Gift Filipino even when you’re abroad

Filipino artistry tops many a wish list for the holidays. Filipinos based abroad gifting to their loved ones back at home know this, asking shopaholic friends and relatives like myself to facilitate the orders for them for anything from jewelry to indulgent treats like alcohol and chocolate, and F-beauty finds.

“Veering away from sending random imported products that could take weeks or months to be delivered, we want your family and friends to appreciate and enjoy high-quality Filipino-owned brands that you have personally selected for them,” says Ieth Inolino-Idzerda, a fashion girl now based in Amsterdam, who solved this by co-founding Mithi & Co., a premium online gift box curator that specializes in introducing local high-quality products to customers living abroad, to be delivered and enjoyed by loved ones in the Philippines.

“The balikbayan box is the ultimate care package. But more than what's inside the box, it's the joy of unboxing that makes this Filipino tradition special,” says Ieth, the chief founder and CEO.

Their New Balikbayan Box captures this experience, paying an ode to the balikbayan boxes many Filipinos have come to anticipate growing up. Of course, Instagrammable unboxing experience aside, it’s what’s inside that counts.

“We believe that who makes the things you buy and where they come from matter — a lot. That's why we shine the spotlight on the coolest local brands, championing Filipino artisans and micro-entrepreneurs,” adds Sarah Fernandez, founder and chief operating officer.

Their growing curation of products on the platform includes picks from award-winning chocolatier Theo & Philo Artisan Chocolates and jewelry designer Joyce Makitalo’s J Makitalo Fine Art Jewelry (her sets available on the site are exclusive to Mithi & Co.). Nina Ricci Eleazar and Margaux Salazar of concept store Una Ricci have come up with something convenient and stylish for the biker in your life.

Thematic curated sets exclusive to the platform save you from the guesswork of gifting. Niccolo Tuason, co-founder and chief commerce officer, shares “We believe that behind every great gift is a unique and exceptional story. Gifting has the power to connect and delight, when given with meaning and intention. With our thoughtfully curated gift boxes, we aim to inspire communities and deepen relationships.”

Luid Lokal Wood Crafts specializes in acacia wood dining and entertaining sets, curated for every occasion, from Viking-style drinking to cheese grazing; you can fill up the latter with decadent charcuterie grazing boxes by Cheese Crafter MNL, also available for purchase on the site, to make your presence felt and have it shipped in time for Noche Buena.

For the diabetic in your family with a sweet tooth, Coco Dolce’s The Good Chocolate set is both delicious and immunity-boosting.

Encourage a self-care moment with Marikit MNL Candles Co’s soy-based candles and all-natural skincare handcrafted in Manila by Marta's Handmade. Or better yet, just until travel restrictions are lifted again, have them ready for their next big trip with a set from Happy Camper.