GIFT GUIDE: ‘New classics’ for the holidays

From beauty and fashion, to kitchenware and everyday essentials, these gift-worthy pieces from Rustan’s are sure to excite this holiday season.

With Christmas carols playing in malls and restaurants, and families decorating their homes with boughs of holly, one thing is certain—the holiday season has begun! And what better way to prepare than by planning your loved ones’ gifts early to avoid the last-minute holiday dash?

On that note, consider exploring this carefully curated selection of “new classics”—items that infuse the tried and true with a fresh and modern twist, perfect for those who adore timeless styles with a contemporary edge. These presents feel familiar yet exciting, nostalgic yet new—a true reflection of the spirit of the holiday season.

Timeless beauty must-haves

Kickstarting this gift guide is a range of classic beauty tools and products modernized for today’s trends and needs. 

For the eco-conscious glamazons in your circle, give them the gift of sustainable beauty with the Artdeco Refillable Couture Lipstick. While classic lipsticks come in fixed tubes, this innovation offers elegant and customizable lipstick cases that can be fitted with your choice of Artdeco Couture Lipstick Refills in various colors and silky finish. It’s a thoughtful present that honors your loved one’s dedication to beauty and Mother Earth. 

For that friend who can’t live without eye-catching nails, the OPI’m Phosphorescent Infinite Shine nail polish, P695. makes the perfect stocking stuffer. Why? Four words: glow in the dark! Part of the the OPI x Wicked Holiday 2024 collection, this polish features an emerald hue that glows brilliantly when the lights are off. It’s ideal for the beauty lover who loves to stand out. 

OPI’m Phosphorescent (Infinite Shine-Glow in the Dark)
VS Sassoon Ultraspeed Professional Hair Dryer

Why gift one when you can gift three? Delight your nail-loving friend with two more nail polishes that can revitalize their current collection. Gift them the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel™ Moonlit Top Coat and Sally Hansen Miracle Gel™ Glazed Top Coat. 100% vegan and designed to mix and match with your favorite polish, Moonlit adds an iridescent cosmic shimmer effect to your nails while Glazed gives a pearlescent dewy effect.

For loved ones who crave effortless, salon-quality waves, the BaByliss Air Wand is the perfect gift. The three-in-one product is a dryer, straightener, and styler that can be used even on wet hair. Even better: it avoids heat damage, thanks to its being powered by super-fast 123 km/hr airspeed. It’s great when you want to add glam to your hair routine minus the fuss.

Another option for friends and family who love styling their hair is the VS Sassoon Ultraspeed Professional Hair Dryer, P19,250. This modern upgrade on the classic hair dryer uses cutting-edge technology like a high-speed brushless motor and ionic frizz control, and an ergonomic, T-shape housing designed to speed up the drying process, while being lighter and easier to handle.

Not sure what to give? Consider something versatile, like the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® x Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse® Or Roll & Glow. Now on special offer, this cult-classic multi-use dry beauty oil can give long-lasting hydration to your face, body, and hair. The roll-on with golden shimmers lets you glow on the go. Use it to highlight specific areas of your face for a golden glow, perfect for the holiday season. 

Fresh notes for your favorite scents

Discover classic fragrances with modern interpretations and iconic perfume houses that have reimagined their bestsellers.

For the men in your life who are partial to Lacoste’s sporty scents, introduce the Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau Intense Eau de Toilette. This edition of the L.12.12 For Men collection exudes a masculine fougère leathery scent. The top and heart notes feature bright mandarin and lavandin juxtaposed against a vetiver and white leather base. It’s perfect for men who appreciate timeless scents with a little extra punch.  

If the sparkling-fresh scent of Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace tickled a male friend’s fancy, he just might like its male counterpart. Meet The Scent of Peace for Him Eau de Parfum, a blend of bergamot, pineapple, and juniper berries that evoke warmth and freshness. It’s a scent made for the assured and masculine man.

For the gentleman with an edge, Givenchy Gentleman Society Eau de Parfum Extrême is the perfect scent match. It exudes Givenchy’s signature flower-wood pairing but is reinvented by master perfumer Karine Dubreuil with daring and unexpected accords, creating a spicy, powerful scent that embodies the sophisticated thrill-seeker. 

For your loved one who enjoys Sunday mornings spent on soft cotton sheets, capture the moment for them in a bottle of Maison Margiela REPLICA Lazy Sunday Morning Eau de Toilette, P5,150.00. With delicate floral and musky notes, this unisex fragrance is fresh and nostalgic, making it a thoughtful gift for someone seeking serenity in their daily life.

For your friend who adores floral scents or the winter season, Flower Ikebana Mimosa by Kenzo Eau de Parfum, P8,450, can make a great addition to their fragrance collection. The second to come out of Kenzo’s brand-new floral collection, this new fragrance features a velvety, floral-powdery scent from mimosa flowers and hinoki wood, perfectly capturing the warm embrace of a winter sun. 

Classic heritage meets contemporary style

Going into our fashion picks, these gifts combine classic craftsmanship and tradition with modern designs and contemporary trends.

Look sharp on the golf course, country club, and on any occasion with the Jack Nicklaus Arrowhead Polo in Bright White, P5,950. This versatile shirt embraces the classic golf style, a modern aesthetic, and high-performance fabric that’s breathable, moisture-wicking, and UV-protecting. It’s a must-have for men who value style and function.

For footwear that will excite fashion-forward men, consider the Dune Mandatory Chelsea Boots in Dark Brown. This iconic boot’s contemporary aesthetic features an almond-toe silhouette and stylish elastic side gussets, held together by the finest leather. It’s a timeless, sleek, and versatile look that can span seasons.

Jack Nicklaus Arrowhead Polo-Bright White

Chunky shoes are in vogue, so gift your male friend who wants to jump on the bandwagon the Clarks Torhill Hi in Black Suede. An archival design from the 90s freshened up with a contemporary vibe, this suede ankle boot with a ribbed outsole is every bit classic and every bit streetwear. 

The classic Mary Janes are a must-have in any fashion maven’s wardrobe. So how about surprising your chic loved ones with new renditions of this beloved style? For a mature version of the MJs, meet the Clarks Daiss30 Shine in Black Patent Leather. Its versatile 1.18-inch heels and dainty double straps complement smart-casual styling. For more fashion-forward mavens, the eye-catching Clarks Daiss30 Shine in Grey Snake Mary Janes will be a sure hit.

Anne Klein Rectangle Cushion Watch with Mother of Pearl Dial

Timelessness and modernity converge in the Anne Klein Rectangle Cushion Watch with Mother of Pearl Dial. This stunning gift option features a luxurious mother-of-pearl rectangular dial and a two-tone bracelet. It’s a piece that can add a touch of luxury to any outfit. 

In case your loved one already owns a watch, specifically an Apple Watch, giving them the Anne Klein Premium Crystals Link Band, P8,950, may do just the trick. Compatible with Apple Watch faces in both 38/40/41mm and 42/44/45/49mm sizes, this statement watch band consists of stainless steel links in gold or rose gold, accented by premium, delicate crystals. The result is a piece that whispers sophistication and high technology. 

Give the gift of confidence with the Spanx SPANXsculp TotalContour Open-Bust Cami. This revolutionized shapewear cinches you up to deliver an hourglass shape with its open-bust cami for seamless support, flexible built-in boning, and LYCRA® FitSense Print™ Technology for added waist and core support. 

Does your friend love rocking sexy bodysuits? Gift her the Maidenform M Smoothing Seamless Bodysuit. Made to feel like a second skin, this smoothing bodysuit boasts a low scoop neckline for more decolletage exposure and a snap closure at the crotch area for convenience. Use it as shapewear or as a body-hugging top—the choice is yours!

Old favorites, new flavors 

These gifts are for the chefs and foodies in your life. Delight them with presents that can elevate their cooking and dining experience. 

Precision cooking is easier with the KitchenAid Multiply 3-Ply Stainless Steel Collection, P5,700 This aluminum collection is designed to withstand repeated use and features measuring marks for precision and control, and curved rim designs to ensure drip-free and mess-free pouring and serving. The collection consists of Open Frypans with ceramic non-stick coating (20cm, 24cm, and 28cm), a Covered Saucepan (16cm), a Covered Wok (28cm), and a Covered Casserole (24cm).

Bring sunshine to your loved one’s kitchen with the Tefal One Pick Pot Pan Deep Pan 22cm with Lid in Yellow. This vibrant yellow deep pan is an all-in-one kitchen hero, serving as a frying pan, wok, and saucepan so you don’t need to buy multiple pieces. It also boasts a Titanium anti-scratch, non-stick coating. 

For the Spanish cuisine stan in your life, elevate their homemade paellas with the Jata Electric Paella Pan, P5,700. With an electric design for easy cooking, non-stick coating, and honeycomb surface for anti-adherence and even heat distribution, this kitchen must-have makes whipping up perfectly cooked paellas easy and quick—-perfect for the holiday season! 

Elegant functionality reimagined 

Water bottles are classic gifts to give loved ones, but how about teching it up a notch? The Noerden LIZ+ Smart Bottle elevates your drinking experience with cutting-edge technology, including UV sterilization for clean water, a digital screen displaying essential information about your drink, drinking reminders for maximum hydration, USB-charging, and even temperature tracking.

What do you give the jet setters and travelers in your circle? The Samsonite Proxis, P45,550! This futuristic-looking luggage is ultra-light and highly resilient due to its Roxkin™ outer shell that bounces back in shape. Pro tip: Make this gift extra special by having your loved ones’ initials monogrammed on the tag through Samsonite’s services. 

For your loved one who’s always on the move, the American Tourister Rudy Backpack 1 AS Navy, P2,550, can make a useful gift. Backpacks are an everyday essential, but this American Tourister backpack elevates it by turning it into a canvas for self-expression. Inspired by the ice cream and waffle concept, you can choose from six fun colors: navy, ice mint, banana cream, apricot ice, blueberry, and black. 

Switch things up by gifting your loved one a “new classic” this Christmas. From beauty and fashion, to kitchenware and everyday essentials, these gift-worthy pieces from Rustan’s are sure to excite this holiday season.

All brands are exclusively distributed by Rustan Marketing Corporation. Available in leading online shopping sites and department stores nationwide. For instant updates, follow @RustanMarketingCorp on Facebook and Instagram.

The new lifestyle.