In the Philippines, the year-end holidays bring family—whether inherited or chosen—together. We have Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s, and other seasonal festivities to bring in a more joyful atmosphere.
It’s a time for honouring old traditions and making new memories, usually gathered around a dining table with our favourite Filipino holiday meals. It’s a season to connect: to self, to loved ones, and to our roots. Living in a Filipinx household, the days leading up to Christmas usually involve packing balikbayan boxes and making video calls to relatives overseas.
In the holiday spirit of gift-giving, we want to help you find presents packed with meaning and impact! To us, the answer is to #WearYourHeritage.
#WearYourHeritage lands right on the sweet spot of connecting to our Filipino roots, supporting Filipinx-owned businesses, and celebrating our Pinxy identity with others!
So, we know Filipinx get into the Christmas spirit as early as September. But, if you’re still looking for gifts, shop at these Filipinx brands we know you’ll love and deepen your impact this holiday season:
(*Quick disclaimer: none of the following have sponsored this blog post. We’re only recommending brands we’ve personally tried or believe deserve more recognition!)
1. Kapé Coffee
Kapé Coffee names its coffee after its partner farmers, so you always know where your beans are coming from. Photo credit: Kapé Coffee.
A gift for the serious coffee drinkers in your family; or, a nightcap to serve after Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Feast) and Media Noche (New Year’s Eve Feast)!
Kapé Coffee is a Vancouver-based social enterprise that offers single origin coffee from the Philippines. They source directly from sustainable farms owned by family farmers and Indigenous growers in the Philippine highlands.
Each cuppa you brew from Kapé Coffee is guaranteed to come with a story. Their online shop listings include farmer information, bean’s origin, farm elevation, process, and flavor profiles. Several variants have even garnered awards at the Golden Bean North America and Philippine Coffee Quality Competition!
2. Oodaalolly Chocolate
The Oodaalolly Chocolate Bar Collection includes their three foundational bars: 70% Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Sea Salt, 60% Dark Milk Chocolate, and 70% Dark Chocolate. Photo credit: Oodaalolly.
A treat for your foodie friends—they most likely don’t know what they’re missing!
Oodaalolly Chocolate opened our eyes (or palates, rather) to why Philippine chocolate is better than any of us think!
Hernan Lauber, a second-generation chocolatier and the founder of Oodaalolly, brings together Filipino cacao and Swiss technique.
Oodaalolly sources its beans directly from farmers in Davao, Philippines. Their chocolate bars highlight the nuanced flavours of Filipino cacao by producing in small batches and with minimal ingredients. In fact, the 70% Dark Chocolate Bar has only two ingredients: cacao and unrefined cane sugar! Their bean-to-bar process is a rigorous one but ensures utmost quality, a satisfying snap, and silky texture.
3. Pinay Collection
Pinay Collection tees are 100% cotton, heat-pressed, and pre-shrunk for fit, their crewneck sweaters are a 50:50 cotton - polyester blend with a relaxed fit. Both were designed to make unapologetic statements about Filipinx identity. Photo credit: Pinay Collection.
A new outfit to hype up your fave Ate and your ride-or-die besties! Encourage your gal pals to own their sassy Filipina/x spirit with Pinay Collection.
Pinay Collection is a merch line featuring minimalist and hand-lettered designs for the unapologetic Filipina/x! By using Tagalog words like “maarte”, “maldita”, and “ambisyosa”, the brand aims to celebrate Filipina/x heritage and reclaim Pinay/xy identity.
Jovie, the Toronto-based calligrapher behind Pinay Collection, created the brand as an extension of her art on the Tagalog language. It reflects her own relationship with reconnecting with the language and her Pinay identity. Along the way, she’s encouraged a community of Filipinx to do the same.
4. Malaya Botanicals
Malaya Botanicals features an extensive range of wellness products, from pain relief to skin care. Their not-so-secret ingredient? CBD!
A DIY spa kit to pamper your Titas and Nanay.
Malaya Botanicals makes CBD-infused products that bring holistic wellness and healing to your everyday self-care routine. Their various product lines include: pain management, calm and anxiety, skincare and beauty - all which include premium CBD and natural ingredients like essential oils.
Tita will remember you every time she whips out her CALM Essential Oil Roll-on, made with a blend of lavender, bergamot, lemon, and ylang-ylang. Fav pamangkin (niece) over here!
Reverse the fine lines you gave Nanay with Malaya Botanical’s RENEW Moisturizing Cream infused with CBD, aloe vera, and emu oil.
5. Cambio & Co.!
Our partner AMAMI works with plateros from Ilocos Region to craft pieces from gold filigree, a technique that existed long before the Spanish and which continues today. Inspired by the flora and fauna of the Philippines, our AMAMI collection is the perfect way to #WearYourHeritage.
A gift to jumpstart your fashionista friends on their #WearYourHeritage journey!
You don’t need to look too far for Filipino-made gifts, it’s the heart and core of our business.
We only partner with brands committed to celebrate Filipino heritage and empower artisans in the Philippines.
Just a few clicks away from this blog, you’ll find our online shop fully stocked with pieces that proudly celebrate our heritage. Behind every thumbnail and product photo, there’s a story we’re proud to share!
We offer jewelry made by plateros, or goldsmiths, who’ve mastered the art of filigree—a technique passed down since pre-colonial times.
Inspired by warm summers in the Philippines and the flowers that bloom from it, our Pusô Hardin Pyramid Clutch was designed by Christian Cera, a visionary Filipino designer and in-house collaborator at Rags2Riches.
For the more playful dressers, we also have accessories made by artisan wood carvers or handcrafted with responsibly sourced shells.
By the way of bags, our partners have innovated weaving techniques to something uniquely their own.
All designed with Filipino soul, all handcrafted with utmost care. A perfect gift for those you love, including yourself!
‘Tis The Season of Giving
Holidays or not, making an impact can happen year-round, especially with how we choose to spend our money.
We are staunch advocates to #WearYourHeritage and we hope you join us! By supporting Filipinx-owned businesses committed to empowering craftspeople in the Philippines, your impact outlives this season.
How are you planning to deepen your impact and #WearYourHeritage during the holidays?
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