Never Too Early for Christmas Shopping September 11, 2008
Posted by mbvh in Uncategorized.Tags: Christmas shopping, coupons, Sears
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Dear Diary,
I know it’s not even yet Halloween. But does that mean that it’s too early to be thinking of Christmas? I hope not. As December looms, so does the nightmare of joining last-minute shoppers on Christmas season mall sales. Heaven knows how much I don’t want that to happen to me. I had a very bad and very traumatic experience last year. On Christmas Eve. At Sears.
So I am starting this September, about three months away. That way, I won’t be in such a mad rush to purchase items that are on sale. I won’t have to worry about parking space at K-Mart. I won’t have to keep revising my list or write people off of it. I won’t have to be at the tail-end of long queues, or frenetically redeem coupons just to match a hastily allocated budget. I won’t be suffering from any great imbalance between Christmas supply and consumer demand.
This year won’t find me procrastinating. Oh no, sir! Instead I will enjoy the relaxed, pre-December atmosphere of department stores and retail shops. Maybe I will even find items that are good for out-of-season gifts; by shopping early, I can buy anything that I want, without the rush of Christmas affecting supply or stock. Also, I’m guaranteed more time in December – time, that is, other than for shopping. What with parties, preparations, sending of greetings, house calls to friends and family, Christmas season can make one’s schedule very hectic indeed.
I can shop online, too, from the comfort of my own home. It is very convenient to do this, especially for Christmas, because I won’t have to worry about how to send gifts to recipients that aren’t exactly in close proximity. There won’t be any long waits at the Post Office; many online shops, after all, offer fast and free shipping according to delivery instructions. Also, I won’t have to be burdened by the weight of carrying so many shopping bags or make confused arrangements about shipping and wrapping packages.
Anyway, you get my point. I am planning early for Christmas shopping so that I will have a relatively stress-free holiday season. Relatively – because I don’t know what recipe ideas I’m going to have to come up with!
A Day for Gift-Shopping September 3, 2008
Posted by mbvh in Uncategorized.Tags: coupon codes, gifts, online shopping
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What kind of savage son would get his father a lighter, an ashtray, and two boxes of hand-rolled cigars on Father’s Day? Well…the kind just like me, I guess.
“Are you trying to kill your dad?” mother asked when she saw what I was about to give him.
Of course not! Having trekked into the monstrously populated town mall on the eve of all fathers’ special day, I was easily tempted to be eclectic. No World’s Greatest Dad paper holder. No moleskin planner. No wallet. No Swiss knife. I wanted my gift to be a little out of the usual. And where do I get it? Kultura Filipino, of course.
The one-stop shop is a treasure trove of local culture and crafts, all showcasing how unique being a Filipino is. There were two huge stands displaying the cigars. Naturally, already having bought a Coca Cola lighter from Lighter’s Galore, I was easily drawn, like to a magnet. I got two boxes and was given a free sample – which I smoked immediately after I got home. Thanks, Kultura Filipino!
According to Kabayan Central, each cigar from Tabaqueria de Filipinas (the leading exporter of premium cigars in the Philippines) is rolled entirely by hand, meticulously inspected, and packed in hand-crafted boxes and humidors made from Narra wood. I purchased two of the brand’s coronas.
The 1898 Independencia corona, as sales would probably have it, is their most popular cigar. It was launched in 1998 to mark 100 years of Philippine independence and combines “pais” fillers from Isabela as well as Isabela Binders and Java wrappers – thus producing a smooth, full-bodied flavor. On the other hand, the Flor de Filipinas cigars combine a rich blend of Cuban seed tobacco grown in La Union; it is a bold, spicy cigar with a Philippine binder and an Indonesian wrapper.
Whew. I am the exact opposite of a cigar connoisseur, but I am sorry I am not a no-smoking advocate either. Not yet.
For coupon codes on gift items, ideas and suggestions, visit Coupon Saver.
