Some Of Manila's Most Stylish Share Last-Minute Yet Thoughtful Christmas Gift Ideas For Your Gal Pals

Rocio Olbes-Resano, artist, author, and advocate

This set of Abigail Silver Plated Frames from Pottery Barn will find a home in any space. They're simple and understated, which makes them easy to match with a room's existing aesthetic.

Rocio, when she was named as a #MetroMostStylish woman this year, talked about her support for sustainable fashion. Homegrown brand BAYO actually has a charitable arm, BAYO Foundation, that finds uses for scrap fabrics and other materials that would otherwise end up in landfills and contribute to the global problem of waste generated by the fashion industry. Hit two birds with one stone by finding out how your best gal pals can support causes like this while learning how to be more fashion-conscious yourself.

Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez, fashion designer

As a fashion designer, of course Rosanna wants her girl friends to look on point, always. She highly suggests her year-round resort wear pieces from Where Two Find Me where colors and playfulness reign supreme.

Save this one for an extra, extra special friend, maybe someone you've been sharing your deepest, darkest secrets with since kindergarten! Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, beloved for its scent that evokes endless Italian summers, is a lovely way to cement your BFF status with her. (Of course, a trip for two to Italy also works, but this is a shortcut to that vacay goal!).

Xandra Rocha, entrepreneur

Savonille's fragrances, soaps, and hand sanitizers are big with Xandra, and for good reason; they're mild on skin and boast of simple formulas that still pack a punch in terms of their great-for-skin ingredient lists and pretty packaging. In case the lucky friend receiving a pack of these wishes to repurchase, she'll also be glad to find out that Savonille products are at reasonable price points, too. Xandra highly recommends their products with the Floral Fresh scent!

Sustainability meets fashion meets forever summers. Xandra has a pattern to her gift suggestions, and they're obviously perfect for the beach babe in our life whose tan never fades! As a brand that celebrates female friendships and the unique kind of quality time women spend with each other, Cabanna Living products are top of mind for her when it comes to last minute, but meaningful, Christmas gifts. She's specifically a fan of their beach towels!

But Xandra has classic ideas for other kinds of best friends, too. A lovely pair of pretty earrings from Fina Manila will surely find a special place in any woman's vanity. They're versatile and elegant, so why not get a pair for yourself so you and your bestie can match?

Surprise! Bet your friend won't see this coming as it's a relatively new service offered in the country. Spray.ph is one of Manila's first tanning salons which prides itself in finding a color that perfectly suits clients' skin tones. Unique in itself, it'll make a huge impression on your best friend as it's likely going to be an entirely new experience for her, and one she's bound to enjoy and thank you for.

Happy Ongpauco-Tiu, entrepreneur

If there's anything that Happy knows her fellow moms and dearest female friends will appreciate, it's a helping hand in the kitchen when it comes to preparing thoughtful, nutritious meals for their families. As a beloved caterer in Manila's swanky events scene, she came up with an idea she guarantees will make mommy friends smile: Mom Made PH's pre-packed meals that aren't instant food filled with empty calories, but rather, specially prepared dishes that are super yummy and of course, easy to prepare and store. Choose from their wide selection of ready-to-cook gift baskets!

More food, more happiness. This is especially true this holiday season when Filipino families gather around tables overflowing with food that makes everyone from lola and lolo, to bunso and apo, happy. And when the family is happy, the moms of households are happy, too! Give your BFFs the gift of happiness in the form of food trays of classic dishes and unique dishes from Happy Platters; they''ll be wiped clean, just wait and see.

Amina Aranaz, accessory designer

As a designer who needs her space to be neat and tidy for her creativity to manifest, Amina knows the value of pretty desk organizers all too well! These desk organizers were literally made with the woman who combines her OC-ness with a beautiful aesthetic in mind; it's got great utility but doesn't sacrifice style at all.

Mother of peal is always such an elegant gift, no matter what form it comes in. For Amina, she suggests these pretty mirrors from her own collection that'll surely spruce up a vanity and be as much as an stylish accent as a functional item. It's a dainty piece that'll be most appreciated by the bestie who loves femininity surrounding her at home.

You can never go wrong with gifting the girls you love the most with personalized items. This is a great idea for those looking to give out uniform gifts for a group of friends! Amina's initial-decorated woven pouches are useful and unique.

Cat Juan Ledesma, entrepreneur and local design and art advocate

Cat is all about drawing attention to the loveliest finds created by local artisans and for this gift guide, she's highly recommending ceramic mugs and cups by runrvr.ph! This gift serves a double purpose, too: it not only promotes local craftsmen and women, but is also a stylish statement on being part of the movement to stop climate change. Imagine this nifty little thing sitting on a desk with its soothing pastel colors and comforting texture; how can anyone not love it? Give it to a friend who appreciates anything made locally, and it's sure to be a hit.

Here's suggestion number two from Cat: a pencil holder and glasses holder all in one for the quirky gal pal! You don't need to have ocean-deep artistic sensibilities to see how this Filipino-made item is a conversation-starter and a useful one, at that. Don't be surprised if a recipient of this creation from Diseninyo asks if they have similar items, because a work desk or book shelf filled with their eye-catching designs is definitely an idea worth pursuing!

Mikaela Lagdameo-Martinez, retail specialist, entrepreneur, and influencer

Mikaela is a fit mom, but she knows all too well that Christmas isn't exactly the season for diets and strict fitness regimens! She promises that it's worth to indulge in a cookie (or two) from Hey Sugar Dough, and, to make it extra special, play you and your BFF's favorite Christmas movie while you dig into a can of these babies, then enjoy. Voila, a perfect Christmas for the girls!

Bohemian feels, anyone? Reserve these fun, made to mix and match pieces for your friends who channel the inner beach babe and (grown up) Coachella-goer in them all year round. Heyjow's jewelry was made for the playful fashionista who wears unusual designs on her ears, neck, fingers, and wrists with lots of flair, making it the perfect brand for ladies who make up their own fashion rules.

Marga Nograles, creative, entrepreneur, and Filipino indigenous textiles advocate

Marga's brand, Kaayo, focuses on the beauty of Mindanao-made fabrics and products that utilize some of their most amazing textiles. For Christmas, what she has in mind for gifts for girl friends are the brand's multi-size travel pouches that can be used in a myriad of ways! Best of all, they can be personalized for an extra touch of meaningfulness for the closest of close friends.