The Best Places For Christmas Shopping In Manila Philippines

In a place where “Christmas Lanes” exist – that is, the opening of alternate routes in an attempt to ease traffic congestion during the holidays – you know it gets busy around this time of year. So spare yourself the soaring gas bills, hours in traffic, and the vicious hunt for a parking slot, and get a head start on the Christmas shopping this year. Here are the best places in the Metro to scout for presents and festive decor.

Quiapo

The streets of Quiapo are already quite chaotic day in and day out, so you can only imagine the pandemonium when the holidays roll around. Beat the crowds and drop in to do your shopping before the final quarter of the year. On your first visit it will feel like a melange of the most random of stalls — from fresh fruits and vegetables to fortune tellers. But once you know where to look you’ll end up purchasing finds you didn’t even know you wanted.

For the DIY jeweller with a long list of sisters or girlfriends to gift, drop by Wellmanson, a spacious beads and accessories shop that also carries random knickknacks for the girls in your life. Any friends who love shopping local and adore anything homegrown? Pass beneath Quiapo bridge where stalls sell local products and handicrafts at a bargain price. Any loved ones into photography? Walk down and around Hidalgo Street, which has long been the go-to for local photographers for cameras and accessories that go for cheaper than mall prices. For small, yet personalized presents, check out Buckingham Embroidery who can personalize bag tags for all your wanderlust-inspired friends.

Wellmanson, 229 Villalobos St, Quiapo, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Buckingham Embroidery, 123 Carlos Palanca Sr. St., Quiapo, 1001 Metro Manila, Philippines

1. Divisoria

Market, Store

For a more organized shopping experience, venture into the 168 Mall, 999 Mall, and Tutuban Shopping Center for trendy RTW finds and toys for the nieces and nephews. If you plan on cooking up and bottling your Christmas presents (your special homemade marmalade or liver pâté, perhaps?), this also the perfect place to bulk buy glass bottles, mason jars, and other packaging supplies for cheap.

2. Greenhills Shopping Center

Market, Bazaar, Building, Market, Shopping Mall, Store

For those who don’t think they can brave the crowded streets of Quiapo or Divisoria, Greenhills Shopping Center would be a more comfortable bet — it will, however, come with a small price to pay. Though still short of shopping mall prices, the stalls in Greenhills sell their products undoubtedly higher than those in the two more bustling market places above. Bargaining is still expected here but the tiangge (bazaar) stalls are neatly organized and not too difficult to maneuver around. Shoppers will be able to find pretty much a little bit of everything, amongst stall after stall of bag, shoe, and watch imitations.

While known for being saturated by designer replicas, what Greenhills does have of good, authentic quality are pearls. Fresh water pearls are widely cultured in the country and can therefore be sold at ridiculously affordable prices. Saltwater pearls, though more expensive due to rarity and difficulty of gathering, are still more affordable in the Philippines than abroad. This would make for great presents for titas and lolas and friends who enjoy donning a bit of luxury. In addition to its tiangge areas, the Greenhills complex also includes a more upscale building called Promenade. So those in need of a break from all the shopping and haggling can simply go across the street and into the cooler, more roomy Promenade to take their pick from the variety of restaurants and coffee shops available.

Ortigas Ave, Greenhills, San Juan, 1502 Metro Manila, Philippines

Pearls at a store in Greenhills | © Brownpau / Flickr

Malls

For shoppers who want to steer clear of bargaining and busy bazaars, or shoppers who already have specific stores and brands in mind, the malls of Manila (and the sheer number of them) will not disappoint. Housing among the biggest malls in the world, Manila constantly brings in international brands that have a following among local consumers. So today, most famous foreign brands can already be found within the Metro.

SM Supermalls has spread like wildfire across the country. They have several malls in Manila, with the most famous ones being the SM Mall of Asia and the ever-expanding SM Megamall. Their enormity makes them perfect for Christmas gift scouting. The city of Makati is home to several upscale malls, such as Rockwell’s Power Plant Mall and Ayala’s Greenbelt complex, which both contain various luxury stores for those who wish to go big on a Christmas present spree. For less-overwhelming shopping trips, smaller malls that are quick and easy to get around also exist, like The Podium and Robinsons Magnolia.

SM Central Business Park Bay City, Pasay, 1300 Metro Manila, Philippines
Power Plant Mall Hidalgo Drive, Makati
Greenbelt complex, Legazpi Street, Makati, Kalakhang Maynila, Philippines

3. Cubao Expo

Shopping Mall

Nowadays, almost anything can be found in Manila’s bargain bazaars and its many malls. But on the quest for gifts for family and friends who are all but cookie-cutter, who have a thing for vintage finds and quirky knickknacks, veer off the beaten path and towards Cubao Expo. The modest area is home to, not only the Metro’s laid-back, underground scene, but also interesting little shops that are a nice break from the predictability of the regular shopping mall. Take your sweet time rummaging through antique shelves and classic vinyl records and you might just score that perfect present.

Cubao Expo, 3 General Romulo Ave, Cubao, Quezon City, 1109 Metro Manila, Philippines

Shelf of vinyl records | © Cinty Lonescu / Flickr

4. Dapitan Arcade

It takes more than ticking everyone off your Christmas shopping list to complete preparations for the big day. While the gifts are done, there’s still the decor — and Filipinos take their holiday decor seriously. Shopping malls, streets, and homes, all scream Christmas at this time of year. It’s part of what keeps the holiday spirits up throughout its four-month stretch in the country. So for a head start on this other Yuletide prep as well, drop by Dapitan Arcade in Quezon City and amass a collection of Santa statues, tree ornaments, and hanging decor. Bargain smartly (and always pleasantly) and prices here will turn out to be a fraction of those at the mall.

37 Dapitan Cor, Kanlaon St., Laurges, Quezon City, 1114 Metro Manila, Philippines

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMX-D-Vh8Ns/?taken-at=238584256

5. Christmas Factory

For those who really want their homes dressed in their holiday’s best, head to Christmas Factory in Sampaloc, Manila, and take your pick. This family business, which started out as a hobby, has grown so much since its opening in the late 90’s, that it now also caters to customers abroad. They’re most famous for their variety of Santa Claus designs, which range in size from miniature tabletop ornaments to six-foot-tall stand-alones. Bring home a Santa or two and consider a bulk of your holiday prep done!

565 A.H. Lacson Street Sampaloc Manila, Philippines

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.