I do volunteer work. I also miss building homes for Habitat for Humanity and Gawad Kalinga. If there are opportunities to help, I’ll definitely sign up for them because life isn’t all about money and power. Life is about how you use your life to help others and have a positive effect on them. Here are a few photos of my volunteer works (thanks to Michiko for some pics).
I love teaching and guiding kids (Kariton Pushing Volunteer) and making them happy so I do volunteer work.
Volunteering is definitely an awesome experience but not all of us have the luxury of time, and that’s where SM CARES BEARS OF JOY come in. 🙂 This year, I’ve been pretty busy so it is a welcome change for me to give back to the community in such a simple way. A lot of us say that we’ll do this or we’ll do that but most of us forget our “plans”. So before I run out of budget, I already bought a pair of Bears of Joy & I’ve set some budget (on my incoming petty cash) to buy at least 5 more Bears of Joy since there are at least 5 kids (I’m giving a different gift to the bigger ones) in my neighborhood that I want to give the bears to. That would mean another set of 5 happy kids in the targeted location of SM Cares Campaign. There are informal settlers near our area, I saw them playing the “normal games” on the street (piko, patintero,etc) so they got my attention (children today are mostly into iPads and gadgets) and one time, I saw them playing with cutout dolls from cartons and old cans. That’s when I realized they were sort of recycling trash into their toys. It just broke my heart because they don’t have enough money for real toys. The bears would help comfort them and enable them to gain more affection towards others. Back to Content List
Because SM cares, they’re encouraging us to spread the Joyous spirit of Christmas by buying the SM CARES BEARS OF JOY and taking gifting to the next level. SM supports communities for future generations so they also make sure that children are happy because a happy childhood gives them a positive outlook in life. Buy a bear for just PHP200 and one bear will also be donated in your behalf. This campaign runs from November 6 to December 31, 2015 so don’t forget to sponsor a bear to a child in need. Here is their official poster (or you can go their official link http://smcares.com.ph/newsevents/?p=993):
SM Cares Bears of Joy 2015
If you’re busy like most of us are, I suggest you buy these bears so you can give back to the community without ruining your schedule. The only effort you’ll make is buy them from an SM Mall nearest you. Take gifting to the next level! You can actually do this while you’re in your Christmas shopping routine. I saw this first at SM Novaliches, among the toys found at the Toy Kingdom kiosk at the SM Novaliches’ Event center.
Toy Kingdom is the official partner of SM Cares in the SM Cares Bears of Joy Campaign
I got curious so I walked towards it and a staff explained how I can buy 1 bear to keep for myself (or as a gift) and I’ll also be able to donate one bear to another child who really needs it. I thought it was really awesome so I bought one. Good thing I had enough money left after my holiday shopping at SM North and buying groceries at SM Novaliches Supermarket.
Bears of Joy – found at the center of SM Novaliches’ Event Center
I chose to buy this couple. 1 for our neighbor & 1 as donation. Aren’t they totally CUTE! 🙂
You’ll get to donate the bear in your name, but I chose to put a url so there would be a link between me and the kid who receives this bear. 🙂
After placing my url/name on the small card, I whispered to the blue bear, “Give the kid who’ll own you lots of love!”
The PHP200 is actually not a huge amount for most of us. It’s just worth another coffee at a popular coffee shop. It’s just worth one movie ticket… but imagine the smile and joy on the kids’ faces when they receive toys that their parents cannot afford because they have to put all their finances on food, utility bills, etc. Back to Content List
I was inspired by the SM Cares Bears of Joy Program that I was able to make this cute short story about an egg (the egg represents a child) who was lonely and needed someone or something to cheer her up. I wrote the story line on my note pad, got my camera and shot the poses made by the characters. Since the egg(child) was too small I got another small bear as a stand in but do note that in reality, the Bears of Joy’s sizes are the same as the pink bear. I really do hope you enjoy my mini story.
This is a story I came up with because SM Cares’ Bears of Joy inspired me.
The lesson of this story is that there are kids out there who need a buddy in the form of a bear because they cannot afford to buy toys, since parents are focused on providing for their most basic needs. Just 200 pesos, that’s all it takes to make a child happy. You’ll also feel wonderful knowing that in your own little way, you were able to bring joy to a kid somewhere. Also, I used an “egg” to depict a child because children are very fragile, and their formative years should be filled with love, affection and care. If they feel ostracized and lonely, they can easily fall (into bad practices and vices) and break. We don’t want that to happen do we? So please, buy the Bears of Joy and help make children all over the Philippines happy.
And in case you are wondering where the pink bear went off to… I gave the pink bear to Bekbek, our neighbor. She’s this really cute and studious little girl with a very sweet demeanor. She was really happy to receive a super advanced gift for Christmas. The Pink bear was also happy because she now has a younger and more imaginative human to take care of her. There would be more gifts to come this Christmas because with SM, we can really take gifting to the next level.
Bekbek loves her Bear of Joy. 🙂
Get the SM Cares Bears of Joy in an SM Mall nearest you! Picture and Image by SM Cares Facebook Page
Christmas is a time for SHARING & MERRYMAKING such as this Christmas Season’s “SM Cares Bears of Joy Campaign“. This Christmas, focus on just two things, S. M., which stands for SHARING and MERRYMAKING. Let us share our blessings and take part of the merrymaking activities to form awesome memories with our family, friends and loved ones. It is truly a Merry SM Christmas at SM Malls! Have a MERRY SM CHRISTMAS everyone and enjoy shopping at SM Malls! LET THE HOLIDAY SHOPPING BEGIN! #MerrySMChristmas2015 #SeasonOfGifting 
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Disclaimer: Any characters or likeness of characters shown in this blog post are not meant to infringe copyright. I do not own nor have royalties for them. They are property of their respective owners. Posts were made for entertainment and informational purposes only. This blog post is an entry to a contest sponsored by Nuffnang Philippines and SM Supermalls. However, the brands and items I featured here are purely included here as a personal choice and were nor part of a media set.
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“For more updates about this year’s “Merry SM Christmas” campaign, visit SM’s official Christmas microsite (https://www.smsupermalls.com/merrysmchristmas2015) and follow its official social media accounts at Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/smsupermalls), Twitter (https://twitter.com/smsupermalls), and Instagram (https://instagram.com/smsupermalls/); and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through Viber (http://chats.viber.com/SMsupermalls). Shoppers can actively share their holiday merriments inside the SM Supermalls by posting their photos on social media and adding the hashtag #MerrySMChristmas2015.”
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