“Christmas is a time to be with family and dear friends,” says ballet dancer and yoga instructor Maritoni Rufino, who looks forward to the season every year because of family reunions, a time to catch up and reconnect with relatives “and enjoy each others’ company just like we did when we were young.”

Being a mother, she has a renewed appreciation for Christmas as she sees it through the eyes of her children and remembers how it used to be when she was a child. “It was Christmas morning and our stockings, which hung on the stairs, were filled with toys and goodies. There were also snow-like footprints from the door going all the way to the landing of the stairs,” she enthuses of her favorite Christmas memory as a child. “It really felt as if Santa was there!”

“It’s the only time in the year that we get to spend at least four hours together,” muses performance artist Cris Villonco. “I get excited because I see people I hardly get to see all year. As Filipinos, we really spend a lot of time together during the holidays, with family and with friends.”

“Christmas is a big deal for us and we really make it a point to be together with our loved ones. It is a tradition in our family to hear midnight mass together,” shares Maritoni. Christmas in the Philippines is, indeed, an elaborate celebration. It may not be as lavish as the decorations in Manhattan, but rather, it’s the traditions that focus on family and centered on the birth of Jesus that make the Filipino Christmas truly special.

 According to both Maritoni and Cris, spirituality, values and tradition are important, almost poetic, characters in their respective Christmas celebrations and that there are activities that they enjoyed and got accustomed to growing up, which they hope to be passed on to future generations.

“When I was a kid, my lola (Armida Siguion-Reyna) would do the ’12 Days of Christmas.’ So, everyday, for 12 days leading up to Christmas, we, the grandchildren, would get gifts. It’s funny because when we were really young, they were toys. Then, later on, there would be some makeup, and then, trinkets. And I noticed that most of them would be wrapped in Rustan’s Christmas Gift Wrapper,” Cris recalls.

“I think the gift wrapper makes gifts extra special. No matter how simple a gift is, if it’s expertly wrapped at Rustan’s, it stands out,” adds Maritoni. The iconic Christmas Gift Wrapper has become a hallmark of Christmas shopping at Rustan’s as it adds a little bit more excitement to those who receive gifts wrapped in them, knowing that unwrapping them will reveal something special. Every Yuletide season, the department store is like a wonderland of gift options, and then some. Rustan’s makes sure that Christmas shopping is a breeze.

“I love that I can pick out gifts, have them wrapped and just come back to pick them up. I like the coffee shop and the eating places in the store as I can have a back in between or after shopping. There’s something for everyone in the store so it’s really like a one-stop shop,” continues Maritoni.

“Everything’s there!” Cris agrees. “You’ll find something at any section of the department store for everybody. And it’s so accessible. Really, anything that comes from Rustan’s is special. It’s become a tradition, actually, that I really enjoy. I remember going to Rustan’s with my mom or lola and it’s just, ‘Wow!’ It’s a really fond memory.”

This Christmas, Cris and Maritoni have rounded up their gift list with some of Rustan’s exclusive finds. For both of them, gift giving is always about what your loved one will enjoy.

For her son, Maritoni has picked out an ICE world edition watch while her daughter finds joy in playing with toys like the In Home Electronic Kitchen set. For her nieces and nephews she chose the Ferrari Race and Play Parking Garage, Tiffany & Co’s brush and comb set, Tiffany & Co.’s tennis charm, Tarte Tatin faux fur animal print jacket, and a pair from Fit Flops. For her sister, she has carefully chosen a J Boho wrap by Josie Natoris and a PFR Indigo jacket from Banana Republic while her mother-in-law would love those comfortable Aerosoles loafers and for her mom, sleepwear from Josie Natori together with the classic scent of Channel No5.

Cris on the other hand fills in her gift list also with her favorites like MAC, NARS and Laura Mercier make-up for some of her relatives and friends. For her mom, she prefers skin care from Dermalogica and Mario Badescu. Scents that top her list then include L’Occitane Shower sets and EDTs together with the Eau d’Hadrien by Annick Goutal as well as scented candles from Diptyque all made extra special with a personal touch from Rustan’s

Christmas is a potpourri of many things and gift-giving is just one of them. It’s also a time to look back on the year that was and be thankful for blessings and realize that there are some less fortunate than others. Rustan’s acknowledges this and plays an active role in alleviating poverty through its Corporate Social Responsibility program. The store not only provides its loyal patrons with the best shopping options, it also gives back to the community and reaches out to those who don’t have the means to afford the same luxury as its customers.

Rustan’s believes that everyone deserves to have a merry Christmas.