Mindful shopping at its best

It's always a challenge to find unique gifts to give this holiday season, so here are two bazaars you can check out this December. There's no better time to support local—and both are having it in Power Plant Mall, Rockwell.

Soirée by Retail Lab
With over 150 homegrown brands from fashion, home, and lifestyle categories, you'll surely find gifts that meet your requirements—with holiday deals to check out. And it's happening only this weekend only from Dec. 2 to 4, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Retail Lab Co-Founder Claud Baron-Paulino hopes that this will help businesses get back on its feet. "The goal of the event is to give an opportunity for local businesses, Instagram brands, small labels, and startups to showcase and sell their products," says Paulino.

"It’s been a long time since the last Soirée, so we’re excited to gather both old and new
merchants and have everyone together under one roof again. There are also so many new local
brands and businesses that have opened during the pandemic, and we are excited to introduce
them all to our shoppers at this year’s event," adds Rosanna Aranaz, also a co-founder of Retail Lab.

Avail of free entrance tickets by pre-registering here. For more details, follow @soireebyretaillab.

ArteFino
If you're on the lookout for one-of-a-kind handmade local products, then you must check out Presente by ArteFino. An annual holiday shopping event since 2017, this year is set from Dec. 2 to 23 with a lineup of 70 partner vendors, communities, and patrons. Every week will have a different mix of artisanal lifestyle brands with a dedicated section on ArteFino finds.

"When buyers go to Presente, they shop for meaningful gifts,” says the founding team that is composed of Cedie Vargas, Marimel Francisco, Maritess Pineda, Mita Rufino, and Susie Quiros. "Brands and products on feature have unique stories to tell about local artistry, communities, and creativity.” Everything in ArteFino has a story to tell, tying it in with local and artisanal community-weavers, woodworkers, embroiderers, sewers, farmers, and other local creatives. "Every time you shop at ArteFino, you also help these local communities."

"Presente is a continuation of the ArteFino journey, especially after having weathered the pandemic and recent return to in-person events. For all of us in the team, partner vendors, designers and collaborators, ArteFino is not just a one-time selling activity. It's about embodying the ArteFino spirit, and speaking its unique voice. Together, sama-sama sa Pasko," shares the ArteFino team.

Entrance is free.