The Do’s and Don’ts of Finding Christmas Gifts That Spark Joy

Here comes the holiday season’s hardest question again: How do you find a Christmas gift that your loved ones will genuinely appreciate? 

Gift-giving requires lots of thought and effort, especially if you want to get presents that people will *actually* use and enjoy. While this can be tricky or overwhelming for some, knowing the essential factors to consider when picking a gift can make the process simpler and easier. 

If you need pointers before going Christmas shopping, check out these do’s and don’ts in finding the perfect holiday gifts for your loved ones. 

DO: Pay attention to their interests

The simplest way to find a Christmas gift that will spark someone’s joy is to pay attention to their interests. Are they in a fandom? Do they have a collection? What’s their favorite TV show, movie, K-pop group, or anime series? Getting merchandise related to their interests can surely make them smile for Christmas, and you can even check some popular brands for pop culture collaborations to make your search easier.

If one of your loved ones is a fan of Attack on Titan, you can get this Levi hoodie from OXGN in SM City Rosario. This French Terry circular knit hoodie has a unisex fit and pullover style that bears a graphic print of the Survey Corps emblem. This print pays an ode to one of the anime and manga series’ beloved characters, Levi Ackerman.

DON’T: Go over your budget

Overspending can be a major pitfall for people who want to please their loved ones with a cool and unique gift. But before you buy an item beyond your budget, remember that gifts don’t need to be expensive to become special and meaningful. With ample research, a keen eye for deals and discounts, patience, and tailoring your gift list based on your loved ones’ personalities and interests, you can find an awesome Christmas present that won’t hurt your wallet. 

Need an example? For Christmas gifts that bookworms will love but won’t require you to spend over P500, you can visit National Bookstore in SM City Marilao and get a copy of The Glass Magician for only P199. If you’re looking for popular romance books under P1,000, you can get two of the TikTok book community’s favorites: the Colleen Hoover novels It Ends With Us and It Starts With Us. These novels are available for P895 each at National Bookstore in SM City Marilao, SM Center Pulilan, and SM City Baliwag. At a budget-friendly price, these riveting reads will surely be a treasured addition to any bookworm’s collection.

DO: Opt for daily essentials instead of single-use products

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Aside from being wasteful, single-use gifts run the possibility of their recipients not being able to fully enjoy and appreciate having them. But how can you ensure that your Christmas present won’t end up sitting abandoned in a corner? The answer is simple: Opt for daily essentials that fit your loved one's lifestyle.

If your giftee is a skincare enthusiast, you can swap single-use sheet masks for a 300mL jar of The Face Shop’s Jeju Aloe Gel instead. This multi-functional gel can help nourish and moisturize the face, body, and hair. Packed with 95% aloe from Jeju Island, it has anti-bacterial effects and can soothe rashes and redness while keeping your skin soft and glowing. Buy two Jeju Aloe Gels for the price of one at only P390 until November 30. This promo is available at The Face Shop in SM Seaside City Cebu.

DON’T: Settle for “default” gifts

Tumblers, towels, and gift cards: While some may appreciate these items, they’re also notorious for being “default” and last-minute gifts. Think out of the box when buying practical Christmas presents and consider items they may not already have. Try choosing more lifestyle-oriented products like the Smart Watch i7Plus, a silicone/ABS smartwatch that supports iOS and Google Play Pedometer and Calorie Reader.

For further functionality, this device also has a thermometer, pedometer, stopwatch, alarm, music player, and an SMS notification feature. It also enables remote Android phone camera operation, and you can connect it to your smartphone and tablet via Bluetooth. Get this Smart Watch i7Plus for only P1,299 at The SM Store in SM City Molino until January 31.

DO: Consider intangible gifts over material items

Sometimes, experiences can be more memorable and valuable than physical stuff. For your loved ones who are often busy, a relaxing day at the spa can be a worthwhile Christmas gift and make them feel extra special. Treat them to an Aromatherapy Massage at California Nails & Day Spa, which lets them enjoy an hour and 20 minutes of pampering with soft music and a scented oil burner to match the soothing massage. The spa also uses imported essential oils that are perfect for relaxation and detoxification, so rest assured that your loved ones are in for a nice, healing treat.

Enjoy this Aromatherapy Massage for only P650 at California Nails Day Spa in select SM malls until December 31.

DON’T: Buy something just because it’s the “latest”

The hottest, latest, and trendiest item on the market may sound like a cool Christmas gift, but does it have the features that your giftee needs? Instead of relying on trends, look at a product’s specs and functions and check whether they fit your giftee’s lifestyle or not, especially if you’re gifting gadgets. Your loved ones who are always on the go might appreciate the realme C11 more for its massive 5,000mAh battery, which can last up to 12.1 hours of gaming, 21.6 hours of movie streaming, and 31.9 hours of phone calls. This Android smartphone is also sturdy, durable, and equipped with an efficient processor that lets you enjoy the smooth and speedy performance for any task. The realme C11 is also budget-friendly with a starting price of P4,990 for the 4/32GB version and P5,999 for the 4/64GB one.

For your loved ones who enjoy taking photos with their smartphone, you can also consider the realme 9 which has a 108MP AI Triple Camera for its rear and a 16MP HD camera for selfies. Its 120° super-wide camera lets you squeeze in more details in a single frame, while its NonaPixel Plus technology helps you produce beautiful photos even in a low-light setting. Enjoy a P1,000 discount on the realme 9 now, which is available for only P13,999 from an original price of P14,999. 

Visit Realme in SM City Lipa now and enjoy affordable prices and markdowns on the realme C11 and realme 9. Hurry, because the promo only runs until November 30!

DO: Shop from brands or stores that they like 

Lastly, the most important thing to do when picking a gift for your loved ones is to put yourself in their shoes. Shop according to their tastes instead of yours, and that includes buying gifts from particular brands or stores that they like. For example, loyal Adidas sneakerheads will appreciate receiving a pair from the brand’s iconic models and styles, like the re-launched Adidas Men Forum Low sneakers. Its White Gum model bears the same embossed logo, three-stripe design, and adjustable velcro strap that the original Forum Low had in the ’80s. 

Its white and beige colorway can easily match any outfit, and features like its grained leather upper and rubber midsole offer durability and slip-resistance that make it an overall practical purchase. Get a P960 discount on the Adidas Men Forum Low White Gum GY8555 when you purchase it from Sports Central in SM City BF Parañaque until November 30.

Find budget-friendly Christmas gifts that spark joy at SM malls nationwide. For more exciting discounts and promos, visit the SM Deals site or download the SM Malls Online app now!