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At some point during the deluge of holiday errands, shopping for small children is one of the reprieves I enjoy. This age group is relatively easier to read for the sheer amount of earnestness and whimsy you can spot with them.
I’m a big fan of doing a bulk of my Christmas shopping online. It’s been a big game changer if you hate crowds and traffic. And if you know where to look, there are a ton of unique and interesting finds that you won’t see in malls. To follow that spirit of earnestness and whimsy, here are some of the coolest local online shops I came across for kids gifting:
Oli’s single boxship
Oli’s Boxship describes themselves as “the first book-based creative play subscription box in the Philippines.” To order an Oli’s Boxship is to gift the joy of analog play back to children. The activities center around a theme (farming, exploration, magic, etc.) with hands-on applications that can range from artsy to science-y. With such thoughtful packaging and intentional storytelling, this is the sort of play that will get the adults in the room excited, too.
Price: P980, Oli’s Boxship. For more information, visit their Instagram account.
Bubbadoodles pendant
There’s something so pure and free about kids’ drawings, even more so when they’re from your own kids. Bubbadoodles allows you to preserve them into pendants or keychains. It’s a chic, modern way to bridge the world of a child to your own.
Price: Starts at P2,000, Bubbadoodles’ Instagram account.
Play Factory’s Mr. Skelly skeleton and organs plushie set
A lot of children are tactile learners and a new world opened up for my daughter as she started playing with Mr. Skelly. I haven’t gotten to the point of explaining how organs function to a three-year-old just yet, but she has an understanding that they’re there inside her body. There’s a thrill in watching her putting it together on her own and listening to her explain (deleted) when she places organs in strange places. It’s simple and educational fun.
Price: P550, Play Factory PH’s Instagram account.
Yumbox Panino and Lunch Punch food cutter
How I wish this was around when I was growing up. The Yumbox Panino is leak-proof, easy to clean, and segmented. It allows for even the laziest parent to be able to put together a fun-packed meal. Couple that with kooky food cutters, parents may actually have a shot at piquing the interest of the pickiest of eaters.
Price: P1,415 and P595, respectively, Bright Brands PH’s Instagram account.
Juansie Manila onesie
With over 30+ designs in their catalog, there’s bound to be something for everyone in here. I’m a big fan of these onesies because you have the potential to get a lot of wear out of them. My daughter wore a kitty one for Halloween (her withstanding the heat in the suit willingly is a testament to her love of her outfit) and it was a hit during trick or treating. Sans Halloween, these suits are fantastic for sleepovers, imaginative play, and all-around costuming needs.
Price: P1,300, Juansie Manila. For more information, visit their Instagram account.
Googoo & Gaga doodled clothes
Beloved brand Googoo & Gaga started out with t-shirts and have branched out to activewear. Their current collection showcases children’s drawings and they’re stunning to behold in stretchy fabric. While available in their usual applications, it’s the swimwear that stands out to me. Just like the current trend of grown-ups wearing swimwear as casual tops, Googoo & Gaga’s also possess the same versatility for kids with their cool styles.
Price: Starts at P895, Googoo & Gaga. For more information, visit their Instagram account.
Toytinkr’s convertible table-easel
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpg793Ul988/
Multi-use and ages as your child grows are gold star traits for their furniture. This table-easel from Toytinkr is easy to assemble and stylish. The simple lines and the light wood are perfect for parents who wish to depart from overstimulation in their kids’ rooms. If that isn’t enough, one side is a magnetic chalkboard and the other is a whiteboard.
Price: P3,700, Toytinkr’s Instagram account.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author in her private capacity and do not in any way represent the views of Preen.ph, or any other entity of the Inquirer Group of Companies.
Art by Marian Hukom
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