I miss this place! I wish it's still open!…read more This is our go to gift shop back in the days

A visit to Greenhills will never be complete without going to Regina Gift Shop…read more When I was a kid my parents would remind me that it's a gift shop meaning I went in to buy gifts for other people. I believed that lie until I was about ten. I guess that was to prevent me from buying all the awesome goodies this shop has to offer. Sorry, parents. I'm buying gifts for myself. They have everything! And I really mean everything. They have all my childhood candies next to a stand of plastic balloons. You know, those little tubes which you squeeze until this substance comes out which you blow into with the use of a little stick. There's a shelf with plates, spoons and forks and knives, cups and lunchboxes. And in the center, you'll find notebooks, stickers, pens, art materials, cellphone cases and the occasional sex toy. Speaking of toys, they do have toys for babies and children and adults who collect toys. Not into those things? They have bags, clothes and hats too. I remember being dragged here by my mom whenever I needed a costume for school. "You're only going to wear it once anyway. But it at Regina," she'd say. Don't get me wrong, their clothes don't break after one use. They have cool socks and hats. And sometimes if you're lucky, they have sell Christmas stockings. I can't remember everything they sell at this shop. So it would be great if you have a look for yourself. You won't be disappointed and you'll leave with lots of loot.

This is the perfect place for hipsters! From the name itself, you already know that this store will…read moreprovide you with weird, yet stylish gifts, goodies, and fun novelty items. This store is famous for their water-resistant and tear-resistant mighty wallets. It looks like it's made out of recycled papers, but once you get a hold of it, you'll eventually notice that these wallets are hard as a rock. Once, I tried putting it underwater just to test its durability and nothing even happened to it. Besides wallets, they also have things to decorate your room. They have a Stick-It-Easy Clock that you can easily put on any dry surface. One of my personal favorites is their lunch bag that looks just like a disposable paper bag. It is built to keep your food hot when you're travelling or on the go. Just like the mighty wallet, it is also water-resistant and tear-resistant. If you need new decorations for your boring room or apartment, make sure you visit this place. Quirks will find a way to make it look fun and stylish. PS: Prepare your wallets 'cause this place is expensive!

Quirks is a store for people with a bit more personality. You'll never know what to find in here!…read moreSo many random trinkets will tickle your fancy because of its design or functionality. This is a gret place for buying gifts and tokens for friends and family. Sarcasm is highly appreciated here so if you think you have a good sense of humor then come here the next time your looking for a container to hide that stash of grass ;) There also useful products of course. But their design offers something unique and eye-catching. So better than being useful, it will make you happy seeing it and knowing that what your purchased matches your personality! In Quirks everyday, ordinary stuff can take your imagination places and offer you something that regular stores won't.

I really like all the clothing and accessories one can buy here. Its all Filipino offerings…read moreconveniently located in SM. The items are a little pricier than local vendors and shops but traveling alone I feel better spending a few extra pesos rather than to venture past Antonio Arnaiz Av. The clothing is beautiful and the handbags are too unique to not go home with out one.

Kultura is the perfect place to find things truly unique to FIlipino culture. If you're looking for…read morea gift or pasalubong for balikbayans, for sure you'll find what you're looking for here. They have everything from clothes, bags, hats, even liquors! Owned by the SM company, you can be sure to find them in all their department stores or malls, which makes it very convenient and everything's pretty affordable too! I had a few cousins come to visit from America over the Holy Week and in the stress of all the planning I lost track of time to buy them something! Luckily, there's an SM near my house and I ran and found really cute beach bags for their trip to Boracay. I love any business or organization that supports being Filipino so this is up there on my Manila list!

Ugh. Too many cute things in one place…read more I am not into cute things, but I made a deal with my nieces that I have to pass by this shop whenever I'm here, take a picture of their new things and send or show it to them. And sometimes, being a good aunt means enduring a trip to Tickles to look for cute stuff for my two adorable nieces. Everyone keeps telling me, "The stuff there is so cute!" Yes, so cute, but the price of their stuff isn't cute. A notebook there goes for Php200 up when I can get the same one in Landmark for Php100 or less. Their bookmarks are also more expensive than the exact same one in Fully Booked. I suggest, before you buy the cute things you see here, scout around other places 'cause they just might have it at cheaper prices and better quality. The only thing I will ever splurge on in Tickles is stuff for my pet. They now have these really pretty beds for dogs and cats. And my poor cat won't have to sleep on an old pillow on the floor every night. There are times, I also find myself buying their stuffed toys to give my cat as a present so it won't be bored at night.

If you have very little self-control for purchasing cute things, make a detour! But since this…read moreparticular branch is right smack in the middle of Greenbelt 1 and 5, which makes it VERY. HARD. TO. AVOID, then you (or at least your wallet) will be doomed. Tickles is one of those places that are just difficult to resist. It's like a cute child doing a very convincing "paawa face", holding on to your legs, begging for ice cream. Through the years, this place has been constantly getting better and better at stocking the quirkiest and cutest finds, and at reasonable prices. You can count on Tickles for that last-minute birthday present, or for when you're looking to fill that existential void with cuteness in the form of adorable animals printed on pencil cases, pillows, bags... or everyday things with faces on it, soft plushy things for your desk. And, it's actually not just all cute stuff, but also quirky, functional things like statement aprons, wallets, bags... Ack! Oh and they have stuff for the most special people in your life--I'm referring to our companion animals, of course! They have these colorful beds for your dogs/cats, so they can sleep in style, unlike their slaves (us).

Clipper is a really awesome store you should go to if you love Japan, anything Japanese or anything…read more"Kawaii". This gift shop originated from Harajuku, Japan so it's guaranteed how authentically kawaii all their products are. It's definitely the place to be when you want to buy quirky and unique gifts, novelty items, bags, key chains, stationaries and a whole lot more. Every time I go in the store, I feel like buying and collecting everything. I've bought some awesome stuff my friends have loved like a pencil case that's shaped like a chocolate bar, a glasses case with a design of a cute bear and an adorable mug with a bear face and bear ears. Whereas I have bought this cool compact mirror that looks exactly like a cookie with vanilla filling and then my favorite would have to be this cool and badass backpack I bought that had a skulls and roses with thorns as an all over print and chains on the zippers. It was really cheap like P600 if I remember well. I've had it for years and it's super sturdy! Also great for traveling since it's thief proof because it looks so scary, haha.

Gift Gate is a store that basically sells a lot of items that are colored in pink. It's main mascot…read moreis a Kitty that I'm sure many of those born in the 90's would recognize but those after the millennium would not. Back in the old days Gift Gate was well, a nice place to get gifts for your loved ones, particularly kids. They sold stationary, toys, pencils, pens, you name it it had it. I gave this one four stars because of the sense of nostalgia. I have a great suspicion that buying something here and giving it to a girl who grew up in the 90's might appreciate the sense of nostalgia that this would bring them. Not only that, but items from Gift Gate aren't that expensive. It's a nice place for people who are working on a tight budget, but want something that has a little bit of thought and sentimentality to their gift of choice.

Great selection of unique gifts from the Philippines. We found gifts for all our family members…read moreback in the states

Whenever I see brown paper, I think of Papemelroti. And, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It…read moreonly means that Papemelroti for years and years has really made a name for themselves for being so good at making paper things. I usually go here if I have a present that needs a nice, presentable, brown paper bag, or perhaps one of their decorative paper boxes if it's an extra special present. They have several options for gift-wrapping here if you're going for a more DIY, organic look & feel - twine, brown paper, and all. I absolutely love their gift cards and postcards here, too! I purchased some teacup and teapot-shaped cards. I found them too pretty to actually give to someone, so I stuck them on my wall instead, haha. Papemelroti is really known for those sentimental, sometimes cheesy gift items. You know, things with motivational quotes on them, things that say "best grandma ever",and the like. Magnets, mugs, wall hangings, etc. They do have a line of crafty-looking accessories (though I'm not sure how sturdy these things are...) which is perfect for you if you're into the boho/hippie style.

It may be great source of happiness and inspiration but love can also be quite expensive at times…read more Girls love flowers and it's always a challenge for guys like me to find a florist that can provide us with beautiful bouquets that won't entail selling an internal organ. King Louis in Megamall is a personal favorite of mine. They have a great selection and their prices won't cost you that much. Their prices are higher than those found in Dangwa but at least you don't have to go to Sampaloc. The flowers are beautifully arranged and the staff are helpful. They tell you which ones are the best for you depending on your needs. Like I was surprised when they told me that the frail looking carnations with its soft delicate petals last longer than roses. Apparently, carnations just shrink unlike other flowers whose petals fall off after a few days. Their delivery charges are the cheapest I've seen so far. One hundred fifty pesos for within Mandaluyong City and up to Php350 for areas in Quezon City.